second shepherds` pageant

224
UNIT III . MEDIEVAL AND RINAISSANCE ENGLAND
SECOND SHEPHERDS' PAGEANT
The cycle of Corpus Christi plays pelfulmed in the Yorkshire torvr of\Vlkefieid is one
the best knorvn ofthc cyclc's,not leastdue to the irlffuelcc ofati unknos.rt tntcr
"rhe
norv as
Waketlcld Master."But rvhile there is considcrableirifur-nrationabour the
lorrrranceofthe cyclesin Chester arrd inYork, ntuch lessis knorvn about perfblnrit ce
Wakcficlcl.InYork, for example,each play il the Corpus Chlisti cyclc rvls ptoblbly
foltrred on r separ-atepageant wallo1ri the w:lqons rvere lrrarrged ln thc ordel ofthe
frorrr the first pl:ry,Thc Fall o.l'lheAn:l(ls, to the lest. Tfu LastJtdgncrt-tnd
throueh rhc city,stoppirg at eachof nveh-cst;rtions.Althoush rve knorv rhat rhis
bcgan at.1:30 in the morninq and proccc-deduntil p:rstmic|right, scholalselc still not
tirc1y clear ol the logisiics of the cntilc cycle's pedbrnlance.
The data recording productions at Wakefielcl are 111uchsketclricl tlru forYolk; M:rrtial
llose suggcstsirr lris book, The Ll/akcfidd itl1,stu'yPla1,s,
rhat rhc pllys rlighr have been sraged
atWakefielcl irr r dlflcrcnt wa)i After a procession thlough thc cit\,.,the wagons rnlght have
been brought to a silllj1e location*:r squ:lrc!or pcrhlps belile the carhecirel rvhcrc lll the
phys could tre perforrued in sequercc-for a srngleauclience.As in odrer torvns,howevel
cilch p.rlicant coulcl have been perfonncd by a diftirent guild. end thc er,rjlclrvoulcl h:rvehad
tl-rc lesponsibility both for devclopiug dte text of dre pJe,v,
;rnd for llllirrt:tir rirLg .rppnrpnite
costunles and propcr_ties,ls rvcll :rsthe paqeanau'agon. Ho$'cvcr, the singic survjvllg r iinuscript ofthe plevs fioor Wakefield (rrsually celled thc ToNlrele,v nrlnr.rscript) is sonrcrvhlt
lesscornpletc thau the recor-cls
ofother tor,vns:only three ofthe pegernrsarc specificlllyrssigned to iiclividual suilds.
llut the Wakefield cyclc is inter estirig Idr manv othcr r-r-rlsons,
thoush. nor least for the
"W:rkefield
rvork ofthe
Master," u4ro probably wrotc in thc carly prrt ofthe fifrccnrh cenrury. Although nrrnv of tlrc.paljeanrsin the Wekeficld cyclc lre sinrilar ro rhosc inYorkWakeiield had or)ce been :r part of
York six of the preernts in the nr:rnu
script use aD unusLlal nirle lirc stanza.
AlthoLrgh iCs not clcar rvhether these
page:lnts \verc oliginally cotlposecl by
t l r c. r r r r cr r . d i rr d . r r o
l . r r i r , l 1r r r r . r . l L 1
the senrehand, tlrcy shlrc simil:rrstvhstrc
elernentslurcl iril usullly attribnted to a
silrlllc.ruthor.As is the casein Thc Sccond
S l tp, l ' r . L l ' . r t , . " , ' r. l r c , r 1 ' l . r y .r . . L l i ' t i n .
tive in their hard-nosedpoltrayrl of the
tough conditions of mral life in rnedievel
Enghnd :rnd arc rvritten in a puneent
"fhe
soutlr Yorkshire clirlect.
Wekefieltl
M:rstcr is usuallv saiclto hlve \vritten. r'cvised, or- contributed to thc Wakc.field
lQlliry ol Abd ph,- (possibly procluced by
the (llovcrs'euilcl), its \balr phy, trvo
pleyson thc stbjcct ofthe shepherds,;rnd
ir brlllirrrr vcrsion of Tfu Buffiiu.g oJ
Ohrin.
l l ' . S " t " t ' / r ' i y ' r ,d . t r ' r , , r , : . ' p .
In this scenefrofir lhe SecandShepherds'Ploy Mak can
cal ofrhe medlevalc_vcle
phys i its insrs
f r o n t so n eo f t h e S h e p h e r d s .
coLrlltelPolnt betll
rs lrandle
of th. pLv rs I co
the lamb hc iras sto
the pla-vbeginsrvith
C)n one level, of
of the bi
ickv. trrvr'ri.lnd ultlr
itt a measure of
this potcntiell,v bL
tt as tnelr llew
but to djstllrgr
ise of sah'allon rn
1noment they loss
to BctlJchem
While T/rr Sicor
xnd divine even
POrtraYstne s1
Holy Land; theY
'Wc
can hear t
dience.
their iarrded, stLPerc
First Shcpbercl cornP
With these gentlerv r
/ Eat our blead full r
men winks." Thc Plc
world of Mrk and r
Christien nrrr ative a
a likeness betr'een tL
time. Like rranY cYc
temPlate the reiation
rative in the everyda
. THE WAKXFIELD SECOND SHEPHERNS' PAGEANT
225
betrveen the human world and the promise of eternal salvation, and this
int is l.randledwitl.r the WakefieldMaster'.s
t1'picalenergy and subtlery The first
play is a conredy, involving Makt unsuccessfrd and hilarious-attempt to pass
he has stolen fronr a group of local shepherds as his clild; the second portron
beginswith the Angel! appearance
and sunmoning ofthe shepherdsco tsethleone level,of course,the playi expiicit par:rllelbetweenMak's lamb/child and the
ion of the birth ofjesus, the Lamb of God, suggestsa discontinuitybetweenthe
and ultimatelv deceptive hunan worid and the salvation that is to come. In
a measure of the V/akefield Master's sure sraso of the sensibilities of his audlence
parcdy of the Nxtivity (Mak'swife swaddlingthe lamb to
ispotentiallybJasphemous
it astheir newborn baby) works not to undermine the miracle ofthe Christian narbut to distingrish the distractions of the flllen, human world from the powerful
ofsalvation incarDated in the Nativity itseli The Angel appea$ to the shepherds at
they toss Mak in a blanker, and it should be loted that he does not accompany
to Bethlehem.
'fhe
'Pagearl makes a seuching formal comparison
SecondShepherds
between hudivine events, it also uses anachronism in particularh effective ways: the \Vakefield
portrays the shepherds at the outset ofthe play nor as long-ago characters in the farHoly Land; they are vividly characterized as the contenrporaries oftheir nredieval au'We
can he:rr the accents ofa hard-working, overtaxed rural population irritated by
landed,supercrlious masters throughout the opening monents of the play: when the
"Fortaxed
Shepherd con-rpJainsof bcing
and ranrnred / We are made hand tamed /
thesegentlery-nren"or r,r,hentheThird Shepherd saysthar we"that sweatsand swinks,
our bread ful1 dry, and rhat me fbrthinks. / We are oft wet and rveary when nr.stetwinls." The plot of the p1ay,rn other words, enforces a formal conffast between the
of Mak and the promised deliverer-rceof the Savior: in its illsistent staging of the
ian narrative as something happcning row, anlon€l ds in its audience, the play forges
betlveen the past and thc prcscnt, linking then together in a common Christian
Like rnany cycle p1ays,theWakefield SerondShqherds' Pageantasksits audience to conthe relationship betr,veenthe eternal and the tenrporal by stagir€! thc Christirn nJrr n r h r - v r r y d r y t e r r n ' o f r r e d i e vr l l r i : <
-#[f"*'l^
J ;r r'-*'
''
SCENE I
T H EW A K E F I E S
PS
A 'G E A N T
LD
E C O NSDH E P H E R D
Anonymous
CHARACTERS
FIRST SHEPHIIRD, al(rll
SECOND SHEPHEI].D,(;i/I
THITT' SHEI,HERD, DdII,
MAK, ll?{',Sr(ry-rl(,i/0-
WIIE OF MAK, Cil/
AN(]EL
MARr1 r,ir, tlrc Clrist child
SCENE
ONE
1 sHEpHERD:Lord. tir:rt thcse \\'e:rthcrsrre col,.llAnd I rnr
ill happed.
I lnr ne,rrh:rnddold. so loru hlvc I rr:Lirpcdr
N'lr,lcgsthcy 1b1d.nrv fLugcrsrrc chrppcd,
Ir is not as I rvou1l1,
lor I :rnr:r11
1:rppcd
lrr storlllsx d tcllPr'st,
Norr in rhe el\!. norv ir) thc ll,cst.
