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XXV
THE SKINNERS’ PLAY
PORTER
He that is ruler of all tight,
And freely shaped both sand and sea.
Save you now, lordings gaily dight,
And keep you in all seemlity
And all honour.
I BURGESS
Welcome, Porter, What novelty,
Tell us, this hour?
PORTER
Sir, novelty I can you tell,
And trust it fully as for true.
Here comes a son of Israel
At hand, the prophet called Jesu,
Lo, this same day,
Hither in state. This tidings new
Believe ye may.
2 BURGESS
And is that prophet Jesus near?
Of him I've heard great wonders told.
He does great marvels far and near;
He heals the sick, both young and old,
And to the blind gives sight;
Both dumb and deaf, even as he would
He heals outright.
3 BURGESS
With loaves but five, five thousand men
He fed, and each one had enow.
Water he turned to wine, and then
He made corn grow without a plough
Where ere was none
Dead men he brought to life again —
Lazarus was one.
4 BURGESS
In our own temple would he preach
Against them that loved wrong to do.
And also new laws would he teach
Against the old law long used so,
And said plainly,
The old shall waste, the new shall go —
That we shall see.
5 BURGESS
Yea. Moses’ law he knows each deal,
And all the prophets in a row,
He tells them so that all-may feel
And that men may entirely know,
If ought were dim,
All that the prophets say or show
Belongs to him.
6 BURGESS
Emmanuel by right, I hold,
They call that prophet great and wise;
He is the same that was foretold,
Who said full clear,
A maiden that knew never ill
A child shall bear.
7 BURGESS
And David spoke of him, I ween,
And left witness—ye know each one;
He said the fruit of his flesh clean
Should royal reign upon his throne,
And therefore he
Of David's kin, and other none,
Our king shall be.
8 BURGESS
I think, good sirs, ye say right well,
And good examples forth ye bring.
And since we thus the matter feel,
Go we to meet him as our king,
And king him call.
I BURGESS
Of all the Jews we call him king.
OMNES
So say we all.
I BURGESS
Go we then with procession,
To meet him comely, as is due,
With branches, flowers and unison,
With mighty songs here in a row;
Our children shall
Go sing before, that men may know
Thus think we all.
THE BLIND MAN
Ah Lord, that all this world hast made,
Both sun and moon, and night and day,
What noise is this that makes me glad?
From whence it comes I cannot say,
Nor what may be;
If any man walk on this way,
Name him to me.
A POOR MAN
Why, man, what ails thee so to cry?
Where would'st thou be? Now tell me here.
BLIND MAN
Ah sir, a poor blind man am I
And aye have been from tender year —
Since birth have I.
I hear a voice of noble cheer
That passes by.
POOR MAN
Man, can I do your will so keen?
BLIND MAN
Yea sir. Full gladly would I hear,
If you could tell, what you have seen.
This mirth I heard so loud and clear —
What may it mean.
POOR MAN
Jesus, the prophet full of grace,
Now draweth near.
And all the citizens in town
To meet him go with melody.
With the fairest procession
That e'er was seen in this Jewry.
He is right near.
BLIND MAN
Sir, help me to the street hastily,
That I may hear
That sound, and also might through grace
There crave of him to have my sight.
POOR MAN
Lo, here he is at that same place.
Cry loud on him; look thou be bold,
With voice of might.
BLIND MAN
Jesu, thou son of David old,
Pity my plight.
Alas! I cry, he hears me not;
He has no pity for my care.
He turns his ear—where is his thought?
POOR MAN
Cry louder yet, and do not spare,
To have thy sight.
BLIND MAN
Jesu, thou healer of all sore,
Help my sad plight.
PHILIP
Cease, man, to cry's no need.
The voice of the people passes by.
You should sit still and give good heed.
Here passes the prophet of mercy;
Thou dost amiss.
BLIND MAN
Ah David's son, to thee I cry,
Thou king of bliss.
PETER
Lord, have mercy and let him go.
He cannot cease of his crying;
He follows us both to and fro;
Grant him his boon and his asking,
And let him wend.
We get no rest until this thing
Be brought to end.
JESUS
What would'st thou, man, I to thee did?
Before us all, tell openly.
BLIND MAN
Lord, mine eyesight from me is hid;
Now grant me it, I cry mercy.
This would I have.
JESUS
Blithely with cheer lift up thine eye;
Thy faith can save.
BLIND MAN
Worship and honour aye to thee,
With all service that can be done.
The King of bliss, loved might he be,
That thus my sight hath sent so soon,
And by great skill.
I was as blind as any stone!
I see at will.
LAME MAN
Thou Lord, that shaped both night and day,
For thy mercy have mind on me.
And help me, Lord, as you well may.
I may not go,
For I am lame, as men may see,
And long was so.
And well I know, as many have said,
To deaf and dumb thou grantest grace,
And life thou givest to the dead;
Then grant me, Lord, here in this place,
My limbs to wield.
