Bodleian Manuscript 791 Complete Text Passio Domini Nostri Jhesu Christi. Source: Edwin Norris (editor and translator) The Ancient Cornish Drama (2 volumes), New York and London: Benjamin Blom. 1968 [1859] Electronic text prepared by Jim Hall Faculty of Media and Culture Falmouth College of Arts Tremough Campus Penryn Cornwall TR11 9EZ Updated 30th March 2001 HERE BEGINNETH THE PASSION OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST. ____________________________________________________ [Here stands Jesus in Mount Quarentana, near Jordan, and looks between Jericho and Jerusalem. JESUS To you, I say, my disciples, Pray forthwith, all with one heart, God above all things, who is on high, To you in this world to send his grace, In the end that you be saved. 5 With the angels there is light In heaven your souls Ever shall dwell without troubles, In joy that shall not be ended. To preserve us, for the son of evil 10 Us tempt very craftily will, Always in every place, to do evil things, And to reject good works, As I tell you the truth. He will labour always 15 To bring man to be damned To pains, not to be saved; That is all his desire. Young and grey, though ye be deceived By his subtilty, call for mercy, 20 Soon his power shall be lessened; Mercy is extended to whoever prays for it, Whosoever he may be; Prayers of a full heart, To put away temptation, 25 Lest his soul be troubled. [Here let all come down from the mountain.] And I pray my Father for you, That ye be saved through his full grace, And all brought to him to his land In joy, I pray, without strife or trouble, Certainly, with the angels. Heart is not to conceive The enjoyment you will have That will be without end. PETER 0 sweet Master, worshipped be thou, When thou dost so sweetly teach us; We are desirous all to pray, Lettered and lay, to God for mercy. ANDREW All we pray, young and old, To God always, mercy with pity, 40 That we be preserved from the evil one, And all saved, time without end. JESUS Penance is necessary, that his arrogance May be diminished, the greatness of his power, By my pains, forty nights 45 To me completed appear to be. SATAN If he desires to be able to eat, I shall know true, clearly, Certainly he is not a God. I will go to tempt him, 50 If I can draw him To do gluttony on any side. Surely, notwithstanding all my power, I shall never be able, in my net, To catch him doing any sin. 55 He is a man for all to see; Without his work and his teaching Every one will die. [Here Satan goes dawn, and says to Jesus] I say to thee, If thou be the Son of God above, 60 Forthwith command, and say To these hard stones to become bread; I shall know in that hour What thy power is, without doubt. JESUS Son of man, without other than bread, 65 Desires not all to live, But in good words, Coming from the Trinity. [To his disciples :]- My disciples, from this Now you may see 70 How the word of God feeds Him who can take it. JOHN O dear beloved Master, As thou sayest, I believe Our souls shall be 75 Fed by the words of God; And the devils overcome, As it is written in books, We be brought into the bright heaven In joy for ever and ever. 80 SATAN If thou art the God of bright heaven, Shew now miracles, That I may see them. Go upon the pinnacle of the temple, And there do thou sit, 85 It is not a very easy place for thee. JESUS I will go myself Up on the pinnacle To sit. There is for me, certainly, 90 To do a little while Some private matters. Then the devil shall tempt him, saying SATAN High thou art seated, And dangerously, by my truth: In a book it is written, 95 There be angels to guard thee, For fear to be hurt Thy foot against stone or stick; If thou be Son of God, of great worth, Descend, and go to the ground. 100 JESUS It is written in books, It behoveth thee not to tempt thy God In any manner; But thy Lord God of heaven, It behoveth thee to worship him 105 In every place. [Jesus descends.] Let us come hence, companions, On the mountains to walk, And to pray My Father dear, be he praised, 110 By his will to keep you From vanities. ANDREW All as thou wishest, dear Lord, I will do in every place, As long as we are living in this world,115 With penance and praise. I pray God, great is his grace To send his grace to us here. BARTHOLOMEW Dear Master, be thou worshipped, As it behoveth, by all men of the world, For thy doctrine is very good. Happy his lot who is dwelling In thy service, for sorrow Will not