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XXIV
THE CAPMAKERS’ PLAY
I JEW
Spring on; let us no longer stand,
But smartly now prepare our gear.
This woman that we have in hand.
Let's quickly make her feel due fear.
2 JEW
We will bear witness out of hand,
How we caught her all unarrayed,
Against the laws of this our land,
Where she was with her leman laid.
I JEW
Yea, and he a wedded man,
That was a wicked sin.
2 JEW
That bargain shall she ban
With grief, When we begin.
Enter Lawyers
I JEW
God save you, masters, all of you,
Of learning great and counsel too.
3 JEW
Welcome, my friends; but tell me, pray,
With that fair woman what do you?
2 JEW
Alas, sirs; I tell you for true,
Of sorrow great that she has made.
She was found with foul deed to do,
Which by her cannot be gainsaid.
4 JEW
What, then? Some folly do ye name,
Of fornication, maybe?
I JEW
Nay sir; adultery. In shame
Full bold and unashamed is she.
3 JEW
Adultery! Name it not, for shame!
It is so foul—needs open blame.
It is true they say of thee, dame?
2 JEW
What, sir? She may nowise deny.
We should be worthy of the blame
For vexing her, if not guilty.
4 JEW
Now, sure, this is great in fancy,
And sorrow great must be thereby.
3 JEW
Yea, sir; well said you there.
By law and righteous faith.
She must, by sentence clear,
Needs now be stoned to death.
I JEW
Sirs, since you teach the law this tide
And know its course in this country,
Condemn her straight, no longer hide,
And after your word shall it be.
4 JEW
Be not so fierce, good sirs; abide.
A new matter now moveth me.
That prophet from the country side,
He now draws near to us, I see.
Let be, and bid him say,
What judgement in her case.
Will he the Law obey,
Or its good force efface?
JESUS
Full well I know your hidden thought,
And what your meaning is in mind.
Ye learned long the law have taught;
Be not to its true meaning blind.
My judgement now hear ye.
I say this word alone ——
He that from sin is free,
He first shall cast a stone.
3 JEW
He shows me my misdeeds and sin.
I leave you here; let him alone.
4 JEW
Out, out! Here will new tricks begin,
I greet you well. Say that I'm gone.
I JEW
And since ye are not bold,
No longer bide will I.
2 JEW
Peace! let no tales be told,
But pass forth privily.
JESUS
Woman, tell me where those men went,
Who keenly here accused thee?
Who has condemned thee by intent?
WOMAN
Lord, no man has condemned me.
JESUS
Neither do I condemn. Repent!
From all thy fault I make thee free;
Look thou no more to sin assent.
WOMAN
Ah Lord! For ever love be thine.
Let all the earthly race
Love him and his high name,
Who me by mercy and grace
Hath saved from sin and shame.
I APOSTLE
Ah Lord, we love thee, heart and all;
We praise thy wisdom every way,
That grants thy grace to them that fall,
And spares them who thy folk would slay.
JESUS
I shall tell you the reason why.
I know it is my Father's will,
And for to make men see thereby
And know that they have done some ill.
And ever of this same,
Example shall be seen;
Whoso shall others blame,
Look first themselves be clean.
MESSENGER
Jesu, thou prophet true, I say,
My ladies Martha and Mary,
If you vouchsafe, they would thee pray
To come now unto Bethany.
Him whom thou lovedst well alway
Is sick, and like, Lord, for to die.
If thou wilt come, heal him thou may,
And comfort all that company.
MARTHA
Alas for ruth now may I rave,
And feebly fare by wood and field.
Would God that I were laid in grave,
That death might hide me with his shield.
MARY
Oh, heart-heal may I never have,
Unless he help that all can wield.
Of Christ I will some comfort crave,
That may some help and shelter yield.
MARTHA
To seek I shall not cease,
Till I my sovereign see.
MARY
Hail, peerless prince of peace,
Jesu, master so free!
JESUS
Father, that dwells in heavenly height,
I thank thee aye for every thing,
That kindly hears me day and night,
And takes heed unto my asking.
Wherefore vouchsafe of thy great might,
That all this people, young and old
Who stand and bide to see this sight
May know, believe, and truly hold,
This time here ere I pass,
’Tis thou that hast me sent.
Lazare, veni foras !Come from thy monument!
LAZARUS
Ah peerless prince, full of pity.
Worshipped be thou in. world alway,
That thus has showed thy might in me,
Now dead and buried this fourth day.
By certain signs here may men see
That thou art God's son verily.
All they who truly trust in thee
Shall never die, this dare I say.
So, all ye gathered here,
Worship him with your might;
Take heed his laws to hear,
And follow him to his light.
MARY
Here men a faithful friend may find,
Who brings us back from all our care.
MARTHA
Jesus, my Lord and master kind,
For this we bless thee evermore.
JESUS
Sisters, I may no longer wait;
To other folks now must I fare.
And to Jerusalem go straight,
For things that must be fulfilled there.
Then come, make no delay,
My men, to go with me.
Ye that are here this day,
My blessing with you be. |
York Mystery Plays