The Second Shepherd's Play circa 1425 A.D. "Mystery Play"

[The First Shepherd (Primus Pastor) enters.]

Primus Pastor.
Lord, but this weather is cold, and I am ill wrapped!
Night dazed, were the truth told, so long have I napped;
My legs under me fold; my fingers are chapped—
With such like I dont hold, for I am all lapt
In sorrow.(5)
In storms and tempest,
Now in the east, now in the west,
Woe is him has never rest
Midday nor morrow!
But we seely shepherds that walk on the moor,(10)
In faith were nigh at hand to be put out of door.
No wonder, as it doth stand, if we be poor,
For the tilth of our land lies fallow as the floor,
As ye ken.
Were so burdened and banned,(15)
Over-taxed and unmanned,
Were made tame to the hand
Of these gentry men.
Thus they rob us of our rest, our Lady them harry!
These men bound to their lords behest, they make the plough tarry,(20)
What men say is for the best, we find the contrary,—
Thus are husbandmen oppressed, in point to miscarry,
In life,
Thus hold they us under
And from comfort sunder.(25)
It were great wonder,
If ever we should thrive.
For if a man may get an embroidered sleeve or a brooch now-a-days,
Woe is him that may him grieve, or a word in answer says!
No blame may he receive, whatever pride he displays;(30)
And yet may no man believe one word that he says,
Not a letter.
His daily needs are gained
By boasts and bragging feigned,
And in all hes maintained(35)
By men that are greater.
Proud shall come a swain as a peacock may go,
He must borrow my wain, my plough also,
Then I am full fain to grant it ere he go.
Thus live we in pain, anger, and woe(40)
By night and day!
He must have it, if he choose,
Though I should it lose,
I were better hanged than refuse,
Or once say him nay!(45)
It does me good as I walk thus alone
Of this world for to talk and to make my moan.
To my sheep will I stalk, and hearken anon,
There wait on a balk, or sit on a stone.
Full soon,(50)
For I trow, pardie,
True men if they be,
We shall have company,
Ere it be noon.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• The
• Second
• Shepherd's
• Play
• circa
• 1425
• A.D.
• Mystery
• paparotzie
• hartistry
• old
• english
• jesus
• glosen
• marriage
• wed