"Gloria in excelsis deo," Cantent.
Primus Pastor. Ey, ey! this was a wondyr note, That was now songyn above the sky! I have that voys, fful wele I wote, Thei songe gle glo glory. Secundus Pastor. Nay, so mot y the, so was it nowth, I have that songe fful wele I num, In my wytt weyl it is wrought:— It was gle glo glas glum. Tertius Pastor. The songe me thought it was glory; And aftyrwarde he seyd us to,— Ther is a chylde born xal be a prynce myghty, ffor to seke that chylde I rede we go. Primus Pastor. The prophecye of Boosdras is spedly sped; Now leyke we hens, as that lyght us lede: Myght we se onys that bryght on bed, Oure sorow it wolde unbynde. We xulde shadyr for no shoure, Buske us hens to Bedleem boure, To se that fayr fresche flowre, The mayde mylde in mynde. Secundus Pastor. Lete us ffolwe with alle oure myght, With songe and myrthe we xul us dyght, And wurchep with joye that wurthy wyght, That Lord is of mankynne. Lete us go fforthe fast on hye, And honowre that babe wurthylye, With merthe, songe, and melodye; Have do! this songe begynne!
Tunc pastores cantabunt "Stella cæli extirpavit." Quo facto, ibunt ad querendum Christum.
Primus Pastor. Heyle floure of floures, fayrest i-fownde!
Heyle, perle peerles, prime rose of prise!
Heyl, blome on hedde! we xul be unbownde
with thi blody woundys and werkys fulle wyse.
