# -------- ORIGO MUNDI -------- # The English translation from # Keith Syed's Kernewek Kemmyn adaptation edited and translated by Ray Edwards # (My line numbering of Ray's translation should be treated with # circumspection! JH) # Made by Jim Hall of Falmouth College between 29th January - 22nd March 2001 # (see http://www.ordinalia.com) # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- # HERE BEGINNETH THE DRAMA OF THE BEGINNING OF THE WORLD. # GOD THE FATHER I am called the Father of Heaven, Creator of everything that is made. We are truly Three in One, The Father, the Son and the Spirit, And today I desire 5 By my power to start the world. Heaven and earth, I say, Let them be formed according to my judgment. Now that Heaven is created for us and filled with angels bright, 10 we will create the earth inasmuch as we are Three and One, the Father, the Son and the Spirit. Surely, most royally are these made 15 as we ourselves would have them. On the second day I will make the sky called heaven, for all that has been made the first day seems good to me. 20 Let sky be above everything to overshadow all that is created, to hold rain above to be broadcast upon the earth. On the third day I make a division 25 between the sea and the lands and on land I command trees and plants to grow. Let every tree grow upright bearing its fruit and leaves, 30 and let the plants bear seed in sheltered places in time for summer. On the fourth day let bright lights for the whole world be made to perfection and their names shall be 35 the sun and the moon and the starlight. Above the trees in the midst of the sky above I set the moon by night and the sun by day to give a shining light. 40 On the fifth day my will is that beasts, fish and birds be created by my power to fill land and sea, for the time will come 45 when it will be better because of them. I command them - let them increase and live long. # Here God comes down from the upper stage and God says: [Here Lucifer # acts from heaven] Today is the sixth day since I began work 50 in which I made heaven, sea, land and trees, beasts, fish, lights. Everything that is created in them shall be obedient to me. I intend mankind to be formed 55 from clay to perfection. # Here let him make Adam, and God says:- As we are One and Three, Father and Son in Trinity, presently we shall make you, you man, from clay, in appearance like us. 60 We shall breathe a spirit into your body so that you can live, and when you lose the life you will return again to the earth. Adam, stand up quietly 65 and turn to flesh and blood. Bear in mind that I am making you from earth like me from head to foot. Receive power over all that is on land or sea. 70 You will live on this earth to bring forth offspring until you are grey. Adam, as I am God of Grace, I grant to you to be a warden. I give you authority over paradise 75 over every fruit, plant and seed which grows in it. Just do one thing for me. Only as regards the fruit which is called the Tree of Knowledge you will not have permission. 80 If you eat of this which is called the Tree of Knowledge you will go out of here and death irrevocable shall be yours. # ADAM O Father, Son and Holy Ghost, 85 eternal praise to your dear person. By making me whole and unblemished you have made me very like you. In my judgment there is enough to ordain my life. 90 I have a great desire to have a female companion arranged for me. # [They go to paradise] # GOD THE FATHER It is not good indeed that a man should be alone without a mate or mistress. Go and lie on the clean earth and sleep. Do not stand up at all until a female companion is created. # And Adam will sleep. Here God makes Eve and will bring her to Adam and # he shall take her by the hand, and God the Father says: Forthwith from one of your ribs I make you a peer 100 to help you at all times. Adam, here she is. Give her a name so as to take her for your equal. # EVE Lord God of Heaven, Father, 105 inasmuch as you are full of grace may you be for ever worshipped as you have done much for me by forming me like you. You are one God and Three Persons. 110 # [Eve goes out] # ADAM O Father, you have given me bone which was from my flesh and body to be my partner. I name her Virago. May the Father God be worshipped 115 who has ordained her for me for my benefit. # GOD THE FATHER Adam, behold the fish, the birds of the air and the beasts on both land and sea. Give them their names. 120 They will come at your bidding but do not oppress them in any way. # ADAM I name cow and bull and horse, which is a beast without equal for the benefit of mankind; 125 goat, hind, stag, sheep (in a few words) - let her receive her good name. Now I name goose and hen which I esteem birds without equal 130 as food for mankind upon the earth; duck, peacock, doves, partridges, swan, buzzard, crows and the eagle. More will be named by me. I give names to the fish; 135 porpoise, salmon, eels; all will be obedient to me, ling and codfish. No fish will escape me if I worship God perfectly. 140 # GOD THE FATHER Because everything created in six days is all complete and good, we shall bless them so that the seventh day may be hallowed, that is as a day of rest 145 for every man who is saved. As a demonstration of that, we shall rest immediately. # Then God the Father shall go to heaven and afterwards the devil as a # serpent speaks to Eve in the Tree of Knowledge and speaks wickedly to # Eve. # SERPENT that is DEMON Eve, why do you not come near to chat and talk to me 150 I know one thing that would delight you if you knew it. You would laugh for ever for joy and happiness. You would rise up to heaven 155 just like a goddess. # EVE What can that be? Tell me straight away! # DEMON Eve, I cannot say for fear you would denounce me. 160 # EVE You can tell me because I am a woman. On no account would I ever accuse you. # DEMON I came down from heaven. 165 Be of good cheer, dear Eve. Do not hesitate to eat fruit from the Tree of Knowledge. # EVE Hurry away at once! Don't say another word to me. 170 I have no wish to eat its fruit contrary to my dear Lord's ban. # DEMON O woman, how silly you are not to trust my words! If only you and your husband were to eat of the tree and its fruits you would surely now be like gods. Eve, come close; take them, for I do not tell you a lie. 180 # EVE He who made me and my husband forbade us to eat the fruit or go near the tree. # DEMON I know the reason why: 185 because it is a tree of grace. Whoever eats of its fruit will know the mind of the Father. There won't be a thing in the country round about that he will not be able to report. It is great foolishness on his part if he leaves this fruit. # EVE I am bemused thinking what I may do by picking the apple 195 for fear that you are deceitful # DEVIL Pick it at my risk. Get it done quickly without hesitating, and also make your husband eat some of it. 200 # EVE Bend the tree towards the ground so that I can reach them. # DEVIL I will, but come quietly. Pick it and get away. # Then (Eve) shall take the apple, and carry it to Adam, and Eve says:- # EVE Adam, stretch out your hand to me. 205 Take this from me quietly without making a fuss. Eat it immediately. # [Adam shall go to paradise.] # ADAM Tell me, woman, where did you pick the fruit 210 in case it was that same kind that was forbidden us? # EVE When I was taking a walk I heard an angel beginning to sing 215 above me on one side of the tree. He advised me to pick fruit from it. We would be greater than a god so that we would never be troubled. 220 # ADAM Oh! out upon you, wicked woman, since you trusted him for it was a bird of ill omen you heard singing that will bring us to grief 225 unless we pull back. Let everyone think about his end, how he may finish. # EVE Quiet! The angel held forth about the tree and its power. 230 Anyone who ate its fruit would be like a god. # ADAM I will not believe you or your treacherous words. Let us pray that we may be servants 235 to our peerless Lord for he who made us from clay gave us a prohibition without exception that we should not eat the fruit of the tree. 240 # EVE Since you will not believe you will lose my love. As long as you live you will never see me here again. # ADAM Eve, rather than your being angry, 245 I will do all you wish. Bring it me immediately and I will eat it. # And then he eats some of the apple, and sees that he is naked, and # says with a groan:- Oh, woe, woe, I have sinned, and have broken the prohibition. 250 O evil, impious woman, surely you have deceived me without cause. Our bodies have become naked. Let us cover ourselves with leaves. I know truly, God the Father # [woman.] has become angry through the deed of a # [Adam hides himself in paradise.] # Then God the Father shall come to Adam, and he says to him:- # GOD THE FATHER Adam, Adam, what are you doing? Why don't you come to welcome me? # ADAM Because I was naked, without covering, I went to hide from you. 260 # GOD THE FATHER Who showed you that your body, feet and arms are naked but the fruit which you could not go and eat, except by sinning? # ADAM You gave me a wife. 265 She is all to blame who picked the beautiful apple and brought it to me to taste. # GOD THE FATHER Because you listened to her and acted against my ban, 270 I will surely curse the earth perpetually on account of your deed. You will toil in your sweat to eat until your dying day with thorn and briars growing so as 275 to be troublesome as long as you exist. Eve, why did you deceive your husband without cause by picking the apple after I had forbidden you? 280 You have done evil indeed and brought him to great sorrow when you made him taste and eat the fruit of the tree. # [Here let the Devil be present.] # EVE O loving Father in your glory, 285 the serpent has deceived me. I believed its falsehood. Greed has ruined me. It said that if he picked it, he would be like a god. 290 If what I did was evil, cut it down with your sword. # GOD THE FATHER Because you have trusted it and deceived your loyal spouse, I ordain that woman be for ever 295 obedient to her husband so that her affliction is increased through the breaking of my command so that indeed she will never have a child without great labour. 300 # [He speaks to the Serpent.] Answer me, you devil. Why did you deceive her without cause by tempting her to pick the fruit in defiance of my prohibition? # DEVIL I will tell you the position: 305 because they had such great happiness, and I was always burning. For this I tempted them to sin, so that "Alas" might be their song like mine. 310 # GOD THE FATHER So you will be accursed, very truly beyond all the beasts which walk on the face of the earth and there will always be enmity everlasting between your offspring 315 and the offspring of the woman. Here you will not remain. # He speaks to Adam and Eve. The Devil goes home. (This does not appear # in Norris) Go outside immediately. You will lose my joy which I gave you in paradise. 