The York plays

Play 30

Pilate

Yhe cursed creatures that cruelly are cryand, Line 1 Restreyne you for stryuyng for strengh of my strakis; Youre pleyntes in my presence vse plately applyand, Or ellis this brande in youre braynes sone brestis and brekis. THis brande in his bones brekis, What brawle that with brawlyng me brewis, That wrecche may not wrye fro my wrekis, Nor his sleyghtis noyot slely hym slakis; Latte that traytour noyot triste in my trewys. For sir Sesar was my sier and I sothely his sonne, That exelent emperoure exaltid in hight Whylk all this wilde worlde with wytes had wone, And my modir hight Pila that proude was o plight; O Pila that prowde, Atus hir fadir he hight. This `Pila' was hadde into `Atus'- Nowe renkis, rede yhe it right? For thus schortely I haue schewid you in sight Howe I am prowdely preued `Pilatus'. Loo, Pilate I am, proued a prince of grete pride. I was putte into Pounce the pepill to presse, And sithen Sesar hymselffe with exynatores be his side Remytte me to ther remys the renkes to redresse. And yitte am Y graunted on grounde as I gesse To justifie and juge all the Jewes. A, luffe, here lady? No lesse?

Lo sirs, my worthely wiffe, that sche is, So semely, loo, certayne scho schewys.

Uxor

Was nevir juge in this Jurie of so jocounde generacion, Line 28 Nor of so joifull genologie to gentrys enioyned As yhe, my duke doughty, demar of dampnacion To princes and prelatis that youre preceptis perloyned. Who that youre preceptis pertely perloyned, With drede into dede schall ye dryffe hym; By my trouthe, he vntrewly is troned THat agaynste youre behestis hase honed; All to ragges schall ye rente hym and ryue hym. I am dame precious Percula, of prynces the prise, Wiffe to ser Pilate here, prince withouten pere. All welle of all womanhede I am, wittie and wise, Consayue nowe my countenaunce so comly and clere. The coloure of my corse is full clere And in richesse of robis I am rayed, Ther is no lorde in this londe as I lere, In faith, that hath a frendlyar feere Than yhe my lorde, myselffe thof I saye itt.

Pilate

Nowe saye itt may ye saffely, for I will certefie the same. Line 46

Uxor

Gracious lorde, gramercye, youre gode worde is gayne. Line 47

Pilate

Yhitt for to comforte my corse me muste kisse you madame. Line 48

Uxor

To fulfille youre forward my fayre lorde I am fayne. Line 49

Pilate

Howe, howe, felawys! Nowe in faith I am fayne Line 50 Of theis lippis so loffely are lappid In bedde is full buxhome and bayne.

Domina

Yha sir, it nedith not to layne, Line 53 All ladise we coveyte than bothe to be kyssid and clappid.

Bedellus

My liberall lorde, o leder of lawis, Line 55 O schynyng schawe that all schames escheues, I beseke you my souerayne, assente to my sawes, As ye are gentill juger and justice of Jewes.

Domina

Do herke howe yon, javell, jangill of Jewes. Line 59 Why, go bette horosonne boy, when I bidde the.

Bedellus

Madame, I do but that diewe is. Line 61

Domina

But yf thou reste of thy resoune thou rewis, Line 62 For all is acursed, carle-hase in, kydde the!

Pilate

Do mende you madame, and youre mode be amendand, Line 64 For me semys it wer sittand to se what he sais.

Domina

Mi lorde, he tolde nevir tale that to me was tendand, Line 66 But with wrynkis and with wiles to wend me my weys.

Bedellus

Gwisse, of youre wayes to be wendand itt langis to oure lawes. Line 68

Domina

Loo lorde, this ladde with his lawes! Line 69 Howe, thynke ye it prophitis wele his prechyng to prayse?

Pilate

Yha luffe, he knawis all oure custome, Line 71 I knawe wele...