seize him for ever. --o-- Again the devil shall tempt him, saying SATAN See here a high mountain, 125 And I will teach thee to see The greatness of the land. All this world to thee shall be If thou wilt hearken to me, Surely, without a lie. 130 See joyful all the world; Cities rich, houses of price, Castles large and high: All these to thee shall be, If thou wilt worship me 135 Low on thy knees. JESUS Thou, Satan, devil accursed! It is written in books, In every way it behoveth thee To worship thy God and his name. 140 Go away, accursed, Into desert, into darkness; Thy power shall be diminished Ever over the souls. SATAN Woe is me, that I went to him, 145 That I am vanquished by him Three times to day; And all the great power which was mine, I have lost it quite through him, That I may sing "alas!" 150 [Satan retires.] --o-- GOD THE FATHER My angels, stand up, Go hence from us, To serve my Son most dear. He has overcome the false demon This day three times, certainly; 155 Happy he who worships him well. MICHAEL O Father, God, most powerful, Thy commands always, Surely, we will do. Jesus Christ, thy one dear Son, 160 I will serve him with great honour, And Mary. [Here let the angels go down.] GABRIEL Jesus Christ, joy to thee; King thou art over heaven and the world, And Lord most powerful. 165 Thy Father dear, be he praised, Hath sent us to serve thee, For greatly thou pleasest him. JESUS CHRIST Worship and thanks to God my Father, Full of mercy, 170 When he hath sent, in great honour, Servants to me. --o-- And then sending two disciples to a village to seek an ass and foal. JESUS CHRIST Go, two of my disciples, To the village which is before us, Forthwith, without delay; 175 There you will find an ass And foal in a halter; Bring them to me presently. And if any man say Against you anything, 180 Soon do you answer him:- To the Lord there is need To do with them; He will deliver them to you. JAMES THE GREATER Dear Lord, thy commands 185 I will do, without fail, Like as thou hast commanded us. Let us come along, my sweet brother, I will speak to him very fair, Nor be refused, whatever we do. 190 [James the father and Matthew go for the ass and foal.] MATTHEW I will go with thee gladly, And will bring the ass With us, and the foal likewise. In the name 0f the Father on high, Go within into the village 195 Before me, I pray thee. JAMES THE GREATER The Father God hath made all things To do to us good joy to-day: Amen, we pray, perfectly. See the ass here, 200 And the foal is tied With her; help, on thy faith. KEEPER Comrades, tell me Directly why you are leading My animal away. 205 MATTHEW I will answer thee, The Lord has to do, By thy will, something with them. KEEPER All to his will, let him take them, Since he wills it so; 210 I would they were worth A thousand pounds to him of good gold. JAMES THE GREATER It is true that he is Lord, And his work proves that; Who does not worship him as he ought, 215 Is not a wise man, as I think. And then he shall come with the ass and foal to Jesus; and Matthew says [here Matthew and James kiss Jesus] MATTHEW Master sweet, joy to thee! Behold the ass with us, And the foal for thee also. On her back, for thee to ease, 220 Clothes I will spread; Mount up if it is time. JESUS CHRIST My Father, in him is light, May he be a help to you always Against the temptation of the evil one 225 That the joy of heaven may be to you, When I die, to your souls, Ye chosen faithful twelve Then the Hebrew children come, and let them carry palms and flowers to meet Jesus; and the first boy says:- FIRST BOY Great news is heard, The blessed Jesus to be 230 Coming here to the city. To meet him I will go; I would wish to see him; He is God, full of pity. SECOND BOY We will all go to meet him, 235 For to worship him. A God of mercy to every one, Surely, he is. THIRD BOY Children of Hebrews, let us come in a row, At once, without delay, 240 To meet Jesus, who is true God, Coming to the town. FOURTH BOY In this way we will. Branches of olive, when I find, I will put them before him, 245 And honour him as well as I can. Every one upon his knees Will sing in worship to him. FIFTH BOY If I find no good branches, I will take off my clothes, 250 And put them under his feet And will sing to our Saviour, "Blessed is the Son of grace, Who is come in the name of God." SIXTH BOY I will, surely, also 255 Take off my best clothes, And cast before him. There are with me fair flowers; In