York Guides

XIV
THE TILE THATCHERS’ PLAY

JOSEPH

All mighty God in Trinity,
I pray thee, Lord, for thy great might,
Unto thy simple servants see,
Here in this place where we are pight
                In lonely case.
Lord, grant us good harbour this night
               Within this place.
For in great need now are we stead,
As thou thyself in sooth may see;
For here is neither clothes nor bed,
And we are weak and all-weary,
                And fain would rest.
Most gracious Lord, for thy mercy
     Guide us the best.

MARY

God will us guide, full well wit ye;
Therefore, Joseph, be of good cheer.
For in this place born will he be
That shall save us from sorrows here
              Both even and morn.
Sir, wit ye well the time is near
              He shall be born.

JOSEPH

Then had we better bide here still,
Here in this same place all this night.

MARY

Yes, sir; forsooth, it is God's will.

JOSEPH

Then would I fain we had some light,
              Whate'er befall.
It waxes right dark to my sight,
              And cold withal.
I will go get us light this tide,
And fuel find with me to bring.

MARY

Almighty God you rule and guide
As he is sovereign of all thing
              For his great might,
And lend me grace to his loving
               To wait aright.
Now in my soul great joy have I,
I am all clad in comfort clear;
Now will be born of my body
Both God and man together here ——
              Blest might he be!
Jesu! my son that is so dear ——
              Now born is he.
Hail, my Lord God! Hail, Prince of Peace!
Hail, my Father and Hail, my son!
Hail, sovereign strong all sins to cease!
Hail, God and man on earth in one!
Hail, through whose might
All this world once was first begun,
               Darkness and light.
Son, as I am simple subject to thine,
Vouchsafe, Sweet Son, I pray to thee,
I may take thee in these arms of mine,
And in this poor weed array thee.
              Grant me thy bliss,
As I am thy Mother chosen to be
               In truthfulness.

JOSEPH

Ah Lord, what! The weather is cold,
The fellest freeze that e’er did I feel.
I pray God help them that is old
Or weak or infirm any deal,
            So may I say.
Now good God be thou my shield,
             As thou best may.
Ah Lord God! What light is this,
That comes shining thus suddenly?
I cannot say, as I have bliss.
When I come home unto Mary,
              I will ask her.
Ah! here be food, for now come I.

MARY

Ye are welcome, sir.

JOSEPH

Say, Mary daughter, what cheer with thee?

MARY

Right good, Joseph, as hath been aye.

JOSEPH

O Mary, what sweet thing's that on thy knee?

MARY

It is my son, the sooth to say,
So good and mild.

JOSEPH

Well is me that I bide this day,
                  To see this child.
Now welcome, flower fairest of hue,
I'll worship thee with main and might.
Hail, my Maker! Hail, Christ Jesu!
Hail, royal King, Root of all right!
                  Hail, saviour!
Hail, my Lord, lender of light!
                 Hail, blessed flower!

MARY

Now, Lord, that all the world shall win,
To thee my son it is I say.
Here is no bed to lay thee in;
Therefore, my dear son, I thee pray
                    Since it is so
Here in this crib I might thee lay,
                    Humble and low.