\Vtre ir irirr hrs rtocr rcst
\4irl d.r,vnor nrorrol'l
lrl
l5
[]ut uc sclv irrrsh.rrrcls
tlrrt \v,rlkon thc lloor.
Irr frith. rr-crrc rcrr lurcls oLrtof the ,:1oor'.
No rvontler.rs ir strnds,if u e bc poor'.
For thc tihlr of our hrrclslics f.Lllrrr':rsthc tloor'.
\Irc ,rlc vr hanrnrcd.
Forr.r-rcd
rrrd rlrrrrrcd.
We ,rle rrrrdehrnd trrlcd
With thcsc gcntlcr,v-mcr.
l'hLrsthcv lclrvcr.rsour rcst,our I.ad\'thcnr \\,rl.vl
Thescnrerrrh:rt:rlt' lold fhst,thcl c:rrrsc
thc plough t:rrrv
Tlrrt. rrcn s.r,r;js
for rhc bcsulc lind it .ortr_l\,.
l , . r . ,l ,' ' o t 1 ' . . . I r ' 1 " r ' t . . r
rl
.l.r
()n ln'e.
I hfs hold thcr' Lrsurrdcr,
ThLrsrhc,vblinr: Lrsir blLrrcl.:r:
I r u e r L ' g l c i tl . o r d c l
Arrd cr.crshorrldl.c tLrrirc.
Fol rrrv he gct n prirrr sleeleor r bloor:h,not:rcl.r,u,s.
Woc is him th;rt lrinr grlcrc, or orcr: rgrin srvsl
1 what . . . happed hot cold $n rvc,rtl,clirl And I:rn, po,, r'
chd 2 near-hand dold rc.rlv rrLrnrb 3 they fold gnc-l'.rv
l lapped nrrpped 10 But . . . husbandsbut Ne poor hus
b.ldrrren 1l rve . . . door rve :ue ne.rrlyhonrelcs 13 tilth
.rr,rble prrt l5 hammed clipplcd 16 fortaxed arrd
rammed overtrred rnd crushed 17-18 we . . . gentleryreduced to submissionby thcsc gcnuy 19 They
. . . wary lhe-vrob us of our re*. orLr Lrd-v curse thenrl 2(l
lord-fast bourcl to :r lord 22-23 in . . .live rn dangerot conring to rl1ortrl h;rrm 25 blunder troublc 27 ever jf 28 For
i.e..r lordls
. . . brooch ifhc is rblc to get rn crrbroideretl
sleere.
liver\' 29 again-says gajr)\:r,vr
226
l)are no nran hinr repleve,rvhrt nraster',v
he nrals;
Alrd \ict nrrv no rrrel]lic\.c orc rvord th.rt hc s:r,"s
No lctter.
I le cln rnakcpurvc)ancc
Wrth borst rud blrggrnce.
And rll ir through nrllintcnrncc
Of nrcrrtlrrt iuc qrcrtcr.
Thcrc sh:rllcoure a srvrjn rs ploLrdasr po;
l{c nrustborror nr\ n.ain.nrv ploneh :rlso:
'1'lrcr)
l;lirr firll lirlD to qrrr)t crc hc qo.
ThLrqlivc t'e in piin.;rnger.rrd rvoe
By rrglrt.rrrclcll.
He urLrstbrve,ii hc 1:rnr:c,:i.
If I rhould firrg:rngrtr
I tcrc bcttcr bc lrrrrgcrl
I h,rl oncc sr\' birl rrri
r
l l .
, r I r l \ ' , rl . r r ' . ' . r r .
Oitlris lorlrl l;r to trlk il rr:rrrrcr of rro:rr.
l o n l v \ h t . c pt i l L I s t l l k , r n Lhl r r k c n , r n o n .
Thcr. rbilc or ;r lrrlk, or slt or ;r storc
F L r lsl o o r r :
For I nos; p;rldie.
_h
uc'rlc'l if drq, bc.
wf qet lrore conrP;ur,v
Llr: it bc noon.
(6///o sEc()Nr) srrLr,rrElr.r).)
l}enstcrnrl l)onrirLrs.ufirt nr:v this bcnrcln:
2 sHLfHr-.1{r):
()ft h:rvcrvc not sccn.
Wh1 fin:s rhir u,ollLlthLrs?
Lonl, tlrcsc\\c:rtilrrs.rc sprrors.:rndtlrc u,irrlr full kcen.
. 1. r
... \' ,r..r.r. . I
\ r r' r l r .f r " r .
No lie.
I .\ol rn drr',non. irr u ct.
Nol ir snot. rol in slcct.
Vrhcn rn slroor tlcczc to rrrv fcct
It is not rll cr5\:
. i ( l D a r e . . . m a y s n o u r a n d r r e r c p r o v ch i m . n o n : r t t c l r v h r t i o r t e
hc uscs 31 lieve bclicvc J3 He . . . puiveyancc hc crn rcq'
35 mainuintiorr [orl, belonging;j
.j-1 braggance brrgglng
tenance support 37 po peacock ,12 43 He . . . it he n1u(
h : r v c r v h a t h c w l r t s j e v e r r f I h a v e t o g o r v i t | o u t l t . 1 6m i n e
.19balk r strip of rough grrsown rl,vseli .17moan grumble
h n d d i v t l i n g t * , o p l o L r g h c cpLo r t i o n s o f ; r c o n r r l o n f r c l d 5 1 p a r die b,v Ciod 55 Benste berledicite (bles\ us); ben:rean mean
56 oft . . . seen rve hale rot often seen the like 57 spitous cmel
But as fllr as I kcn. or
'We
sely rvednren drc
Wc hlve sorlllw !hc1
Si1lyCopple, our her
She ceckles;
But begin she to cro
To groan or !o cluck
'Woc
is hinl orrr coc
For he is irr rhe sh:rc
These n.Ien thet ale '
Whcn thev .rre full L
God rvot tl-reyarc le
In bowcr nor in bed
This tide
My part h:rve I fun,
I know nry icsson:
lf/oe is him that is b
For he nrust abide.
But Dow late 1n our
Tl-rrt I think rry hcr
What tl-r:rtdestirrvdr
Sonre nren rvill heve
[n store;
Sonlc iue \voc thirt L
Ilut so fer crn I:
Woe is hinr that l-us
For he fcelssorc.
But, yourrg men, of
Be rvcll g'are of rver
'Ilad I rvist' is a thir
Micklc still nrotrrri
An<1griefi,
With orauy :r sharp
For lJron rrrnystcalc
sorr' thee
That sl-ral1
As long as thoer livc
For, rs cver lead I e
As sharp as thisdc, r
She is browed like :
Hacl she oncc r,r''etl
Her paterlloster.
64-66But...thenb
goes,lve pool- llurtre.l
'W
rime aDctrgah 71
W h e n . . . s t i l l u , ' h c rt
ingly 76 79they...J
found or-rr\r'hat I havet,
abide lelrain so il3 ri
destinyconrpelsmust cc
know 90 sore pxin
for wooing, by God w
wary 93Had...no
that doesn't help yoll
98That...sourwh
. . , Gre I have one for
brisdy brows and a sou
THE WAKEFIELD SECOND SHEPHERDS'PAGEANT
asfar rs I ken, or )'e! as I go,
selywednco drcc mickle rvoe:
havesorrol' then and chen;it falls oft so.
Copple,our hen, borh to ancl flo
cackles;
beginsheto croak,
gmrrror to clu(k,
is hin our cock,
he is in rhe shackles.
1
2
1
men lhat jre wed h;rvc not all their will;
r l e 1 , e i u l l h . r " d* . d . r h e f i ; h ' L r i l' r r . . .
wot they are led full hrrd rnd furllLll;
nor in bed they say nought rhcrctill.
ude
part have I fun,
my lesson:
is him thar is bun,
he must:brd..
2
1
2
n1cn will have t['o $'ives, and some nren thrce
are woe thrt h:lvc :llry
soflr caDI:
is hinr that has rrrl'rn1',
he leelssor-e.
y o u r g I r p f i . o f \ v o o i | | . l b r ( ' ! ' . 1. r r t ' o r r b n r s L
7 . . 1111' . , - o - r r , C d r n 5 . r " l t l r r r . t i r , 1 o r r h o r r ; r r r :
I wist'is r dring that servethof nought.
still ulournin!j has rveclclinghornc brougl-rr,
grie6,
miny :l shrlp sho\.vef;
lou navst cafch in an hour
shall sorv thee ftrll sout
asdrolr li\'es.
e r e r- < d I c 1r ' r l ,. I I ' r . , n , r o r r r yf i ' r ,
.\ thi.tle,.rsrouqh .rsr blj:]r
brolvedljke a blistle, rvith a vhr-lotcn cLrccr;
sheonce u'ct hel rvhistlc, shc cou1ll sirrg lirll clear
paternoslef.