honour of my sweet Lord, I will scatter them under him. 260 SEVENTH BOY Palm and bays, ripe box, There is with me: Lord of heaven, guard my soul From all evil thing. Now he shall mount upon the ass and foal, and shall ride to the temple; and Jesus said:- JESUS My blessing be upon you all, 265 Coining in honour to me, With branches, flowers also; A day shall come, surely, That I will repay it all to you, As much honour as to me is done. 270 FIRST BOY Son of David, joy to thee! I pray thee to save us, And bring us to the kingdom of heaven. Blessed is he who comes In the name of God, be he praised, 275 King of Israel, mighty Lord. SECOND BOY Joy to thee, Son of David! Son of God thou art, and man likewise, Save all thy faithful servants For that thou art come 280 In the name of the blessed God, I believe it to be really. THIRD BOY Truly, blessed thou art; Happy he who can be worthy Faithfully to worship thee, certainly. 285 Without a doubt truly I believe, Through thee I shall be saved; 0 Son of God, joy to thee. FOURTH BOY Joy to thee, Lord of the world, And heaven also! 290 Give me grace to come to thy place With thy angels. FIFTH BOY Joy, surely, to him who is very God, And man likewise; Through thee we shall all be 295 Saved, truly. SIXTH BOY Jesus of grace is Son and Father, Full of mercy We all pray, joy to thee In very earnest. 300 SEVENTH BOY Sweet Jesus of Nazareth, Joy to thee without ceasing, And great honour indeed! Thou art the Saviour of the world, And that I surely believe; 305 On me have mercy. JESUS Now together, my children, My blessing on you always, Your desire shall be heard You shall be repaid well, 310 For the honour in this time Which you have done me, truly. Then let Jesus dismount, and go into the temple; and Jesus says:- JESUS I will dismount, And go into the temple at once, To see all that fair. 315 If there is a market in God's house, I will drive them out, every fellow, And overturn all their wares. --o-- [Here bishop Caiaphas shall appear.] CAIAPHAS Tell me, companions, Who it is that is come to the city 320 On the back of an ass and foal, Going to the side of the temple? I believe the vile man would take it yet, before he dies. [Here Caiaphas goes down.] CLOTH-MERCHANT He is the prophet Jesus, 325 Who says he is the Son of God, Of high heaven; Come from Nazareth, A town of the kingdom of Galilee, Very certainly. 330 [The cloth-merchant shall go to the temple] --o-- JESUS Ye traders, go out; You are making a jest Of God and his holy church, In my house of prayers When you make your markets, 335 And a den of foul thieves. SHOPKEEPER Tell me now, thou Jesus, What evil is there on any side Which thou shewest to us, That thou actest so rudely, 340 Scattering our wares, And the fair to destroy it? JESUS A token to you indeed I will shew If the temple be destroyed To the ground quite, not a stone standing, I will build it, surely, again, Before the end of three days, on my truth, Fairer than it stood before. CLOTH-MERCHANT That is a very sneer and jest, For there were, before it was done, 350 Forty years and six; And in three days easily He will build it up, Though it be broken all from its place! --o-- Here appears Pilate. PILATE I will go to the temple 355 To speak praise And pray to god Jupiter. I believe it is the fellow, Jesus, making great violence; He will spoil the fair. 360 [Pilate goes down.] Now let Pilate go over to the temple of Jerusalem; and the shopkeeper says [to Caiaphas]:- SHOPKEEPER Hail, sir Caiaphas, stout bishop! Here is come Jesus, the proud fellow, He has done too much violence in town. And he bath said to us, Although the temple were destroyed, 365 In three days he would rebuild it. CAIAPHAS The wilful man tells a lie; He shall pay for it, by Saint Jupiter, If he do not retract his idle tales. See the magistrate is coming to us; 370 With him let him do as he will, When he hears his words. Then Pilate shall come to Caiaphas the priest; and he says PILATE Sir Caiaphas, joy to thee! What doings are in the temple By Jesus, the false hypocrite? 