Everyman and Other Old Religious Plays, with an Introduction
A >> Anonymous >> Everyman and Other Old Religious Plays, with an Introduction_Noah._ Lord, that women be crabbed aye!
And never are meek, that I dare say.
This is well seen of me to-day
In witness of you each one.
Good wife, let be all this beere[30]
That thou makest in this place here,
For they all ween thou art master;
And so thou art, by St. John!
_God._ Noah, take thou thy company
And in the ship hie that you be,
For none so righteous man to me
Is now on earth living.
Of clean beasts with thee thou take
Seven and seven, or thou seake,
He and she make to make
Quickly in that thou bring.
Of beasts unclean two and two,
Male and female, without more;
Of clean fowls seven also,
The he and she together.
Of fowles unclean two, and no more;
Of beasts as I said before:
That shall be saved through my lore
Against I send the weather.
Of all meats that must be eaten
Into the ship look there be gotten,
For that no way may be forgotten
And do all this by deene.[31]
To sustain man and beasts therein,
Aye, till the waters cease and blyn.[32]
This world is filled full of sin
And that is now well seen.
Seven days be yet coming,
You shall have space them in to bring;
After that it is my liking
Mankind for to annoy.
Forty days and forty nights,
Rain shall fall for their unrights;
And that I have made through my might,
Now think I to destroy.
_Noah._ Lord, at your bidding I am bayne,[33]
Since none other grace will gain,
It will I fulfil fain,
For gracious I thee find.
A hundred winters and twenty
This ship making tarried have I:
If, through amendment, any mercy
Would fall unto mankind.
Have done, you men and women all.
Hie you, lest this water fall,
That each beast were in his stall
And into ship brought.
Of clean beasts seven shall be;
Of unclean two, this God bade me;
This flood is nigh, well may we see,
Therefore tarry you nought.
_Shem._ Sir, here are lions, leopards in,
Horses, mares, oxen, and swine,
Goats, calves, sheep, and kine,
Here sitten[34] may you see.
_Ham._ Camels, asses, men may find;
Buck, doe, hart and hind,
And beasts of all manner kind.
Here be, as thinks me.
_Japhet._ Take here cats and dogs too,
Otter, fox, fulmart also;
Hares, hopping gaily, can ye
Have kail here for to eat.
_Noah's Wife._ And here are bears, wolves set,
Apes, owls, marmoset;
Weasels, squirrels, and ferret
Here they eat their meat.
_Shem's Wife._ Yet more beasts are in this house!
Here cats come in full crowse,[35]
Here a rat and here a mouse;
They stand nigh together.
_Ham's Wife._ And here are fowls less and more,
Herons, cranes and bittern;
Swans, peacocks, have them before!
Meat for this weather.
_Japhet's Wife._ Here are cocks, kites, crows,
Rooks, ravens, many rows;
Cuckoos, curlews, whoso knows,
Each one in his kind.
And here are doves, ducks, drakes,
Redshanks, running through the lakes,
And each fowl that language makes
In this ship men may find.
[_In the stage direction the sons of Noah are enjoined to mention aloud
the names of the animals which enter; a representation of which, painted
on parchment, is to be carried by the actors._
_Noah._ Wife, come in, why standest thou there?
Thou art ever forward, that I dare swear:
Come on God's half, time it were,
For fear lest that we drown.
_Noah's Wife._ Yea, sir, set up your sail
And row forth with evil heale,
For, without any fail,
I will not out of this town.
But I have my gossips every one,
One foot further I will not go;
They shall not drown, by St. John!
If I may save their life.
They loved me full well, by Christ!
But thou wilt let them in thy chest,
Else row forth, Noah, whither thou list,
And get thee a new wife.
_Noah._ Shem, some love thy mother, 'tis true;
Forsooth, such another I do not know!
_Shem._ Father, I shall set her in, I trow,
Without any fail.
Mother, my father after thee sends,
And bids thee unto yonder ship wend,[36]
Look up and see the wind,
For we be ready to sail.
_Noah's Wife._ Son, go again to him and say
I will not come therein to-day!
_Noah._ Come in, wife, in twenty devils' way,
Or else stand without.
_Ham._ Shall we all fetch her in?