. . . r h e r rb . ' . r , L r r . I l , l l o r ,. r . r . | l ) e \ p ! r r .
m : u r i e d m c n s u l l e Ln l r c h \ v o c : \ \ ' c h r v e s o r ) o \ v
.woe
again 71
. . . cock unlrrppv is our cock 7.1
. stil when thev rre hrrd put to it thev sigh unce:rs
Lrrck.Now I \,'e
79they . . .lesson thcy ncvcr Arrslr,cr
whatI havcto d,.l t30bun borurd (rn ruarli:ge) 81
so lJ3rives bre:rks 8,1what . . . be rvlutever
nlust come to prss
87 woe miselablc
ljti can
sorepain 91 But . . . bought but youlllt men,;rs
by God rvho redeelred you 92 well vr'are vcryHad . . . nought'lf only I h:d knorvn' is sonrerhilg
t help you 94 mickle consiant 96 shower pang
. . , sour rvha! shall grieve you rrosr bittedy 100 I
haveone for nry mare 102 She . . . cheer she has
and a sourJooking llce
She is as great as a rvhale,
Shc has a grilon of gail;
By hrm that died for us all,
I would I had run to I had lost herl
sI.{EpI.iEllD:
God lool ovcr the raw! Full deafly ye stand,
sHEpHErrlD:Yea,
lhe devil in thy maw, so tariand!
Sau-it thou a\ 're of l)aw?
SHEPHERD:
Yea, on a lea land
Heard I hiru blon'. He comes here at hand,
Not far.
Stanclsrill.
SHEPHERI:Why?
For he comes,hope L
SHEPHERD:
sHEpHERD:Hc uill r'nrke us both a lie,
But if n'e bervare.
( . [ / , / c r T H I ] L r ) s r T E PTTE R I ) . )
now iate iD our livcs a nr:rrvel to me,
I think rnv heart fives such $-onden to see;
thar desriny clrivc'si! should !o bc
227
105
t 10
),:l;"lr
<t-i'I
3 sHEpHERI):Clhrist\ crossmc speed,and Saint Nicholasl
I l r ,r , , ' f l r r d I r r e e di;r . ' \ o r ' e t h . . r l \ \ . . ' .
\Vhoso could rake heed and ler the rvorld pass,
It is ever in clreadand bricklc :rsg1ass,
And slirhcs.
This u'orld fared nevcl so,
With rr:uvels nlo :rnd rro
Norv in rverl, nor,vin u'oe,
And all thing rl'rirhes.
120
Was ncvcr sincc Norhls floocl such lloods seen,
Wilds:urcl r;rinsso rLrde,ind slornrsso keen:
sornc\tood ir) doul,t,:rsI u'een.
Sonrestanrmcrcd,
Norv God turrr lll to goodl I srv asI nrean,
l:or pooder':
Thesefloods so tLrcvdrc\,n.
Borh in fields rn.1 in to',vn,
And bear all dorvn;
And thrt is r rvondcr.
We that rvalk on the niqhts our cattle to keep,
\)(/esee sudden sights rvhcn othcr trrcn slccp.
Yc't nrcthink nry i-rc:rrtlighrs; I seeshre\vspeep.
Ye are nvo ali wilihts I n'ill give ny shcep
140
But fu1l ill 1-uvcI r-ncrnt:
As I u'a1kon this bent,
I nr11.lightl,vrcpcnt.
Mv locs if I spr-rrlr108to rill 109 God . . . stand God srvcthc xLrdicncclYou
shrrd
thcrc rs dcafasr post (thc Filst Shepherdhm evidentlybeentrving
to itlDcl tbe otheri :rtter)lion) 110-l l2 Yea . . . blow the dcvil
in youl belly lirr raLryingso longl Havc you sceDl)aw myrvherc?
. . . Yea,in a fallorvncld I hcardhtu blorv lis l)ornl 115 hope
think 116 tnake tell li7 if urrless 119 it i.e., $e u,.orld
120 23 Vhose . . . so rn,vonervho coLrldlook on rncl let dre
u'or1dgo b,v lwould scc thrtl it is:rlw:rysfearfirland asbrittle as
glass,
But rhe world ncvcr t c
and slidesar*r1 (th;rris,is tr:rnsirory).
hsed in thi way bet'bre 124 mo more 126 writhes changes
129 ween fc.r 131 ponder consider 138 lights grcws lighq
shrewsrogues l-39al-wights monsrc 139 144I...spurn
I rvil1turn nry sheepawayBut I havcbccn ill disposed[to lhe shepl e r d ' 1r.' I u . , l l 'o n l r . t r c l d .l n . 1 * . r h r y r ^ e .r r p \ v p e n r n e
228
LNlr ltl . MLDTL\AL \NL, luNAt\\AN\
L L\r,L \Nn
A h s i r , ( l o d v o u s r v e . r n d n r . r s t e lr l i n e l
A d r k | r i u n o L r l i l I l r . n c . . u r r l\ o r r r \ \ l r . r t r o t l r c .
1 s H E p H E R T )C
: h r r s t ' r c L r r s cn
. v Ll:nc, thorr lt r lithcr Lirrcl
2 S H L P H E R DW
: hrt. thc bor, list rlcl AbiLlc Lurk) svnc:
Wc h;n c nrrdc it.
la()
lll tLrriii orr thv prtcl
ThoLrgh the:hIc\, clnre l;rtt'.
Yct is hc. irr *t:rtc
lb clrrc- ii hc lrrrl it.
3 sHI]PtIrrlr):Srrr'hserr:rrrs rs I. thrrt s\leut:rrrd sNinks.
155
E.rt our l.rc.rd rirll thr.;urcl th.rt rrrc lirrtlrinks.
\\,t' .rrc oti \\'ct rn,:l \c'rrl rrhcr] lirstcr rDc \\'rirksi
Yet conrc'lLrlL
l rteh both dinncrs,rrd drinks.
L J L rrt ) r t r l )
Lloth ouf rhnrc.rnrl oLrl silc.
\\'hcrr nc h.nc rLrr in thc nrlc.
l_hcr crrr nip rL orr llrrc.
A r d p : - r ' L r sf i r l 1 l r r c l r , .
L;I
l J L r th c ; L l m r . t r u t h . n r l r t c r : t i r l t h c i r c t h l t v c n r . r k c ,
. l . , l lJ , r l
.rLJ
.rl
I Lr^
I s h . r l l d o l l i n l c . r i r ' .r n d l n r r ; r g c v c l l . r k e .
I1)r \('t ir\'rrrv sLrlpfr rlc\cr () r)i\ \to lir.ll
Ir frc[]s.
Wlrcrcto .lroLrll 1 thrc,rp?
W i t h t r r , " s L . t l ic r j l t r p ;
Artl nrcn sl L iqht clrerp
I irhell." tolviclds.'
1 S H L P H L R I ) :I h , r u r l c r t r r l i l h d t o r i L l c t ) n r l o o i r ! .
With r nr.rr rhur Ird bur littlc ofspcndirs.
2 s H E p H E n l r : I r c : r c c . 1 , o r .t b . r d c . N o r r r r r c l : u r q i r r r q .
()r' I shrll nrrkc thcc tirll lrd. bl rhe hc.rvcr's kinql
t;;
Wrtlr tln gutls
Whcrc .rr.'our rLcrp. bo,r.? lc scorr.
3 ! H F p H F . r L r )S: i r ' .L l r i sr . r r r c d r \ r L f r o r r
I thenr lett irr rhc coln.
WLcrr drcv r.rrrg L:rLrLls.
Tho h;nc p:rstulc good. the\' .,rrnor go s'rons.
I sHLpHlRr): l hrl r! r lglrt. Llr th. mori. tlrcsc liqh$ rrf lor)ql
Yct I toLrld. elc tt todc. one qr\e u5 lr sonq.
2 S H E I , H E R IS
) :o I t h o g l r r , r . I r t o o r l . t o r r i r t h r r . r n r o n g .
i N a 3 s H E P H E t l l t :I g r , l r l .
SCENE 2
1 Stltf,tttRt): l.ct rrc s]Dq thc trllor!.
2 snElnElll): Arrl I thc tlchlc *o hrqh.
3 snlrntrrtr: l hcrr thc rnc,rr tllls to nrc.
l-et s,:c hon tc chrnL.
