Christ was born upon this wise, It fell on such a night, Neither with sounds of psalteries, Nor with fire for light. Mary that is God's spouse, Bring us to thy Son's house. The star came out upon the east With a great sound and sweet: Kings gave gold to make him feast And myrrh for him to eat. Mary, of thy sweet mood, Bring us to thy Son's good. He had two handmaids at his head, One handmaid at his feet; The twain of them were fair and red, The third one was right sweet. Mary that is most wise, Bring us to thy Son's eyes. Amen. THE MASQUE OF QUEEN BERSABE A MIRACLE-PLAY KING DAVID Knights mine, all that be in hall, I have a counsel to you all, Because of this thing God lets fall Among us for a sign. For some days hence as I did eat From kingly dishes my good meat, There flew a bird between my feet As red as any wine. This bird had a long bill of red And a gold ring above his head; Long time he sat and nothing said, Put softly down his neck and fed From the gilt patens fine: And as I marvelled, at the last He shut his two keen eyën fast And suddenly woxe big and brast Ere one should tell to nine. PRIMUS MILES Sir, note this that I will say; That Lord who maketh corn with hay And morrows each of yesterday, He hath you in his hand, SECUNDUS MILES (_Paganus quidam_) By Satan I hold no such thing; For if wine swell within a king Whose ears for drink are hot and ring, The same shall dream of wine-bibbing Whilst he can lie or stand. QUEEN BERSABE Peace now, lords, for Godis head, Ye chirk as starlings that be fed And gape as fishes newly dead; The devil put your bones to bed, Lo, this is all to say. SECUNDUS MILES By Mahound, lords, I have good will This devil's bird to wring and spill; For now meseems our game goes ill, Ye have scant hearts to play. TERTIUS MILES Lo, sirs, this word is there said, That Urias the knight is dead Through some ill craft; by Poulis head, I doubt his blood hath made so red This bird that flew from the queen's bed Whereof ye have such fear. KING DAVID Yea, my good knave, and is it said That I can raise men from the dead? By God I think to have his head Who saith words of my lady's bed For any thief to hear. _Et percutiat eum in capite._ QUEEN BERSABE I wis men shall spit at me, And say, it were but right for thee That one should hang thee on a tree; Ho! it were a fair thing to see The big stones bruise her false body; Fie! who shall see her dead? KING DAVID I rede you have no fear of this, For, as ye wot, the first good kiss I had must be the last of his; Now are ye queen of mine, I wis, And lady of a house that is Full rich of meat and bread. PRIMUS MILES