Bedellus

My seniour, will ye see nowe the sonne in youre sight, Line 73 For his stately strengh he stemmys in his stremys? Behalde ovir youre hede how he heldis fro hight And glydis to the grounde with his glitterand glemys. To the grounde he gois with his bemys And the nyght is neghand anone. Yhe may deme aftir no dremys, But late my lady here with all hir light lemys Wightely go wende till hir wone; For ye muste sitte sir this same nyght, of lyfe and of lyme. Itt is noyot leeffull for my lady by the lawe of this lande In dome for to dwelle for the day waxe ought dymme, For scho may stakir in the strete but scho stalworthely stande. [.... ...] Line 85 Late hir take hir leve whill that light is.

Pilate

Nowe wiffe, than ye blythely be buskand. Line 87

Domina

I am here sir, hendely att hande. Line 88

Pilate

Loo, this renke has vs redde als right is. Line 89

Line 89

Domina

Youre comaundement to kepe to kare forthe Y caste me. Line 90 My lorde, with youre leue, no lenger Y lette yowe.

Pilate

Itt were a repreue to my persone that preuely yoe paste me, Line 92 Or ye wente fro this wones or with wynne yoe had wette yowe. Ye schall wende forthe with wynne whenne that yoe haue wette yowe. Gete drinke! What dose thou? Haue done! Come semely, beside me, and sette yowe. Loke, nowe it is even here that I are behete you, Ya, saie it nowe sadly and sone.

Domina

Itt wolde glad me my lorde if yoe gudly begynne. Line 99

Pilate

Nowe I assente to youre counsaille so comely and clere. Line 100 Nowe drynke madame-to deth all this dynne.

Domina

Iff it like yowe, myne awne lorde, I am not to lere- Line 102 This lare I am not to lere.

Pilate

Yitt efte to youre damysell madame. Line 104

Domina

In thy hande, holde nowe and haue here. Line 105

Ancilla

Gramarcy, my lady so dere. Line 106

Pilate

Nowe fares-wele, and walke on youre way. Line 107 [... ...] Line 107

Domina

Now farewele the frendlyest, youre fomen to fende. Line 108

Pilate

Nowe farewele the fayrest figure that euere did fode fede, Line 109 And farewele ye damysell, indede.

Ancilla

My lorde, I comande me to youre ryalté. Line 111

Pilate

Fayre lady, here is schall you lede. Line 112 Sir, go with this worthy in wede, And what scho biddis you doo loke that buxsome you be.

Filius

I am prowde and preste to passe on apasse, Line 115 To go with this gracious hir gudly to gyde.

Pilate

Take tente to my tale thou turne on no trayse, Line 117 Come tyte and telle me yf any tythyngis betyde.

Filius

Yf any tythyngis my lady betyde, Line 119 I schall full sone sir witte you to say. This semely schall I schewe by hir side Belyffe sir, no lenger we byde.

Pilate

Nowe fares-wele, and walkes on youre way. Line 123 Nowe wente is my wiffe, yf it wer not hir will, And scho rakis tille hir reste as of nothyng scho rought. Tyme is, I telle the, thou tente me vntill; And buske the belyue, belamy, to bedde that Y wer broght [... ...] Line 127 And loke I be rychely arrayed.

Bedellus

Als youre seruaunte I haue sadly it sought, Line 129 And this nyght, sir, newe schall ye noght, I dare laye, fro ye luffely be layde.

Pilate

I comaunde the to come nere, for I will kare to my couche. Line 132 Haue in thy handes hendely and heue me fro hyne, But loke that thou tene me not with thi tastyng, but tendirly me touche.

Bedellus

A, sir, yhe whe wele. Line 135

Pilate

Yha, I haue wette me with wyne Line 135 [... ...] Line 135 Yhit helde doune and lappe me even here, For I will slelye slepe vnto synne. Loke that no man nor no myron of myne With no noyse be neghand me nere.

Bedellus

Sir, what warlowe yow wakens with wordis full wilde, Line 140 THat boy for his brawlyng were bettir be vnborne.

Pilate

Yha, who chatteres, hym chastise, be he churle or childe, Line 142 For and he skape skatheles itt were to vs a grete skorne- Yf skatheles he skape it wer a skorne. What rebalde that redely will rore, I schall mete with that myron tomorne And for his ledir lewdenes hym lerne to be lorne.

Bedellus

Whe! So sir, slepe ye, and saies no more. Line 148

Domina

Nowe are we at home. Do helpe yf ye may, Line 149 For I will make me redye and rayke to my reste.

