In the Paston letters we find Sir John Paston’s agent, in describing the high-handed proceedings of the Duke of Norfolk in 1478, saying, “There was no man that played Herod in _Corpus Christi_ play better and more agreeable to his pageant than _he_ did.” It will be seen, I think, that the verdict of the general public was a sound and good one. THE EIGHTH PAGEANT--“THE THREE KINGS.” _Presented by the Vintners._ This must have been a striking sight, for the Three Kings, richly apparelled, accompanied the pageant-carriage on horseback through the city, and the First King tells how they are looking for the fulfilment of Balaam’s prophecy and seeking a sign. FIRST KING. Mighty God in majesty, That ruleth the people of Judye, When thou on man wilt have pity And his sins for-bye, Send some tokening, Lord, to me, That ylke star that we may see That Balaam said should rise and be In his prophecy. For well I wot, forsooth, I wis, That his prophecy sooth is, A star should rise betokening bliss When God’s son is born. Therefore, these lords and I in fere (company) In this mount make our prayer Devoutly once in the year, For thereto we be sworn. Then they dismount, and the Third King hands his horse to attendants:-- “Say, fellows, take this courser And abyde me right here, Go we, sirs, to our prayer I rede now in good faye; I have done this many a year, And my ancestors that before me were. High God, prince of power, Thou comfort us this day.” Then they proceed on to the pageant-carriage which represented the “mountain” they had to ascend. On reaching the top, an angel appears carrying a star, and now the Kings burst forth into French:-- FIRST KING. A, Sir Roy, si vous plaist Gardez sus sur votre test. SECOND KING. Une Esteile issi est Que sir, vous repleist. THIRD KING. A loys soyt luy une semblant De une virgin portant Comme le semble de une Infant Embrace apportement. Then they fall on their knees, and the angel says:-- A! rise up, ye Kings three, And come along after me Unto the land of Judye As fast as you may hie; The child ye seek there shall ye see, Borne all of a maiden free, That King of heaven and earth shall be, And all mankind for-bye. Then followed an incident which must have given great pleasure to the sightseers, for the Kings descended into the street[42] and mounted imitation dromedaries! The Second King says:-- Yea, sirs, I rede us every one Dromodaryes to ride upon, For swifter beasts be there none. One I have, you shall see. [42] In the Coventry plays Herod “rages in the pagond and in the streete also.” To which the Third King replies:-- A dromodary in good faye Will go lightly on his way A hundred miles upon a day, Such coursers now take we.