_Noah._ Yea, sons, in Christ's blessing and mine,
I would you hied you betime,
For of this flood I am in doubt.
_Japhet._ Mother, we pray you altogether,
For we are here, your children;
Come into the ship for fear of the weather,
For his love that you bought!
_Noah's Wife._ That I will not for your call,
But if I have my gossips all.
_Gossip._ The flood comes in full fleeting fast,
On every side it broadens in haste;
For fear of drowning I am aghast:
Good gossip, let me come in!
Or let us drink ere we depart,
For oftentimes we have done so;
For at a time thou drinkst a quart,
And so will I ere that I go.
_Shem._ In faith, mother, yet you shall,
Whether you will or not!
[_She goes._
_Noah._ Welcome, wife, into this boat!
_Noah's Wife._ And have them that for thy note![37]
[_Et dat alapam victa._[38]
_Noah._ Aha! marry, this is hot!
It is good to be still.
My children! methinks this boat removes!
Our tarrying here hugely me grieves!
Over the land the water spreads!
God do as he will!
Ah, great God, thou art so good!
Now all this world is in a flood
As I see well in sight.
This window will I close anon,
And into my chamber will I gone
Till this water, so great one,
Be slaked through thy might.
[_Noah, according to stage directions, is now to shut the windows of the
ark and retire for a short time. He is then to chant the psalm, Salva
me, Domine! and afterwards to open them and look out._
Now forty days are fully gone.
Send a raven I will anon;
If aught were earth, tree, or stone,
Be dry in any place.
And if this fowl come not again
It is a sign, sooth to say,
That dry it is on hill or plain,
And God hath done some grace.
[_A raven is now despatched._
Ah, Lord! wherever this raven lie,
Somewhere is dry well I see;
But yet a dove, by my lewtye[39]
After I will send.
Thou wilt turn again to me
For of all fowls that may fly
Thou art most meek and hend.[40]
[_The stage direction enjoins here that another dove shall be ready with
an olive branch in its mouth, which is to be dropped by means of a cord
into Noah's hand._
Ah Lord! blessed be thou aye,
That me hast comforted thus to-day!
By this sight, I may well say
This flood begins to cease.
My sweet dove to me brought has
A branch of olive from some place;
This betokeneth God has done us some grace,
And is a sign of peace.
Ah, Lord! honoured must thou be!
All earth dries now I see;
But yet, till thou command me,
Hence will I not hie.
All this water is away,
Therefore as soon as I may
Sacrifice I shall do in faye[41]
To thee devoutly.
_God._ Noah, take thy wife anon,
And thy children every one,
Out of the ship thou shalt gone,
And they all with thee.
Beasts and all that can flie,
Out anon they shall hie,
On earth to grow and multiply:
I will that it be so.
_Noah._ Lord, I thank thee, through thy might,
Thy bidding shall be done in hight,[42]
And, as fast as I may dight[43]
I will do thee honour.
And to thee offer sacrifice,
Therefore comes in all wise,
For of these beasts that be his
Offer I will this stower.[44]
[_Then leaving the ark with his whole family, he shall take the animals
and birds, make an offering of them, and set out on his way._
Lord God, in majesty,
That such grace has granted me,
When all was borne safe to be,
Therefore now I am boune.[45]
My wife, my children, my company,
With sacrifice to honour thee,
With beasts, fowls, as thou may see,
I offer here right soon.
_God._ Noah, to me thou art full able,
And thy sacrifice acceptable,
For I have found thee true and stable,
On thee now must I myn.[46]
Curse earth will I no more
That man's sin it grieves sore,
For of youth man full of yore
Has been inclined to sin.
You shall now grow and multiply
And earth you edify,
Each beast and fowl that may flie
Shall be afraid for you.
And fish in sea that may flitt
Shall sustain you--I you behite[47]
To eat of them you not lett[48]
That clean be you may know.
There as you have eaten before
Grasses and roots, since you were born,
Of clean beasts, less and more,
I give you leave to eat.
Save blood and fish both in fear
Of wrong dead carrion that is here,
Eat not of that in no manner,
For that aye you shall lett.[49]
Manslaughter also you shall flee,
For that is not pleasant to me
That sheds blood, he or she
Ought where among mankind.
