The York plays

Play 26

Pilate

Vndir the ryallest roye of rente and renowne Line 1 Now am I regent of rewle this region in reste, Obeye vnto bidding bud busshoppis me bowne And bolde men that in batayll makis brestis to breste. To me betaught is the tent this towre-begon towne, For traytoures tyte will I taynte the trewthe for to triste. The dubbyng of my dingnité may noyot be done downe, Nowdir with duke nor dugeperes, my dedis are so dreste. My desire muste dayly be done With thame that are grettest of game, And theragayne fynde I but fone, Wherfore I schall bettir ther bone- But he that me greues for a grone, Beware, for wyscus I am. Pounce Pilatt of thre partis than is my propir name, I am a perelous prince to proue wher I peere. Emange the philosofers firste ther fanged I my fame, Wherfore I fell to affecte I fynde noyot my feere. He schall full bittirly banne that bide schall my blame, If all my blee be as bright as blossome on brere, For sone his liffe shall he lose or left be for lame THat lowtes noyot to me lowly nor liste noyot to leere. And thus sen we stande in oure state Als lordis with all lykyng in lande, Do and late vs wete if yoe wate Owthir, sirs, of bayle or debate THat nedis for to be handeled full hate, Sen all youre helpe hanges in my hande.

Caiphas

Sir, and for to certefie the soth in youre sight, Line 29 As to yoou for oure souerayne semely we seke.

Pilate

Why, is ther any myscheue that musteres his myyot Line 31 Or malice thurgh meene menn vs musters to meke?

Anna

YOa sir, ther is a ranke swayne whos rule is noyot right, Line 33 For thurgh his romour in this reme hath raysede mekill reke.

Pilate

I here wele yoe hate hym; youre hartis are on heght, Line 35 And ellis if I helpe wolde his harmes for to eke. But why are yoe barely thus brathe? Bees rewly and ray fourth youre reasoune.

Caiphas

Tille vs sir his lore is full lothe. Line 39

Pilate

Beware that we wax noyot to wrothe. Line 40

Anna

Why sir, to skyfte fro his skath Line 41 We seke for youre socoure this sesoune.

Pilate

And if that wrecche in oure warde haue wrought any wrong, Line 43 Sen we are warned we walde witte, and wille or we wende. But and his sawe be lawfull, legge noyot to lange, For we schall leue hym if us list with luffe here to lende.

Doctor 1

And yf that false faytor youre fortheraunce may fang, Line 47 THan fele I wele that oure folke mon fayle of a frende. Sir, the strenghe of his steuen ay still is so strange That but he schortely be schent he schappe vs to schende, For he kennes folke hym for to call Grete God son-thus greues vs that gome- And sais that he sittande be schall In high heuen, for there is his hall.

Pilate

And frendis, if that force to hym fall Line 55 It semes noyot yoe schall hym consume. But that hymselfe is the same yoe saide schulde descende YOoure seede and yoou then all for to socoure.

Caiphas

A, softe sir, and sese, Line 58 For of Criste whan he comes no kynne schall be kenned, But of this caytiffe kynreden we knawe the encrese. He lykens hym to be lyke God, ay-lastand to lende, To lifte vppe the laby, to lose or relesse.

Pilate

His maistreys schulde moue yoou youre mode for to amende. Line 63

Anna

Nay, for swilke mys fro malice we may noyot vs meese, Line 64 For he sais he schall deme vs, that dote, And that tille vs is dayne or dispite.

Pilate

To noye hym nowe is youre noote, Line 67 But yoitt the lawe lyes in my lotte.

Doctor 1

And yf yoe will witt sir, yoe wotte Line 69 THat he is wele worthy to wyte. For in oure temple has he taught by tymes moo than tenne Where tabillis full of tresoure lay to telle and to trye, Of oure cheffe mony-changers-butte, curstely to kenne, He caste tham ouere, that caystiffe, and counted noyot therby.

Caiphas

Loo sir, this is a periurye to prente vndir penne, Line 75 Wherfore make yoe that appostita, we praye yoou, to plye.

Pilate

Howe mene yoe? Line 77

Caiphas

Sir, to mort hym for mouyng of men. Line 77

Pilate

THan schulde we make hym to morne but thurgh yooure maistrie. Line 78 Latte be sirs, and move that no more; But what in youre temple betyde?

