Joseph. Sere prest of the temple, now Have he ffyffe pens unto ȝow, Oure childe aȝen to take. Capellanus. It is the lawe, as ȝe woot how, Joseph, ȝe an do rygh a-now, As for ȝour childys sake. But othere offerynge ȝett must ȝe make; And therfore take ȝour sone, Mary! In meche joye ȝe may awake, Whylys he is in ȝour company. Maria. Therto I am ful glad and fayn, ffor to receyve my childe agayn, Ellys were I to blame. And afterewarde ffor to be bayn, To offre to God in ful certayn, As in my sonys name, With ffowlys bothe wylde and tame,— ffor in Goddys servyse I xal nevyr irke. Joseph. Lo! Mary, have here tho same, To do thi dewtys of holy kyrke.
And ther Mary offeryth ffowlys onto the autere, and seyth,
Maria. Allemyghtyfful fadyr, mercyful kynge!
Receyvyth now this lytyl offrynge,
ffor it is the fyrst in degré,
That ȝour lytyl childe so ȝynge,
Presentyth to day be my shewyng,
To ȝour hyȝ magesté,
Of his sympyl poverté,
Be his devocion and my good wylle;
Upon ȝour awtere receyve of me,
ȝour sonys offrynge, as it is skylle!