That sheds blood, his blood shall be
And vengeance have, that men shall see;
Therefore now beware now all ye
You fall not in that sin.
And forward now with you I make
And all thy seed, for thy sake,
Of such vengeance for to slake,
For now I have my will.
Here I promise thee a behest,[50]
That man, woman, fowl, nor beast
With water while the world shall last,
I will no more spill.
My bow between you and me
In the firmament shall be,
By very tokens, that you may see
That such vengeance shall cease.
That man, nor woman, shall never more
Be wasted by water, as is before,
But for sin that grieveth sore,
Therefore this vengeance was.
Where clouds in the welkin
That each bow shall be seen,
In token that my wrath or tene[51]
Should never this wroken be.
The string is turned toward you,
And toward me bent is the bow,
That such weather shall never show,
And this do I grant to thee.
My blessing now I give thee here,
To thee Noah, my servant dear;
For vengeance shall no more appear;
And now farewell, my darling dear!
THE CHESTER PAGEANT OF THE BARBERS AND WAX-CHANDLERS REPRESENTING
ABRAHAM, MELCHISEDEC, AND ISAAC
CHARACTERS
God
Abraham
Lot
Isaac
Melchisedec
A Knight
Expositor
A Messenger
THE CHESTER PAGEANT OF ABRAHAM, MELCHISEDEC, AND ISAAC
Abraham, _newly returned from the slaughter of the four kings, meets_
Melchisedec _riding_.
PRELUDE
_Messenger._ All peace, Lordings, that be present,
And hearken now with good intent,
How Noah away from us he went
With all his company;
And Abraham, through God's grace,
He is come forth into this place,
And you will give him room and space
To tell you his storye.
This play, forsooth, begin shall he,
In worship of the Trinity,
That you may all hear and see
What shall be done to-day.
My name is Gobbet-on-the-Green,
No longer here I may be seen,
Farewell, my Lordings, all by dene[52]
For letting[53] of your play.
[_Exit._
[_Enter Abraham._]
_Abraham._ Ah! thou high God, granter of grace
That ending nor beginning has,
I thank thee, Lord, that to me has
To-day given victory.
Lot, my brother, that taken was,
I have restored him in this case,
And brought him home into his place
Through thy might and mastery.
To worship thee I will not wond,[54]
That four kings of uncouth land
To-day hast sent into my hand,
And of riches great array.
Therefore of all that I can win
To give thee tithe I will begin,
When I the city soon come in,
And share with thee my prey.
Melchisedec, that here king is
And God's priest also, I wis,
The tithe I will give him of this,
As just is, what I do.
God who has sent me victory
O'er four kings graciously,
With him my spoil share will I,
The city, when I come to.
_Lot._ Abraham, brother, I thank it thee,
Who this day hast delivered me
From enemies' hands, and their postye,[55]
And saved me from woe!
Therefore I will give tithing
Of my goods while I am living,
And now also of his sending,
Tithe I will give also.
[_Then comes a knight to Melchisedec._
_Knight._ My lord, the king's tidings aright
Your heart for to gladden and light:
Abraham hath slain in fight
Four kings, since he went.
Here he will be this same night,
And riches with him enough dight.
I heard him thank God Almight
For grace he had him sent.
_Melchisedec_ (_stretching his hand to heaven_). Ah! blessed be God that
is but one!
Against Abraham I will be gone
Worshipfully, and then anon,
My office to fulfil,
Will present him with bread and wine,
For, grace of God is him within;
Speeds fast for love mine!
For this is God's will.
_Knight_ (_with a cup_). Sir, here is wine withouten were,[56]
And thereto bread, both white and clear,
To present him in good manere
That so us helped has.
_Melchisedec._ To God, I know he is full dear,
For of all things his prayer
He hath, without danger,
And specially great grace.
_Melchisedec_ (_coming to Abraham and offering him a cup
of wine and bread on a plate_). Abraham, welcome must thou be,
God's grace is fully in thee,
Blessed ever must thou be
That enemies so can make.
I have brought, as thou may'st see,
Bread and wine for thy degree;
Receive this present now from me,
And that I thee beseke.[57]
_Abraham._ Sir king, welcome in good say,
Thy present is welcome to my pay.