Ancilla

Yhe are werie madame, for-wente of youre way, Line 151 Do boune you to bedde, for that holde I beste.

Filius

Here is a bedde arayed of the beste. Line 153

Domina

Do happe me, and faste hense ye hye. Line 154

Ancilla

Madame, anone all dewly is dressid. Line 155

Filius

With no stalkyng nor no striffe be ye stressed. Line 156

Domina

Nowe be yhe in pese, both youre carpyng and crye. Line 157

Diabolus

Owte! Owte! Harrowe! Line 157 Into bale am I brought, this bargayne may I banne, But yf Y wirke some wile in wo mon I wonne. This gentilman, Jesu, of cursednesse he can, Be any syngne that I see this same is Goddis sonne. And he be slone oure solace will sese, He will saue man saule fro oure sonde And refe vs the remys that are rounde. I will on stiffely in this stounde Vnto ser Pilate wiffe pertely and putte me in prese. O woman, be wise and ware, and wonne in thi witte Ther schall a gentilman, Jesu, vnjustely be juged Byfore thy husband in haste, and with harlottis be hytte. And that doughty today to deth thus be dyghted, Sir Pilate, for his prechyng, and thou, With nede schalle ye namely be noyed. Youre striffe and youre strenghe schal be stroyed, Youre richesse schal be refte you that is rude, With vengeaunce, and that dare I auowe.

Domina

A, I am drecchid with a dreme full dredfully to dowte. Line 176 Say childe, rise vppe radly and reste for no roo, Thow muste launce to my lorde and lowly hym lowte, Comaunde me to his reuerence, as right weill Y doo.

Filius

O, what, schall I trauayle thus tymely this tyde? Line 180 Madame, for the drecchyng of heuen, Slyke note is newsome to neven And it neghes vnto mydnyght full even.

Domina

Go bette boy, I bidde no lenger thou byde, Line 184 And saie to my souereyne this same is soth that I send hym: All naked this nyght as I napped With tene and with trayne was I trapped,

With a sweuene that swiftely me swapped Of one Jesu, the juste man the Jewes will vndoo. She prayes tente to that trewe man, with tyne be noyot trapped, But als a domesman dewly to be dressand, And lelye delyuere that lede.

Filius

Madame, I am dressid to that dede- Line 193 But firste will I nappe in this nede, For he hase mystir of a morne-slepe that mydnyght is myssand.

Anna

Sir Cayphas, ye kenne wele this caytiffe we haue cached Line 196 That ofte-tymes in oure tempill hase teched vntrewly. Oure meyné with myght at mydnyght hym mached And hase drevyn hym till his demyng for his dedis vndewly; Wherfore I counsaile that kyndely we care Vnto ser Pilate oure prince, and pray hym That he for oure right will arraye hym- This faitour-for his falsed to flay hym; For fro we saie hym the soth he schall sitte hym full sore.

Caiphas

Sir Anna, this sporte haue ye spedely aspied, Line 205 As I am pontificall prince of all prestis. We will prese to ser Pilate, and presente hym with pride With this harlott that has hewed oure hartis fro oure brestis Thurgh talkyng of tales vntrewe. And therfor ser knyghtis-

Milites

Lorde. Line 210

Caiphas

Sir knyghtis that are curtayse and kynde, Line 211 We charge you that chorle be wele chyned. Do buske you and grathely hym bynde And rugge hym in ropes his rase till he rewe.

Miles 1

Sir, youre sawes schall be serued schortely and sone. Line 215 Yha, do felawe, be thy feith; late vs feste this faitour full fast.

Miles 2

I am douty to this dede, delyuer, haue done; Line 217 Latte vs pulle on with pride till his poure be paste.

Miles 1

Do haue faste and halde at his handes. Line 219

Miles 2

For this same is he that lightly avaunted, Line 220 And God sone he grathely hym graunted.

Miles 1

He bese hurled for the highnes he haunted- Line 222 Loo, he stonyes for vs, he stares where he standis.

Miles 2

Nowe is the brothell boune for all the boste that he blawe, Line 224 And the laste day he lete no lordynges myyot lawe hym.