320 It is useless to make the excuse that it was picked by your wife. Because you listened to her a thousand mothers' sons will be condemned. # ADAM O Father, God, in your glory, 325 grant to your creature, I pray you, a little of the Oil of Mercy. # GOD THE FATHER Adam, at the end of the world, I will grant the Oil of Mercy to you, and to Eve your wife. 330 # And then God ascends to heaven, and says to the cherub: # Cherub, take a sword, hasten to paradise. You will find two persons there. Put them outside immediately. It will be of great import to them 335 and to all who are created. They will surely curse the time when they did wrong. # CHERUB I will go to paradise at once to do just what you want. If I find people there, they will be put outside. # [Here the cherub goes down.] Adam, go out of the country, towards another land to live, you yourself to dig, 345 your wife with you to spin, for you have angered the Father. Hurry to the door so that you have full repentance, for you will not stay here. 350 # [The cherub remains in paradise.] # [Here Adam and Eve depart from paradise.] # ADAM Alas, to see the time when I angered my Lord, when I acted against his command, I have lost my inheritance. I do not know at all where I shall go now. I have no lodging, shelter or house. My whole heart will break in pieces for grief. Away from my joy and my delight I must depart in devastation. 360 For lack of lodging and shelter we shall nearly perish with cold. In our wretched state we do not know where to go, in field or wood. With my stomach empty, famine 365 and yearning for food will possess me. Eve, take your distaff to spin clothes for us and I will go and begin digging in the ground with all my might. # And he shall dig, and the earth cries; and again he shall dig, and the # earth cries:- I am very surprised indeed that the earth will not let me break it. I have sunk low from privation so that I cannot walk properly. I beg you, exalted Lord, 375 to give leave to the earth to allow me to seek food for myself in it before I die. # [Here God the Father comes down.] # GOD THE FATHER Adam, you have immediate permission to cut full the length of your spade. 380 Earth, I command you to allow Adam to open you. # ADAM O Sire, perfect Lord, this is not much for us. My wife and I will eat all 385 that grows in it in one day. # GOD THE FATHER Then take two lengths of it to have for you and your wife. # ADAM Lord, this is too little if we give birth to any children. 390 # GOD THE FATHER Since you need more, take three lengths of your spade. Measure it three widths across and see that you do not play false. # ADAM Dear Lord, if I had three lengths 395 of my spade, all that entirely will be needed to maintain myself, my wife and my little child. If more come, they will get nothing. They will faint with hunger. 400 At that time, for very sorrow, I shall shed bitter tears. # GOD THE FATHER Go, take all you want, Adam, of the world all around. It shall be for your use, 405 and for your offspring. # ADAM O Father of Heaven, many thanks. May your dear person be worshipped. Eve, I have full power and authority over the world. 410 # EVE We are fortunate, my spouse, that we have permission granted to us from the best Father God to dig and sow. I will spin clothes 415 with a distaff immediately. # GOD THE FATHER I am sorry that I have made man, precisely similar in appearance to me. Through listening to a woman he has completely lost the place 420 which I had made at my right hand if he had had the grace to keep it. When he acted against my prohibition, he angered me very sorely. Adam, of all your harvest, 425 leave the tenth part to me, to pay the price of your reprimand, and with good heart, without rancour, take it to Mount Tabor to burn in honour of me. 430 # ADAM Lord, your will shall be done. Even if you wanted more, truly it will be burnt to fulfil your will. There is none equal to you in the world. You are full of grace to perfection. # [Here God the Father shall pass on to heaven.] Cain and Abel, my sons, go and sacrifice forthwith on the mountain to the Father of Heaven and take care you offer 440 all your true tithe to him, and burn it, as he has commanded. # CAIN O dear father, I will do so. May the Lord of Heaven grant me to do well in whatever I might do. 445 Dear Abel, let us go and worship the best of Lords, as our father has commanded us. # [Cain retires.] # ABEL My brother, very gladly I will go with you to the mount, 450 but before going, my dear father, give me your perfect blessing for my hope is the sooner to obtain mercy. Your blessing is most delightful to me, 455 and my mother's blessing too. # ADAM You will always have my blessing by both night and day and may you have all that is in the world. # EVE I pray your mother's blessing 460 may always be upon you also. Amen, may it be so. # ABEL My blessing on you also. Give me your blessings. O God, now I am fortunate 465 in being truly blessed! # Then with those four rites (?) let him go to the altar, walking on the # playing area; and Cain says:- # CAIN Abel, where have you been so long? You should not be slow going to the sacrifice. # ABEL Cain, I stopped only a moment 470 receiving my mother's blessing and my father's blessing too. # CAIN By my faith, it is a great folly to go and burn a thing which a man can live on. 475 What worship is it to God for a tithe to be burnt to charred ashes on the rocks? # ABEL Dear Cain, think of your soul. For the sake of the Father God of Heaven, do his commands. Nothing will afflict us since it surely is his will to burn it without fail. # CAIN Not so, Abel, don't do that. 485 I will never do so. I have thought of a subterfuge to preserve it for the summer. # ABEL Surely you are foolish and mad. If you do not do as I say # [torment] I believe you will have most lamentable In the region of hell. By his full grace and mercy, God has given to us the nine tenths to live on in security. 495 Now, why should he not claim entitlement to his tenth without hassle, and burn it, since he wants to? # [Here all shall come into the playing area.] # And then let Cain offer a part of the tithes, that he may keep another # part of the tithes; and Cain says:- # CAIN Between you and me, I will certainly not offer 500 all my tithe. O Father God, full of pity, take, receive from me my tithe and my pure offering and, God, look at my offering, 505 and accept my tithe, for if you do not, I will take it home with me again. # ABEL O Father God, supreme Lord, I will worship you with all my strength, in my heart most solemnly, and I will offer to you presently my true tithe altogether to burn in your honour. # GOD THE FATHER Because Abel's tithe is true, 515 at the end he shall find in my land tranquillity and the joy that never fails. # CAIN What? Will not God take note of me, nor will what 520 I build up not succeed, and all the time Abel's cattle do a thousand times better? Abel shall pay for it. # ABEL My dear brother, let us go home. There is a great heaviness falling on my heart. Whatever it is, by my father, may the Father who created me accept my offering thankfully, 530 and when I shall pass away from the world, may he bring me to his land. # CAIN Dear Abel, do not worry, for everything will be all right, by the help of our God, 535 the best Lord of Heaven. Go forward, as you love me, in the name of God above. So that you never succeed, take this on the jawbone. 540 # Then he shall strike him on the head, and he shall die; and Lucifer # says:- # LUCIFER Beelzebub and Satan, go hence with great speed, as you both love me and bring home the fellow, that he may always sing "Alas" 545 in black darkness. # SATAN Our lord Lucifer, we will bring him to you quite willingly, very joyfully, as revenge on his father Adam 550 so that he shall never have a glimmer of shining light. # [They shall go to Abel.] # BEELZEBUB We are eager to take you to go now to destruction and torment like us. 555 Abel, notwithstanding all your true tithe, you will live in great darkness, without joy, for ever. # SATAN Let us all take him home together to our lord Lucifer. 560 I will sing the alto, and you will try a descant. # BEELZEBUB Hail, my lord Lucifer! I have brought the son of Adam, the false trickster, home to you, 565 so that he can stay with us. # LUCIFER Abel, because of your valued offering, you will be with us for ever, with countless devils always snarling at you. 570 # Then God the Father shall come to earth; he speaks with Cain, and God # the Father says:- # GOD THE FATHER Speak, Cain, where is Abel, your brother, my faithful servant? Why is he not with you? # CAIN Ask the one in whose care you placed him. When was I his guardian? 575 # [A voice calls.] # GOD THE FATHER That is the voice of the death of Abel, your brother, ever calling upon me from every place on the earth. May a curse be upon you 580 for ever and all the land you own is cursed in your deed. May it never produce good fruit, nor flourish to the end of the world. My curse I put upon you, 585 and the curse of my angels also. # CAIN I hear your voice, Lord, but it is surely to my woe that I cannot see your face. I know that, alas, 590 that my sin is greater also than God's mercy. Now I am feeble and hungry, very truly worse than all men in the world. I cannot tell why 595 I am not slain by everyone. # GOD THE FATHER You will not be so Cain, for if a man kills you, he shall receive seven times as much tribulation on this earth, 600 if any evil at all is done to you, for I will mark you so that no man on earth shall slay you. Blessed are all those who do good work at all times. 605 # [Here God ascends to heaven.] # Then Cain shall come to Adam his father; and Adam says:- # ADAM My son, where has your brother gone? Why has he not come home with you? # CAIN If you are concerned about him, ask his guardian. # ADAM Oh, curses on your deed. 610 You have slain him by my troth and him so dear to us. My curse on you for ever. Alas that ever sweet Abel, my dearest son is lost, 615 or that ever I was created (grievously he paid me for it) or that Cain was born! What vengeance from these is brought about by one woman! 620 Alas! that I set eyes on Eve! God is still living who is Lord above all things. I will never lie with the person of Eve. 625 # EVE Woe it is that I listened so trustingly to my enemy. So much evil is befalling both late and early. I have cause to weep 630 real tears of blood, no doubt. It will be woe to all living, suffering much affliction. # GOD THE FATHER Seraph, go to Adam, and order him to lie 635 again with Eve his wife, by my command and he shall beget a fine son without fail. # SERAPH Lord, I will do your will, 640 as it behoves me in every place, and will go to him at once to the earth, to advise him. # And then he shall go to Adam; and he says to him:- Adam, the best Father God has commanded you to lie 645 with your dear spouse, Eve, to have a child to serve you. # ADAM Since the Father so wills, we really must do it. If it is God's will for the best 650 as I trust, it shall be done. Come, Eve, my partner, lie full length on the bed. God's command above all things must be fulfilled. 