God has helped me to-day
Unworthy though I were.
He shall have part of my prey
That I won since I went away.
Therefore to thee thou take it may
The tenth I offer here.
[_He delivers to the King a laden horse._
_Melchisedec._ And your present, sir, take I,
And honour it devoutly,
For much good it may signify
In time that is coming.
Therefore horse, harness, and perye,[58]
As falls to my dignity,
The tithe of it I take of thee,
And receive thy off'ring.
[_Abraham receives the bread and wine, and Melchisedec the laden horse
as tithe from Lot._
_Lot._ And I will offer with good intent
Of such goods as God hath me sent
To Melchisedec here present,
As God's will is to be.
Abraham, my brother, offered has;
And so will I with God's grace:
This royal cup before your face,
Receive it now of me.
[_Lot offers the wine and bread, which Melchisedec receives._
_Melchisedec._ Sir, your off'ring welcome is,
And well I know forsooth, I wis,
That fully God's will it is
That is now done to-day.
Go we together to my city,
And now God heartily thank we
That helps us aye through his postye,[59]
For so we full well may.
_Expositor_ (_riding_). Lordings, what may this signify,
I will expound openly
That all, standing hereby,
May know what this may be.
This off'ring, I say verament,[60]
Signifieth the new Testament,
That now is used with good intent
Throughout all Christianity.
In the old law without leasing,[61]
When these two good men were living,
Of beasts was all their off'ring
And eke their sacrament.
But since Christ died on the rood-tree,
With bread and wine him worship we,
And on Shrove Thursday in his maundy[62]
Was his commandment.
But for this thing used should be
Afterward as now done we,
In signification, believe you me,
Melchisedec did so;
And tithes-making, as you see here,
Of Abraham beginning were.
Therefore he was to God full dear,
And so were they both too.
By Abraham understand I may
The father of heaven in good fay,[63]
Melchisedec a priest to his pay
To minister that sacrament
That Christ ordained on Shrove Thursday
In bread and wine to honour him aye;
This signifieth, the truth to say,
Melchisedec's present.
_God._ Abraham, my servant, I say to thee,
Thy help and succour I will be,
For thy good deed much pleaseth me,
I tell thee surely.
_Abraham._ Lord, one thing that thou wilt see,
That I pray after with heart free,
Grant me, Lord, through thy postye:[64]
Some fruit of my body!
I have no child, foul nor fair,
Save my Nurry[65] to be my heir,
That makes me greatly to apayre.[66]
On me, Lord, have mercy!
_God._ My friend, Abraham, leave thou me.
Thy Nurry thine heir shall not be,
But one son I shall send thee,
Begotten of thy body.
Abraham, do as I thee say:
Look up and tell,[67] and if thou may,
Stars standing on the stray;
That impossible were.
No more shalt thou, for no need,
Number of thy body the seed
That thou shalt have withouten dreed,
Thou art to me so dear.
Wherefore, Abraham, servant free,
Look that thou be true to me,
And fore-word here I make with thee
Thy seed to multiply.
So much more further shalt thou be,
Kings of thy seed men shall see,
And one child of great degree
All mankind shall forby.[68]
I will that from henceforth alway
Each knave's child on the eighth day
Be circumcised, as I say,
And thou thyself full soon;
And who circumcised not is
Forsaken shall be by me, I wis;
For disobedient that man is,
Therefore look that this be done.
_Abraham._ Lord, already in good fay[69]
Blessed be thou, ever and aye;
For that men truly know may
Thy folk from other men,
Circumcised they shall be all
Anon for aught that may befall.
I thank thee, Lord, thy own thrall,
Kneeling on my knee'n.
_Expositor._ Lordings all take good intent
What betokens this commandment:
This was some time a sacrament
In th' old law truly ta'en.
As followeth now verament,[70]
So was this in the old Testament;
But when Christ, away it went,
And baptism then began.
Also God promises here
To Abraham, his servant dear,
So much seed that in no manere
Number'd it might be.
And one seed, mankind to forby,
That was Jesus Christ witterlye[71]
For of his kind was our Lady,
And so also was he.
_God._ Abraham, my servant Abraham.
_Abraham._ Lo, Lord, already here I am.
