‘I pray thee,’ said the Carnal, ‘Tell me before thou go’st, Was not the mother of Jesus Conceived by the Holy Ghost?’-- V ‘She was the purest Virgin, And the cleanest from sin; She was the handmaid of our Lord, And mother of our King.’-- VI ‘Where is the golden cradle That Christ was rockèd in? Where are the silken sheets That Jesus was wrapt in?’-- VII ‘A manger was the cradle That Christ was rockèd in; The provender the asses left So sweetly he slept on. VIII ‘There was a star in the West land, So bright did it appear Into King Herod’s chamber, And where King Herod were. IX ‘The Wise Men soon espied it, And told the king on high, A princely babe was born that night No king could e’er destroy. X ‘If this be true, King Herod said, As thou tellest unto me, This roasted cock that lies in the dish Shall crow full fences[616] three. XI ‘The cock soon freshly feathered was By the work of God’s own hand, And then three fences crowèd he In the dish where he did stand. XII ‘Rise up, rise up, you merry men all, See that you ready be, All children under two years old Now slain they all shall be. XIII ‘Then Jesus, ah! and Joseph, And Mary, that was so pure, They travelled into Egypt, As you shall find it sure. XIV ‘And when they came to Egypt’s land, Amongst those fierce wild beasts, Mary, she being weary, Must needs sit down to rest. XV ‘Come sit thee down, says Jesus, Come sit thee down by me, And thou shalt see how these wild beasts Do come and worship me. XVI ‘First came the lovely lion, Which Jesu’s grace did spring, And of the wild beasts in the field, The lion shall be the king. XVII ‘We’ll choose our virtuous princes, Of birth and high degree, In every sundry nation, Where’er we come and see. XVIII ‘Then Jesus, ah! and Joseph, And Mary, that was unknown, They travelled by a husbandman, Just while his seed was sown. XIX ‘God speed thee, man! said Jesus, Go fetch thy ox and wain, And carry home thy corn again, Which thou this day hast sown. XX ‘The husbandman fell on his knees, Even before his face; Long time hast thou been looked for, But now thou art come at last. XXI ‘And I myself do now believe Thy name is Jesus called; Redeemer of mankind thou art, Though undeserving all. XXII ‘The truth, man, thou hast spoken, Of it thou may’st be sure, For I must lose my precious blood For thee and thousands more. XXIII ‘If any one should come this way, And inquire for me alone, Tell them that Jesus passèd by, As thou thy seed did sow. XXIV