655 For about two hundred years now, without a lie, I have not had dealings in the flesh with you. # EVE Since the Father of Heaven wills it 660 we must follow his will, whatever it is. By the grace of the best Lord we shall give birth to a fine child to serve us. 665 # ADAM In the name of God the Father, so may it happen for us. We pray to the Father God to send us his grace. # And then let him go away a little while from her. # And again he shall come to her. # EVE Adam, what is coming 670 at last cannot be concealed. A child is born to me and by the will of the Father God also. Blessed be the time that the bidding was made. 675 What name shall he be called? Tell me, by your faith. # ADAM Seth shall be his proper name. May the dear Father of Heaven give him grace to serve him. 680 I will go and dig to sustain life for us. Work is essential. # Here Adam shall go to his work. O dear God, how weary I am! Glad (I would be) if only once 685 I could see the time coming to an end. The roots of the briars are so strong that my arms are often torn as I work at them. I will send my son Seth 690 to the gate of paradise forthwith to the cherub, the guardian. Ask him if I shall have Oil of Mercy eventually from the Father God of Grace. 695 # SETH O father dear, at your command, I will go there immediately. But I do not know what to ask, nor the way to my business. # ADAM Say that I am concerned 700 about my life, and I beg him tell you the truth about the Oil of Mercy which was promised me by the Father, of his pity 705 when I was chased out indeed by the angel, I and my wife, for committing a folly. We were driven together forthwith out of paradise. 710 Follow the prints of my burnt feet. No grass nor flower whatever grows on that road where I walked as we were coming from that place, I and your mother also to be sure. 715 You will see the signs. Though you see much light, do not be afraid; it will not be other than good. # SETH I will do your errand very joyfully even to the end. 720 O dearly beloved father, I will not delay further. I beg you to bless me unfailingly before I go. # ADAM Be on your way my own son, 725 and my blessing is always with you. Make sure you do your errand before you come back, I beseech you. # SETH O father, have no fear. I will go straight away. 730 I pray to the God of Heaven, through his mercy, to help us. # And then he shall go to paradise; and the cherub says:- # CHERUB Seth, what is your errand that you would come such a long a way? Tell me instantly. 735 # SETH O angel, I will tell you. My father, who is old and weary, would not wish to live any longer and through me he begged you to tell the truth 740 about the Oil of Mercy promised to him in the Last Day. # CHERUB Put your head (and no other member) inside the gate, whatever you see. 745 And look carefully everywhere. Take a good look at everything. Examine it all diligently. # SETH Very joyfully I will do it. I am glad to have permission 750 to know what is there to tell my father. # [And he looks, and turns round, saying:-] God, what a beautiful sight this is! Woe to him who lost the country. But I am amazed about the tree, 755 that it is dried up. But I believe that it is dry and made all bare because of the sin which my father and mother sinned. Like the prints of their feet 760 they are all dry, like mud. Alas, that the morsel was eaten. # CHERUB Seth, you have come into the gate of paradise. Tell me what you have seen. 765 # SETH All the beauty that I saw the tongue of no man in the world can ever tell. Of good fruit, and beautiful flowers, minstrels and sweet song, 770 a spring bright as silver; and flowing from it four streams, large indeed, so that I wanted to look at them. Against it there is a tall tree, 775 with many branches, but they are all bare, without leaves, and around it there was no bark. There was none, from top to trunk. All its branches are bare. 780 And when I looked down, I saw its roots penetrating right into hell in the midst of great darkness and its branches growing up 785 to high heaven bright and it was entirely without bark, both base and branches. # CHERUB Look inside yet again and you will see something quite different before you go away. # SETH I am glad I have permission. I will go to the gate immediately, in case I can see something else. # [He goes, and looks, and returns.] # CHERUB Did you see more this time 795 than there was just now? # SETH There is a serpent in the tree, a fearful beast to be sure. # CHERUB Go there yet a third time and look at the tree better. 800 Look at what you can see in it, as well as the roots and the branches. # [Again he goes up.] SETH Cherub, angel of the God of Grace, in the tree I saw, high up on a branch, 805 a little child newly born, and he was swathed in cloths, and bound fast with napkins. CHERUB It was the Son of God whom you saw, wrapped as a little child. 810 He will redeem Adam, your father, with his flesh and blood also when the time is come and your mother, and all the good people. He is the Oil of Mercy 815 which was promised to your father. Indeed, through his death, all the world will be saved. SETH May you be ever blessed. O God, now I am happy 820 to know all truth indeed. I will depart from you. CHERUB Take three pips of the apple which Adam, your father, ate. When he dies, put them, without fail, 825 between his teeth and his tongue. From them you will see three trees grow quickly, for he will not live more than three days after you reach home. 830 SETH May you be blessed. Every day I shall always honour you very truly. My father will be very happy if he departs from the world shortly. # And then he shall come to his father Adam, and he says to him:- O father dear, In paradise 835 I saw the fountain of grace and a tall tree over against it with many branches, and in the middle of its boughs, a child wrapped in a swaddling band. 840 That is the Oil of Mercy that was promised to you from the Father God of Heaven and the angel told me that you will surrender your soul 845 when three days have passed by. # ADAM Dear Lord, great honour to you, for my life is long enough. Take my soul unto you. I am glad that the toil and sorrow 850 of the world are vanquished for me. I have served him for a very long time. Son, concealment is useless. What is coming is apparent. I have become old and surprisingly weak. My end has come. May the Father God, Lord above, put me to rest, my soul, and my body to the brink. Amen, let each pray privately. 860 # Amen, let each pray [7](4) privately. # And then Adam shall die; and Seth says:- # SETH Oh dear, woe, alas, alas that Adam, my father, is dead! With his body he begat me. As he was a good man. In the earth I will dig a hole, 865 for him to be concealed in # [Seth makes a grave and buries Adam.] # Here Seth puts three pips into Adam's mouth; and Seth says:- and make it long and deep for him. What an evil sorrow it is for me to bury him so quickly. # [Here he shall put the pips into Adam's mouth.] I will put the three pips 870 into his mouth without fail as I was commanded. This is the will of God, that when he departs from this world these pips are placed in his mouth. 875 Surely, without fail, the Father of Heaven made him like himself. When he picked the apple the Lord was angry. 880 # LUCIFER Aha! Beelzebub, aha! Here's a fine turn of events now occurred. Notwithstanding all Adam's importance, he will be brought to us here 885 in an instant. # SATAN I will bring the fellow instantly to lie with us in darkness. Beelzebub, as you love me, hasten immediately to help me bring the foul villain. # [Here they go down.] # BEELZEBUB I will help you to bring him to hell like a lamb, on the back of a fox or a savage cur. 895 Notwithstanding all your fuss and noise your throne will be with us, in wretchedness for ever. # [Here he shall take the soul, and carry it to hell.] # SATAN Adam, you were haughty when you were in paradise 900 lording it like a rascal, and for that we will bear you immediately, till the end of the world to lie in pain. # BEELZEBUB Hail, my lord, on your throne! 905 Behold foul Adam, the great rogue who expected to conquer us for ever, brought home to you by us. Now he is our servant. 910 # LUCIFER My blessing on you always. You do my bidding so well always everywhere. Put the false renegade immediately 915 to sit with Abel. # Here it begins about Noah and the ark; and God says:- # GOD THE FATHER I am sorry that I made man just like myself indeed. By listening to a woman he has completely lost the place 920 which I had made at my right hand. When he transgressed my prohibition the angel immediately put him out of joyful paradise. My spirit never dwells 925 in the body of any son of man in the world and the why and wherefore is that he is made of weak flesh. I believe there is no man serving me trusty and true 930 in all the world but Noah and his wife, and his children also. # Then God the Father shall come to Noah; and he says:- # GOD THE FATHER Stand up, Noah, my dear servant, come and stroll with me a while and I will tell you things 935 secretly between ourselves. # NOAH O Father, God on high, may you be for ever blessed for I am prepared to travel everywhere with you. 940 # GOD THE FATHER Noah, the world is now so full of wickedness, that the end of all flesh in it has come. It is defiled with such great sin 945 that I cannot hold back any longer without exacting swift retribution on everyone indeed except you. Therefore hasten, go and build a ship of smoothed planks 950 in which there are many dwellings. They will be called, rooms. Let her be well sealed with pitch inside and out. And the ship shall be 955 three hundred good cubits long. And you will make her beam fifty cubits also. In height I want her to be built thirty cubits. 960 At the stern you will build a narrow door which is called a port. You will secure beams athwart it so it does not open wide. # NOAH Lord, I will certainly 965 build the ship just as you want her. What is the need for us to have such labour? Since you want to kill everyone from this world 970 except only my people and me, kill us with them as well. # GOD THE FATHER Noah, because of your great goodness you will have my grace for ever. Take your wife and children 975 and take their wives with them. Take two of every sort of beast in the land with you. Take care to put two of every kind of useful bird into your ship. 980 For I will bring a great flood to cover all the earth so that all men who are in the world are drowned before the flood is ended, so that the spirit of life 985 is never seen in it. Set to, do as I bid you. When it is done, I will come to you. You will put every kind of species, 990 both male and female, into your ship. Every kind of food whatever there is for both man or beast which you should have, 995 you will have in your ship. # Then let God the Father pass into heaven; and Noah says:- # NOAH Dear Lord, I must carry out your commands. I will go willingly to work on them. 1000 # Then Noah shall go to his wife; and Noah says to her:- # NOAH Get me my axe quickly, my auger and my hammers. I will go and get on with my work. # NOAH'S WIFE Master, I will do so quickly. 1005 May everything we do in this world be agreeable to the beloved Father in Heaven. # Then he shall go to build his ship; and Noah says:- # NOAH O dear God, how weary I am cutting oak timbers. 