Hic dum Joseph est absens parit Maria filium unigenitum.
Joseph. Now God, of whom comythe the alle releffe,
And as alle grace in the is grownde,
So save my wyff from hurt and greffe,
Tyl I sum mydwyvys for here have fownde!
Travelynge women in care be bownde,
With grete throwys whan thei do grone;
God, helpe my wyff that sche not swownde!
I am ful sory sche is alone.
It is not convenient a man to be
Ther women gon in travalynge;
Wherfore sum mydwyff ffayn wold I se,
My wyff to helpe that is so ȝenge.
ȝelomy. Why makyst thou man suche mornyng?
Telle me sumdele of ȝour gret mone.
Joseph. My wyf is now in gret longynge,
Travelyng of chylde, and is alone:
ffor Godys love that sytt in trone,
As ȝe, mydwyvys, that kan ȝour good,
Help my ȝonge spowse in hast anone,—
I drede me sore of that fayr food.
Salome. Be of good chere and of glad mood,
We ij. mydwyvys with the wylle go;
Ther was nevyr woman in suche plyght stood,
But we were redy here help to do.
My name is Salomee, alle men me knowe
ffor a mydwyff of wurthy fame;
Whan women travayl, grace doth growe,
Ther as I come I had nevyr shame.
ȝelomye. And I am ȝelomye, men knowe my name;
We tweyn with the wyl go togedyr,