JESUS
Rise, man; cast thy crutches good space.
Here in the field.
And look in truth thou steadfast be;
Follow me forth with right good will.
LAME MAN
Lord, lo! my crutches—where they flee,
As far as I may flying fling,
With all my might,
And may we never make meeting
By day or night.
For I was halt of limb, and lame,
And suffered pain and sorrow enow.
Eternal Lord, loved be thy name.
I now am light as bird on bough;
Blest be thou still,
Such grace hast thou showed unto me,
Lord, at thy will.
ZACCHAEUS
This prophet.... I marvel much in mind,
Since prince of publicans am I,
That news of him I could not find,
For all I would have seen him nigh,
And would him meet;
But I am small, and of my kind
Full is the street.
But since no better may befall,
I’ll think what best is for to do,
That I am short is known to all,
Therefore, yon tree I will go to,
And in it climb.
Whether he come or pass me fro.
I shall see him.
Until the prophet come to town,
Here will I bide whatso befall.
JESUS
Zacchaeus, do thou fast come down.
ZACCHAEUS
Lord, at thy will with haste I shall,
And tarry not.
To thee on knees, Lord, here I fall,
For sin I wrought.
And welcome, prophet trusty and true,
With all those that to thee belong.
JESUS
Zacchaeus, this thy service new
Shall make thee clear of all the wrong
That thou hast done.
ZACCHAEUS
Lord, I fear not for all this throng
Here to say soon
'Tis shame to sin, not to repent.
I sin forsake, therefore I will
Give all my goods that are unspent
Unto the poor with right good will,
And gladly, I.
Whom I beguiled, in full for ill
I'll satisfy.
JESUS
Thy clear confession shall thee cleanse;
Thou mayest be sure of lasting life;
Unto thy house without offence
Is granted peace all free from strife.
Farewell, Zachee.
ZACCHAEUS
To thee bows every man and wife,
Blest mayst thou be.
JESUS
Disciples dear, behold and see
Unto Jerusalem we ascend
Man's Son shall there betrayed be,
And given into his enemy's hand
With great despite,
Spitting and shame on him to spend
And smartly smite.
I mourn, I sigh, I weep also.
Jerusalem, on you to look,
And so may you,
That ever you your king forsook.
And were untrue.
For stone on stone shall none be left,
Down to the ground shall all be cast;
Thy game, thy glee, all from thee reft,
And all for sin and evil past.
Thou art unkind.
Against thy king thou hast trespass't;
Have this in mind.
PORTER
The people of the Hebrews here
This prophet famed are met to greet.
Behold, where all the burghers near
Are come with worship him to meet,
So will I now
Open our gate here in this street,
And to him bow.
I BURGHER
Hail, prophet proved, without a peer!
Hail, prince of peace that shall endure!
Hail, comely king, courteous and clear!
Hail, sovereign salve to sinful sore!
All to thee bows.
Hail, Lord lovely our cares may cure I
Hail, King of Jews!
2 BURGHER
Hail, flourishing flower that ne'er shall fade!
Hail, violet vernal with sweet odour!
Hail, mark of mirth, our medicine made!
Hail, blossom bright! Hail, our succour!
Hail, king comely!
Hail, worshipful! We thee honour
With heart freely!
3 BURGHER
Hail, David's son, doughty in deed!
Hail, ruddy rose! Hail, beryl clear!
Hail, well of wealth that makes our meed!
Hail, salver of our sorrows sore!
We worship thee.
Hail, gentle one; with solace sure
Welcome thou'lt be.
4 BURGHER
Hail, blissful Babe in Bethlehem born!
Hail, help of all our bitter bales!
Hail, worker unwearied, even and morn!
Hail, teller trustful of true tales!
Hail, comely knight!
Hail, man of mood that most prevails
To save aright.
5 BURGHER
Hail, diamond with jewels dight!
Hail, jasper gentle of Jewry!
Hail, lily lovesome, beaming light!
Hail, balm of healing from on high
To all who need!
Hail, bairn most blest of mild Mary!
Hail, all our meed!
6 BURGHER
Hail, conqueror! Hail, most of might!
Hail, ransomer of sinners all!
Hail, Pitiful! Hail, lovely light!
Hail, thou shalt welcome be to all!
Hail, royal Jew!
Hail, comely king on whom we call,
With mirth still new!
7 BURGHER
Hail, sun aye shining with bright beams!
Hail, lamp of life that ne'er shall waste!
Hail, like a lantern's lovely gleams!
Hail, text of truth so true to taste!
Hail, King and Sire
Hail, maiden's child that honoured her most!
We thee desire!
8 BURGHER
Hail, doomsman dread that all shall doom!
Hail, to whom bow both quick and dead!
Hail, whom worship shall most become!
Hail, whom all things shall fear and dread!
We welcome thee.
Hail! And all welcome on thy head
To our city.
INTERVAL |
York Mystery Plays