( . 7 l r y : i n . q . ' l l n t \ t \ t i r / r n r r l ' i r , , r r / r ,r l r , r , r f i , / Lr i J t r l , / r . l
iur\K: No\\t Lorrl. tir th., n.rnrc. selcn. thrrt nrrLle both
\Vell rrrole thrr I crn nclcn. rhr'ujll. LorJ. o{ nc rhrrrrr
I ,rnr:rll unclcnr th,rr nrolcs olt nn, hrrrr
Nol rroull (;oLI I rlcrc rr lrc.lcn.lirl thclc *cep no brilns
So stili.
,,1 .
l \t. 't t ,t':\r ,. i
lil
r\'rAKW
: oUld Clocl .,c \\ist iro\ I toorl
I . o . . r r r r . t l tr h u t N r l k r o n t h c r r o o r ' .
A r r L lL ; r sr o t ; r l l l r s l r l l .
2 S H F - f H t I L l ) :N 1 . r k .\ \ h t r c h r : t r l r o L r q o r r c ? 1 c l 1L r st i d i r r g .
3 s r l r . r ' r I r . R r ) I: s h c c o n r c ? T h c r r i l k o n c t i k c h c c L l t o h i s t h r u q .
(/If rrfi:! \,r,\(l, ,l,,akln tt )titt.)
r\1AK:
\Vlrrtl I l.c .r rcorr.rr. I tcll roLr.of thc krnq.
T h c r e l f r n L lt h c \ r r r c -\ o r J j 1 1 ) rrr { r c r t l o l d i r q .
A n r l s i rl r .
l ' i c o r r r o L r lC i o l r r n c , :
()Lrrof nl Ir'csencel
I r r r r r .ltr , r v cr L rc rLr c c .
W l x t l r o L , cr r h :
I 5Hr.t,Hl,IrD:
Whl rr.rkc vc it so LlLLrirL:
Mrk. rc r1orlronq
2 srr[p]rlrll): l]ut lllrrk.ljrt rc r.rirrr?I tro\\ rhrt !c lorq.
3 sHLpHElu):I uol thc slr;cr cur p.rirrr.th. dcr il rrriglrtlrul
hrngl
u.r'ti: I rL.rllrr.rlic courpl,rint..rrriunltc roLr ,r11
to thnrng
And tclLeven h,r..rre Joth.
I sLrEprrERl):
llLrt.lVlrrh,ir tL,rrsoorh?
No\v tirl<.oLrrtlrrt SoLrd)rr
r tootlr,
And ser ir u rLurll
2 sHEpHEr{l):
\1,r1,.thc rlcvil irr roLrr cr.clA 'rrokc urruld I
3 srIIu IElu):M.rk.kno\ r'c not nrc?l]r' ( irLl.I co ld reerrroLr
,r't.qr:Ciotllool<\oL rll rl)r.cl NlcLlroLrqlrt
I lr.rdscrr."ou
Yc rrc r liir conrprni.
(.rrr lc nol
1slItPII L]):
2 s r l E P rl L r L l ) : S l r r c w p r ' c p 1
1 1 7 l i t h e r h i n e h z r l ) i r r d 1+ l l l l ( r W h a t . . . i t \ h i r , r h c l ) ( , \
r p l c . r v r lt < , , . r v c l \ \ i l tn l l l . r t u : t r h . t r ' t , n i s h l r il t ( , . 1 .o, 1 , , , r c . r l )
L a 0t h r i f t l L r c k l 5 l i n s t a t e r c . r d ) l a I s w i n k s t o l l L a . f b r tlrirrks Llirplc.rses 156 winks slccp l5r ful
lat!'ly t.rn]ih
l 5 t l n a t e l y L h o r r [ g l r l r ] 6 1 T h e y . . . h i r e d r c v ( r , , \ t i , r t( t r , ,
1
,l . ., l .
.,
Bur ...lield.
r c t L r r n f i u t h c f i r o c l v o L r p r u i c i c . I s b , r l lr l o r c c o l d i n s l r ' \ \ r , r k , r \
L , r p . r r J .I s l , , r l lr l o b r r t l i r l c , s j , . . r r r l b t n v c L , , t l r i l c ' 1 . 1 . 1. r L 1t l r t
rilrrc 168 threap h.rgsl. 1l| lt.l Light . . . spendnrg'A
c l , r . r t L . J r e . r i nr c p . r s L . , r t i l r :. . .
V,Lril bc fif \\r'onc Lr(l fof
rlore
drrt\ lrllL,,1) ro r,rle.r iiooirrg $irI In,r i.l rrlr,//11
i.-1.71) l7+ 177 Pcacc . . . boy 'top loLrr lr,urglurg. or l1l
r l n r L J i r r . r k r r o r . b l r l r c k i r s o f h e . , r r r \ V . s c < , r , rv o u r
prrrk'
\ \ h c r e . r r e o r L r s h c e p .b o r ? L S o L a u d s t h e l i f \ t o l t h e
s r l c r c , u r o n i c , rol r i r c c s .L r r u , r l l *r u n g . r r , | ' b r c , r k
131rood clx,;
lS.i yoclc tcnt
l 3 + t o . . . a r l o n g t o g 1 . r . L l c nL r .n c , r u l l r i l c
oon
nrcrn voLri
l S a ,t e n o r , \ ' t e n o r l ( ) { l l i ) l N o w . , . h a r n s r j ( \ l 1 o r ( l b \ t l r r
s c r ' r n n , r n r c sr. i h o u r . r t l cb o t h n o o u . u r d s r , r f \t : r l r o f c d r r r r I . r n
, , . r r r r ct l.r v r i l l ( o , , 1 . , , , L 9 r I r . I o , r l . i r l , r k , . q . I , r r , r 1 .1r t : i r c r
l r r r l s e r e n r tr h . r t o l i e l 1 L r r \ f l 1 l . \ r r v b r . r i r l l . t - ls t i l l i r L c * . r f t l , v
l l ) 5 W h o . . . p o o r $ b o i ' i r r h . r rc r i c ' s o p i t c o u \ l \ ' ? l ( ) 6 w i s t
hrcl: f'oor firfrl
l')') tiding n.ls
llr0 ilkone cvcl\'onc
lill sond rrrs\c,){.r
l( 3 sich sL,rlr lik.
l{rS Why
q u a i n t \ t r r . r r c \ ' o L rs o L r p p i n r i l l r l . r B u t . . . I o n g L r u LN
. l.rk.
L i o r o r r r . r r t L o p L , r r' . L i r t ? I L ) c l r r \ r \ ( r L rd o 2 l I p a i n t d c c . i r ' f
l l L a n d . . . t h w a n g , r r d h , l c r o L r, r l ll l o g r c L t l l . l d o t h r l o
ll5 Nor' . . . tooth n)Lrthcf .pcr'ch M.rk h.r Lrccr trling tLr
t r l k v r r L t h cnr I r g l l \ h t I 1 a s e t f r L r I l ; l e n c s i v r 2 l S t e e n
hrrrr llr) look i.r\e ll1) Can
- vou .irr roLr r,.rrrc|rbcr
rot?
lll peep plr rL.oLrr
Thlls late as tt
What rvill rne
And lhori hrsj
Of stcaling ot
22s
MAK: And I am t
Ilur a sickncss
My belly fare
3 SHEPHERD: Scl
230 MAK: Thereforc
FLrll\ore erll
If I stand stor
I ert not a nc
This rlonth :
H(
235 1 SHEPHERD:
MAK: Lies walter
Ancl a house
I1l speecloch
Btt sfrc
Eats as fast as
240
Ancl ilk Yeat
Sirc brings fc
Ancl, somev
llut lvcre I a
I rverc eatc
Yet is shc :l t
T[ere rs nor
Th:rn ken I.
Norv rvill Ye
Ttr give rll i'
To fiorn at
Her heed r
245
25tt
2 SHEPHERD:
255 3
1
2
261) 3
I
I s'orr1d dee
I
SHEPHERD:
SFIEPHERTI
Wake thoul
SHEPHERDI
For I nrust
SHEPHFRDI
]\s rny or )
llut, Mrk,.
MAK: TheD In1
N o dr-c:Lc
22:1 suPpose
227 full hot se
gate seldL'D [r
if I have eatcn
childrcrt 23iJ
else 2'f1 ilk c
2'15 harbour l
onc 25(I 252
lirtest to llvc el
less iv:rgcs 25
262 bet{
by
I rright kccp \
ANONYMOUS
am I and ill;
stone-still,
a needle
and more.