375 He has destroyed the market: He is doing great violence, For he wished to get honour. CAIAPHAS Welcome, Pilate, by this day, He hath made much tumult; 380 Through pride he did say, Though the temple were destroyed, In three days he would rebuild it: Never yet was it better. PILATE He will not boast now; 385 Every man in this world knows, No man whatever would build it In three days' work, in any way. I will examine him: If he can rebuild it, 390 It behoves us all to honour him, Also in land and in sea. Then let all go to the temple; and the blind man says:- BLIND MAN Jesus, Lord, full of grace, Like as thou art a Saviour, I pray thee, in charity, 395 To cure my eyes: Never yet, bad or good, Have I seen a drop with them. LAME MAN And I, maimed, surely pray thee, Because of the blessed Father, 400 Give me my walking, by thy grace; And hereafter I will believe Thee to be born of a virgin, Son of God, our Redeemer. JESUS I cure ye, gladly, 405 In the name of the Father, and Son, And Holy Ghost, amen, Go from me healed! BLIND MAN 0 sweet Jesus, full of grace, Now with my eyes, 410 Surely, I see. Thou art Lord of heaven and earth; Truly, this I believe With all my strength. LAME MAN O sweet Lord, cured I am and fair 415 From all disease. Above every one, truly, thou art, Surely, blessed. FIRST BOY Son of David, joy to thee! Blessed art thou above all. 420 I pray thee, write my soul, When I am dead, in thy roll. SECOND BOY Joy to thee, Son of David, As thou art blessed above all; Son of God thou art, and man also, 425 In his name come. THIRD BOY Jesus, King of Israel, I pray joy to thee, Bring my soul to thee by an angel, When I shall leave the world. 430 PILATE Jesus, what sayest thou Of the children who are singing? They do many childish things Utter, in very childishness. JESUS In books it is written, 435 That joy is fulfilled Of the mouths of good children, And little ones sucking. [Pilate says to Caiaphas:]- PILATE This avails nothing, Caiaphas, we cannot speed, 440 All the people of this world are Certainly following after him. CAIAPHAS You know not what you say, Nor what judgment you make; I tell you plainly, 445 Better it is that one man die Than all the faithful people To be lost, by my truth. PILATE By Jove, Lord of the world, As thou sayest, it shall be done 450 To the foul wretched fellow. I will catch the villain On all sides, in words; To them a man did not listen. --o-- And then all shall go to their tents; and Simon the Leper shall come to Jesus; and he says to him:- SIMON THE LEPER Sir Lord, I pray thee 455 To eat with me a while, By thy will, and thy disciples; For there is food prepared For thee and for them also, In a place which is here near. 460 JESUS I will go with thee joyfully, And my disciples, every head, At thy commands. Peter, Andrew, and John, Simon, Judas, let us go hence, 465 Without delay. [Here Mary Magdalene shall come to Jesus; Simon the Leper with our Lord (?)] JUDAS Lord, that is well done; You know what is best For you to do, Better than all men of this world ; 470 As thou art the beginning of all things, Thou givest counsel. MARY MAGDALENE I will go to anoint My Lord's feet and hands With precious ointment, certainly, 475 And shed it upon his head; From all weariness cure him, And anoint his bruises. Sweet Master, joy to thee! I will kiss thy feet, 480 Through thy will, though I am not worthy. There are tears wetting Thy feet, for true love, But I will dry them with my hair. My box I will break, 485 Which is worth much good money; Upon thy head I will pour it, And on thy feet likewise. SIMON THE LEPER If he were a blessed prophet, He surely would know 490 That she is a sinner; He would not permit her to anoint him. JESUS CHRIST Simon, as I am invited, There is to me, by my truth, Something to say to thee; 495 Hearken to me presently. SIMON THE LEPER Master, speak at once, Soon to me, without delay, The thing which is on thy mind; Against thee I will not strive. 500 JESUS Once in a part of the world There were two debtors To one creditor; I believe The one owed to him Five hundred pence of money, 505 And half a hundred the other. He forgave it them both, Because there was not any thing to pay him. Tell me, in a brief space, Which one was most bound 510 To love this same man? SIMON THE LEPER I will soon give an answer to thee: He who is forgiven most Loves most in every place. JESUS Certainly, that is a true decision. 