Anna

Ya, he wende this worlde had bene haly his awne. Line 226 Als ye are dowtiest today tille his demyng ye drawe hym, And than schall we kenne how that he canne excuse hym.

Miles 1

Here, ye gomes, gose a-rome, giffe vs gate, Line 229 We muste steppe to yone sterne of astate.

Miles 2

We muste yappely wende in at this yate, Line 231 For he that comes to courte, to curtesye muste vse hym.

Miles 1

Do rappe on the renkis that we may rayse with oure rolyng. Line 233 Come forthe sir coward, why cowre ye behynde?

Bedellus

O, what javellis are ye that jappis with gollyng? Line 235

Miles 1

A, goode sir, be noyot wroth, for wordis are as the wynde. Line 236

Bedellus

I saye, gedlynges, gose bakke with youre gawdes. Line 237

Miles 2

Be sufferand I beseke you, Line 238 And more of this matere yhe meke yowe.

Bedellus

Why, vnconand knaves, an I cleke yowe, Line 240 I schall felle yowe, be my faith, for all youre false frawdes.

Pilate

Say childe, ill cheffe you! What churlles are so claterand? Line 242

Bedellus

My lorde, vnconand knaves thei crye and thei call. Line 243

Pilate

Gose baldely beliffe and thos brethellis be batterand, Line 244 And putte tham in prisoune vppon peyne that may fall. Yha, spedely spir tham yf any sporte can thei spell- Yha, and loke what lordingis thei be.

Bedellus

My lorde that luffull in lee, Line 248 I am boxsom and blithe to your blee.

Pilate

And if they talke any tythyngis come tyte and me tell. Line 250

Bedellus

Can ye talke any tythandis, by youre faith, my felawes? Line 251

Miles 1

Yha sir, sir Cayphas and Anna ar come both togedir Line 252

Line 252 To sir Pilate o Pounce and prince of oure lawes; And thei haue laughte a lorell that is lawles and liddir.

Bedellus

My lorde, my lorde! Line 255

Pilate

Howe? Line 255

Bedellus

My lorde, vnlappe yow belyve where ye lye. Line 256 Sir Cayphas to youre courte is caried, And sir Anna, but a traytour hem taried. Many wight of that warlowe has waried, They haue brought hym in a bande his balis to bye.

Pilate

But are thes sawes certayne in soth that thou saies? Line 261

Bedellus

Yha lorde, the states yondir standis, for striffe are they stonde. Line 262 stond.

Pilate

Now than am I light as a roo, and ethe for to rayse. Line 263 Go bidde tham come in both, and the boye they haue ne.

Bedellus

Siris, my lorde geues leue inne for to come. Line 265

Caiphas

Hayle prince that is pereles in price, Line 266 Ye are leder of lawes in this lande, Youre helpe is full hendely at hande.

Anna

Hayle, stronge in youre state for to stande, Line 269 Alle this dome muste be dressed at youre dulye deuyse.

Pilate

Who is there, my prelates? Line 271

Caiphas

Yha lorde. Line 271

Pilate

Nowe be yoe welcome iwisse. Line 271

Caiphas

Gramercy my souerayne. But we beseke you all same Line 272 Bycause of wakand you vnwarly be noght wroth with this, For we haue brought here a lorell-he lokis like a lambe.

Pilate

Come byn, you bothe, and to the benke brayde yowe. Line 275

Caiphas

Nay gud sir, laugher is leffull for vs. Line 276

Pilate

A, sir Cayphas, be curtayse yhe bus. Line 277

Anna

Nay goode lorde, it may not be thus. Line 278

Pilate

Sais no more, but come sitte you beside me in sorowe as I saide youe. Line 279

Filius

Hayle, the semelieste seeg vndir sonne sought, Line 280 Hayle, the derrest duke and doughtiest in dede.

Pilate

Now bene-veneuew beuscher, what boodworde haste thou brought? Line 282

Line 282 Hase any langour my lady newe laught in this leede?

Filius

Sir, that comely comaundes hir youe too, Line 284 And sais, al nakid this nyght as sche napped With tene and with traye was sche trapped, With a sweuene that swiftely hir swapped Of one Jesu, the juste man the Jewes will vndo. She beseches you as hir souerayne that symple to saue, Deme hym noght to deth for drede of vengeaunce.

