1.
I pray ȝow all, wyth o thowȝt,
[amend] me and peyre me nowȝt.
Holy wryt seyȝt—whech no thyng ys sother—
þat [no man] shuld apeyre other;
syth, þan, in God Y am þy b[roþir],
amende me and peyre me nouȝt.
Th[is] lore (?) in þe Gospel eche man may se:
ȝyf Y [þi] broþir trespace to the,
betwene us two vp neme thow me;
amend.
ȝyf þou se Y do gretly a-mys,
and no man wot, but þou, of þis,
make hit nouȝt ȝit so euyl as yt is;
amend etc.
God wyl þou schalt no man defame,
ne a-peyre no mannys name;
ryȝt euen as þou degnst (?) haue þe same,
amend.
A-peyr þou no man wyth thi word,
neþer in ernest, neþer in bord;
let thi tong, þat is þi sword,
amend euer & peyr nouȝt.
Now to amend God ȝeue vs grace
off repentance, & very space
in h[eu]yn to se his glorious face,
wher we shull a-mend & peyr nougth.
Add. Ms. 5665, f. 31b gives the first three stanzas, without variation. Variants in Eng. Poet. E. I, f. 24a: 1, hert & thouȝt; 3, sayth no thyng sother; 5, sythen I am in God þi broder; 7, lore omitted; 9, betwen ȝow to corectyd he be; 13, mak it not so yl; 15-18 and 19-22 transposed; 15, lok þat þou no man defame; 16, fame; 17, euen omitted, woldest; 19, þou omitted; 20, ne in; 25, and in hevyn to se hys face; 26, wher al thyng a-mend & peyer novȝth.
2.
Nowel, syng we, boþe al & som,
now rex pacificus ys y-come.
Exortum est in loue & lysse,
now Cryst hys grace he gan vs gysse,
and with hys body vs bouȝt to blysse,
boþe all and sum.
De fructu ventris of Mary bryȝt
bothe God an man in here a-lyȝt,
note of dysese he dyde vs dyȝt,
bothe alle & summe.
Puer natus to vs was sent,
to blysse vs bouȝt, fro bale vs blent,
and ellys to wo we hadde y-went,
bothe alle & summe.
Lux fulgebit with loue & lyȝt,
in Mary mylde his pynon pyȝt,
in here toke kynde with manly myȝt,
bothe alle & summe.
Gloria tibi ay and blysse,
God vnto his grace he vs wysse
the rent of heuen þat we not mysse,
bothe alle & summe.
3.
A, man, a-say, a-say, a-say!
& axe mercy while þou maye.
Man haue in mynde how here by-fore
for thy mysdede þou where for-lore,
but mercy to ȝeue now Criste vs bore.
A-say! Chorus.
In synne thy lyfe yf þou haue ladde,
a-mende hit nowe, be not a-dradde,
for he his mercy forth hath spradde.
A-say!
And, they thy synne be neuer so ylle,
for thy synne shalt þou not spylle,
nowe mercy to aske yf þou wylle.
A-say!
God þat deyde vppon the rode,
for thi mysdede he shadde his blode,
for his mercy ys ful and gode.
A-say!
He þat the so dere hath bouȝt,
mercy he wolde þat þou souȝt;
ȝyf þou seke he nyeth hit nouȝt.
A-say!
Mercy is spredde on the grounde,
there-to left for a stounde,
ther-fore þou hit seke til hit be founde.
A-say!
Other versions read as follows: Ms. Balliol 354, f. 220b:
Man, a-say, a-say, a-say!
And aske thou mercy whyle thou may.
Man, haue in mynd how here beforn
for thy mysded thou wast forlorn,
to geve the mercy Cryst was born;
aske þou mercy whill þou may.
Yff thou thy lyff in syn hath lede,
amend the now & be not dred,
for Crystis mercy furth ys spred,
Ut supra.
Yff thy syn be never so yll,
yet for no syn thou shalt spyll,
amend the now yf þat thou will.
Ut supra.
He that hath the hether browght,
He wold that thou mercy sowght;
aske ytt & he denyth ytt nowght.
Ut supra.
He that dyed on the rode
& shed for the his precius blod,
He ys both mercyfull & gud.
Ut supra.
Mercy ys spred on the grownd,
ther for to dwell a lytill stownd;
lett vs seke till yt be fownd.
Ut supra.
Ytt for to fynd God geve vs grace,
in this world while we haue space,
& after in hevyn to haue place.
Ut supra.
Explicit.
Add. Ms. 5665, f. 42b:
Man asay! and axe mercy while þou may.
In synne yf þou thi lyffe haue ledde,
amende the, man, & be not adrad;
God for the his mercy hathe sprade.
Asay, asay!
For thof thy synne be neuere so ille,
amende thy-sylue, man, yf that þou wille;
God will not that þou spylle.