515 Thou seest this woman; Since yet I came into thy house, To wash my feet thou hast not offered; She with tears even Has washed them, surely, 520 With her hair they are dried. Never a kiss to me didst thou give, And she has never ceased, Since I came into thy house, Always kissing my feet; 525 And all my head she has anointed: And for that, certainty, Together all her sins clean To her are forgiven; For so much she loved me. 530 Thy faith bath made thee whole; Go in peace, I say to thee. JUDAS ISCARI0T What is the need To spill the precious ointment? It might have been sold 535 For three hundred pence and more; And these might have been given To the poor in the land. [Here let all rise, and walk.] JESUS Do not bear anger in heart Against her who has anointed me, 540 For my suffering will come soon; With you I shall not stay. You have the poor Always with you calling; When you will yourself, 545 You may do good work to them. That same ointment she poured On me for my burial, She did it through love. Wherever may be read 550 This tragedy, much talked of She shall be, truly, ever. --o-- [The scene changes to the house of Caiaphas.] CAIAPHAS My clerk, fetch Annas The prince, that I may hear What is the best counsel 555 To do with the traitor, That the band of women and men may be Turning from him speedily. CROZIER-BEARER Sir, I will, without fail; Farewell, my blessing with thee. 560 It would be good, before Sabbath comes, To destroy the false prophet. And then he shall go to the prince Annas, and the crozier-bearer speaks; and he shall walk about if he likes. [Here Annas shall walk about in front of the staqe.] THE CROZIER-BEARER says: Joy to thee, sir, gay prince! Sir Caiaphas, by me, par foi, Hath sent for thee, and prays thee 565 To come to him into the town, By thy will to advise him What shall be done regarding Jesus. PRINCE ANNAS I will go to him joyfully, As he is my good sire, 570 To despatch the villain, If he speaks against the law. And then he shall go to the bishop. [He goes down.] Hail, Caiaphas, bold sir bishop; Ten hundred times joy to thee CAIAPHAS Welcome, by the blood of Mahound; 575 Come near and sit with me. [Annas goes up.] There is a fellow wondrous proud, Turning all the city From Mahound, by mine head, And violating the laws. 580 PRINCE ANNAS Send men to watch him; If they find him in any house, Let them bind him feet and hands, And bring him to us. Here Judas shall come to them; and he says [Prince Annas and Uaiaphas wait.] JUDAS ISCARIOT Tell me immediately 585 What you are willing to give me, And I will speed you, Taking Christ forthwith. CAIAPHAS Sweet comrade, by my truth, Thou shalt have all thou wilt; 590 Ask of us, without hesitation, Whatever thou wilt, seriously. JUDAS ISCARIOT Thirty of money; I will not take less, In truth. 595 And need is to you to bring help With me, to take him At night secretly. CAIAPHAS Surely all thy demands Thou shalt have, truly, without a lie; 600 See them with me prepared. Tell me, good fellow, At what hour shall the men go to bring him; And take care we be not deceived. JUDAS ISCARIOT Exactly when he is supping. 605 I will come to warn you, And take care that the men be ready With staves and swords, Als o lanterns with light, That we be not misled. 610 And then Judas Iscariot shall come to Jesus and the apostles, and Caiaphas says:- CAIAPHAS By my faith, thou art a good comrade; I will reward thee For thy service. Arms enough to us there are, And stout fellows at this time, 615 To catch him quickly. --o-- Now let Jesus send disciples to prepare the Lord's supper. JESUS Go into the town, and order The paschal food for us, without delay. Peter and John proceed, That it may be ready soon. 620 PETER Wise Lord, tell us, In this same town what wilt thou Paschal food order for us, And I will provide it at once; That we may eat as it behoveth, 625 And sacrifice to the Father. JESUS When you are within the city, You will meet soon A man carrying a pitcher of clean water; Wherever that he enter, 630 Into that same house go with him, And say certainly, Say to the man of the house, That your Master sends: Where may he go to eat, 635 He and all his disciples? And he will show you A large room soon; Take care to prepare food in it, Enough for our supper before us. 640 JOHN Dear wise Lord, we will do Like as thou hast enjoined us. Peter, companion, let us come quickly, Let us do our errand diligently. PETER Let us hasten quickly hence, 645 As commanded indeed; If we find a man of that sort, We will follow him even to his house. --o-- HEAD OF THE HOUSE Go hence, dear servant, Fetch clear water for me from the fountain, To prepare food To us for our supper, Like as is the custom On Thursday of the flower. SERVANT I will fetch water for thee soon; 655 Behold my pitcher with me In my hand to fetch it. And then he shall qo and fill it. On my shoulder, by my truth, I will carry it home, And hasten with great speed. 