Miles 1

We, thare sir he skelpte oute of score Line 81 THat stately stode selland ther store.

Pilate

THan felte he tham fawté before Line 83 And made the cause wele to be kydde. But what taught he that tyme, swilk tales as thou telles?

Miles 1

Sir, that oure tempill is the toure of his troned sire, Line 86 And thus to prayse in that place oure prophettis compellis, Tille hym that has posté of prince and of empire; And thei make domus domini that deland thare dwellis THe denn of the derfenes and ofte that thei desire.

Pilate

Loo, is he noght a mad man that for youre mede melles, Line 91 Sen yoe ymagyn amys that makeles to myre? YOoure rankoure is raykand full rawe.

Caiphas

Nay nay sir, we rewle vs but right. Line 94

Pilate

Forsothe, yoe ar ouer-cruell to knawe. Line 95

Caiphas

Why sir? For he wolde lose oure lawe Line 96 Hartely we hym hate as we awe, And therto schulde yoe mayntayne oure myght. For why, vppon oure Sabbott day the seke makes he saffe And will noyot sesse for oure sawes to synke so in synne.

Miles 2

Sir, he coueres all that comes recoueraunce to craue Line 101 But in a schorte contynuaunce, that kennes all oure kynne.

But he haldis noght oure haly dayes, harde happe myght hym haue, And therfore hanged be he and that by the halse.

Pilate

A, hoo sir nowe, and holde in. Line 104 For thoff yoe gange thus gedy hym gilteles to graue, Withouten grounde yoow gaynes noght swilke greffe to begynne; And loke youre leggyng be lele, Withowtyn any tryfils to telle.

Anna

For certayne owre sawes dare we seele. Line 109

Pilate

And than may we prophite oure pele. Line 110

Caiphas

Sir, bot his fawtes wer fele Line 111 We mente noyot of hym for to melle. For he pervertis oure pepull that proues his prechyng, And for that poynte yoe schulde prese his poosté to paire.

Doctor 2

YOa sir, and also that caytiff he callis hym oure kyng, Line 115 And for that cause our comons are casten in care.

Pilate

And if so be, that borde to bayll will hym bryng Line 117 And make hym boldely to banne the bones that hym bare. For-why that wrecche fro oure wretthe schal not wryng Or ther be wrought on hym wrake.

Doctor 1

So wolde we it ware, Line 120 For so schulde yoe susteyne youre seele And myldely haue mynde for to meke yoou.

Pilate

Wele witte yoe, this werke schall be wele, Line 123 For kende schall that knave be to knele.

Doctor 2

And so that oure force he may feele Line 125 All samme for the same we beseke yoou.

Judas

Ingenti pro inuria- hym Jesus, that Jewe Line 127 Vnjust vnto me, Judas, I juge to be lathe. For at oure soper as we satte, the sothe to pursewe, With Symond luprus, full sone my skiffte come to scathe. Tille hym ther brought one a boyste my bale for to brewe That baynly to his bare feete to bowe was full braythe, Sho anoynte tham with an oynement that nobill was and newe, But for that werke that sche wrought I wexe woundir wrothe. And this-to discouer-was my skill: For of his penys purser was I, And what that me taught was vntill The tente parte that stale I ay still. But nowe for me wantis of my will THat bargayne with bale schall he by.

THat same oynement, I saide, might same haue bene solde For siluer penys in a sowme thre hundereth, and fyne Haue ben departid to poure men as playne pité wolde; But for the poore, ne thare parte priked me no peyne- But me tened for the tente parte, the trewthe to beholde, That thirty pens of iij hundereth so tyte I schulde tyne. And for I mysse this mony I morne on this molde, Wherfore for to mischeue this maistir of myne And therfore faste forthe will I flitte The princes of prestis vntill, And selle hym full sone or that I sitte For therty pens in a knotte knytte. THus-gatis full wele schall he witte THat of my wretthe wreke me I will. Do open, porter, the porte of this prowde place That I may passe to youre princes to proue for youre prowe.

Janitor

Go hense thou glorand gedlyng, God geue the ille grace, Line 157 Thy glyfftyng is so grymly thou gars my harte growe.