Asay, asay!
For he that the so dere hathe boȝste,
mercy he wolde that þou soȝste;
iff þou hit axske he nayes hit noȝste.
Asay, asay!
Thy lyffe vn erthe here thus þou spende
praying to Ihesu þat þou notte shende;
then ioy & blisse shall be thyn ende.
Asay, asay!
4.
Go day, go day,
my lord syre Criste-masse, go day.
Go day, Syre Criste-masse, our kyng,
for euery man boþ olde & ȝynge
ys glad & blithe of ȝour commynge.
Go day. Chorus.
God-ys sone, so moche of myȝt,
fram heuen to erthe dovn is lyȝt,
and borne ys of a mayde so bryȝt.
Good day.
Heuen & erthe & also helle,
and alle þat euer in hem dwelle,
of ȝour comynge þey beth full snelle.
Good day.
Of ȝour comynge this clerkys fynde:
ȝe come to saue al man-kynde,
and of here balys hem vnbynde.
Good day.
Alle maner of merthes we wole make
and solas to oure hertys take,
my semely lorde, for ȝoure sake.
Good day.
Published in Early English Lyrics CXXXV. Compare the song Fare wele aduent, Ms. Ee. 1. 2, f. 58b (Herrig's Archiv 89. 238).
5.
Of a rose synge we,
misterium mirabile.
Thys rose is railed on a rys,
he hath brouȝt þe prince of prys,
and in this tyme soth hit ys
viri sine semine.
This rose is reed of colour bryȝt
throw whom oure ioye gan a-lyȝt
vppon a Cristys-masse nyȝt,
claro Dauid germine.
Of this rose was Cryst y-bore
to saue man-kynde þat was for-lore
and yl alle from synnes sore
Prophetarum carmine.
This rose, of flourys she is flour,
she ne wole fade for no shoure;
to synful men she sent socour
mira plenitudine.
This rose is so faire of hywe
in maide Mary, þat is so trywe,
y-borne was lorde of vertue,
saluator sine crimine.
6.
Alleluya.
Now wel may we merthis make,
for vs Ihesu man-hode hath take
only for our synnes sake.
Alleluya. Chorus.
A kynge of kynges now forth is brouȝt
of a maide þat synned nouȝt,
nother in dede, nother in thouȝt,
res miranda.
An angel of cunsel this day is borne
of a maide y-seide be-forne,
for to saue þat was for-lorne,
sol de stella.
That sunne hath neuer dovn goynge,
nother his lyȝt no tyme lesynge;
the sterre is euer-more shynynge
semper clara.
Ryȝt as þe sterre bryngeþ forth a bem,
of whom þer comeþ a mervelus strem,
so childede þe maide with-oute wem
pari forma.
7.
Synge we to þis mery cumpane
regina celi letare.
Holy maide blessyd þou be,
Godys sone is born of þe.
þe fader of heuen þus lyue we,
regina celi letare.
Thow art emperesse of heuen fre,
now art þou moder in mageste,
y-knytte in the blessed trinite,
regina celi letare.
Hayl! wyf, hayl! maide bryȝt of ble,
hayl! douȝter, hayl! suster ful of pite,
hayl! cosyn to the persones thre,
regina celi letare.
Lo, this curteys kynge of degre
wole be thy sone with solempnite
mylde Mary this ys thy fee:
regina celi letare.
Ther-fore knele we on oure kne,
thy blysful berthe now worshype we,
with this songe of melode:
regina celi letare.
Variants: Ms. Sloane 2593, f. 25a: 1, synge we, synge we; 3, maydyn; 5, þe fader of heuene worchepe we; 7-10 and 11-14 transposed; 7, so fre; 8, worþi maydyn in mageste; 9, now worchepe we þe Trenyte; 11, maydyn, heyl, brytȝ; 12, heyl, ful; after the third stanza, the poem reads as follows:
Lady so louely, so goodly to see,
so buxsum in þi body to be,
þou art his moder for humylite,
regina celi letare.
þese ben curteys kynges of solunte;
þey worchepyd þi sone with vmylite;
mylde Mary, þus rede we.
Regina, etc.
So gracius, so precyows in ryalte,
þus jentyl, þus good, þus finde we
þer is non swych in non cuntre.
Regina, etc.
& þerfore knel we doun on our kne,
þis blyssid berþe worchepe we.
þis is a song of humylyte,
regina, etc.
The version in Add. Ms. 5665, f. 4b, reads as follows:
Syng we to this mery companey
regina celi letare.
Benyng lady, blessed mote thow be,
that barest God in virginite;
therfor synng we to the,
regina celi letare.
O quene of heuen, þat syttist in se,
o comfort of all captiuite,
ryght causeth vs all to syng to the,
regina celi letare.
