Wherefore I pray you heartily The very truth that ye would certify, How long it is surely Since of that star you had first sight. FIRST REX. Sir king, the very truth to say, And for to show you as it is best, This same is even the twelfth day Sith it appeared to us to be west. HEROD. Brethren, then is there no more to say, But with heart and will keep ye your journey, And come home by me this same way, Of your news that I might know. You shall triumph in this country, And with great concord banquet with me, And that child myself then will I see, And honour him also. SECOND REX. Sir, your commandment we will fulfil, And humbly obey ourself theretill. He that wieldeth all things at will The ready way us teach, Sir King, that we may pass your land in peace! HEROD. Yes, and walk softly even at your own ease. Your passport for a hundred days Here shall you have of clear command, Our realm to labour any ways Here shall you have by special grant. THIRD REX. Now farewell, king of high degree! Humbly of you our leave we take. HEROD. Then adieu, sir kings all three! And while I live be bold of me. There is nothing in this country But for your own ye shall it take. [_Exeunt the_ Three Kings.] Now these three kings are gone on their way; Unwisely and unwittily have they all wrought. When they come again they shall die that same day, And thus these vile wretches to death they shall be brought. Such is my liking. He that against my laws will hold, Be he king or kaiser never so bold, I shall them cast into cares cold, And to death I shall them bring. _There Herod goeth his ways and the three kings come in again._ FIRST REX. O blessed God, much is thy might! Where is this star that gave us light? SECOND REX. Now kneel we down here in this presence, Beseeching that Lord of high magnificence That we may see his high excellence, If that his sweet will be. THIRD REX. Yonder, brother, I see the star, Whereby I know He is not far; Therefore, lords, go we nar Into this poor place. _There the_ Three Kings _goes in to the jesen, to_ MARY _and her_ Child. FIRST REX. Hail, Lord, that all this world hath wrought! Hail, God and man together in-fere! For thou hast made all thing of nought, Albeit that Thou liest poorly here. A cupfull [of] gold here have I thee brought, In tokening Thou art without peer. SECOND REX. Hail be Thou, Lord of high magnificence! In tokening of priesthood and dignity of office, To Thee I offer a cupfull of incense, For it behoveth thee to have such sacrifice. THIRD REX. Hail be Thou, Lord long looked for! I have brought Thee myrrh for mortality, In tokening Thou shalt mankind restore To life by Thy death upon a tree.