_Mary Magdalene._ O dear Lord, · who wast on the cross tree, To me it becomes not · to kiss thy head. I would pray thee · let me dare Now to kiss · once thy feet. [_Woman, touch me not!_] _Gardener._ O woeful woman, · touch me not near, No, it will not serve, · nor be for gain; The time is not come; Until I go · to heaven to my Father, And I will return · again to my country,-- To speak with thee. _Mary Magdalene._ Christ, hear my voice, · say the hour That thou comest from heaven · again to earth To speak with us. Thy disciples · are very sad, And the Jews · with violence always Are round about them. _Gardener._ O Mary, · tell them, Truly I go · to Galilee, As I said; And besides that, · bear in memory to speak Good comfort · to Peter by me; Much he is loved. THE CORNISH MYSTERY-PLAY OF MARY MAGDALENE AND HOW SHE BROUGHT THE NEWS OF THE RESURRECTION OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST TO THE APOSTLES CHARACTERS Jesus Mary Magdalene Thomas Peter Andrew John James the Greater James the Less Matthew Philip Simon Judah THE MYSTERY OF MARY MAGDALENE AND THE APOSTLES [_Now Mary comes to the apostles, and says to them in Galilee:_ _Mary Magdalene._ Now, O apostles, I will tell you news: Jesus is risen from the tomb; I saw him lately, I spoke to him also, I looked on his wounds, Pitiful it was to see them; To the world they bring healing. _Thomas._ Silence, woman, with thy tales, And speak truth, as I pray thee; Christ who was cruelly slain, To be alive I will not believe; Waste no more words, For lies I do not love; Our Lord is dead; Alas! I tell the truth. _Mary Magdalene._ I speak true, Thomas, And I, though poor, will prove it. Lately I saw him,-- The Lord (none equal to him), And by me he sent, I swear to ye, as ye may know, Like as he promised; He named to me none but Peter. _Thomas._ Silence, and speak not, woman! I pray thee, mockery with us Now do not make; Stout though Castle Maudlen be, If thou mock, I will break thy head About thee from above. _Mary Magdalene._ I will not be silent from fear I will prove it true what I say Before _we_ separate. Like as he is King of heaven, He is with God the Father, On his right side. _Peter._ Ah! Jesus Christ, happy am I To hear that he is risen Out of the tomb; For I know very well That he is son to Mary, And God likewise. _Thomas._ Peter, peace, and leave thy mockery, For idle it is to say That he is risen. Never can, for the world, Any man be raised After dying. _James the Greater._ Thomas, very well it may be; The Son of God will rise When he will; For Jesus, Son of Mary, He made heaven, and this world, And every thing that was not. _Thomas._ O James, it is no use for thee; A man who is dead certainly Does not live again. Foolish idleness, not to leave it, But to go to assert A thing of no benefit.