O blessed branche of humilite,
O causer of all felicete,
with ioy & gladdenesse syng we to the,
regina celi letare.
8.
Alma redemptoris mater.
[As] Y lay vpon a nyȝt,
my-þouȝt Y say a semly syȝt
þat callid was Mary briȝt,
redemptoris mater.
Ther come Gabriel with lyȝt,
and saide, 'Haile! þou swete wyȝt,
to be clepyd þou art a-dyȝt
redemptoris mater.
Ther she conceyued God almyȝt,
þat was in stalle with here al nyȝt;
and þere me knewe what he hyȝt
redemptoris mater.
Whan Ihesu was on þe rode y-pyȝt,
Mary was sory of þat syȝt,
tyl þat she say hym ryse vpryȝt,
redemptoris mater.
And after to heuen he toke his flyȝt;
ther he is nowe in blysse bryȝt,
and with hym þat swete wyȝt—
redemptoris mater.
Other versions read as follows: Balliol 354, f. 222a:
Now syng we all in fere,
alma redemptoris mater.
As I me lay on a nyght,
me-thowght I sawe a semly wyght,
that clepid she was ryght
Alma redemptoris mater.
To her com an angell with gret lyght
and sayd, 'Hayle be þou blessid wyght,
to be cleped thou art right
[alma redemtoris mater.']
At that word the maydyn bryght
a-non conceyvyd God Almyght.
Then knew Mary what she hyght:
[alma redemptoris mater.]
Whan Ihesu on the rode was dyght,
Mary was sorofull of that syght
tyll after she sawe hym ryse vp-right,
alma redemptoris mater.
Sloane 2593, f. 30b:
Alma redemptoris mater.
As I lay upon a nyȝt,
my þowt was on a mayde bryȝt,
þat men callyn Mary of myȝt,
redemptoris mater.
To here cam Gabriel so bryȝt
& seyde, 'Heyl, Mari, ful of myȝt,
to be cald þu art a-dyȝt
redemp[toris mater.]
After þat word þat mayde bryȝt
a-non conseyuyd God of myȝt,
& ther-by wyst men that che hyȝt
r[edemptoris mater.]
Ryȝt as þe sunne schynit in glas,
so Ihesu in his moder was,
& þerby wyt men þat che was
r[edemptoris mater.]
Now is born þat babe of blys,
& qwen of heuene his moder is,
& þerfore þink me[n] þat che is
r[edemptoris mater.]
After to heuene he tok his flyȝt,
& þer he sit with his fader of myȝt;
with hym is crownyd þat lady bryȝt,
redemptoris mater.
Trinity College, Cambridge, O. 3. 58:
Alma redemptoris mater.
As I lay vp-on a nyth,
my thowth was on a berd so brith
that men clepyn Marye ful of myth,
redemptoris mater.
[T]o here cam Gabryel wyth lyth
and seyd, 'Heyl be thou, blysful wyth,
to ben clepyd now art thou dyth,
redemptoris mater.'
At that wurd that lady byrth
anon conseyuyd God, ful of myth;
than men wyst weel that sche hyth
redemptoris mater.
[Q]wan Ihesu on the rode was pyth,
Mary was doolful of that syth
til sche sey hym ryse vp-rith,
redemptoris mater.
Ihesu, that syttyst in heuene lyth,
graunt vs to comyn be-forn thi sith,
wyth that berde that is so brith,
redemptoris mater.
9.
Ave domina celi regina.
Worshyp be þe birth of þe,
quem portasti Maria,
both in boure & in cite;
ave domina.
For thorwe oure synnes we were for-lorne
infernali pena,
but nowe shal vs save þat þou hast borne;
aue domina.
Al-myȝty Godys wyl hit was,
felix fecundata,
þat vppon the shal lyȝt his grace;
aue domina.
Y-blessyd be þou, maide mylde,
que semper es amica
by-twene mankynd & þe chylde;
aue domina.
Lady, quene of paradyse,
mater Dei electa,
þou bare oure Lorde þat hye instyse;
aue domina.
With merthe & alle solempnite
nato canunt omnia:
þou berde of ble, wel-come þou be;
aue domina.
10.
Nowel, nowel, nowel, nowel, nowel, nowel.
[O]wt of ȝour slepe a-ryse & wake,
for God mankynd nowe hath ytake
al of a maide with-out eny make;
of al women she bereth the belle.
Nowel.
And, þorwe a maide faire & wys,
now man is made of ful grete pris;
now angelys knelen to mannys seruys;
& at þis tyme al þis by-fel.
[Nowel.]
Now man is briȝter þan þe sonne;
now man in heuen an hye shal w[onne;]
blessyd be God þis game is be-gonne;
& his moder emperesse of helle.
[Nowel.]
That euer was thralle, now ys he fre;
þat euer was smalle, now grete is she;
now shal God deme bothe the & me
vn-to his blysse, yf we do wel.