Pilate

What, I hope this be he that hyder harlid yoe haue. Line 291

Caiphas

Ya sir, the same and the selffe-but this is but a skaunce, Line 292 He with wicchecrafte this wile has he wrought. Some feende of his sand has he sente And warned youre wiffe or he wente.

Pilate

Yowe! THat schalke shuld not shamely be shente, Line 296 THis is sikir in certayne, and soth schulde be sought.

Anna

Yha, thurgh his fantome and falshed and fendes-craft Line 298 He has wroght many wondir where he walked full wyde, Wherfore, my lorde, it wer leeffull his liffe were hym rafte.

Pilate

Be ye neuere so bryme ye bothe bus abide Line 301 But if the traytoure be taught for vntrewthe, And therfore sermones you no more. I will sekirly sende hymselffe fore, And se what he sais to the sore. Bedell, go brynge hyme, for of that renke haue I rewthe.

Bedellus

This forward to fulfille am I fayne moued in myn herte. Line 307 Say, Jesu, the juges and the Jewes hase me enioyned To bringe the before tham even bounden as thou arte. Yone lordyngis to lose the full longe haue thei heyned, But firste schall I wirschippe the with witte and with will. This reuerence I do the forthy, For wytes that wer wiser than I, They worshipped the full holy on hy And with solempnité sang Osanna till.

Miles 1

My lorde that is leder of lawes in this lande, Line 316 All bedilis to your biding schulde be boxsome and bayne, And yoitt this boy here before yowe full boldely was bowand To worschippe this warlowe-methynke we wirke all in vayne.

Miles 2

Yha, and in youre presence he prayed hym of pees, Line 320 In knelyng on knes to this knave He besoughte hym his seruaunte to saue.

Caiphas

Loo lord, such arrore amange them thei haue Line 323 It is grete sorowe to see, no seeg may it sese. It is no menske to youre manhed that mekill is of myght To forbere such forfettis that falsely are feyned, Such spites in especiall wolde be eschewed in your sight.

Pilate

Sirs, moves you noyot in this matere but bese myldely demeaned, Line 328 For yone curtasie I kenne had som cause.

Anna

In youre sight sir the soth schall I saye, Line 330 As ye are prince take hede I you praye, Such a lourdayne vnlele, dare I laye, Many lordis of oure landis might lede fro oure lawes.

Pilate

Saye losell, who gaue the leve so for to lowte to yone ladde Line 334 And solace hym in my sight so semely that I sawe?

Bedellus

A, gracious lorde, greue you noght for gude case I hadde. Line 336 Yhe comaunded me to care, als ye kenne wele and knawe, To Jerusalem on a journay, with seele; And than this semely on an asse was sette And many men myldely hym mette, Als a God in that grounde thai hym grette, Wele semand hym in waye with worschippe lele. `Osanna' thei sange, `the sone of Dauid', Riche men with thare robes thei ranne to his fete, And poure folke fecched floures of the frith And made myrthe and melody this man for to mete.

Pilate

Nowe gode sir, be thi feith, what is `Osanna' to saie? Line 347

Bedellus

Sir, constrew it we may be langage of this lande as I leue, Line 348 It is als moche to me for to meue- Youre prelatis in this place can it preue- Als, `oure sauiour and souerayne thou saue vs we prayé.

Pilate

Loo senioures, how semes yow? THe sothe I you saide. Line 352

Caiphas

Yha lorde, this ladde is full liddir, be this light. Line 353 Yf his sawes wer serchid and sadly assaied, Saue youre reuerence, his resoune thei rekenne noyot with right. This caytiffe thus cursedly can construe vs.

Bedellus

Sirs, trulye the trouthe I haue tolde Line 357 Of this wighte yoe haue wrapped in wolde.

Anna

I saie, harlott, thy tonge schulde thou holde, Line 359 And noght agaynste thi maistirs to meve thus.