How fiuesthy wiG? By my hood, how faresshe?
walrering by rhe rood by the fire. lol
houseftrll ofbrood. She drinks well, too;
ofher good that qhe wrll dol
fxt asshe can.
year that comes to man
fbrth a lakan
someyer$, rwo,
I now more gleciouq. rnd ncher by far,
eatenout of hoLrseaDd ofhrrbour.
shea foul dowse,if ye come near;
is none that trows nor knows a wAr
rl1 rn my coffer
)l nexl to offer
head-rnasspenny.
I wot so for_wakedis none in this shire:
sleepif I cakedles to nry hire.
I am cold and naked, and would have a fire.
I a n w e a r 1l.o n a k e d . , r d r u n i n r h " m i r c
thorl
Nay. I vill lie down by.
mustsleep,truly.
As good a man's son was I
of you.
Mak. come hither! Between shalt rhou lie down.
rnight I ler you bedere ofrhat ye nould -or,r-.
dread.
suspect 224 noise rcputation 225 O{ for
Brrt about you a cilcle, as round as a moor, ,
To I have done what I will, rill that it be noon,
That ye lie stone-still to that I have done;
And I shall say theretill ofgood wolds a fone:
'On
heighr,
Over your heads,my hand I lift.
Out go your eyeslFordo your sightl'
But yet I n-rustmake better shift,
And it be right.
(He goeshomewith tfu &eep.)
S C EENT W O
Mak\ rcttage.
rtrA.K:How, Gill, art thou in? Ge! us some light.
u t r r : W l - o ' n a \ e . ' u r l r J r n t \ r ' t i r n eo f r l r c r r i g l r t ?
I am sct for to spin; I hope not I might
Rise a penny to rvin, I shrew thern on heightl
So fares
A housewife that has bcen,
To be raisedthus benveen.
Here may no note be seen
For such small chares.
. . .
lies the devil deadby the roadside,i.e., appearances
deceotive 232-233lf...needle
avI be turned to slone
eatena rrllorrel 236 rdaltering spnwling 237 brood
238 lll speed i.e.,theren no hope ofher doing rnuch
1 ilk every 242 lakan baby 244 gracious prosperous
hone 246 dowse wench 247 Tlr.erc . . . war
who believes [he knowE or [real1y]knows a worse
To give . . . head-masspenny
Now were time for a nran that lacks what he would
To stalk privily then unro a fold,
And nimbly to work then, And be not too bold,
For he might abuy the bargain, if it were told
Ar the ending.
Now were time for to reel;
But he needs good counsel
That fain would fare rvell,
And has but little spending.
Lord, what rhey sleep hardl thet may ye all hear'.
'Was
I never a shepherd,buc now will I lere.
Ifthe flock be scared,yer shalJI nip near.
How! draw hithenvardl Now mends our cheer
Ftom sorrow
A fat sheep, I dare say,
A good fleece,dare t lay.
Eft-quit when I n-ray,
But this will I borrow
kenI.
will ye seewhat I profler?
229 Seldoh
229
Frcnmnry top to n]y toe, (He rcdtesd night-spell.)
Mafius tuascomnlenda,
Pontio Pildta.
Christ'.scrossme speedl
asthou goes,
men suppose?
hastan ill noise
ofsheep.
I am true as steel,all men wot;
I lbel that holds me full hot:
faresnot well, it is out ofestate.
Seldom lies the devil dead by the gate.
hot severelv 228 estate condirion
. THE WAKEFIELD SECOND SHEPHERDS'PAGEANT
torrorrow ar rhe
give all in nry coil'er asan ofr'ering for her soul 253 forweariedwirh waking 254 if. - . hire even ifl should get
256 forraked worn oLltwith walking 258 by near
between beloveenus 263164 Then . . . dread then
keepyou fom whisperingwhat you want, no doubt
272 273 Fot . . . ending for he might pay dearly for it, if it
came to a final reckoning 274 reet move cluickly 277
spending money 278 circle (magic)circlc 279 To till 281
And .. . fone and I shalJalsosaya few good words 282 On
height high 284-287 Out
. hatd'Lose your power of
sight.'But yet I musr make bener efforts,if things are to conre
right. Lord, how soundly they sleep! 2138lere learn 289 yet
. . . near yet I shallgLabia sheepltighdy 290-292 Now . -.
sheep now a fat sheepshallcomfort us 294 Ell-quit repay
ii. 3 9I...chares I don't think I cane n a pennyby getting
up from n.rysptuning],cursetheml Any woman who hasbeen
a housewifeknows what it meansto be got up fiom her work
continually.Ihavcno work to show becauseofsuch sm:Il chores
230
uNIr rrr . MEDTEVAL
AND RENAIssANcEENGLAND
1 0 uar: Good wife, open the heck! Seeit rhou not whar I
bring?
VIFE: I may thole thee draw the sneck. Ah, come in, my
sweetngl
MAK:Yea,thou thar nor reck ofmy long st:rnding.
wrru: By the naked neck art rhou like lor to hang.
uar<: Do way!
I am worthy my mear,
For in a scraitcan I get
More than they that swink and sweat
A11the long day.
Thus it fell to nry iot, cill; I had such grace.
wIFE: It were a foul blot to be hanged for the case.
uar: I have scaped,Jeloct,oft as hard a glase'wIFEi'But
so long goes the por to thc wa!er,'n1en says,
'At last
Comes it home broken.'
MAK: Well know I the token,
But let it never be spoken!
But come and help fast.
I would he were Bain; I lisr wcll eac.
This twelvemonth was I not so lairr ofone sheep mcatwlt E: Come they ere he be slain.end hear rhe shcep bjeatuar: Then Inight I be ta'en: that wcrc a cold sweatl
Go spar
The gate-door.
WIFE:
Yes,Mak,
For and they come at rhy back
MAK: Therr nright I buy, for all the pack,
The devil ofthc war
wIFE: A good bould have I spied,since thou cans! none:
Here shall we him hide, rill thcy be gone,
In my cradle-Abidcl Let me alone,
And I shall lje beside in childbed and groan.
MAK: Thou red,
And I shall saythou wast light
Ofa knave-chi1dthis night.
wre: Norv well is me day bright
That ever was I bred!
This is a good guise and a far cast;
Yet a woman! advice helps at the Jast.
I wot never who spies;again go thou fasr.
MAK: But I conle ere thcy rise, elseblorvs a cold bl:rstl
10 heck inner door 11 I . . . sneck I will let vou draw the
l a r . h l 2 Y e a . . . s t a n d i n gr o . r n e F d n im n d r l , u .I r r ) . r . r n C
ing [outside] so long 14 Do way! enough! 15 meat lood
16 strait Iix 17 sv.ink toil 20 blot deed 21 glase blorv
25 token porten! 28-29 | . - . meat I wish he were skirned;
I am eagerto eat. A! no tine this year have I been so glad of a
meal of mutton 32 spar fasten 33 gate-door enrer door
34 and if 35-36 Then , . . rvar rhen I nay ger the devil ofa
bad time from the whole pack ofthem 3T bourdjest; canst
knowest 41 red ready 42 light delivered 43 knave-child
boy .+4-,{6 Nori/ . . . cast I'n1 happy when I think of the
bright day t wasborn!This is a good method and a cunning trick
48 again . . . fast rcturn againquickly lro rhe orhen] 49 else
ultess
I will go sleep.
Yet sleep all this neny;
And I shall go sralk privily,
As it had never been I
That carricd tbeir sheep.
S C E NTEHR E E
Theopen.fickls.
1 SHEPHET\I):
Resurrexa mortuus!h.rvehold nry handl
Juddsutuns donrrnaslI ntay not well stand:
My foot sleeps,byJesus,and I waker fasrand.
I thought that we laid us full near Englarrd.
2 SHEPHERD:
Ab, yea?
Lord, rvhat I have slept welll
As frcsh as an ee1,
As light I ne feel
As leaf on a tree3 SHEIHER!):Bcnste be bereinl So me quakes,
My heart is out of skin, what so it nakes.
'Who
nrrkes all thrs din? So my brou,' blakes,
Tb the door r,vill I win. Hark, lillows, r,vakesl
'We
rvere four':
Seeye awre of Mak nor'?
1 SHEPHERD:
We were Lrp ere thou.
2 SHEPHERD:
Man, I givc God avow
Y"-t yedc he narvre.
3 sHEIHERD:Mcthorurhr he rvaslapped in a wolf-skin.
1 SHEpHERD:
So arc nany happed now nanely within.
3 SHFPHERI:When u,'eh:rd long napperl,merhoughr with
gln
A firt sheephe trappcd;burhe made no din.
2 srrnpHsRD:Be still!
Thy dream nakes lhee wood;
It is but pharlrom,by lhe rood.
-l
SHEPHETLD:
Nor,v God turn all to good,
If it be hrs rvill.
