  ISaint Stephen was a clerk In King Herod’s hall, And servÈd him of bread and cloth As every king befall. IIStephen out of kitchen came With boar’s head on hand, He saw a star was fair and bright Over Bethlehem stand. IIIHe cast adown the boar’s head And went into the hall; ‘I forsake thee, Herod, And thy workÈs all. IV‘I forsake thee, King Herod, And thy workÈs all, There is a child in Bethlehem born Is better than we all.’— V‘What aileth thee, Stephen? What is thee befall? Lacketh thee either meat or drink In King Herod’s hall?’— VI‘Lacketh me neither meat ne drink In King Herod’s hall; There is a child in Bethlehem born Is better than we all.’— VII‘What aileth thee, Stephen? Art wode Lacketh thee either gold or fee, Or any rich weed VIII‘Lacketh me neither gold ne fee Ne none rich weed; There is a child in Bethlehem born Shall helpen us at our need.’— IX‘That is all so sooth, Stephen, All so sooth, I-wys, As this capon crowÈ shall That li’th here in my dish.’ XThat word was not so soon said, That word in that hall, The capon crew Christus natus est Among the lordÈs all. XI‘Risit By two and all by one, And leadit Stephen out of this town, And stonit him with stone.’ XIITooken they Stephen And stoned him in the way; And therefore is his even On Christe’s own day. FOOTNOTES: |
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