XXXVIII. Be we mery now in this fest,
In quo saluator natus est.
1
Now in Betheleme, that holy place,
To bringe man oute of woofull case
Of virgyn Marie full of grace
Saluator mundi natus est.
2
To the sheperdes keping theire folde
On Cristemas nyght an aungell tolde,
That in Bethelem with bestis bolde
Saluator mundi natus est.
3
They were compassed all aboute with light,
And they dredde of that heuenly sight.
‘Drede not,’ he seyde, that aungell bright:
‘Saluator mundi natus est.
4
Beholde, to you grete ioye I bringe:
This daye of Mary, that good thinge,
In the citie of Dauid, that king,
Saluator mundi natus est.
5
And this infant there fynde ye shalle
In pore clothing in an oxe stalle.’
The aungellis tho lawded god alle:
Saluator mundi natus est.
6
‘Glorie to god,’ the aungellis songe,
‘And peas in erthe good men amonge.’
To save mankyende, that had done wronge,
Saluator mundi natus est.
7
They toke theire way with good entent,
And to Bethelem right sone they went
To see and know, what that worde ment:
‘Saluator mundi natus est.’
8
They founde Ioseph and Mary myelde,
Wyfe, moder and mayde vndefielde,
And in a stalle they founde that childe:
Saluator mundi natus est.
9
Now seke we alle with hert and myende
This yonge infant, tille we hym fyende,
That of a mayde to save mankyende,
De virgine, nunc natus est.