2 SHEIHERD:
Rise,Mak, for dranrelThou liesrright long.
MAK: Now Christt holy name be us arrrongl
Whar is thrs?For SainrJarnc,I may nor well geng!
I trow I be the sane. Ah, nly trcck has lain wrong
Lrrough. (Tirc), htlp hitn to gctup.)
M jckle thankl Since )'cstcr'-even,
Norv by SaintStephen,
T u . l l . r y cudi h . r . r , r , r c l
My he:rrt out of slough.
5l meny compiruy
iii. 3 I . - . fastand I'n rotreringrvith hunger 5 Ah, yea?
really? 6 Lord . . . well how well I havesleptl 10 Benste
ing l(I-11 So . . . rnakes I trcnble so much, ny heartis in
nouth, whatever the reason for it 12 blakes darkens 13
go;wakes wake up 15 See . . . now? have you seen Mak
where? 17-18 Man . .. nawre I vow to God he's gone
yet 20 So . . . within many are covered like that nowadays,
pecially underneath 21 gin snare 2,1 wood mad 30
. . . Jame by SaintJames;gang
walk 31-32Ah...
my neck hasbeen lying very crookedly 35-36 I . . . slough
wasterrified by a clrearn I near\jumped our ofmy skin
ANONYMOUS
Gill began to croak and travail full sad,
at the first cock, ofa yolrng lad
mend our flock. Then be I rTevcr glad;
tow on my rock more than ever I had.
herd!
full ofyoung tharms,
knock out their harnsl
is him hasmany bairns,
theretolicde bread.
go home,by your leave,to Gill, as I thought.
you look ny sleevc,that I stealnought;
loathyou to grieve or from you takc eught.
rR r Go forth, ill mighc thou chieve! Nowwould
sought,
morn,
we had all our store.
Btt I will go beforemeet.
. THE WAXEFIELD SECOND SHEPHERDS'PAGEANT
231
I hope they will not be well paid when they their sheep
1ack,
Pardie!
But how-rc the game !!oes,
To me they will suppose,
And make a foul noise,
And cry out upon me.
I
Where?
At the crooked thorn.
S C EENF O U
R
rhisdoorl Who is here?llow lon51sballI stand?
nukes such e bere? Now wdk in the wenyand!
C i l l .u h a , h e e r l l r i . l . M r k .y n L . rh r . b a - ' 1 .
may we see here tbe devil in a band,
But rhou must do as thou hight.
'wlFE:
I accord me theretill;
I shall swaddlehirn right in my cradle.
Ifit werc a greater sleight,yet could I help til1.
I will lie down stlaight. Come hap me.
I will.
wlFE: Behindl
Come Coll and his marrow,
They will nip us full narrow.
MAK: But I n-Iaycry'Out, harrowl'
The sheepif rhey find.
wtps: Harken ay when rhey call; they will come anon.
(lonrc and make ready all, and sing by thine own;
Sing lullay thou sha1l,for I must eroan,
And cry out by the r,vallon Mary:rndJohn,
For sorcSing lul1ayon fast,
Whcn thou heares!a! the last;
And but I play a false cast,
Trust nre no moLcS C E NE F I V E
corneswith a Jote,
wcre holden in tbe tbrcat.
The crookedthorn.
11OlS1lat my notc
3 SHEpHEILD:
Ah, ClolJ,good mornl Why slccpestthou nor?
I snrpnrno: Alas,that cvcr was I bornlwe havea foul blot
A fat wether have we lolrr.
3 sr'rEPrrERD:
Marry, God'.sforbotl
2 SHEPHERT:
Who should do us that scorn?That werc a foul
spo!.
1 SHEPHERD:
Some shrew
I havc sought with rri' dogs
All lJorbury shrogs,
Arrl, of fiftcen hogs,
Fotrnd I but one ewe.
u hile.
ye hear what fare she makes ao get her e glose?
doesnaught but lakes,and clarl.sber toes.
who wanders, who wakes? \fho
comes, who
brews,who bakcs?What makes me thus hoarse?
then
ruth to behold
in hot, norv in cold,
woeful is rhe household
what end hast thou lr-nde with the herds,Mak?
l r ' t u o r d t h a t t l r e r . . r i du h e r r I t u r n e dm y b , , k .
would look that they had their sheep,a1lthe pack.
hard Jl mend rrrcrc;.,. 4n I ... had I h"r. more
m y d r ' r r l I ' re . .n r o r et r o u b l er n . t o r e )t h a n- r e r I h r d
bellies 43 harns brains ,{6 thoueht intendcd
examine 49 chieve Drosoer 49-51 Now . . . store
us this morning !o see that we heve all our stock
din;Now . . . wenFnd .|!'alkin lhe waning moon,
unluckytirne 4bandnoose 6lote noise 7 holden
8 note work t hand-long brief 10Will ...glose
listento the fussshemakesin the hope ofexcusing herlakesplay 15 ruth a pity 16 Now . . . cold i.e.,at
18\rants lacks 19 herds shepherds
3 sllEpHERD:Now trow rne, ifyc will by SaintTborrras of
Kent,
Either Mak or Gill was at that assenr..
22 hope drink; well paid pleased 24 how-so however 25
To . . . suppose cheywill suspecrn.re 28 hight promiscd;I .
. . theretill I agreeto that 30 sleight trick;Yet . . . till I could
rtil help wirh jr 31 straight stmightway;hapcover 33 rrarrow make 3.1narrow hard 35 Out, harrow! a cry for help
39 lullay lullaby 41 sore pain 42 on fast quickly 44 And
. . - cast rnd if I don't play a falsetrick
v. 3lorn lost;God's forbotl Godforbid! ,l scorn insult;spot
disgrace 7 Horbury Horbury, nearWake{ield;shrogs thickets
8-9 Ard . . . ewe among filieen hogs (or young sheep)I found
only a ewe,i.e., rhe wether rvasmissing 10 Saint Thomas of
Kent St. Thomas ofCanterbury 11 Either . . . assent either
Mak or Cill rvasa oatv to ir
10
232
I'NIT
III . MEDIEVAI AND R,ENAISSANCE ENGLAND
1 sHEIHERD:Peace,man, be stilll I saw when he went.
Thou slander'sthim ill; thou ought to repenr
Good speed.
2 sHEpt{ERD: Now as ever might I thee,
IfI should even here die,
I would say it were he
That did that same deed.
3 srrEpHERD:Go we thither, I rede, aDd run on our feet.
Shall I never eat bread, the sooth to I wit.
1 slfiprcRD: Nor drink in my head,with him till I meet.
2 sfGptGRD:I uill re,t in no.te.rd rill rhar I hinr greer.
My brother.
Oae I will hight:
Till I see him in sight,
Shall I rTever sleep one night
There I do another.
S C EE
NS T X
Mak's cottdge.
3 sHEplrERDiWill ye hear how cheyhack? OLrr sirc list croon.
1 sHEpIfiRD: Heard I never none crack so clear out oftoneCall on him.
2 sHEpriERD: Mak, undo your door soon!
uar: Who is it that spake,as it were noon,
On loft?
Who is that, I say?
3 sHEIHERD:Good fellows, werc it day.
MAK: As far as ye may,
Good, speak soft,
tLl
Over a sick woman's head, rhat is at malease;
I had liefer be dead ere she had any disease.
wIFE: Go to enother steadl I may not well quease;
Each foot that ye tread goes thorough my nose
So high.
1 SHEPTiERD:
Tell us, Mak, if ye may,
How fare ye, I say?
MAK: But are ye in this town to-day?
Now how fare ye?
Ye have run in the mire, and are wet yet;
I shall make you a fire, if ye will sit.
A nurse would I hire. Think ye on yet?
14 Good speed quickly 15 Now . . . thee asI hope to prosper
19 tede advise 20 the . .. wit Till I know rhe rruth 22 sread
place 23 My brother a friendly fbrm of address 24 One . . .
hight one thing I will promisc 27 There where
vi. 1 Will . . . croon do you hear then rrilling? Our gendemanis
pleasedto croon 2 crack bawl; tone tune 3 soon inrmediately
4 5 rtrho . . .loft? who n it rhacspokea1oud,asthough it were
noon? 7 l|/erc it ifonly it were 9Goodgoodsirs 10 11Over
. . . diseasebecauseofa sickwoman who is in distres:I hadrather
die rhan she should sufer any discomfort 12 quease breathe
13_14 Each . . . high every step you trcad goesthrough my nose
so srrongly,i.e., goesright through nry head 21-23 A nurse , . .
season I would like to h e a nune. Do you stili remember lmy
drtar,r about a new addition to the family] ?I've beenpaid my wages
in full fbr a while-this is mv dream come true
Well quit is my hire
my dream, this is it-
I have bairns, ifye kneq
Well more than enew;
But we must drink as we brew,
And that is but reason.