Nowel.
Now man may to heuen wende;
now heuen & erthe to hym they bende;
he þat was foo, now is oure frende;
this is no nay þat Y ȝowe telle.
Nowel.
Now, blessyd brother, graunte vs grace
a domes day to se thy face,
and in thy courte to haue a place,
þat we mow there synge nowel,
nowel.
Published in Early English Lyrics LIX. Compare Ms. Ee. 1. 12. f. 39b (Archiv 82. 206):
The sonne of god man bicome is
Of virgyn Marie, quene of blis.
11.
Make we ioye nowe in thys fest
in quo Christus natus est. Eya!
A patre vni-genitus
þorw a maiden is come to vs.
Syng we to here and sey 'wel-come',
veni redemptor gentium.
Agnoscat omne seculum:
a bryȝt sterre thre kynges come
for to seke with here presens
verbum supernum. prodiens.
A solis ortus cardine
so myȝty a lord was none as he;
for to oure kynde he hath ȝeue gryth,
Adam parens quod polluit.
Maria ventre concepit;
the Holy Gost was ay here with;
in Bedlem y-borne he ys:
consors paterni luminis.
O lux beata trinitas,
he lay by-twene an oxe & asse;
þou moder & maiden fre
gloria tibi Domine.
Other versions read as follows: Ms. Eng. Poet. E. 1, f. 32b:
Make we jow in þis fest
in quo Christus natus est.
A patre unigenitus
to a maydyn is cum to vs.
Syng we of hym & sey wolcum,
veni redemptor gentium.
Agnoscat omne seculum:
a bryth stare kyngges mad cum,
for to take with her presens
verbum supernum prodiens.
A solis ortus cardine
so myty a Lord is non as he,
and to owr Lord he hath greth,
[Adam parens quod polluit.]
Mary a ventre concepit,
þe Holy Gost was ay hyr with;
of hyr in Bedlem now born he is,
consors paterni luminis.
Alme beata trinitas,
þat lay be-twyn an ox an a as,
by hys modyr maydyn fre;
gloria tibi Domine.
Add. Ms. 5665, f. 28b:
Now make we ioye in this feste
in quo Christus natus est.
A patre vnigenitus
III ȝong maydens cam till vs.
Syng we to hym & say well come,
veni redemptor gentium.
Agnoscat omne seculum:
a bryȝth sterre III kynges made come,
A solis ortus cardine
so myȝthi a lord ys non as he;
veni redemptor gentium omnium.
Compare the song in Ee. 1. 12 (Archiv 89. 204):
Be we mery now in this fest,
in quo saluator natus est.
12.
What tydynges bryngest þou, messanger,
of Cristes birth þis ȝeres day?
A babe ys born of hye nature,
is prins of pes & euer shal be;
of heuen & erþe he hath þe cure;
his lordship is eternite.
Such wonder tydyngys ȝe mow here.
[What tydynges bryngest þou, messanger,
of Cristes birth þis ȝeres day?]
þat man is made now Godys fere,
whan synne hadde made but fendes praye.
A semely syȝt hit is to se:
þe berde, þat hath this babe y-borne,
conceyued a lord of hye degre,
& maiden as heo was by-forne.
[Such wonder tydyngys ȝe mow here.
What tydynges bryngest þou, messanger,
of Cristes birth þis ȝeres day?]
þat maide & moder is one y-fere,
and alwey lady of hye aray.
This maide began to gretyn here childe
& saide, 'Haile sone! haile fader dere!'
He saide, 'Haile moder! haile maide mylde!'
þis gretynge was in queynte manere.
[Such wonder tydyngys ȝe mow here.
What tydynges bryngest þou, messanger,
of Cristes birth þis ȝeres day?]
Here gretynge was in suche manere
hit turned mannys peyne to play.
A wonder thynge is now be-falle:
þat lorde þat formed sterre & sunne,
heuen & erth & angelys alle,
nowe in man-kynde is by-gunne.
[Such wonder tydyngys ȝe mow here.
What tydynges bryngest þou, messanger,
of Cristes birth þis ȝeres day?]
A faunt þat is not of o ȝere
euer hath y-be & shal be ay.
The version in Ms. Trinity College, Cambridge, O. 3. 58 reads as follows:
Qwat tydyngis bryngyst thou, massager,
of Cristys berthe this ȝolys day?
A babe is born of hey nature,
the prince of pees that euere xal be;
of heuene & erthe he hath ye cure;
his lordschepe is eternyte.
Swich wunder tydyngis ȝe may here.
[Qwat tydyngis bryngyst thou, massager,
of Cristys berthe this ȝolys day?]
That man is mad now Goddis pere,
qwom synne had mad but feyndys pray.
A wundyr thing is now befalle:
that kyng that formyd sterre & sunne,
heuene & erthe & aungelys alle,
now in mankend is newe begunne.