1010 I never have any rest. My limbs are so bruised. I would be glad if only I could see the day that I am ordered to stop. Lord, (I beg for) your pity. 1015 Woe to him who angers you. # And then God the Father shall come to Noah; and he says to him:- # GOD THE FATHER Now, Noah, go into your ship, you and all your household. Because you serve me fully you will have my peace for ever. 1020 Take immediately male and female of all beasts. See you take a pair of all the birds that fly to save their progeny, 1025 for a week after this, for forty days I will allow rain to fall from above. All the people who are in the land or anything living at all, 1030 except only you and your children, I shall slay with a flood. # NOAH O Father, blessed as you are, I will carry out your commands. I will go from here 1035 to my wife and children, in haste. # [Noah says to his wife:-] O faultless spouse, sons and daughters likewise, by the will of the beloved Father, a well-found ship has been provided. 1040 Let us hurry to it quickly for a flood will come upon the earth, in which all men and all beasts will be drowned together. # WIFE O master dear, I will do 1045 everything as you want. Let us all go to the ship quickly so that we do not drown with the flood. # SHEM As we are commanded I will put them into the ship, 1050 both beasts and birds, and let Ham bring food without fail. # HAM Look at the load of food on my back. Let Japhet bring another load. Let us hasten because of the Father, 1055 for I am very nearly blind through fear. # JAPHET I have one good load of hay and corn mixed. All the beasts which are here will have enough food for twelve months. # Then let all go in, men and cattle; and Noah says:- # NOAH In the name of the best Father, let us go in immediately. Our ship will be covered in rain from above. Bring on board at once 1065 horses, cattle, pigs, and sheep; except the blessed birds; they fly quickly and nimbly. O Father, as we are your creation, formed from clay and mud, 1070 be our strength and help, for we pray to you always. # SHEM I will now shelter the top of the ship with an awning, and this will ensure 1075 that the rain does not come in. # HAM In the name of God, be he praised, rig a cover or we shall be in trouble. An ugly shower is brewing, by my faith. 1080 # JAPHET Look, a severe rainstorm. Mankind cannot endure it if it continues for a long time; mighty currents gushing with great force around the earth. # NOAH By grace from heaven and the Father, 1085 we shall defeat it, however cruel it is. Our ship has floated. May it save us, Lord on high. # GOD THE FATHER Everything in which there was the spirit of life is dead. 1090 I will soon command the rain to fall no more. Let the flood-stream subside. I command it forthwith; let it go again to its former course so that Noah may till. # NOAH The rain has completely gone away and the water subsided, I believe. It is good to send out a crow, to see if there is any dry land on the earth. # SHEM I will send it away. I do not think it will not come again. If it finds carrion, it will surely stay on it always. # And then he shall send out a raven, and it did not return. # NOAH You told me truly 1105 that the raven would not return. It is on a great carrion carcass eating ruthlessly. Set free the dove with the blue eyes. 1110 By my father, I cannot say where there is a more trusty bird. # SHEM I will set her free straight away, father dear, and she will spy out 1115 whether there is any dry land in any region. # And then he shall send out the dove, which shall immediately return to # the ship, and be taken in. # HAM I will let her go out in the name of the Father. Now go, and look well to see if there is any dry land in any region. # [Here the dove comes, bringing a branch of olive in her mouth.] # JAPHET She has come, and there is a branch of green olive in her beak. I will take her aboard the ship with great speed. # NOAH May the Father God be worshipped. 1125 We are much beholden to love him. Now the floods have receded as there are trees drying out. My sons, I beg you, send out yet a third. 1130 If it finds dry ground, I do not think it will return to us again. # JAPHET I will do your commands as you will, father. Sweet blue-eyed dove, 1135 go, fly over many lands. If you really and truly find dry land in field or meadow, take good care to look there for food for your lunch and dinner. 1140 # And he shall send another dove, which shall return, bringing a branch # of olive in her mouth. # SHEM Neither near nor far do I see her hovering. She has safely found dry land somewhere. # NOAH In the name of the Father on high, 1145 let us uncover the ship. We must thank God that the weather is fair and dry. # And then let them uncover the ship; and Noah says:- Worship and thanks be to you, O Father. The earth has dried out. 1150 I do not believe there are any people alive in field or meadow except us. # HIS WIFE Let God do his will and his pleasure, whatever is in his mind. Very truly his power is great 1155 in heaven and also on earth. # Then God the Father shall come to Noah; and, standing on the stage, # says:-- # GOD THE FATHER Noah, I command you, disembark from your ship immediately, your wife and your children; also birds, beasts, and reptiles. 1160 Increase, fill the earth as before; every mother's son. So that you are sustained, go and till field and plain. # NOAH I will do your will everywhere, 1165 exalted Lord. I and my wife and children will disembark from the ship immediately. In honour of God, praise him, let us make an altar fair and good 1170 so that we can sacrifice to him upon it. # HAM It would surely be good to make an altar in atonement for sins and sacrifice our bullocks 1175 to him upon it. # JAPHET No man could see a fairer altar in any land indeed than we have beyond Mount Calvary. 1180 # [Here an altar is made ready, and let God the Father stand near it.] # NOE A tithe of all our birds, beasts also as well, I will offer upon it, in worship to the best Father. # HIS WIFE I will offer a cow 1185 forthwith upon that altar. May the Father God who made all things send us his grace. # SHEM I have a dove. In honour of God I will 1190 put it on the altar. # HIS WIFE I will offer a pheasant, a good fat one, without demur, to the best Father God of Heaven. # HAM A fair goose forthwith I will offer 1195 to God upon my knees and put it upon his altar. # HIS WIFE God, all this is due to you. I will offer a good mallard in worship to beloved God the Father. 1200 # JAPHET To the Father God in great honour, upon his altar I will put partridges fair and a skylark. In honour to him, without fail I will immediately offer another 1205 and a good capon, by my faith. # And then God the Father shall come to Noah; and he says to him:- # GOD THE FATHER Noah, for love of you I will never take sudden vengeance on all the world nor slay everyone in revenge. 1210 Multiply, fill the earth with men again. You will always have power over birds and beasts. All the beasts that are on earth, 1215 birds and fish also, are very truly obedient to you and they will be subject to you. My decision is that you do not eat flesh with blood till the end of the world. 1220 Go, work long hours. You will not have rest at any time. # NOAH What use is it for us to work if you just get angry with man? When we have done all the work 1225 our toil will be a failure. By sudden vengeance on the world, you will put everyone to death. In my opinion, one may as well die before an evil death comes. 1230 # GOD THE FATHER Noah, for love toward you, I will make you a valid promise. I will never take full vengeance over the whole world. # NOAH There is no law as regards 1235 agreements made with one who is victorious. Even if they were broken in anger I am unable to object. # GOD THE FATHER I will never break the agreement which is now made 1240 between me and mankind. It shall endure for ever. As a record which is a faithful sign, my bow shall be set up in the midst of the sky 1245 so that it cannot be broken. That shall be a sure sign of the unfailing agreement which is made. If ever I want to wreak vengeance or retribution on this world 1250 I will straightway look at that and remember the covenant. I will never destroy mankind wild or tame by flood. # And then he goes away from him; and Noah says:- # NOAH Lord, as you are above everything, 1255 your command will be done. I will go and work and my wife and children also. # Here Abraham shall walk about; and afterwards he says:- # ABRAHAM I will go to the temple and worship God there 1260 as I ought. He is Lord of Heaven and earth and that I surely believe indeed with full heart. # [Here (God the Father) comes down.] # GOD THE FATHER Abraham, Abraham, hasten 1265 and come to me at once to carry out my will. You must travel a little while from here as I shall most truly tell you. 1270 # ABRAHAM I have come according to your will. Lord, remember my soul at the Last Day. Tell me, what shall I do? I will do it so, immediately 1275 indeed at this time. # GOD THE FATHER If you will carry out my will without any delay, you must offer your son Isaac whom you love upon a mountain 1280 which I shall show you. I tell you, I shall never forget if you will make me the sacrifice. # [Here God goes up to heaven.] # ABRAHAM Dear Lord, the sacrifice 1285 will be done as you wish. My son Isaac will be offered on the mountain. I shall put him upon the altar, and burn him with firewood. 1290 I shall not refuse in any way to do all your will. # [Here he shall come to his son.] My son Isaac, I must make God a sacrifice as he is Lord of Earth and Heaven. 1295 Get me a load of firewood. Let it be tied up with rope and carry it on your back. # ISAAC Look, here is a load of firewood and tied up tightly by me, 1300 very truly, father. Let us go off immediately to the mountain which is ordained by the God of Grace. # ABRAHAM I have fire and sword 1305 with me now ready. Let us go hence to offer the sacrifice. # ISAAC My father, I am really very surprised now. 1310 # ABRAHAM My dearest son, what do you want to ask me? # ISAAC I certainly have here wood brought from home to make a fire. 1315 Where is the offering, father, to the God of Grace, which will be burnt to worship him? # ABRAHAM God will send from heaven to tell us according to his will. My son, it will certainly be done. I will now put the wood on the altar to burn the sacrifice. # [Here he puts the wood upon the altar.] I tell you, my son, 1325 God has commanded me that you yourself are to be offered to him on the altar. # ISAAC If it is his will I will not resist him. 1330 Even though I die at this time, I will accept the death. # ABRAHAM Get up onto the wood and then lie full length so that you can be burned. 1335 O dear son, I am grief-stricken. I am utterly heart-broken. I will not resist God, I tell you, for the sake of any-one on earth. 1340 # ISAAC Be of good cheer now. Since such is God's will, I will surely accept the death. O dearest all-loving father, 1345 bind my hands and my legs. Secure bonds with a rope so that I cannot stand up. If I am bound now - no resistance at all against you. 1350 When I feel the cruel fire, perhaps I would take to flight. O dear all-loving father, my pains will be cruel before being burnt to ashes. 