FIRST WOMAN. I lull my child, wondrously sweet, And in mine arms I do it keep, Because that it should not cry. SECOND WOMAN. That Babe that is born in Bethlehem, so meek, He save my child and me from villainy! THIRD WOMAN. Be still, be still, my little child! That Lord of lords save both thee and me! For Herod hath sworn with wordes wild That all young children slain they shall be. FIRST MILES. Say ye, whither, wives, whither are ye away? What bear you in your arms needs must we see. If they be man-children, die they must this day, For at Herod's will all thing must be. SECOND MILES. And I in hands once them hent, Them for to slay nought will I spare; We must fulfil Herod's commandement, Else be we as traitors and cast all in care. FIRST WOMAN. Sir knights, of your courtesy, This day shame not your chivalry, But on my child have pity For my sake in this stead; For a simple slaughter it were to slo Or to work such a child woe, That can neither speak nor go, Nor never harm did. SECOND WOMAN. He that slays my child in sight, If that my strokes on him may light, Be he squire or knight, I hold him but lost. See, thou false losenger, A stroke shalt thou bear me here, And spare for no cost. THIRD WOMAN. Sit he never so high in saddle, But I shall make his brains addle, And here with my pot-ladle With him will I fight. I shall lay on him as though I wood were, With this same womanly gear; There shall no man steer, Whether that he be king or knight. FIRST MILES. Who heard ever such a cry Of women that their children have lost? And greatly rebuking chivalry Throughout this realm in every coast, Which many a man's life is like to cost; For this great wreak that here is done I fear much vengeance thereof will come. SECOND MILES. Eh! brother, such tales may we not tell; Wherefore to the king let us go, For he is like to bear the peril, Which was the causer that we did so. Yet must they all be brought him to, With wains and waggons fully freight; I trow there will be a careful sight. [_They go to_ HEROD.] FIRST MILES. Lo! Herod, King, here mayest thou see How many thousands that we have slain. SECOND MILES. And needs thy will fulfilled must be; There may no man say there-again. [_Enter_ NUNTIUS.] NUNTIUS. Herod, King, I shall thee tell All thy deeds is come to nought; This child is gone into Egypt to dwell. Lo! sir, in thine own land what wonders ben wrought! HEROD. Into Egypt? alas for woe! Longer in land here I cannot abide; Saddle my palfrey, for in haste will I go, After yonder traitors now will I ride, Them for to slo. Now all men hie fast Into Egypt in haste! All that country will I taste Till I may come them to. _Finis ludi de tailors and shearmen._