Swich wunder tydyngis ȝe may here.
[Qwat tydyngis bryngyst thou, massager,
of Cristys berthe this ȝolys day?]
A faunt is now of o ȝere,
that hath ben euere & xal ben ay.
That semlyest selkouth to se:
this berde that hath this babe i-born,
and lord conceyuyd of hey degre,
a maydyn is as was beforn.
Swich wunder tydyngis ȝe may here.
[Qwat tydyngis bryngyst thou, massager,
of Cristys berthe this ȝolys day?]
That maydyn & moder is on in fere,
& sche a lady of greth aray.
That louelyest gan grete here child:
'Heyl sone! heyl brother! heyl fader dere!
'Heyl dowter!' he seyth, 'heyl suster! heyl moder myld!'
This heyling was on qweynt manere.
Swich wunder tydyngis ȝe may here.
[Qwat tydyngis bryngyst thou, massager,
Of Cristys berthe this ȝolys day?]
That heylyng was of so good chere
that manys peyne is turnyd to play.
13.
Deo gracias anglia
redde pro victoria.
Owre kynge went forth to Normandy
with grace & myȝt of chyualry;
ther God for hym wrouȝt mervelusly;
wher-fore Englonde may calle & cry
Deo gracias.
He sette a sege, þe sothe for to say,
to Harflu tovne with ryal a-ray;
þat tovne he wan, & made a fray
þat Fraunce shal rywe tyl domesday,
Deo gracias.
Than went oure kynge with alle his oste
thorwe Fraunce, for alle þe Frenshe boste;
he spared no drede of lest ne moste
tyl he come to Agincourt coste,
Deo gracias.
Than, for soth, þat knyȝt comely
In Agincourt feld he fauȝt manly;
thorw grace of God most myȝty
he had bothe þe felde & þe victory,
Deo gracias.
There dukys & erlys, lorde & barone,
were take & slayne, & þat wel sone,
and summe were ladde in-to Lundone,
with ioye and merthe & grete renone,
Deo gracias.
Now gracious God, he saue oure kynge,
his peple, & alle his wel-wyllynge;
ȝef him gode lyfe & gode endynge,
þat we with merth mowe sauely synge
Deo gracias.
The third stanza occurs last in the ms., but its transference is in∣dicated. The version in Ms. Trinity College, Cambridge, O. 3. 58, reads as follows:
Deo gracias anglia
redde pro victoria.
Our kyng went forth to Normundy
wyth grace & myth of chyualry;
þer God for hym wrouth meruelowsly;
qwerfore Ynglond may cal & cry
Deo gracias.
He set a sege, for sothe to say,
to Harflu tounn with ryal a-ray;
þat tounn he wan and mad a fray
þat Fraunse xal rewe tyl domysday,
Deo gracias.
Than went hym forth owr kyng comely
in Achyncourt feld he fauuth manly;
thorw grace of God most meruelowsly
he had both feld and vyctory,
Deo gracias.
Ther lordys, eerlys, and barounn
were slayn and takyn, & þat ful soun,
and sume were browth in-to Londounn,
wyth ioye & blysse and greth renounn.
Deo gracias.
Almythy God, he kepe our kyng,
hys pepyl & al hys weel welyng,
and ȝeue hem grace with-outyn endyng;
þan may we calle & sauely syng
Deo gracias.
14.
As Y lay vp-on a nyȝt,
for soth Y sawe a semely syȝt:
I be-held a berde so bryȝt,
a child she bare on honde.
Here lokyng was so louely,
here semblant was so swete,
of alle my care & sorwe
she may my balys bete.
By here sate a seruant
þat seide al in his sawe—
he semyd by his semblant
a man of þe olde lawe—
'þou wondryst', he seide skilfully,
'in þynge þou hast be-holde;
and so Y dyde trywly
tyl talys were me y-tolde.
They þat Y vnworthy be,
she is Mary myn owne wyf;
God wote she hadde neuer childe by me,
& ȝyt Y loue here as my lyf.
Y trust vn-to here godenys,
she wolde not mysdoo,
þat Y wyst ful wel, Y-wys,
for ofte Y haue y-founde hit soo.'
I be-helde þat swete wyȝt,
and to my-selfe Y sayde:
she hadde y-do man-kynde vnryȝt
yf she were a mayde.
His here was hore al on his hede,
his ble be-gan to glyde;
she herde ful wel what Y sayde
& bade me faire a-byde,
and saide she was a-lone,
maide and moder y-core,
and with-oute wem of man
a childe she hadde y-bore.
'But er euer Y wyste
here wombe be-gan to ryse.
Y telle ȝow trywth trywly—
Y note in whoche wyse—
that rather a maide sholde
with-oute man conceyue
than Mary mysdo wolde
an soo Iosep disceyue.
