THE MASQUE OF QUEEN BERSABE.
A MIRACLE-PLAY.
king david.
I have a counsel to you all,
Because of this thing God lets fall
Among us for a sign.
For some days hence as I did eat
From kingly dishes my good meat,
There flew a bird between my feet
As red as any wine.
This bird had a long bill of red
And a gold ring above his head;
Long time he sat and nothing said,
Put softly down his neck and fed
From the gilt patens fine:
And as I marvelled at the last
He shut his two keen eyën fast
And suddenly woxe big and brast
Ere one should tell to nine.