Judas

Goode sir, be toward this tyme and tarie noght my trace, Line 159 For I haue tythandis to telle.

Janitor

YOa, som tresoune I trowe, Line 160 For I fele by a figure in youre fals face It is but foly to feste affeccioun in yoou. For Mars he hath morteysed his mark, Eftir all lynes of my lore, And sais yoe are wikkid of werk And bothe a strange theffe and a stark.

Judas

Sir, thus at my berde and yoe berk Line 167 It semes it schall sitte yow full sore.

Janitor

Say bittilbrowed bribour, why blowes thou such boste? Line 169 Full false in thy face in faith can I fynde. THou arte combered in curstnesse and caris to this coste, To marre men of myght haste thou marked in thy mynde.

Judas

Sir, I mene of no malice but mirthe meve I moste. Line 173

Janitor

Say, on-hanged harlott, I holde the vnhende, Line 174 Thou lokist like a lurdayne his liffelod hadde loste. Woo schall I wirke the away but thou wende.

Judas

A, goode sir, take tente to my talkyng this tyde, Line 177 For tythandis full trew can I telle.

Janitor

Say brethell, I bidde the abide, Line 179 THou chaterist like a churle that can chyde.

Judas

YOa sir, but and the truthe schulde be tryed Line 181 Of myrthe are ther materes I mell,

For thurgh my dedis youre dugeperes fro dere may be drawen.

Janitor

What, demes thou till oure dukes that doole schulde be dight? Line 184

Judas

Nay sir, so saide I noght. Line 184 If I be callid to counsaille that cause schall be knawen Emang that comely companye, to clerke and to knyght.

Janitor

Byde me here bewchere or more blore be blowen, Line 187 And I schall buske to the benke wher baneres are bright And saie vnto oure souereynes, or seede more be sawen, THat swilke a seege as thiselff sewes to ther sight. My lorde nowe of witte that is well, I come for a cas to be kydde.

Pilate

We, speke on and spare not thi spell. Line 193

Caiphas

YOa, and if vs mystir te mell, Line 194 Sen yoe bere of bewté the bell, Blythely schall we bowe as yoe bidde.

Janitor

Sir, withoute this abatyng ther houes as I hope Line 197 A hyne helte-full of ire, for hasty he is.

Pilate

What comes he fore? Line 199

Janitor

I kenne hym noght, but he is cladde in a cope, Line 199 He cares with a kene face vncomely to kys.

Pilate

Go gete hym that his greffe we grathely may grope, Line 201 So no oppen langage be goyng amys.

Janitor

Comes on bylyue to my lorde and if the liste to lepe, Line 203 But vttir so thy langage that thou lette noght thare blys.

Judas

That lorde, sirs, myght susteyne yooure seele Line 205 THat floure is of fortune and fame.

Pilate

Welcome, thy wordis are but wele. Line 207

Caiphas

Say, harste thou knave, can thou not knele? Line 208

Pilate

Loo, here may men faute in you fele, Line 209 Late be sir youre scornyng, for schame. Bot bewshere, be noyot abayst to byde at the bar.

Judas

Before you sirs to be brought abowte haue I bene, Line 212 And allway for youre worschippe.

Anna

Say, wotte thou any were? Line 213

Judas

Of werke sir that hath wretthid yoou I wotte what I meene, Line 214

Line 214 But I wolde make a marchaundyse youre myscheffe to marre.

Pilate

And may thou soo? Line 216

Judas

Els madde I such maistries to mene. Line 216

Anna

THan kennes thou of som comberaunce oure charge for to chere? Line 217 For cosyne, thou art cruell.

Judas

My cause sir is kene. Line 218 For if yoe will bargayne or by, Jesus this tyme will I selle yoou.

Doctor 1

My blissing sone haue thou forthy- Line 221 Loo, here is a sporte for to spye.

Judas

And hym dar I hete yoou in hye, Line 223 If yoe will be toward I telle yoou.

Pilate

What hytist thou? Line 225

Judas

Judas Scariott. Line 225

Pilate

THou art a juste man Line 225 THat will Jesus be justified by oure jugement. But howe-gates bought schall he be? Bidde furthe thy bargayne.

