in the University of Oxenford, to oversee and correct this said book, and to address and expound, wherever shall be found fault, to them that shall require it. For him I know for sufficient to expound and English every difficulty that is therein; for he hath lately translated the Epistles of Tully, and the book of Diodorus Siculus, and divers other works out of Latin into English, not in rude and old language, but in polished and ornate terms craftily, as he that hath read Virgil, Ovid, Tully, and all the other noble poets and orators to me unknown. And also he hath read the nine Muses, and understands their musical sciences, and to whom of them each science is appropred. I suppose he hath drunken of Helicon's well. Then I pray him and such others to correct, add, or minish whereas he or they shall find fault; for I have but followed my copy in French as nigh as to me is possible. And if any word be said therein well, I am glad; and if otherwise, I submit my said book to their correction. Which book I present unto the high born, my to-coming natural and sovereign lord Arthur, by the grace of God Prince of Wales, Duke of Cornwall and Earl of Chester, first-begotten son and heir unto our most dread natural and sovereign lord and most Christian King, Henry the VII., by the grace of God King of England and of France, and lord of Ireland; beseeching his noble Grace to receive it in thank of me his most humble subject and servant. And I shall pray unto Almighty God for his prosperous increasing in virtue, wisedom, and humanity, that he may be equal with the most renowned of all his noble progenitors; and so to live in this present life that after this transitory life he and we all may come to everlasting life in Heaven. Amen. _A Miracle Play of the Nativity._ [The Pageant of the Shearmen and Tailors, from the Coventry Corpus Christi Plays.] _A Miracle Play of the Nativity._ [The Pageant of the Shearmen and Tailors, from the Coventry Corpus Christi Plays.] =Written before 1500.= ISAYE. The Sovereign that seeth every secret, He save you all and make you perfect and strong, And give us grace with His mercy for to meet! For now in great misery mankind is bound; The serpent hath given us so mortal a wound That no creature is able us for to release Till the right Unction of Judah doth cease. Then shall much mirth and joy increase, And the right root in Israel spring, That shall bring forth the grain of holiness; And out of danger He shall us bring Into that region where He is King Which above all other far doth abound, And that cruel Satan he shall confound. Wherefore I come here upon this ground To comfort every creature of birth; For I, Isaye the prophet, hath found Many sweet matters whereof we may make mirth On this same wise; For, though that Adam he deemed to death With all his childer, as Abel and Seth, Yet Ecce virgo concipiet,-- Lo where a remedy shall rise.