I wolld ye dined ere ye yode. Methink that ye
2 SHEPHERD:
Nay, neither mends our nood d.ink
uer: Why, sir, ails you aught bur good?
3 SHEPHERD:
Yea,our sheep that
Are stolen as they yode. Our loss is great.
uar: Sirs,drink!
Had I been there,
Some should have bought it full sore.
1 SHEPHERD:
Marry some men ffow lhat ye were,
And thar us forthinks.
2 SHEPHERD:
Mak, some rlen trows that it should be
3 SHEpHERD:
Either ye or your spouse,so saywe.
uar: Now ifye have suspouseto Gill or to me,
Come and rip our house,And then may ye see
Who had her.
If I any sheep fbt,
Either cow or s!otAnd GilJ, my wiG, rose not
Her.e since she laid her
As I am true and leal, to God here I pray
That this be the firsr meal that I shall eat this day.
I SHtPHTRD:
M rk. "s h:re | .ele.adr r.r rhe(. I ,jy:
He learned timely to steal that could not say nay.
wFE: I sweltl
Out, thieves,ftom nry wones!
Ye come to rob us for the nonce.
MAK: Hear ye no! how she groans?
Your hearts should melt.
w t t t - :O u t . t h i e v e 'f.r o n rm y b a i r n :\ r g h h i r n r o r r h e r e .
uar: Wist ye how she had farn, your hearts would be
Ye do rvrong, I you warn, that thus come before
To a woman that has farn; but I say no more.
wtre: Ah, ny middle!
I pray to God so mild,
If ever I you beguiled,
That I eat this child
That lies in this cradle.
MAr: Peace,woIrran, for God's pain, and cry not so!
Thou spillestthy brain, and makest me full woe.
25 enew enough 28 yode went 30 Why . . . good w\
is anytling wrong rvirh you?; gete tend 34 bought paid
36 forthinks displeases 37 trows believe 39 suspouse
cion 40 rip ransack 42 fot fbtched 43 stot heifer ,16
honest 48 49 Mak . . . nay Mak, ast hope for happiness,
thought I say:he learnedearly to stealwho could not sayno
another's orooerwl
50 swelt
Gel faint
51 wones
52 Ye , . . nonce you come on purposeto mb us 55 Nigh . .
thete do nor go nearhim there 56 Wist . . . farn ifyou
what shehad been tkough 58 To . . - farn to a woman
hasbeen in labour 62 eat may ear 65 spillest iqjurest
ANO,\Y\4OI \.
I tro',vour sheepbe slain. Wh:rt find ye trvo?
All work u. n r:irr..rs rrell ruy \ e Fi .
so God me blcss,and give me joy of my childl
\ f c n r r c n r , r r k e .dl m r * : I h o l . l r , ' h . g r . l " d .
Sir,don.
Lady him savel
child a knavc?
loLdnriglrt hrnr hav..
child,to his son.
he wakenshe kips, that joy is to scc.
ln good tinre to his hips, ard in sely.
who were his gossipsso soon rcady?
r fair fall their lips!
Hark now, a licl
: (Aside.)
So God thern thank,
and Gibbon Walier, I sa1',
I gendeJohn Horne, in good fay
madea1lthe garray
the great shank.
Mak, friends will we be, tbt rve are all one.
ipHEI{D:
We?Now I hold for me,lor ncnds gct I none.
all three! all ghd were ye ljolre.
EF.l):FAir words may there be, but iove is rhcre none
year-(Tluy leaueth touage.)
: Clare)c the child,rnythrng?
: I trow rlot one Lrrrhrng.
u: Fast again rvill I fling;
ye me there. (Ht' tclurnsto the nttage.)
ake it ro no griel if I corre to thy bairn.
Nay,thou dost me great replief, and foul h:rstthou farn.
: l 1 ' e . h l , l r n r rrl t n o r g r r e v rt .l r . rl ri t t l c d a r - ' u r n
1et nre give your bain
with your 1e:rve,
s1xpence
70 nesh soft
*,r*
I
v - a x :N r 1 .c l or r a l i H c . l e e p .
,. ." . a 1 * *
' : c r h i n kl r ep . . p ,
J s H r i ' r r - R rM
"
f
, Yt -^ C " , J
" *r MAhw
: ' , ( , h c , , r " k e nl r, er r c e p . .
_.-t
105
(He glimpscs
the shccp.)
catde but this, tallle nor wild,
as have I bliss, as loud as he sruelled.
lt
233
l pray vou go Dence,
3 sHEIHERD:(]ive me leavehim to kiss,and lift up thc clout.
6nd no flesh,
nor nesh,
fresh,
two tome plattcrs-
hatters confourd
I H I - W A K T f I I I D 5 I - ( ' O N D5 H I P H L R f ' S ' P A GAI N I
72 But
only; torne
73-71 Quick . . . smelled live stock bur this (i.e..the
f in tire cradlc), tane or $'lld,none lhave I foundl, as I hope
be happy,that snrelled as loud as hc (i.c., tbe mrssing sheep)
Ve . . . amiss aimed wrongly, i.c., rrrade a mistake 77 don
79 knave boy 82 kips snatches 83 In . . . sely
andhappyfuturc to hinr 84 gossipsgodpareDts 85 So
lips good luck ro them 88 John Horne the shephed in
FirstShephtftl\'Pdgeantwho quarrels rvidr Gib about dre prs-
ofan inugiurry flock ofsheep;fay good faith 89 garray
90 shank long legp 91 all one agreed 92 Now
. none for nry ou'n part,Iil holding back, for I get no anerds
all . . . gone [I should be] r'erv glad ifyou wcrc gone (prob
an aside) 98 Fast . . . fling I will dashback 100 take
. griefdon'r take ofltnce 101 Nay . . . farn nay,,voudo mc
shrme,and you havcbehavedbadly 102 day-starn sur
What thc dcvil is this? He has a long snoutl
1 SHEPHERD:
He is marked aniss. Wc w:rit ill abour.
2 sHEIHERD:Ill-spun u,eft, iwis, ay comes foul out.
the shcep.)
Aye, sol (/Jc recognizes
He is like to our sheepl
Hoq Gib, may I peep?
3 SHEPHERD:
1 sHEIHERD:I tro*.kind rvill creep
'Wherc
it nuy not go.
2 sHEIHERD:This \easa qlraint gaud and a far cast;
It n'as a high {iaud.
Yea,sirs,was't.
3 SHEPHERD:
Let burn this bawd and bind her flst.
A falsescold hang; at thc last;
So shaltthou.
Will ve see horv they srvacldle
His four Get in thc niddle?
Saw I ncvcl in a cradle.
A horled iad ere nolv
rur: I'eace,bid L What, 1etbe -rrourfare!
I am he that him begat, and yond worlan him bArc.
1 SHEPHERD:
What devil shall he hat, Mak? Lo, God, Maki
heirl
2 sHEpHERD:Let be all thrt. Non' God give him catc,
I sagh.
rx/rFE:A pret!_vchild is hc
As sit\ on :r $'onlan's knee;
A di1lydor,vn,pardie,
To gar :r rnan laugh.
3 sHEIHERD:I knorv hirl by the ear-rnark; that is.r good
token.
uar: I tell you, sil's,harkl his nose rvasbroken.
Sincc told n-rea clerk that be was forspokcn.
1 sHEpHERD:
Thjs is a lalse u,olk; I \i/ould fain be wloken.
Ciet rveaponl
'wuE: He was takerrwith an eli
I saw it lrryself;
Whcn the clock srmck twclvc,
Was he lotshapcn.
2 SHEPHERD:
Ye tr,vo are rvell feft san in a stead.
. e do
1 0 9 c l o u t c l o t h 1 1 1 1 1 2 H e . . . o u t h e i s n r i s s h a p e nW
wrong ro pry about . . . I sptLn weft, indeed, ahvays cotlres olrt
badly, i.e., what is bred in the bone rvill come out in the llesh
116 118 I . . . cast narure rvill creep u.here ir cannot rvalk, i.e.,
.ssert rtself in one way or another . . . This lvas a clever dodge
127 fare uproar 129 he hat bc c:rlled
and a cunning trick
131 I sagh I sarv lthe sbeep nryseifl
130 care sorrow
138 forspoken be134 dilly-down
darling 135 gar nake
r,r'rrched 139 wroken a\,'enged I41 with by 1'+,+forshapen
transib led 1,15Ye . . . stead you lwo arc well endowed together in o e place, i.e., are as clcver ,r pair ofrascals ;rsever lived
110
115
120
tt0
135
1.10
1.15
234
uNn nr . MEDIEVALAND RxNArssANcE ENGLAND
1 SHEPHERD:
Since rhey maintain their theft,let do them to
dead.