_God._ Take Isaac, thy son by name
That thou lovest best of all
And in sacrifice offer him to me
Upon that hill, beside thee.
Abraham, I will that it so be
For aught that may befall.
_Abraham._ My lord, to thee is my intent
Ever to be obedient,
That son that thou to me hast sent,
Offer I will to thee.
And fulfil thy commandment
With hearty will, as I am kent
High God, Lord Omnipotent,
Thy bidding done shall be.
My menye[72] and my children each one
Lingers at home, both all and one,
Save Isaac shall with me gone
To a hill here beside.
* * * * *
[_Enter Isaac._
_Abraham._ Make thee ready, my darling,
For we must do a little thing.
This wood upon thy back thou bring,
We must not long abide.
A sword and fire I will take,
For sacrifice I must make;
God's bidding will I not forsake,
But aye obedient be.
_Isaac._ Father, I am all ready
To do your bidding meekly,
To bear this wood full bound am I,
As you command me.
_Abraham._ O Isaac, Isaac, my darling dear,
My blessing now I give thee here.
Take up this faggot with good cheer,
And on thy back it bring,
And fire with me I will take.
_Isaac._ Your bidding I will not forsake,
Father, I will never slake[73]
To fulfil your bidding.
[_Isaac takes the wood on his back, and they set out for the hill._
_Abraham._ Now Isaac, son, go we our way
To yonder mountain, if that we may.
_Isaac._ My dear father, I will essay
To follow you full fain.
_Abraham._ Oh! my heart will break in three,
To hear thy words I have pity.
As thou wilt, Lord, so must it be:
To thee I will be bane.
Lay down thy faggot my own son dear!
_Isaac._ All ready, father, lo, it is here.
But why make you so heavy cheer?
Are you anything adread?
Father, if it be your will,
Where is the beast that we shall kill?
_Abraham._ There is none, son, upon this hill
That I see here in this stead.
_Isaac._ Father, I am full sore afraid
To see you bare this naked sword.
I hope for all middle-yard[74]
You will not slay your child.
_Abraham._ Dread thee not, my child, I read
Our Lord will send of his godhead
Some kind of beast in thy stead,
Either tame or wild.
_Isaac._ Father, tell me, or I go,
Whether I shall have harm or no.
_Abraham._ Ah, dear God, that me is woe!
Thou bursts my heart in sunder.
_Isaac._ Father, tell me of this case,
Why you your drawn sword has,
And bare it naked in this place;
Thereof I have great wonder.
_Abraham._ Isaac, son, peace! I pray thee,
Thou breaks my heart even in three.
_Isaac._ I pray you, father, leave nothing from me,
But tell me what you think.
_Abraham._ O Isaac, Isaac, I must thee kill.
_Isaac._ Alas! father, is that your will,
Your own child here for to spill,
Upon this hill's brink?
If I have trespassed in any degree,
With a rod you may beat me;
Put up your sword, if your will be,
For I am but a child.
_Abraham._ Oh, my son! I am sorry
To do to thee this great annoy,
God's commandment do must I,
His works are aye full mild.
_Isaac._ Would God, my mother were here with me!
She would kneel upon her knee,
Praying you, father, if it might be,
For to save my life.
_Abraham._ Oh, comely creature, but I thee kill,
I grieve my God, and that full ill:
I may not work against his will
But ever obedient be.
O Isaac, son, to thee I say:
God has commanded me this day
Sacrifice--this is no nay--
To make of thy body.
_Isaac._ Is it God's will I should be slain?
_Abraham._ Yea, son, it is not for to layne;[75]
To his bidding I will be bane,[76]
Ever to his pleasing.
But that I do this doleful deed,
My Lord will not quit[77] me my meed.[78]
_Isaac._ Marry! father, God forbid
But you do your off'ring.
Father, at home your sons you shall find
That you must love by course of kind.
Be I once out of your mind,
Your sorrow may soon cease,
But you must do God's bidding.
Father, tell my mother of nothing.
_Abraham._ For sorrow I may my hands wring,
Thy mother I cannot please.
O Isaac, blessed may'st thou be!
Almost my wit I lose for thee,
The blood of thy body so free
I feel full loth to shed.
