P. 135, l. 13. To set a cokewolde on the hye benche.] This appears to be an allusion to the old ballad of The Cokwoldes Daunce, or similar production. King Arthur was represent as giving the first place at table, or a seat on the high bench on the daïs, to men of this order—
"Than seyd thei all at a word,
That cokwoldes schuld begynne the bord,
And sytt hyest in the halle."
The Cokwoldes Daunce is printed in Von Karajan's Frühlingsgabe, 12mo. Vienna, 1839.
P. 137, l. 15. "Fayr chylde, lullay," sone must she syng.] Lullay is a very common burden to the old nursery songs, one of the oldest of which is preserved in MS. Harl. 913, and has been printed by Ritson. Sharp has printed the following, which, as belonging to a Coventry pageant, will be appropriately introduced in this place:—
Lully, lulla, thow littell tiné child;
By, by, lully, lullay, thow littell tyné child:
By, by, lully, lullay.
O, sisters too,
How may we do
For to preserve this day
This pore yongling,
For whom we do singe
By, by, lully, lullay.
Herod the king,
In his raging
Chargith he hath this day
His men of might,
In his owne sight,
All yonge children to slay.
That wo is me,
Pore child for thee,
And ever morne and say.
For thi parting,
Nether say nor singe
By, by, lully, lullay.