MAK: IfI rrespasseft, gird offmy head.
With you wiJl I be lefi.
3 SITEPHERD:
Sirs,do my rede:
For lhis trespass
150
We will neither ban ne flice,
Fight nor chide,
But irave done as tire,
And casrhim in canves.
(They tas!M^K itl d bldn.ket.)
S C EE
NS E V E N
Tlrcopen
Jields.
1 SHEPHERD:
Lord, what I am sore,in point for to burstl
In faith, I may no more; theiefore will I resr.
2 SHEIHERD:As a sheepofseven scorehe weighed in my fist.
For to sleep ay.wheremethink that I list.
5 3 SHEPHERT:Now I pr.ry you
Lie down on dris green.
15
1
20
2
3
25
1
That shall teke ftom the fiend thar Adarr had lorn;
That war-lockto shend,this night is he born.
God is made your friend now at this morn,
He behests.
At Bedlem go sec
There lies that free
In a crib full poorly,
Betwixl t\,vo beasts.
SHEPIhERD:
This was a quaint steventhat ever yet I heard.
It is a marvel to r-reven,thus to be scared.
sffipHERD: OfGod! son of heaven be spoke upward.
All the wood on a leven methought that he gird
^ppear.
SHEPHERD:
He spakeofa bairn
In Bedlen1,I you warn.
SHEPHERD:
That betokens yond srafir;
Lec us seek him there.
2 SHEPHERD:
Say,what was his song?Heard ye r.rothow he
cracked ir,
146 dead deatb 147 eft egain;gird strike 148 \vith . . .
rede I throw myself on your mercy.
Take my advice
l 5 U b a n c r r r e :f l i t e q u r r r r l 1 5 2a s r j r e a r u r c e
vii. 4 For . . . list I rhink I would be glad to sleepanywhere
7 mean think 8 teen vex yourself 10 hend gentle 12 warlock rhe devil: shend de.ro) t4 behests promr.e,
15 Bedlem Bethlehem 16 There where; free noble one
19 quaint steven eleganrvoice 20 neven rell of 21 upward
on hrgh 2.r-.23All . . . Appear I rlroughrIre rn.rdcrhe whole
wood.ppear asiflir up by lightning 28 cracked sang
Three brevesto a long?
3 sI{EPHERD:
Yea,marry, he hacked it;
'W'as
no crochet wr.ong,nor no thing that lacked it. ,
1 SHEPHERD:
For to sjng us among, right as he knacked
I can.
2 SI{EPHERD:
Let see how ye croon.
Can ye bark at the moon?
3 SHEPHERD:
Hold your tongxesl Have donel
1 SHEPHERD:
Hark after,then.
(Singr)
2 SHEIHERD:To Bedlem he bade that we should gang;
I am tull
full adrad lhat we larry too long.
3 st{EpHERD:Be merry and not sad-of mirth is our
Everlastingglad to meed may we farg
Without noise.
1 SHEPHERD:Hie we thither forthy,
If we be wet and weary,
To that child and that lady;
We have it not to lose.
2 sHrpHrRD:We firrd by rhe prophcrr -lL r be
)our
O f | ) d v i d" n d L r y . r n dn r o r er h a nI m r n They prophesied by clergy-that in a vrrgrn
S l r o u l dh e h g h rr n d l r e .r o , l o k e n o u r : i n ,
And slakeit,
Our kind, fiom woe;
For Isay said so:
Ecte virgo
Cor.?i?t a child thar is naked.
3 sIrEprrERD:Fdl glad may we be, and abide that day
That lovely to see,that all mights may.
Lord, well were me for once and fo. ay,
Migbt I kneel on my knee, some word for to say
To that child.
But the angel said
In a crib was he laid;
He was pooriy arrayed,
Both meek and mild.
1 SHEPHERD:
Patriarchsthat have been, and prophers beforn,
They desired to have seen rhis child that is born.
They are gone fulJ clean; tbac have they lorn.
We shall see him, I ween, ere ic be nrorr,
To token.
When I seehim and feel,
Then wot I full well
It is true as steel
29 hacked trilled 30 Vas . . . it No crochet was wrong, and
lhele \ "\ norhng lrcled Jl kracked ,ang 37 gang go
rR adrad "'r:ard 4n.,rl Everlasting . . . noise we !an gel
ercrb.nr,gJova. oLilrer-r'rd uirhour rny fu,. 42 Hie rherefore
43 Ifeven if 45 We . . .lose we must not foreet it 47 Isav
Iui:h: min remernber 48 clergy learnrng +S tight ,l,ghi:
sloken quench 50 slake reiieve 51 kind race 53-54 Ecee
. . . Cottcipiet behoi.d,a virgin shall conceive 56-57 That . , .
ay to seetiat lovely one who i almighry Lord,I would be happy
for once and all 64 beforn in the past 66 They . . .lorn ihat
chrnceh,ve rhel lo.t o8 token a, r sigr
ANONYMOUS
have spoken:
pool aswe Arc that he $'ould appear,
and declarcby his nressenser.
Go we nor,1letus firc;the placeis us near.
I am ready and yare; go we itr fcre
if thy will belewd .rl1thr.e
grantus sonrekinq gLee
thy lvight.
SCEN
E EiGHT
in BethLehen
.
Hail, comely and clean; hail, voulg childl
maker,asI rnean, of a m.ridcn so mild!
hastwaried, I ween, the wallocL so rvild:
falseguiler ofteen, now goes he bcguiled.
he merries,
he laughs,rrry sr,veeringl
well f: Lemeetrngl
holden nry heting:
a bob of cherries.
: Hail, sovcreign saviour,for thou hast us
sougnu
fieelyluuJ and Jlorrer.rl 'r rl' rh n1 lu,.
wroughtl
full offavour, that nade all of noughrl
I kneel and I cower. A bird have I brought
. , . messenger find lusl filst of all, ald nake knon'n
birth] drrough his nesscngcr 76 yare eager;in fere to77 bright bright one 79 lewd simple 8il-81 Thou
wight grant us somejoyful way ofconibrting rhy child
1 clean pure 2 ofborn of 3 l'aried o.rned;warlock
falseand malicious deceiver i.e., the devil 5 merries is
7 well fare very fine 8I . . . heting I havekept nry
9 bob bunch 11 flower noble child 15 rnop
. THE WAKEFIELD SECOND SHEPHERDS'PAGEANT
235
Of our creed thou art crop;
I rvould drink on th,v cop,
Little daystArn.
3 sHEpIIrRn: Hail, rlarhng dear,full of Godhcadl
I prlv thee be near whcn tha! I h:rvenecd.
Hail, srcct is thv cheer! My hcart *-ould bleed
To see thee sit hcrc jn so poor \,veeo,
Witll ro pennies.
Hrill Put fbrth thy dalll
I bring thee but r ball:
Har.e and play thec rvithal,
Ar)d go to the lennis.
u q n v : l h c f - r c . . , t h . r r e n .C o d . r r r . r p o r e . r r .
ThAt set ill on seven,his Son hashe sent.
My l:unc could be neven, and ligh! ere he rvenrI conceived him fuli even throullh night, as he nrernt;
Ancl no*' is he born.
He kccp you fiom woel
I shall prry him so.
Teil lorrh rs yc go,
A|d nrin on tlis 1r1o1lr.
1 SHEIIIERD:Farervcll,lacly,so fair to beholcl,
With thy child on thv knce.
2 SHEPHERT:
Bur he lies 1-rr11
cold.
Lorcl, r.eil rs rnel Nou, r,r.ego, thou bchold3 SHEPHERD:
Forsooth. rLcady it seemsto be rolci
Full oft.
1 SHEPHERI:What gr-acel'e have funl
2 sHEpHER!:Conre lbrth;now ar-elve wonl
3 SHEPHERD:
To sing ar.etve bun:
Let take on 1oft.
16-17 Of . . . cop t ou are the head of our fairh; I would dr ink
in youl cup (i.e.. the cup ofthe eucharnt) 22 weed clotlirg
2,1 dall hand 29 That . . . seven that rilade :rll the world in
seven davs 30 31 My . . . rneant he narncd rnv nanre and
alightcd in ne before He ivcnt.I conceived hin nrtlccd drrough
God's night, as FIis purpose wirs 36 rnin remenrber 43 won
,15 Let . . . loft let us begin loudly
redeerred ,14 bun bound