O gracyous God, as thou hast chose me,
ffor to be thi modyr, of me to be born!
Save thi tabernacle that clene is kepte for the,
Whiche now am put at repref and skorn.
Gabryel me tolde with wordys he beforn,
That ȝe of ȝour goodnes wold become my chylde;
Help now of ȝour hyȝness, my wurchep be not lorn,
A! dere sone, I pray ȝow, help ȝour modyr mylde.
Episcopus. Almyghty God, what may this mene, ffor alle the drynke of Goddys potacyon, This woman with chylde is fayr and clene, Withowtyn fowle spotte, or maculacion. I cannat, be non ymagynacion, Preve hyre gylty and synful of lyff; It shewit opynly, by here purgacion, Sche is clene mayde, bothe modyr and wyff! Primus detractor. Be my fadyr sowle here is gret gyle, Because sche is syb of ȝour kynreed; The drynk is chaungyd by sum fals wyle, That sche no shame xulde have this steed. Episcopus. Becawse thou demyst that we do falshede, And for thou dedyst hem fyrst defame; Thou xalt ryght here, magré thin heed, Beforn alle this pepyl, drynk of the same. Primus detractor. Syr, in good ffeyth oo draught I pulle, If these to drynkeres have not alle spent.
Hic bibit et scenciens dolorem in capite cadit, et dicit,
Out, out, alas! what heylith my sculle,
A! myn heed with ffyre me thynkyht is brent!
Mercy, good Mary, I do me repent,
Of my cursyd and ffals langage.
