XVI. THE ADORATION OF THE SHEPHERDS.
Angelus ad pastores dicit, "Gloria in excelsis Deo."
Joye to God that sytt in hevyn,
And pes to man on erthe grownde!
A chylde is born benethe the levyn,
Thurwe hym many ffolke xul be unbownde.
Sacramentys ther xul be vij.,
Wonnyn thorowe that childys wounde;
Therfore I synge a joyful stevene,
The flowre of frenchep now is founde!
God that wonyght on hyȝ,
He is gloryed mannys gost to wynne,
He hath sent salve to mannys synne,
Pes is comyn to mannys kynne,
Thorwe Goddys hiȝe wysdam I saye.
Primus Pastor. Maunfras, Maunfras, felawe myn,
I saw a grett lyght with bryght shyne,
ȝit saw I nevyr so mervely asyne,
Shapyn upon the skyes.
It is bryghtere than the sunne bem,
It comyth ryght over alle this rem,
Evyn above Bedleem,
I saw it brenne thryes!
Secundus Pastor. Thu art my brother Boosras,
I have beholdyn the same pas,
I trowe it is tokenynge of gras,
That shynynge shewyght beforn!