660 JOHN Peter, I see a man Carrying a pitcher of water hastily; Let us come after him, I pray thee: Need is that the words be true Of our Lord unequalled, 665 Who is God and man also. And then he shall go to the master of the house and Peter says to him:- PETER The peace of God within this house! Jesus, our good Master, Sent me to ask, In what place shall he find a house? 670 For in this night, eat The passover meal here he will. MASTER OF THE HOUSE Come with me, I will shew you A house for your Master, presently, For preparing his supper: 675 Large, that every son of the breast may, He and all his disciples, Take his ease without danger. See here a fair room, And straw enough on its floor; 680 Unless he be stopped any where, He cannot avoid seeing the house. JOHN The house pleases me well; The great Father of high heaven, May he ordain thee and thy wife, 685 When ye die, into his court. And then they shall get the supper ready. PETER John, help making a fire, For there is meat enough certainly, Here surely against supper, If it be all made ready; 690 Hasten now, I pray thee, That it may be dressed speedily. JOHN See the fire burning; Let them come when the will is with them, Their food shall be ready. 695 It is now late time for supper, The great fire will brown the lamb too much Before it be roasted soft. Now Jesus rises, and shall go to the supper JESUS Let us go away hence, For by Peter and John 700 Now is the evening meal prepared Against our being with them; Time it is for us to sup; Sweet Simon, my blessing on thee. And then Jesus goes away from him, and shall come to the disciples; and he says [Jesus kisses them.] JESUS The peace of God be in the house, 705 And my blessing also be upon you. Is the paschal lamb ready for us, That we may go to supper Tell me the truth, Peter, As I love thee much always. 710 PETER Ah, dear Lord, it is ready; God the Father grant us to be worthy To be faithful servants to thee, And all my brethren also; Sit down quietly, 715 For you shall soon be served. And then all sit at supper; and Jesus says:- JESUS Truly, I say to you, I have desired very greatly To eat with you this night The paschal meal before I be dead, 720 And tormented cruelly, Before to-morrow midday. Take, drink the wine, For I will not drink till the last day With you of it any more ; 725 Until that I enter into my kingdom, And you with me, with my Father, Without end ever in joy. JOHN Dear Lord, be joyful! Whilst thou art in the world with us, 730 Never is sorrow with us As thou art God to us, and Head, If we see grief in thee, It is ever to us also. JESUS I tell you the truth; 735 One of you this night Has sold me to my adversary, Who is eating with me, Of my company, surely, And surely puts me to death. 740 JUDAS ISCARIOT Lord, tell me, If I am that same, Nor another man be accused. JESUS He is eating with me Of my plate in this same meal, 745 Who sold me some time ago. The Son of God will pass from the world, As it is written of him In books, in many places. Miserable will he be who has sold me; 750 A thousand times better it would be, indeed That he had never been born into this world JUDAS ISCARIOT Sweet Master, by the Father, Tell me, without delay, Am I he who hath sold thee 755 To the Jews to kill thee? JESUS Before now I have warned ye, And I tell you again; Thou hast said to us, Judas, The truth, on my sincerity. 760 [Here Jesus gives the Host to the apostles] This bread take To you now every head, And all eat of it; My body it is, for the offering, Like as I have said to you, 765 Sold, killed on the cross tree. Through it ye are redeemed, All my people, male and female. ANDREW 0 dear blessed Lord, It is to us very wonderful: 770 Who can that be? It will not be one of us. JAMES THE LESS Who is esteemed the greatest man Amongst all thy disciples? He who knows, let him answer, 775 Though he be very stout of his heart. JAMES THE GREATER He who is in the highest degree, Shall be called the greatest, According as any is in place, As every man in the world knows. 780 SIMON Now say presently, Like as you are accounted wise, Among all the company, Who is it, I pray you? JESUS Dominion over their people 785 Has been to the lords over them, Certainly, before now; And he who has power, Is by young and gray Called a great man always. 