1355 O God, take great care of my soul. # ABRAHAM My dear son, be not distressed. God will help you. He, the God of Grace will not abandon the remembrance at any time at all. 1360 Now in haste I will bind you tightly. With my sword I will kill you surely and quickly. # Here Gabriel comes down, and will come to Abraham and hold his sword. # GABRIEL Abraham, Abraham, now listen 1365 at once to my words which I shall deliver to you. # ABRAHAM Who are you, talking so loudly? Tell me clearly, I beg you, as you love me. 1370 # GABRIEL Abraham, I will tell you. I am an angel from heaven sent to prevent your son Isaac who is your joy being killed. God knows very truly 1375 all the desire of your heart. Indeed, for this reason take your hands off him immediately. # ABRAHAM Dear God, may you be praised! My heart is surely restored 1380 because my son is saved. There is no Lord except you. To offer this wether sheep in worship to him here, I will put it on the altar 1385 to burn in place of Isaac. # ISAAC I will quickly put fire to the wood. I will blow. O God of Heaven hear our voice, I beg you. 1390 # ABRAHAM The sacrifice is made to God. Let us go home. My son Isaac, come on quickly. Follow me. # Here Moses comes and speaks; and let God the Father stand in front of # him. # MOSES I am surprised at one thing, 1395 at what I now see. The bush over there is on fire, but it is not burning. I will go and see, and I will know all about it 1400 before going away from it. It is a strange thing to me. # GOD THE FATHER Moses, Moses, stop there. Do not come any nearer because I am not willing. 1405 Take off your shoes quickly. I tell you, you are standing on consecrated ground. And I am indeed the God of your fathers, Abraham, Isaac 1410 and likewise Jacob also. # MOSES I cannot look into your face because of the light. I do not have grace to gaze a while upon you. # GOD THE FATHER Trouble has arisen in Egypt. 1415 My people, greatly aggrieved by Pharaoh who is accursed, are crying to me because of the labour they have. They cannot help themselves at all. 1420 So you must go to Pharaoh in Egypt and tell him that I warn him not to oppress my people who live there 1425 for fear of harm befalling. After this you will lead the people away to a land which pours a flood of milk and also honey. 1430 I do not want them to be there in misery any longer. I tell you, Moses, let them be ruled according to you. # MOSES Lord, they will not believe 1435 or hear my voice in spite of my speaking to them both small and great. God has not revealed anything to me. They will never believe it. 1440 # GOD THE FATHER Speak by your faith, briefly. What are you holding in your hand now? Say, Moses. # MOSES I am holding a wooden staff. You are our Chieftain and our God, 1445 I do fully believe. # GOD THE FATHER Throw the staff, all of it, on to the ground quickly. You will surely see an exquisite miracle performed to perfection. 1450 # MOSES O gracious God. It is a snake, frightful to behold. I am afraid. I am trembling. # GOD THE FATHER Pick up its tail in your hand without a word. 1455 Hold yourself (keep still?), I tell you. # MOSES Dear Lord, right away I am picking it up - the staff has changed back again! 1460 # GOD THE FATHER Keep this staff well and no one will do you harm and now I give you my grace. As long as it is near you you will never be defeated 1465 by those who are evil on the earth. Do not be afraid or sad, for I shall always be with you, always helping you everywhere. Go from here immediately, 1470 and do all as I have said and I will give you grace. I will go to Egypt quickly to carry out your intention, gracious Lord. Happy is such a one as was born to be able to serve you. He will not forget it. # [Here God ascends to heaven.] # Here king Pharaoh shall walk about; and afterwards Moses says:- # MOSES You man, king Pharaoh, God has sent me to you 1480 to ask why you are so cruelly punishing his people who are dwelling in your land. He wonders at you. # PHARAOH Oh! What is that god 1485 that I must hear all his voice at this time? I certainly do not acknowledge him. I will not leave off setting the people of Israel to hard work. 1490 # AARON Oh! God has commanded you that all his people should be permitted to make sacrifice to him since he is very powerful. If you stop them 1495 so that they cannot faithfully serve him, I tell you hard vengeance will fall on you at this time. # PHARAOH Out upon you, you two rogues! What do you rebuke me for 1500 while I am here in my own hall? They will be worked hard as long as they are in my land for you are but two scoundrels. # MOSES Will you not obey 1505 God who made you and who made heaven and earth? You must believe in him and fully trust indeed, or you will not be saved. 1510 # PHARAOH You seem mad, and lost in folly. In spite of the god whom you mention his people shall not be spared. They will be worked to the ground 1515 both night and day and I shall keep a close guard so that surely not a man of them makes sacrifice to a god. If he does, if it is known, 1520 he will be instantly undone and quickly put to death. # AARON You will not listen to a loving God but you turn obdurate. Your heart is very hard. 1525 If you do not amend your ways he will punish you harshly so that you will say, "Woe! alas!" # PHARAOH Out upon you, empty-headed rogue! Out of my sight, quickly, at once. 1530 Do not stay in my court. If I find you, by Jove, I will surely kill you with my (own) hands before morning. # [Moses walks on the stage.] # MOSES Never will this man 1535 turn to God above, whatever word is spoken. # AARON We cannot (do) any thing for him. Harm will certainly befall him, and in a short time. 1540 # FIRST MESSENGER Joy to the World's Greatest! A great feud has broken out, and fallen on your people. Indeed the people who are dead cannot be numbered. 1545 The God of Israel is not pleased. # PHARAOH Out! Out! Out! Alas! Alas that such trouble has occurred in my country! Tell me before you go 1550 where Moses is and what region he is living in. # FIRST MESSENGER Among the children of Israel, day and night he teaches them the law of an exalted God. 1555 He is making sacrifice and so are his people to that same God with a great noise. The water and the corn are poisoned, so that many people and beasts 1560 are certainly destroyed in your land. Their God is not pleased with you, since you and your people are punished so severely. # PHARAOH Alas, now what shall I do? 1565 Gentle counsellor, I beg you to give me good advice. My heart is wondrous sick that such an evil has happened in my kingdom at this time. 1570 # COUNSELLOR If you want to be at ease, you must send Moses and Aaron out of your country, and all their people with them. Let the women and children 1575 be banished away so that none at all ever comes to live here. # PHARAOH My blessing on you, counsellor. I will soon do what you suggest 1580 without delay. Indeed, I will surely go and speak to Moses, also Aaron. # [Here Pharaoh goes down.] Moses, I command you, 1585 and Aaron likewise to get out of my country, men, women, and children. I am making clear to you that they shall not be left here. 1590 Let all men take with them their possessions, all that they can (as) bundles on their backs. I will not tollerate you any longer among my people. 1595 Go away to another country. # MOSES You will not leave us, the people of God, in peace anywhere because we live in this land. You will shortly be punished 1600 very harshly for your evil by the Lord of Heaven above. # AARON We must go out of this land. There is no staying here any longer, it seems to us. 1605 We shall not be left in peace here. # MOSES O God of Heaven, help us to pray to you with all our heart that we should not suffer wickedness from Pharaoh who is accursed. 1610 # FIRST MAN [CALEB] Men, women and children have come here carrying their possessions with them, more than a hundred thousand in number. Those who worship beloved God 1615 will proceed without delay. # SECOND MAN [JOSHUA] I have a very good pack on my back to be sure. O God of Heaven, hear our voice. Keep us in your care. 1620 # MOSES You are precious to the Lord of Heaven. Let us go away to the Red Sea, men, women and children, to the land of promise which is given to us there 1625 by a loving God to be inhabited. # [He mounts a horse.] # PHARAOH Moses and his people have gone out of my land. It is for the better very truly, upon my soul. I will follow them 1630 and kill them altogether before I return home. # FIRST SOLDIER It is important for you to hasten before they cross the Red Sea, sure. 1635 # [Here Gabriel comes down.] I tell you truly, they have gone a long way ahead. Now be careful. # PHARAOH Come on, knights, and also squires. 1640 Let us hurry after them. I will kill them. I will not spare one. They will be dead before morning. # FIRST MAN [CALEB] Moses, I tell you 1645 you have made a mistake this time to bring us out of Egypt. We shall never be able to cross this sea, upon my soul. There is no passage for us. 1650 # SECOND MAN [JOSHUA] I tell you, Sir Pharaoh is coming and with him a really big army. Alas, now, what shall we do? We shall be dead, every one. 1655 There is no escape for us. # MOSES Do not disbelieve the God of Heaven for he will hear your voice. Put your trust in his grace, I tell you 1660 he will fight for us. Stop complaining. # GABRIEL God has commanded you, Moses, to take your staff and strike the sea with it. 1665 The water will open wide so that you and all your people can easily march through it. # MOSES Praise to you, O God of Grace since you have sent your messenger 1670 to protect us from Pharaoh. I bid you, good people, both small and great, now follow me all of you. # [He strikes the sea.] In the name of God, you untainted sea, 1675 I strike you with my staff. Open wide a way for us, so that we may go to the land which indeed is fully ordained for us by the Lord of Heaven. 1680 # SECOND SOLDIER I tell you, lord, it seems to me that Moses has advanced far into the sea, marching rapidly ahead of us with the water rushing apart 1685 before him all the time. # A SQUIRE All his people are following him with the sea on every side of them standing like two walls. 1690 They are protected within the enclosed area and water will certainly never drown them. # PHARAOH I will follow them and put them to death, both small and great. 1695 I will certainly not let any one of them live whatever happens. Oh, woe! alas! alas! The great sea has fallen upon us. 1700 We shall be completely drowned. The God of Moses has done this. We shall not live any longer. We are completely destroyed. # SQUIRE Alas! Woe! We are drowned. 