FIRST PROPHET. Of his own great mercy, As ye shall see the exposition, Through whose humanity All Adam's progeny Redeemed shall be out of perdition. Sith man did offend, Who should amend But the said man, and none other? For the which cause He Incarnate would be And live in misery as man's own brother. SECOND PROPHET. Sir, unto the Deity, I believe perfectly, Impossible to be there is nothing; Howbeit this wark Unto me is dark In the operation or working. FIRST PROPHET. What more reprief Is unto belief Than to be doubting? SECOND PROPHET. Yet doubts oft-times hath derivation. FIRST PROPHET. That is by the means of communication Of truths to have a due probation By the same doubts reasoning. SECOND PROPHET. Then to you this one thing: Of what noble and high lineage is she That might this veritable prince's mother be? FIRST PROPHET. Undoubted she is come of high parage, Of the house of David and Solomon the sage; And one of the same line joined to her by marriage; Of whose tribe We do subscribe This child's lineage. SECOND PROPHET. And why in that wise? FIRST PROPHET. For it was the guise To count the parent on the man's line, And not on the feminine, Amongst us here in Israel. SECOND PROPHET. Yet can I not espy by no wise How this child born should be without nature's prejudice. FIRST PROPHET. Nay, no prejudice unto nature, I dare well say; For the King of nature may Have all at His own will. Did not the power of God Make Aaron's rod Bear fruit in one day? SECOND PROPHET. Truth it is indeed. FIRST PROPHET. Then look you and read. SECOND PROPHET. Ah! I perceive the seed Whereupon that you spake. It was for our need That He frail nature did take, And His blood He should shed Amends for to make For our transgression; As it is said in prophecy That of the line of Judee Should spring a right Messee By whom all we Shall have redemption. FIRST PROPHET. Sir, now is the time come, And the date thereof run, Of His nativity. SECOND PROPHET. Yet I beseech you heartily That ye would show me how That this strange novelty Were brought unto you. FIRST PROPHET. This other night so cold, Hereby upon a wold, Shepherds watching their fold, In the night so far To them appeared a star, And ever it drew them nar; Which star they did behold Brighter, they say, in fold, Than the sun so clear In his midday sphere, And they these tidings told. SECOND PROPHET. What, secretly? FIRST PROPHET. Nay, nay, hardily; They made thereof no counsel; For they sang as loud As ever they could, Praising the King of Israel. SECOND PROPHET. Yet do I marvel In what pile or castle These herdmen did Him see.