_Isaac._ Father, since you must needs do so,
Let it pass lightly and overgo;
Kneeling on my knees two,
Your blessing on me spread!
_Abraham._ My blessing, dear son, give I thee
And thy mother's with heart so free;
The blessing of the Trinity,
My dear son, on thee light!
_Isaac._ Father, I pray you hide mine een
That I see not your sword so keen;
Your stroke, father, I would not seen,
Lest I against it thrill.
_Abraham._ My dear son Isaac, speak no more,
Thy words make my heart full sore.
_Isaac._ O dear father, wherefore, wherefore?
Since I must needs be dead,
One thing I would you pray:
Since I must die the death this day,
As few strokes as you may,
When you smite off my head.
_Abraham._ Thy meekness, child, makes me afray;[79]
My song may be "Well away!"
_Isaac._ O, dear father, do away
Your making so mickle moan!
Now truly, father, this talking
Doth but make long tarrying.
I pray you come and make ending
And let me hence gone!
_Abraham._ Come hither, my child, that art so sweet:
Thou must be bound now, hand and feet.
[_Binding Isaac._
_Isaac._ Ah, father! we must no more meet
By aught that I can see,
But do with me just as you will,
I must obey, and that is skill,
God's commandment to fulfil,
For needs so must it be.
Upon the purpose that have set you,
Forsooth, father, I will not let you,
But evermore unto you bow,
While that I may.
Father, greet well my brethren young,
And pray my mother for her blessing,
I come no more under her wing:
Farewell for ever and aye!
But, father, I cry you mercy,
Of that I have trespassed to thee,
Forgiven, father, that it may be
Until doom's day.
_Abraham._ My dear son, let be thy moans;
My child, thou grievedst me but once.
Blessed be thou body and bones,
And I forgive thee here.
Lo, my dear son, here shalt thou lie;
Unto my work now must I hie,
I had as lief myself to die
As thou, my darling dear.
_Isaac._ Father, if you be to me kind,
About my head a kercher[80] bind,
And let me lightly out of your mind,
And soon that I were sped.
_Abraham._ Farewell, my sweet son of grace!
_Isaac._ I pray you, father, turn down my face
A little while, while you have space,
For I am full sore adread.
_Abraham._ To do this deed I am sorry.
_Isaac._ Yea, Lord, to thee I call and cry:
On my soul may thou have mercy,
Heartily I thee pray.
_Abraham._ Lord, I would fain work thy will.
This young innocent that lies so still
Full loth were I him to kill
By any manner of way.
_Isaac._ My dear father, I you pray,
Let me take my clothes away,
For shedding blood on them to-day,
At my last ending.
_Abraham._ Heart! if thou would'st break in three,
Thou shalt never master me,
I will no longer let[81] for thee,
My God I may not grieve.
_Isaac._ Ah, mercy, father! why tarry you so?
Smite off my head, and let me go!
I pray you, rid me of my woe;
For now I take my leave.
_Abraham._ Ah, son! my heart will break in three
To hear thee speak such words to me.
Jesus, on me thou have pity
That I have most in mind!
_Isaac._ Now, father, I see that I shall die,
Almighty God in majesty,
My soul I offer unto thee:
Lord, to it be kind.
[_Abraham takes the sword, as if to kill his son, when two angels
appear. One of them seizes the point of the sword, and says,_
_1st Angel._ Abraham, my servant dear!
_Abraham._ Lo, Lord! I am already here.
_1st Angel._ Lay not thy sword in any manner
On Isaac, thy dear darling!
Nay! do thou him no annoy!
For thou dreadest God; well, see I,
That of thy son hast no mercy
To fulfil his bidding.
_2nd Angel._ And for his bidding thou doest aye,
And spares neither, for fear nor fray,
To do thy son to death to-day,
Isaac to thee full dear,
Therefore God has sent by me in fay,[82]
A lamb that is both good and gay
Into this place as thou see may,
Lo! it is right here.
_Abraham._ Ah, Lord of heaven and king of bliss!
Thy bidding I shall do, I wis.
Sacrifice here to me sent is
And all, Lord, through thy grace.
A horned wether here I see,
Among the briars tied is he,
To thee offered it shall be
Anon, right in this place.