1705 We shall not escape. Disaster has now fallen upon us. We shall not live. # And Moses shall come and Aaron, and he will render "Hallelujah" for # them and Moses shall say:- # MOSES I will make a village and build myself a mansion 1710 in which to live for ever. Since king Pharaoh is drowned, and all his host with him, we shall have peace to live. # CALEB [FIRST MAN] Dear Moses, we will build 1715 ourselves a house to serve for a while. for we can make a covering whilst waiting to be sheltered. # JOSHUA [SECOND MAN] Look, here is a good one provided for us. 1720 Now bless us before it is occupied. # M0SES The blessing of the Father be on you and may he always preserve you for ever in peace, 1725 and may he grant you his grace ever to please him in the beginning and at the end. # [He goes up on a mountain.] I can see three splendid staves. By my faith I never saw finer 1730 since I was born. In truth, the three staves are a manifestation and token of the three persons in the Trinity. I will cut them 1735 whatever happens and carry them with me into the house to worship God the Father. # [He cuts the staves.] # AARON Blessed are these staves as surely there is such a good aroma 1740 coming from them. I do not believe such a sweet scent ever came from all the herbs in the world. # MOSES Blessed be the Father 1745 who would show to us staves in which is so much virtue, full of power at all times. So that we may receive virtue from them I will wrap them 1750 with very great care In fine linen and in silk. # SECOND MAN [JOSHUA] Woe to me that I was ever born, brought forth from my mother's womb or that I ever sucked a breast. 1755 I have been pierced by an adder and completely poisoned from the tip of my foot to my heart. # MOSES If you will firmly believe that there is but one God, 1760 in whom you ought to believe, you will be healed from the foot to the head by the power of the three staves as soon as you kiss them. # SECOND MAN [JOSHUA] I believe in God the Father 1765 and I beg you in charity, Moses, as you are a good man, to heal me by your compassion. # MOSES Kiss them immediately, in the name of the Father of Heaven, 1770 three persons, one holy God, and your grief will surely lessen. # SECOND MAN [JOSHUA] O God, now I am happy! Surely, since he has healed me you must praise him since 1775 he hears your voice so quickly. # FIRST MAN [CALEB] Alas, Moses! Oh dear, woe, woe! Sleeping yonder on the moor I have been injured by a black toad and puffed up by his poison. 1780 I am burned from the back of the neck to the forehead. Out of charity, help me. # MOSES The God of Heaven will hear your voice but be sure now that you believe in the Father who made heaven, 1785 earth, and sea, and man from clay. # FIRST MAN [CALEB] Truly, if he will lessen my pain, I will pledge to you that I will never worship any other lord but him. 1790 # MOSES Now kiss now the staves, in the name of the blessed Father, and they will surely heal you from every sickness. # FIRST MAN [CALEB] Lord, may you be blessed 1795 as you are God without sin. All my limbs and disease are cured of the poison and my malady. # [Here God the Father comes down.] # SECOND MAN [JOSHUA] Moses, if you are a true prophet you must certainly 1800 give us water to drink. If you do not, without fail many of the people will die and that would be a grievous matter. # MOSES The Father of Heaven, by his grace 1805 will send you what you want. For his servants there will be no lack of confidence anywhere. # SECOND MAN [JOSHUA] Your wretched God gives us neither food nor drink. 1810 Therefore I swear to you to worship blessed Jove. # MOSES Dear Aaron, what advice do you give to me about the turmoil that this wicked people makes? For if they do not have drink they will certainly change allegiance and worship evil gods. # AARON I say, my brother, we will go immediately and pray 1820 to the dear Lord as he is full of mercy, that he will give them water to drink in some place so that in no wise 1825 will they find a reason not to believe. # M0SES O brother, my blessing on you for your counsel is very good. Assist my prayers at once, I beg you, above all things. 1830 O Father God, in your glory, hear the call of this people. Give them water of life so that their thirst may be quenched, # [Here he prays on the mount.] # AARON so that they cannot find a reason 1835 to make a complaint or clamour against you, blessed Father, but when their thirst is fully quenched, they will certainly reject their accursed gods. 1840 # GOD THE FATHER Moses, take your staff, and you and your brother Aaron, before the wicked people. Strike the rock with it twice, and a well stream will run 1845 if you smash at it without fail, so that men and beasts and all who want, may be able to drink, that the wicked may see my frequent help to them. 1850 # MOSES O beloved, blessed Father God, it is not possible to worship you too much, for at all times your work is good and your compassion great. O most false unbelievers, 1855 with your evil ways, who do not believe with a full heart that the Father God is without equal, since we can among us bring water from the harsh flint stone 1860 through the grace of the Father above us, a true God in his deeds. # And he shall strike the rock with his rod, and water shall come out. # [Here he strikes the flint twice and water flows.] # CALEB Moses, I have surely sinned and for this I call on God our Father for mercy 1865 that he may pardon our sins. # GOD THE FATHER Because you did not honour my name and because of the unbelieving children of Israel, you certainly will not lead them 1870 to the land of promise, (neither) you, nor your brother Aaron. # MOSES My loving, kind hearted Lord, who then will take them there if neither I nor Aaron 1875 ever lead them? # GOD THE FATHER Even though they all live, not a man of them will ever go to the Holy Land except Caleb and Joshua, 1880 because they wanted to worship false gods contrary to belief. # [Here God ascends to heaven.] # MOSES I know well now that there is no more life for me. The term of my life 1885 in this world has surely come. I will go and plant these three staves in the ground. Woe to him who worships Jove and angers God above. 1890 # [Here Moses plants the staves on Mount Tabor.] I plant you in honour of the Father of Heaven and you remain at his command. Take root and grow again. Dear Lord God, hear my voice 1895 and bring me to joy and receive my spirit. Into thy hands, O Lord. # And then Moses shall die. # And king David shall come on the stage; and he shall walk about. # KING DAVID After talking and travelling it would be a good thing 1900 to have some drink and refreshment and after that to rest. Butler, hasten without delay, bring me some of the best wine. I really need to sleep. 1905 My head is heavy. # BUTLER My dear lord, do not be angry. I will come to you immediately. Anywhere that I am needed I shall always be ready without delay. 1910 Speak, you are my lord, for a better drink of wine will never go into your mouth. In this country there is no better wine, for this is a fine spiced wine. 1915 Drink, my peerless lord! # KING DAVID Bless you, butler! The drink is good and clear, By God the Father, I will now sleep. 1920 Sleep is weighing upon me surprisingly heavily. # COUNSELLOR Go and lie down, my lord, so that you may be covered with rich clothes, as becomes 1925 a king of rank. # GOD THE FATHER Gabriel, hasten immediately. Go to Jerusalem. Tell king David he will find in Arabia, 1930 on Mount Tabor, staves which Moses undoubtedly planted. Let him take them to Jerusalem for a boy will be born in Bethlehem who will redeem the world. 1935 And a cross shall be made from them to crucify Christ my dear son. Blessed is he who worships him. # GABRIEL O Father, as you are full of grace I will do all your command, 1940 as you wish, as I should, everywhere, without urging. # And then he shall come to king David, he being alone; and Gabriel # says:-- David, go to Arabia to Mount Tabor at once. From there take three staves 1945 which Moses planted and quickly bring them home with you to Jerusalem. There will indeed be a need of them for mankind one coming day 1950 when it will be necessary to make a cross out of them. # Then the king waking up, says, looking about:- # KING DAVID Lord, you say well. I have seen in my dream a bright angel before me. 1955 He ordered me to bring the staves of grace from Mount Tabor so that through them we would have salvation. My messenger, bring my charger to ride. 1960 All men of my household, come with me, noblemen and bondsmen. # MESSENGER My lord, by God's day, the noble steed is ready, also the bay charger, 1965 likewise hackney and palfrey are in noble array. Mount, lord, when you will. # KING DAVID Messenger, my blessing on you! I will ride there immediately. 1970 Let us pray the Father God full of mercy that we are led so that we go there on the right road. # [Here let king David come down.] In the name of God the Father of Heaven, I will mount, and may his spirit keep guard over my soul. # Then he shall ride Blessed be the time when the angel warned me. 1980 Behold, we have come to the mount, without delay. Alight, every mother's son. See the staves before us, growing green. 1985 In exalted honour to our great God, I shall cut the staves of grace from the ground. # COUNSELLOR These are potent staves for you have never smelt savour 1990 like this anywhere. God is in this place. I now know it well since their scent is so sweet. # KING DAVID Play minstrels and drums, 1995 three hundred harps and trumpeters, dulcimer, violin, fiddle and zither, oboe, guitar, and kettledrums, organs, also cymbals, recorders and hurdy-gurdy. 2000 # [To the horsemen] Now let all mount in the name of the Father, dear God, and hasten homewards, knight and squire alike. # A BLIND MAN Dear Lord, help me 2005 with your staves in some way. I am blind, I cannot see. Bless me with them forthwith. # A LAME MAN Give me also, a cripple, strength to walk properly 2010 and I will believe full that they are staves of great virtue. # A DEAF MAN For a deaf man who does not hear anything, beloved king, by the grace of the Father, if I have help from the staves 2015 I shall thank God all the more. # KING DAVID I will cure you, every one, if you will believe completely in being saved by virtue of the staves. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, you will now be healed. # BLIND MAN May you be blessed, O Father. Now we are all undoubtedly cured indeed of our misery. 2025 Glory be to the Father God of Heaven! Now he has heard our voice. These are staves without equal. # KING DAVID # [Here let him get down from his horse.] Now let all dismount, but before going into the tower, 2030 tell me, assembly: where shall the staves be planted to be most greatly honoured and to grow the best? # COUNSELLOR While we are considering, 2035 leave the three to lie on a green plot and appoint guards to watch them diligently and guard them on pain of severe punishment. # KING DAVID On my faith that is excellent advice. Butler I command (you) and your comrade, on pain of being drawn and hanged, to watch them so that they are not in any way 2045 moved to another place. For I always want to sleep a little before eating. I am wearied from much travelling. Indeed I want to rest. 2050 # MESSENGER I will guard them with great honour so that no man in this world, though he be king or emperor, is bold enough to take them away. # BUTLER No emperor or king of the land 2055 or sultan, however great he may be, can move them in spite of his eyes. I will always keep the staves of grace in Jerusalem. 