15.
The merthe of alle þis londe
maketh þe gode husbonde
with erynge of his plowe.
I-blessyd be Cristes sonde,
þat haþ vs sent in honde
merthe & ioye y-nowe.
The plowe goth mony a gate,
bothe erly & eke late,
in wynter in þe clay,
a-boute barly and whete,
þat maketh men to swete;
God spede þe plowe al day.
Browne morel & gore
drawen þe plowe ful sore
al in the morwenynge;
rewarde hem, ther-fore,
with a shefe or more
alle in the evenynge.
Whan men by-gynne to sowe
ful wel here corne þey knowe
in þe mounthe of May.
Howe euer Janyuer blowe,
whether hye or lowe,
God spede þe plowe all-way.
Whan men by-gynneth to wede
þe thystle fro þe sede
in somer, whan þey may,
God lete hem wel to spede
& longe gode lyfe to lede,
all þat for plowe-men pray.
Published in Early English Lyrics CXLII. Vs. 3-6 are repeated in the score.
16.
Glad & blithe mote ȝe be,
all that euer Y here nowe se;
alleluya.
Kynge of kyngys, lorde of alle,
borne he is in oxe stalle,
res miranda.
The angel of consel now borne he is
of a maide ful clene, y-wis,
sol de stella:
the sunne þat euer shyneþ bryȝt,
the sterre þat euer ȝeueth his lyȝt,
semper clara.
Ryȝt as þe sterre bryngth forth his beme,
so þe maide here barn teme,
pari forma.
Nother þe sterre for his beme,
noþer þe maide for here barne teme,
fit corrupta.
The cedur of Liban þat growth so hye,
vn-to þe ysape is made lye
valle nostra:
Godys sone of heuen bryȝt
vn-tyl a maide is he lyȝt
carne sumpta.
Ysaye saide by prophecie—
the sinagoge hath hit in memorye
ȝyt neuer he lynneth maliciusly—
esse ceca.
Yf they leue not here profetys,
þen lete hem leue ethen metrys:
in sibylinys versiculys
hec predicta.
Un-happy Iewe, come þou nere,
by-leue ellys thyne eldere.
Why wolt þou, wretche, y-dampned be?
Whomme techeth þe letter
by-holde the childe þe better;
hym bare a maide moder Marye.
The absence of the rubric, and the music show that vs. 25-38 are not a separate song.
17.
Alleluya, alleluya, alleluya,
alleluya, alleluya, alleluya.
A nywe werk is come on honde
þorw myȝt & grace of Godys sonde:
to saue þe lost of euery londe.
For now is fre þat erst was bonde;
we mowe wel synge, alleluya.
By Gabriel by-gunne hit was;
ryȝt as the sunne shone thorwe the glas,
Ihesu Cryst conceyued was
of Mary moder, ful of grace.
Nowe synge we here, alleluya.
Nowe is fulfylled the prophecie
o[f] Dauid and of Jeremie
and al-so of Ysaie.
Synge we ther-fore, bothe loude & hye, alleluya, alleluya.
Simeon, on his armys ryȝt,
clypped Ihesu ful of myȝt,
and sayde unto þat barne so bryȝt:
'Y see my Sauyour in syȝt';
and songe thor-with, alleluya.
Tho he saide with-oute lece:
'Lorde þou seite thy seruant in pece,
for nowe Y haue þat Y euer chece
alle oure ioyes to encrece,
ther seyntes syngeth, alleluya.
Alleluya, this swete songe,
oute of a grene branche hit spronge.
God sende vs the lyf þat lasteth longe;
nowe ioye & blysse be hem a-monge
þat thus cunne synge,
alleluya.
18.
Hayl, Mary, ful of grace,
moder in virginite.
The Holigoste is to the sent
from the fader omnipotent;
now is God with-yn þe went,
while þe angel side aue.
Whan the angel aue by-ganne,
flesh & blode to-gedre ranne;
Mary bare bothe Gode & manne
thorwe the vertu of the dignite.
So seith the Gospel of Syn John:
God & man is made al one
in flesch & blode, body & bone,
o God in personys thre.
And the prophete Jeremye
telleth in his prophecie
þat the sone of Marie
for vs deyde vppon a tre.
Moche ioye was vs y-graunte,
and in erthe pees y-plaunte,
whan y-bore was that saunte
in the londe of Galile.
Mary graunte vs of the blys
there as thy sonys wonynge ys;
of þat we haue y-done a-mys
pray for vs pur charite.
Variants in Ms. Trinity College, Cambridge O. 3. 58: 6, while omitted; 10, thorw vertu & pour dyngnyte; 12, but on; 16, told; 18, schuld deye for vs on rode tre; 19, to vs was graunth; 20, & plaunth; 21, that born was this; 23, of omitted; 24, as omitted; 25, don; followed by amen.