Pilate

Do sese of youre seggyng, and I schall examyne full sore. Line 361

Anna

Sir, demes hym to deth or dose hym away. Line 362

Pilate

Sir, haue ye saide? Line 363

Anna

Yha lorde. Line 363

Pilate

Nowe go sette you with sorowe and care, Line 363 For I will lose no lede that is lele to oure lay. But steppe furth and stonde vppe on hight And buske to my bidding, thou boy, And for the nones that thou neven vs a noy.

Bedellus

I am here at youre hande to halow a hoy, Line 368 Do move of youre maistir for I shall melle it with myyot.

Pilate

Cry `Oyas'. Line 370

Bedellus

Oyas. Line 370

Pilate

Yit efte, be thi feithe. Line 370

Bedellus

Oyas! Line 370

Pilate

Yit lowdar, that ilke lede may lithe- Line 371 Crye pece in this prese, vppon payne thervppon, Bidde them swage of ther sweying bothe swiftely and swithe And stynte of ther stryuyng and stande still as a stone. Calle Jesu the gentill of Jacob, the Jewe. Come preste and appere, To the barre drawe the nere, To thi jugement here, To be demed for his dedis vndewe.

Miles 1

Whe, harke how this harlott he heldis oute of harre, Line 380 This lotterelle liste noght my lorde to lowte.

Miles 2

Say beggar, why brawlest thou? Go boune the to the barre. Line 382

Miles 1

Steppe on thy standyng so sterne and so stoute. Line 383

Miles 2

Steppe on thys standyng so still. Line 384

Miles 1

Sir cowarde, to courte muste yhe care- Line 385

Miles 2

A lessoune to lerne of oure lare. Line 386

Miles 1

Flitte fourthe, foule myght thou fare. Line 387

Miles 2

Say warlowe, thou wantist of thi will. Line 388

Line 388

Filius

O Jesu vngentill, thi joie is in japes, Line 389 THou can not be curtayse, thou caytiffe I calle the, No ruthe were it to rug the and ryue the in ropes. Why falles thou noyot flatte here, foule falle the, For ferde of my fadir so free? THou wotte noght his wisdome iwys, All thyne helpe in his hande that it is, Howe sone he myght saue the fro this. Obeye hym, brothell, I bidde the.

Pilate

Now Jesu, thou art welcome ewys, as I wene, Line 398 Be noyot abasshed but boldely boune the to the barre; What seyniour will sewe for the sore I haue sene. To wirke on this warlowe, his witte is in warre. Come preste, of a payne, and appere, And sir prelatis, youre pontes bes prevyng. What cause can ye caste of accusyng? THis mater ye marke to be meving, And hendly in haste late vs here.

Caiphas

Sir Pilate o Pounce and prince of grete price, Line 407 We triste ye will trowe oure tales thei be trewe, To deth for to deme hym with dewly device. For cursidnesse yone knave hase in case, if ye knew, In harte wolde ye hate hym in hye. For if it wer so We mente not to misdo; Triste, ser, schall ye therto, We hadde not hym taken to the.

Pilate

Sir, youre tales wolde I trowe but thei touche none entente. Line 416 What cause can ye fynde now this freke for to felle?

Anna

Our Sabbotte he saues not, but sadly assente Line 418 To wirke full vnwisely, this wote I riyot wele, [... ...] Line 419 He werkis whane he will, wele I wote, And therfore in herte we hym hate. Itt sittis you to strenghe youre estate Yone losell to louse for his lay.

Pilate

Ilke a lede for to louse for his lay is not lele. Line 424 Youre lawes is leffull, but to youre lawis longis it

THis faitoure to feese wele with flappes full fele, And woo may ye wirke hym be lawe, for he wranges it. Therfore takes vnto you full tyte, And like as youre lawes will you lede Ye deme hym to deth for his dede.

Caiphas

Nay, nay sir, that dome muste vs drede, Line 431 [... ...] Line 431 It longes noyot till vs no lede for to lose.

Pilate

What wolde ye I did thanne? THe deuyll motte you drawe! Line 433 Full fewe are his frendis but fele are his fooes. His liff for to lose thare longes no lawe, Nor no cause can I kyndely contryue THat why he schulde lose thus his liffe.

Anna

A, gude sir, it raykes full ryffe Line 438 In steedis wher he has stirrid mekill striffe Of ledis that is lele to youre liffe.