2060 # MESSENGER Lie on one side, mate, and keep a sharp watch all along, to the front and to the side. If some fellow comes and steals the staves from us secretly 2065 all shame will be upon our kind. # BUTLER No, he will not steal, by my ballock however big a lout he is or how brash his bearing. Sleep on your belly and rest. 2070 If you want a girl I will soon bring you to her. # Then the king, waking from sleep, shall go to the staves and he # says:-- # KING DAVID I have rested quietly. How sweet morning sleep is! May God the Father ever be praised 2075 in his work. So that I may have grace from him I will go and plant the staves with great honour In some place fair and bright. 2080 # SECOND MESSENGER Dear lord, be of good cheer, a wondrous thing has happened. In the night, surely, these staves have all taken root in the earth and the three have joined into one 2085 since you went away. # KING DAVID Praise to the Father, Lord of Heaven, I pray from the fullness of my heart for he is almighty and wonderful in every act. 2090 # [He shall go to the staves.] They will stand In the place where they are since they are planted by him. Woe to him who does not do his will. He will have great sorrow. So as to honour the tree 2095 my will is that a garland is made around it of silver in order to know what its extent may be. # BUTLER There is one ready for you made of silver pure and fine. 2100 I will put it round it so that it is possible to know truly and see how much it grows in a full year. # And king David says to Bathsheba [washing her garment in a stream]:- # KING DAVID Damsel, by your grace, 2105 reveal to me of your love, for I have never yet seen anywhere a woman who pleases me better. I will give you my tower, hall, and chamber. I will be your husband. We shall dwell together always. # BATHSHEBA My dearly beloved lord, you are a king over all the world. How delightful it would be for me, 2115 to carry out your pleasure if only I could without dissimulation and fear of being found out. If the wretch knew, I would be slain immediately. 2120 # [Let Bathsheba go home with king David.] # KING DAVID Bathsheba, flower of all the world, for love of you Sir Uriah will surely be slain. I swear it to you by my loyalty. For all my longing will always 2125 most truly be for you for ever. Lie stretched out in the bed so that I can sleep with you. # BATHSHEBA I cannot refuse you but I will grant you everything 2130 you ask of me. Slay him, my sweet lord, or he will harm me if he hears about our dalliance. # KING DAVID Darling, 2135 God has made you the foremost blossom of my loving heart. # of my loving heart.[4](12) He shall surely die for love of you. # KING DAVID Uriah, my best knight, I would beg you 2140 as you love me to take with you a host well armed for battle. I have a mighty enemy rampaging over my land. I cannot ride. 2145 There is a disease in my body. # URIAH Sire, dear lord, I will at once do everything whatsoever is in my power as you wish, without being urged and, as I am a trusty knight, 2150 I will never leave the field until that fellow has paid the price. # KING DAVID Oh, Uriah, how noble you are. I love you greatly, on my (soul's?) peril, for your answers are fair. 2155 Take care to be in forefront so that you are not thought a coward, nor fearful of any man. # URIAH My lord, I swear to you, by the Order I have received, 2160 no man shall prove cowardice against me, for I shall be the first to strike a blow in the campaign, and to prove my prowess. Farewell, my best of lords. 2165 I will not delay longer. Bless me before I go, I beg you. # KING DAVID My blessing on you for ever! My messenger will go with you and my butler also, armed. 2170 # URIAH I really must speak to my wife before going away. If I went without speaking to her she would break her heart. # [He speaks to Bathsheba.] Bathsheba, my own darling, 2175 I really must journey to a battle, but it will soon be finished. # [Here Uriah is prepared and armed.] # BATHSHEBA Do not ever go from me upon my soul. 2180 My heart breaks when I hear such talk. My lord, by my loyalty, I will break my neck, crack, if you go away from home now. 2185 Never shall I eat bread. # URIAH Bathsheba, my faithful wife, I really must do our sovereign lord's will immediately. I cannot stay any longer. 2190 I will kiss you. Go, pray for me very intently. # [She goes up, and exits.] # [Here Uriah comes down.] # BATHSHEBA Oh! alas that I was born! I am filled with sorrow because of you, my dear lord. 2195 But I pray for you that you will never return and that would be delightful! # [Here Gabriel comes down.] # URIAH I beg you now, messenger, bear my banner becomingly 2200 as you wish to be rewarded, and you also, butler, I pray you be aggressive like a well-armed knight. # [Here he mounts a horse.] # MESSENGER I say to you, Uriah, 2205 have no fear about me, never indeed, for you will not have cause to fear. I tell you on my soul. 2210 # And then they shall ride off stage. # And afterwards the messenger comes, and says to King David:- Joy to you my lord! Look, I have come home again, but Sir Uriah is killed and your butler also. 2215 Woe is me because of them. # KING DAVID What? is Sir Uriah dead? Tell me, as you love me, what death he had and how he was slain, 2220 for he was proud and unyielding and reckoned himself a mighty man. # MESSENGER He is dead, by God's day. He tried to create a tumult and gave cruel blows 2225 but a knight slew him and quickly brought him to the ground and hacked him to pieces. # Then an angel shall come to king David, and ask him a question; and he # says:- # GABRIEL Answer me, mighty king: A man had a hundred sheep 2230 and his neighbour only one. If he stole it from him, what punishment would befall him? Tell me the certain truth. # KING DAVID I will answer you at once 2235 so that you will certainly not be delayed. By a true judgment it should surely befall him to suffer being slain. Indeed, death is right 2240 for anyone who behaved like that. # GABRIEL This is how you have behaved, and from Uriah you have surely carried off his only wife, David, and you had women enough and plenty. Suffer you own judgment! # KING DAVID Lord, forgiveness on my soul! Woe that I have sinned with the body of the wicked woman. God, have mercy upon me according to your grace and pity, so that I am not punished at the end. # And then, under the tree of knowledge? [5](13) he begins the Psalter, # Beatus vir (Blessed is the man...) # KING DAVID My dear counsellor, I beg you, 2255 teach me a penance. What shall I do for my sin to appease the dear Father? # COUNSELLOR In expiation of your sins, command a shining temple to be created,2260 vast and broad. Let masons a-plenty be brought, and let every one of the people in the city be advised. # KING DAVID May you receive the Father God's blessing for surely, it seems to me, this is very truly good advice. Therefore, I will always act unfailingly entirely according to your advice 2270 # [King David goes up.] Messenger, my bell-bearer (i.e. swift runner) come to me at once to carry out my intent. # MESSENGER By God the Father, my dear lord, I shall be quite ready for you 2275 everywhere. # KING DAVID Messenger, go, command all the masons in the city to come here in the morning on pain of hanging and drawing 2280 to make a wall of noble stones and of lime in the middle of the town. In honour of God I will create a temple in this town. # MESSENGER Lord, I will do your will, 2285 all that is in my power, everything, everywhere as I should above all. I will not delay any longer. Farewell, my best of lords, for I will make haste. 2290 # KING DAVID Journey well, messenger, for you are an ungrudging envoy. There is no fault seen in you. Before going, have a drink of wine or mead and you will surely go on my errand 2295 all the quicker, I do believe. # MESSENGER Pay attention here. Listen to me, all masons in the city, every one. Take care to work around the temple in the middle of the town 2300 tomorrow without any tricks on pain of hanging and drawing. # And he shall come again to the king; and he says to him:- My lord, joy to you! All the masons, great and small, have been alerted 2305 and they have answered me that they will be ready every one in the morning. # KING DAVID Messenger, I will reward you for your service. 2310 I will make a charter of Carnsew and Trehembys for you. # MESSENGER Thank you, noble lord, for your gifts are always good. You are generous beyond (all) people in the world, giving me a gift like this. # FIRST MASON You boy, get some lime and clay ready, building stones, hammers, and chisels, and I will hurry inside, to build the walls. 2320 # SECOND MASON They were begun by me beforehand with rammers. If you do not all make haste you will be badly beaten. # KING DAVID Counsellor, let us go immediately 2325 and see to the workmen. If they do not work well they will be severely dealt with. # [Here he goes down.] # COUNSELLOR Sire, dear, most gracious lord, all the chief workmen of the land 2330 who can be found are working for you. # [Let God be in the playing area.] # GOD THE FATHER David, you will certainly never make me a house. The reason is that you are a murderer. 2335 You have indeed destroyed the image of my own face, Uriah, who was a trusty knight. # KING DAVID So who will finish building all your house, Lord ? 2340 # GOD THE FATHER Solomon, your dearest son indeed will complete the building. # [Here God goes up.] # KING DAVID Now I know truly that my time has come. I have lived a long time. 2345 # [David shall go to bed][6](15) Lords, I pray you crown Solomon my son and take him as your king as long as you live in this world. Honour him like me, 2350 for God has manifested him to you and that is his will. # MESSENGER Lord, I will do your will in all things as is my duty whatever may occur. 2355 If such were God's will, I would never wish for anyone other than you, so must I go. # KING DAVID For sure, dear God (praise him) does not wish me to live here 2360 with you any longer. O Father, into your hands I commend my spirit. Preserve it from fantasy. # And then king David shall die. # COUNSELLOR Oh! Woe 2365 that our peerless lord is dead. Let us go and lay his body in the grave, and let us pray for his soul, that God will be full of pity. May he bring it to him to his banquet. 2370 # And he shall bury him, and carry the body under some tent, and shall # go to Solomon; and the messenger says:- # MESSENGER Let us go and fetch Solomon and set him in his throne like a king in his seat that he may be crowned as we were commanded 2375 by his father before his passing. # [Here Solomon shall parade.] # COUNSELLOR Joy to you, Solomon. Come quickly with us to the throne of your father David for you are chosen as king for us 2380 and you will surely be crowned in a short time. # Here king Solomon shall parade if he wishes. # KING SOLOMON Most joyful thanks, my lords, to you for the honour which you intend to do me. 2385 If I am alive for a year I will repay it to you, by my head, whosoever may object. # [Here Solomon goes down.] # MESSENGER Solomon, now go into your tower, for you will forthwith be crowned 2390 ruler and king. Also sit in your throne which your father David possessed for he has bequeathed it to you. # [Here he shall enter.] # KING SOLOMON Thank you also sirs. 2395 If I live, you shall be my main body guard, and because you have crowned me, I give you Bodmin, # I give you Bosvannah, Lostwithiel, and Lanner. 