19.
An heuenly songe, Y dere wel say,
is sunge in erthe to man þis day.
This is the songe þat ȝe shul here:
God is come fram his empere
and is made man with hye desire
this day.
He toke oure kynde al of a mayde,
by oxe & asse he was y-layde,
nowe is fulfylled þat Scripture sayde,
this day.
Ay, Y wonder this in my mynde,
þat he that alle may loose & bynde
wolde be layde by beestis vnkynde
this day.
He is a lorde, and by nature
a maydnys breest he soke ful pure;
heuen & erthe beth in his cure
this day.
20.
Hayl, Godys sone in trinite,
the secund in diuinite,
þy moder is a may.
Lo, Moises bush shynynge vn-brent,
þe floures faire God there present;
oure lady with childe hit be ment,
as profetes saide in here lay.
This is Gedeonys wulle felle
on whom the dewe of heuen dyde dwelle,
the dewe of heuen on Mary fel
whan she conceyued Adonay.
Aronnys rodde, with-oute licoure,
by merueyl bare bothe fruyte & floure;
to God & man, oure Sauyoure
a clene mayde hath borne this day.
This Iacobys sterre with shynynge leme—
þat Balaam sey in Balakkys reme—
figureth Mary that in Bedleme
bare Ihesu & leyde in hay.
But God be-wreyde by faire figure
his virginel progeniture.
Nowe Maryes sone haue vs in cure
and graunte vs blys þat lasteth ay.
21.
Verbum caro factum est,
et habitauit in nobis.
Fetys bel chere,
drynk to þi fere,
vesse le bauere,
& synge nouwell.
Notum fecit Dominus
salutare suum;
alleluya, etc.
Prope inuocauit me,
Pater meus es tu;
alleluya, etc.
22.
Nouus sol de virgine
reluxit nobis hodie.
Thow holy douȝter of Syon,
princesse of Hierusalem,
to-day sprunge of þe alone
the grayn of Jesse in Bethleem.
This day also the bryȝt starre—
þat Balam gan so to magnifye—
aroos of the to stynt our werre
& in derknys vs to gye.
þou ert also a-boue echone
a moder and a mayde trywe,
and the ȝerde eke of Aaron
þat bare this day a burion nywe.
The orient lyȝt of Nazareth
þou ert also, to stynt oure stryffe,
þat brouȝtyst forth a-gaynys deth
this day the sothfast man of lyffe.
Thow ert eke the flees of Gedeon,
y-dewed with the Holigoste,
the chaste temple of Salemon,
clere as cristal in euery coste.
þou ert eke the ioye of Israel,
to stynt all oure olde sorwe,
the gate the whyche Ezechiel
sawe al-way clos, bothe eue & morwe.
And þou ert eke the purpyl rose
þat whylom grewe in Jerico;
the fadres wysdom to enclose
þou were the temple & tour also.
23.
Ave Maria, gracia Dei plena.
Hayl, blessid flour of virginite,
þat bare this tyme a child so fre,
þat was & is & euer shal be; aue.
24.
Now-wel, nowel,
to vs ys born our God Emanuell;
now-wel, nowel,
to vs ys born our God Emanuell.
In Bedlem, þat child of lyfe
ys born of Mary, mayde & wyfe.
He is boþe God & man, take schrift.
Prince of pese schal sese al strife
& wone with vs perpetuell.
This child shal by vs with his blode,
and be nayled on a roode;
his raunsum passyth al erthly goode.
Alas! what wyȝte dar be so woode
to sle so gentyl a iuwell?
By his pooste this child shal ryse;
fro helle he shal take his empryse,
and saue mankynde in this wyse.
Thus telleth vs the prophecyys,
here-be-forne as they dyde tell.
Variant: 12, Early Bodleian Music reads raintsum.—The version in Ms. Trinity College, Cambridge, O. 3. 58 reads as follows:
Nowel, nowel, nowel,
to vs is born owr God Emanuel.
In Bedlem, this berde of lyf
is born of Marye, maydyn and wyf.
He is bothe God & man, I schryf.
Thys prince of pees xal setyn al stryf
& wone wyth vs perpetuel.
This chyld xal bey vs wyth hys bloyd,
and be naylyd vp-on the royd;
hys raunsum pasyth al erdly goyd.
Allas! qwat wyth dar be so woyd
to sle so ientyl a nowel?
Be hys powste he his emprys
schal take fro helle at hys vprys,
and saue mankende vp-on this wys.
Thus tellth vs the prophecys,
that he is kyng of heuen & helle.
This maydenys sone to hys empere
schal stey to heuene be his powere;
hys Holy Gost vs alle xal lere;
[ ] and the fadyr in feere
schul regne o God; this leue I well.
Pray we this chyld wyth good entent
in our deying he vs present
on-to hys fadyr omnypotent.
