XXXIII. In terra pax hominibus,
Quia natus est dominus.
1
To the shepeherdes keping theire folde,
That Crist was borne, an aungell tolde,
And in Betheleem fynde hym they sholde
Positum in presepio.
2
They went furth to Bethelem that stounde,
And, as he tolde, that chielde they founde
In an oxe stalle in raggis wounde,
Qui regnat sine termino.
3
The sheperdes tho went home agayn
Magnifiyng god, in certayne,
In alle, that they had hurde and sayne
De Ihesu, dei filio.
4
On new yeres day (scripture seith thus)
Circumcided for loue of vs
His name tho was callid Ihesus
Testante euuangelio.
5
On xijth day came kingis thre
With golde, encense and myrre so free
And founde that king of maiestee
In virginali gremio.
6
When they came to Herode, that king,
He bade them goo axe inquiring,
Where this childe was (and worde hym bringe),
Qui celi preest solio.
7
Sleping an aungell bade them wake
And to Herod no waye to take:
Another way, no dought to make,
Reuersi sunt cum gaudio.