2400 # King Solomon shall parade here, and afterwards Solomon says:- Messenger, noble envoy, as you are my guileless servant, come forward as you love me. # MESSENGER My dear lord Solomon, not withstanding toil and grief, 2405 I will never fail you. # KING SOLOMON Go, command the city to come here soon on pain of their being destroyed, masons and carpenters, 2410 stone-cutters and roofers so that the temple may be completed. # MESSENGER Sire, lord, by St. Gylmyn, I will completely fulfil your command 2415 and will warn your craftsmen to come to you to-morrow, every one. # [Here he shall come in.] Listen, now, listen. Pay attention here both nobles and bondmen. 2420 The King commands all the carpenters, masons, and also roofers to be with him here in the morning to build the temple 2425 which his father left off, for he intends to complete his father's work without delay. # [He shall return home.] My dear lord, I have been into the city, urgently summoning 2430 your craftsmen who will surely come to you tomorrow. # KING SOLOMON My blessing on you, Griffin. You have been shouting your head off! If you can't find any mead or wine, 2435 go to the spring for a drink. I will go and see my workmen forthwith and command them always to do good work which is their personal best. 2440 # FIRST CARPENTER God, what a fine tree for rafters, with straight sides, a large rounded lower end and its top and branches slender. I will cut beams 2445 and complete cross members and corbels. # KING SOLOMON God speed, workmen! It seems to me that you work very diligently. Build good walls 2450 with lime and clay and a strong top on them. # FIRST MASON Sire, I tell you, the walls are now completed, dead true by my faith. 2455 I shall be absolutely sure about them that no man will find a fault in them, in any wall, by this day. # KING SOLOMON Right well said, dear friend. Your work pleases me well. 2460 You are two good men indeed and because your work is good I will give you the parish of Budock and the Seal Rock with its land. # and the Seal Rock [9](18) with its land. # SECOND MASON What generosity! Oh thank you! 2465 We may be very merry to receive a gift like that! Now there are really no master-men in this country except us, my masons, in this land. 2470 # SECOND CARPENTER Mate, let's offer the rafters to see if they are true to the walls so they can be assembled with the corbels, laths, and cross-members, and roofed over with planks, 2475 so that they are a joy to behold. # FIRST CARPENTER No need to try anything. Just help me, mates, to put the timber up, so they can be fixed. 2480 There ought to be a strong beam in the middle of the house so there is no weakness. # SECOND CARPENTER By God's fast, well said. This timber is made even and true to the walls. 2485 Roofers, every one, roof over the temple, without delay so that the rain will not reach the rafters. # KING SOLOMON Certainly, workmen, others than you shall not cover it, 2490 for you are skilled in every craft. But tell me truly, where shall we find a tree for a joist which is as straight as a spear-shaft? # FIRST CARPENTER Without a lie, by my faith, 2495 there is not a joist in all your forests any use for any thing at all for it, nor in any region of this land except one tree with garlands of silver around it. 2500 # KING SOLOMON Upon my word, I would be very reluctant to cut that, but since no other can be found, go and cut it without delay to the glory of God, praise him, 2505 and measure it accurately. # SECOND CARPENTER Don't be afraid of that my dear lord. God knows I will measure it well enough with a true square and pattern 2510 so that it is not longer than my mark. It will not be shorter in any way. # FIRST CARPENTER Here it is well measured. No man in the world will measure it better. I will cut it exactly here, and you position it accurately with all your strength. # SECOND CARPENTER Confusion on your head! You kept to the line so well before cutting at the tree! It was a cubit too short! 2520 # FIRST CARPENTER Bring it to the ground, I beg you. It will soon be put right. I will scarf it properly straight away. You need not be angry with me. Now, certainly, it is the right length.2525 Let us adjust it quickly in its place. # SECOND CARPENTER The devil adjust you to his maw! # The joist will not locate [10](21) in its place. The joist will not locate in its place. It is a cubit too long. Cut it in the exact middle of the scarf and if it is not right, I don't know what we shall say. # FIRST CARPENTER We'll cut it as you say. That is the middle, on my faith, by every mark in this world. 2535 I will cut it here, exactly in two by the Lord God, and no more, surely, ever. # SECOND CARPENTER Let us lift it up, in God's name. Now it is too short, by a good cubit. 2540 Truly, this is an embarrassment. Let us go to the king and testify to him that the beam will not fit properly. # FIRST CARPENTER My lord king Solomon, 2545 many strange things have occurred in connection with this joist. One way it is too long, the other way it is actually too short, no matter how carefully it is measured.2550 # KING SOLOMON Since it is so, I command it to be taken immediately with great honour to lie in the temple and all take care to worship it 2555 on pain of your being slain. # KING SOLOMON And you, esteemed carpenters, look out in my forests for a tree for a joist, flawless indeed. Let it be truly wrought by you. 2560 # SECOND CARPENTER I know where there is one cut, and quite fully shaped if it is the right length for us. # FIRST CARPENTER For God's sake, come on then and bring it safely to the city 2565 so it can be measured. # SECOND CARPENTER It's lying there. I have measured it twice for this same job. # FIRST CARPENTER It will come on our backs 2570 to the town, to put in its place, for it is very good for the job. # SECOND CARPENTER Let us put the timber in its place. Dear God, send me strength that it may stand. 2575 # FIRST CARPENTER Upon my word, we would not find a straighter timber anywhere nor one that will be better for this place. # SECOND CARPENTER Let us go and tell our lord Solomon straight away 2580 that the temple is completed. # [To king Solomon.] Hail, my lord, on your throne! Your temple is built without a fuss. We ask you for our wages. # KING SOLOMON The Father's blessing be upon you! 2585 By God's foe you shall indeed have your payment. Together, all the field of Bohelland and the whole wood of Penryn, I now give to you, 2590 and all Gwarder, Enys and Arwennack, Tregenver and Kergilliack. Make yourselves a charter of them. # FIRST CARPENTER Much thanks, peerless lord. 2595 We can be quite proud. Without doubt men have never received such good gifts, by my hood. # KING SOLOMON I will now ordain a cleric of my personal staff 2600 to be a bishop in the temple. I will consecrate him straight away to maintain the law, to sing the service to God. # The counsellor shall be bishop; and he says:- # COUNSELLOR Sire, lord, may God reward you 2605 for giving me a high rank like that. It is befitting to serve you faithfully. There is none like you in this world for promoting your servants. 2610 # [Here the counsellor puts on clerical dress.] # KING SOLOMON On my word, it was already decided to promote you. The first benefice I have I will consecrate you bishop. Take up your mitre forthwith 2615 and be faithful in your service. # [Here he gives the mitre to the bishop.] # BISHOP Since you so wish it I will receive it in praise to the Father of Heaven. If it is God's will for the best, 2620 I will say service to him forthwith in the temple. # [Here the bishop goes down, and will cross over to the temple.] In honour to God the Father, I command forthwith, let all speak praise, 2625 and after that, let each one of us all around drink a draught of wine to comfort his heart. # And then they shall pray, and speak low, as if saying prayers; and # Maximilla shall come into the temple, and she sits upon the timber # (per Bakere; other versions of the story make it clear this is the # meaning of stuppa, not stove as in Norris. [R.E.]) and her clothes are # set on fire by the timber and she cries out, saying:-- # MAXIMILLA O Father God, through your mercy, send me a cure 2630 for my disease with which I am afflicted. Oh! oh! oh! alas! woe is me! My clothes are blazing from the wood of Christ, I believe. My dear Lord Christ Jesus, 2635 God of Heaven, quell the strength of the flame and fire through your power, as Adam and Eve also will be redeemed by your body and sent to heaven in glory. 2640 # BISHOP What vengeance to you, you fool? Where have you heard God called Christ by any man born in this world? I have the law of Moses, and in all that 2645 his name is not written, nor does it say there is any other God but the Father of Heaven above; and you, girl, the other woman's daughter you make yourself your own god. 2650 I'll be hanged by the jaws if you ever get away from us before you pay for it horribly and recant completely all your talk. # MAXIMILLA I will not recant, foolish bishop, 2655 for the three staves, indeed, were planted by David and he joined them into one, surely as a valid symbol of the three persons in the Trinity. 2660 # [Here the bishop goes up to his booth.] # [One is the Father of Heaven, One is the Father of Heaven, another, Christ his only Son, who will be born of a virgin, and the Holy Ghost is the third, three and one, dwelling 2665 in one Godhead, I believe. # in one Godhead, I believe.] # BISHOP Out upon you, most horrid wench, no doubt a haughty witch! However proud you are you will pay for it. Near for sorrow I am quite mad. 2670 You rogue, for God's blood, give me counsel like a man. # CROSIER-BEARER I give you counsel without a charge. My telling is no fable. If you intend to put her to death, 2675 order your men to beat her with stones, and do not let them stop at all until she is quite dead. # BISHOP Well said, by God's fast. If God helps me, you are good, 2680 and a wise man in the advice you give. Executioners, great and small, come forth every one now according to my needs. # FIRST EXECUTIONER Hail, my lord, proud and noble, 2685 My brow is covered with sweat by this day, through rushing to you. Tell me what to do please straight away. If I can, I will do it, on my soul. 2690 # BISHOP Go and drag the wretched woman who is making false gods out of our temple and batter her with stones until she dies. 2695 Don't stop at all. # SECOND EXECUTIONER Let's not stop, by God's soul, for we intend to strike hard until we are weary. Come outside in the devil's name. 2700 You will never drink soup. You will be quite dead. # THIRD EXECUTIONER Look out, let me strike out a fearful blow with a mallet at the vile slut on the forehead, 2705 so that she will never eat but stink and rot like fish-oil or salt-marsh mud. # FOURTH EXECUTIONER I