The ferst tydyngis of this testament
browth to vs Seynt Gabryel.
25.
Laus, honor, virtus, gloria,
& tibi decus, Maria.
Laus, honor, virtus, gloria,
& tibi decus, Maria.
A songe to syng Y haue good ryȝt
& myrþ to make in þis presens,
for now ys born a baron of myȝt,
mundum pugillo continens.
This babe was borne on ȝoule nyȝt,
in Bedlehem of oure lady;
the name of hym is called ryȝt
verbum patris altissimi.
That nowe is come pees for to make
by-twene the fader of hevyn & vs,
and nowe for that childys sake
exultet celum laudibus.
Oure synne to slee, he toke þe way
in-to the worle fro heuyn riche blysse,
and ther-fore bothe nyȝt & day
resultet terra gaudiis.
The childe fellyd alle þe fendys pride,
and with harde yron bonde hym in cloos.
and with the blode of his dere syde
soluit a po[e]na misero[s].
Nowe Ihesu Cryst, þat come so stylle
in-to þe wombe of Mary fre,
we praye the, ȝyf hit be thy wylle,
mane nobiscum, Domine.
26.
I-blessid be þat Lord in mageste
qui natus fuit hodie.
That Lord þat lay in asse stalle
cam to dye for vs alle,
to mak vs fre þat erst were þralle,
qui natus fuit hodie.
This Lorde þat lay in asse stalle
come to dye for ys alle,
to make vs fre þat erst were þralle,
qui natus etc.
Wel mowe we glad & mery bee,
sith we were þralle & nowe be free;
the fende, oure foo, he made to flee,
qui natus etc.
And sith oure foo is fled fro vs,
we mowe wel synge & say ryȝt þus:
wel-come he be, this Lorde Iesus,
qui natus etc.
Nowe blessyd be this Lord benynge
that nolde his cruelle dethe resynge,
but for man-kynde to dye endynge,
qui natus fuit hodie.
27.
Ueni, redemptor gentium;
ueni, redemtor gentium.
This worle wondreþ of al thynge
howe a maide conceyued a kynge,
to ȝeue vs al þerof shewynge;
veni redemptor gentium.
Whan Gabriel come with his gretynge
to Mary moder, þat swete thynge,
he graunted, & saide with grete lykynge,
veni etc.
Ambrose saide in his writynge:
Cryst sholde be in a maide dwellynge
to make sothe alle þat syngynge,
veni etc.
And Dauyd saide in his spellynge
þat truthe sholde be in erthe growynge
to vs byer of alle thynge,
veni etc.
Cryst, y-crowned at oure be-gynnynge,
be with vs at oure endynge,
vs to thy ioye for to brynge;
veni etc.
28.
Abyde, Y hope hit be þe beste;
abyde, Y hope hit be the beste;
abyde, Y hope hit be þe best;
sith hasty man lakked neuer woo.
Late euery man þat wole haue reste
euer ben avised what he wole doo.
Preue or ȝe take, þenke or ȝe feste,
in wele be-ware or ȝe be woo.
Vnder þe busch ȝe shul tempeste
a-byde, tyl hit be ouer-goo.
For longe tyme ȝour hert shal breste;
abyde, Y consyall ȝow do soo.
Variants in Ms. Trinity College, Cambridge, O. 3. 58: 4, wantyth; 6, schal; 7, thou; 8, er thou.
Published in Early English Lyrics CVII.
29.
Dryngker, fyll a-nother ale.
A-nnon have I do.
God sende us good sale.
A-vale the stake, a-vale.
Here is good ale y-founde.
Drynke to me & Y to þe,
and lette þe coppe goo rounde.
Note: 1, the tenor has tappster.
Published in Early English Lyrics CXXX.
30.
Wel-combe be ȝe whan ȝe goo,
& fare-wel whan ȝe come;
so faire as ȝe þer be noo mo,
as brygth as bere brovne.
I love ȝow, verraly, at my too,
nonne so moch yn al this stovnne;
I am right glad when ȝe wil goo,
and sory when ȝe wil come.
And, whan ȝe be ovth fare,
I pray for yew, sertayn,
þat neuer man, horsse, ne mare,
brynge yow to town a-geyn.
To prayse youre bewte I ne dare,
for drede that men wille seyn.
Fare-welle! no more for you I care;
but pray yow of my songe have no desdeyn.
Note: 6, the tenor reads toune.
Published in Early English Lyrics CXXV.
31.
Yf thow fle idelnes,
Cupide hath no myght:
his bow lyeth broken,
his fyre hath no lyght.
An accompanying note reads: Ouidius de remedio amoris.—The orthography of this song is of the middle or latter part of the sixteenth century.
UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON, Dec. 3, 1910.
FREDERICK MORGAN PADELFORD.