79O Never may you be so; He who is the greatest of you, And has the greatest power, Let him be like the least And who eats first 795 As he who serves. And answer me well: Who think you greatest? He who serves, or who eats? SIMON He who eats does not follow ; 800 Sure it is, as it seems to me, The lord is greater than the butler. JESUS I have sat in the midst. Like a servant serving, And ye have dwelt with me 805 In temptation every where; And I have ordained for you The kingdom of heaven, there to dwell, Like as my Father ordained For me in joy, 810 That you may in bliss Likewise eat and drink Of my food on high. The day of judgment you shall sit To judge all this world, 815 Every one according to his work. BARTHOLOMEW Master, blessed be thou, For thy fair doctrine for us Is ready at all times: Against what thou speakest 820 Not any man can answer; Thy reasons are good and fine. JESUS [Here Jesus gives wine to the apostles.] All now drink the wine, For this is my last blood, And it shall be shed for you, 825 In atonement of sins: You, in remembrance of me, without a lie, Pray that it be drunk. PHILIP God the Father grant to us to be worthy To receive thy dear blood, 830 By thy will in this day; I pray it in charity. [Here water is got ready for washing the apostles' feet; also a towel.] JESUS Let one warm water on the fire, For after supper, certainly, I will wash all your feet; 835 And with a towel of clean linen I will dry them every one From all dirt and mire. Then John the apostle comes with warm water, and a foot tub ; and John says:- JOHN Lord. there is water warmed Enough, that may be washed 840 Their feet every one. JESUS Let it be put into a bason, And I will wash them immediately, That they may be clean from all dirt. And in the meantime Jesus, girt with a napkin, shall begin to wash the feet of the disciples; and when he comes to Peter, Peter says to him:- PETER Lord, if thou washest 845 My feet, it would be a shame to me As long as I live, certainly. JESUS What I do, thou mayest not know yet; Thou shalt know it in the end, After going hence. 850 PETER I swear it to thee, by my father, Though they be never washed, Thou shalt not wash them in any case, On pain of all I am worth. JESUS Silence, Peter, thou knowest not 855 Now what I do to thee; If I wash thee not, by my grace, In heaven thou shalt not dwell. PETER Lord, do not leave to me, Head nor feet that be not washed. 860 JESUS He whose body is washed Needs not to desire washing; But let not his feet be placed, For they are all clean already. From all dirt ye are cleansed, 865 But ye are not all clean, really: There is one much defiled Here of your company. JOHN 0 wise Master, Lord of heaven, I believe truly well, 870 It is that same man; miserable That he was born to this world. JESUS Master by you I am called, And Lord, that is true; Now, if I wash 875 Your feet, and dry them, Wash all each other's feet Of you, like as I. And be of cautions hearts, For Satan is desirous, 880 As corn in winnowing sheets, To whirl you round, I believe. Stand forth, Peter dear; Many times I have prayed, That he return not his lies, 885 For fear of being killed. PETER Wise Lord, I am ready To suffer with thee, to be slain, And put close in prison. JESUS Before one night be passed 890 Ye shall be very truly offended For me, every son of the breast. When the shepherd is smitten, The sheep will flee far, And all the flock will separate. 895 But I, risen afterwards, Shall meet them, certainly, In Galilee all together. PETER And though they be all offended, Ever because of being killed, 900 I will not displease thee. JESUS Peter, I tell thee, Before that the cock hath crowed Three times, you will deny me. PETER Though I be killed dead 905 By great pain and sorrows, I will never deny thee. For fear of big words, Our Lord unequalled, I will not deny him, on my faith. 910 JESUS Say, my disciples, If any thing was wanting to you When I sent you out Without staff or scrip, night or day? ANDREW It was not wanting, 0 good Lord, 915 There never was default to us; In our need every thing Always was ready for us. JESUS Now, he who has a staff, Let him put his scrip from him; 920 And he who has not one, Let him sell his cloak to buy With it for him a sword; Need is that the tragedy be true. [Here two swords are got ready, and let Peter carry one.] PETER Here are two swords 925 Ready with my companions, Hard and sharp also. JESUS My blessing on you ever! Truly, those are enough To govern all the world. 930 --o--