Judas

But for a litill betyng to bere fro this bente. Line 228

Pilate

Now what schall we pay? Line 229

Judas

Sir, thirti pens and plete, no more than. Line 229

Pilate

Say, ar yoe plesid of this price he preces to present? Line 230

Doctor 2

Ellis contrarie we oure consciens, consayue sen we can Line 231 THat Judas knawes hym culpabill.

Pilate

I call yoou consent. Line 232 But Judas, a knott for to knytt, Wilt thou to this comenaunt accorde?

Judas

YOa, at a worde. Line 235

Pilate

Welcome is it. Line 235

Miles 2

Take therof, a traytour tyte. Line 236

Miles 1

Now, leue ser, late no man wete Line 237 How this losell laykis with his lord.

Pilate

Why, dwellis he with that dochard whos dedis hase us drouyd? Line 239

Miles 1

THat hase he done ser and dose, no dowte is this day. Line 240

Pilate

Than wolde we knawe why this knave thus cursidly contryued. Line 241

Miles 2

Enquere hym, sen yoe can best kenne if he contrarie. Line 242

Pilate

Say man, to selle thi maistir what mysse hath he moved? Line 243

Judas

For of als mekill mony he made me delay, Line 244 Of yoou as I resayue schall but right be reproued.

Anna

I rede noght that yoe reken vs oure rewle so to ray, Line 246 For that the false fende schall the fang.

Miles 1

When he schall wante of a wraste. Line 248

Doctor 1

To whome wirke we wittandly wrang. Line 249

Doctor 2

Tille hym bot yoe hastely hang. Line 250

Doctor 3

YOoure langage yoe lay oute to lang. Line 251 But Judas, we trewly the trast, For truly thou moste lerne vs that losell to lache, Or of lande thurgh a lirte that lurdayne may lepe.

Judas

I schall yoou teche a token hym tyte for to take Line 255 Wher he is thryngand in the thrang, withouten any threpe.

Miles 1

We knawe hym noght. Line 257

Judas

Take kepe than that caytiffe to catche Line 257 The whilke that I kisse.

Miles 2

THat comes wele the, corious, I cleepe! Line 258 But yoitt to warne vs wisely allwayes muste yoe wacche. Whan thou schall wende forthwith we schall walke a wilde hepe, And therfore besye loke now thou be.

Judas

YOis, yois, a space schall I spie vs Line 262 Als sone as the sonne is sette, as yoe see.

Miles 1

Go forthe, for a traytoure ar yoe. Line 264

Miles 2

YOa, and a wikkid man. Line 265

Doctor 1

Why, what is he? Line 265

Doctor 2

A losell ser, but lewté shuld lye vs. Line 266 He is trappid full of trayne, the truthe for to trist, I holde it but folye his faythe for to trowe.

Pilate

Abide in my blyssing and late youre breste, Line 269 For it is beste for oure bote in bayle for to bowe. And Judas, for oure prophite we praye the be prest.

Judas

YOitt hadde I noght a peny to purvey for my prowe. Line 272

Pilate

THou schalte haue delyueraunce belyue at thi list, Line 273 So that thou schall haue liking oure lordschipp to loue. And therfore Judas mende thou thy mone And take ther thi siluere all same.

Judas

YOa, nowe is my grete greffe ouere-gone. Line 277

Miles 1

Be lyght than. Line 278

Judas

YOis, latte me allone, Line 278 For tytte schall that taynte be tone And therto jocounde and joly I am.

Pilate

Judas, to holde thi behest be hende for oure happe, Line 281 And of vs helpe and vpholde we hete the to haue.

Judas

I schall bekenne yoou his corse in care for to clappe. Line 283

Anna

And more comforte in this case we coveyte not to craue. Line 284

Miles 1

Fro we may reche that rekeles his ribbis schall we rappe, Line 285 And make that roy or we rest for rennyng to raffe.

Pilate

Nay sirs, all if yoe scourge hym yoe schende noyot his schappe, Line 287 For if the sotte be sakles vs sittis hym to saue. Wherfore when yoe go schall to gete hym Vnto his body brew yoe no bale.

Miles 2

Our liste is fro leping to lette hym, Line 291 But in youre sight sownde schall ve sette hym.

Pilate

Do flitte nowe forthe till yoe fette hym Line 293 With solace all same to youre sale.