Caiphas

Sir, hatle men and hurte he helid in haste, Line 441 The deffe and the dome he delyuered fro doole By wicchecrafte, I warande-his wittis schall waste- For the farles that he farith with loo how thei folowe yone fole, Oure folke so thus he frayes in fere.

Anna

The dede he rayses anone- Line 446 THis Lazare that lowe lay allone He graunte hym his gates for to gone, And pertely thus proued he his poure.

Pilate

Now goode siris, I saie, what wolde yhe seme? Line 450

Caiphas

Sir, to dede for to do hym or dose hym adawe. Line 451

Pilate

Yha, for he dose wele his deth for to deme? Line 452 Go layke you sir, lightly; wher lerned ye such lawe? This touches no tresoune I telle you. Yhe prelatis that proued are for price, Yhe schulde be bothe witty and wise And legge oure lawe wher it lyse, Oure materes ye meve thus emel you.

Anna

Misplese noyot youre persone, yhe prince withouten pere, Line 459 It touches to tresoune this tale I schall tell:

Yone briboure, full baynly he bed to forbere The tribute to the emperoure, thus wolde he compell Oure pepill thus is poyntis to applye.

Caiphas

The pepull he saies he schall saue, Line 464 And Criste garres he calle hym, yone knave, And sais he will the high kyngdome haue- Loke whethir he deserue to dye.

Pilate

To dye he deserues yf he do thus indede, Line 468 But Y will se myselffe what he sais. Speke Jesu, and spende nowe thi space for to spede. THez lordyngis thei legge the thou liste noyot leve on oure lays, They accuse the cruelly and kene; And therfore as a chiftene Y charge the, Iff thou be Criste that thou telle me, And God sone thou grughe not to graunte the, For this is the matere that Y mene.

Jesus

THou saiste so thiselue. I am sothly the same Line 477 Here wonnyng in worlde to wirke al thi will. My fadir is faithfull to felle all thi fame; Withouten trespas or tene am I taken the till.

Pilate

Loo busshoppis, why blame ye this boye? Line 481 Me semys that it is soth that he saies. Ye meve all the malice ye may With youre wrenchis and wiles to wrythe hym away, Vnjustely to juge hym fro joie.

Caiphas

Noght so sir, his seggyng is full sothly soth, Line 486 It bryngis oure bernes in bale for to bynde.

Anna

Sir, douteles we deme als dewe of the deth Line 488 THis foole that ye fauour-grete fautes can we fynde This daye for to deme hym to dye.

Pilate

Saie losell, thou lies be this light! Line 491 Naie, thou rebalde, thou rekens vnright.

Caiphas

Avise you sir, with mayne and with myght, Line 493 And wreke not youre wrethe nowe forthy.

Pilate

Me likes noyot his langage so largely for to lythe. Line 495

Caiphas

A, mercy lorde, mekely, no malice we mente. Line 496

Line 496

Pilate

Noo done is it douteles, balde be and blithe, Line 497 Talke on that traytoure and telle youre entente. Yone segge is sotell ye saie; Gud sirs, wer lerned he such lare?

Caiphas

In faith, we can not fynde whare. Line 501

Pilate

Yhis, his fadir with som farlis gan fare Line 502 And has lered this ladde of his laie.

Anna

Nay, nay sir, we wiste that he was but a write, Line 504 No sotelté he schewed that any segge saw.

Pilate

Thanne mene yhe of malice to marre hym of myght, Line 506 Of cursidnesse convik no cause can yhe knawe. Me meruellis ye malyngne o mys.

Caiphas

Sir, for Galely hidir and hoo Line 509 The gretteste agayne hym ganne goo, Yone warlowe to waken of woo, And of this werke beres witnesse ywis.

Pilate

Why, and has he gone in Galely, yone gedlyng ongayne? Line 513

Anna

Yha lorde, ther was he borne, yone brethelle, and bredde. Line 514

Pilate

Nowe withouten fagyng, my frendis, in faith I am fayne, Line 515 For now schall oure striffe full sternely be stede. Sir Herowde is kyng ther ye kenne, His poure is preued full preste To ridde hym or reue hym of rest. And therfore, to go with yone gest Yhe marke vs oute of the manliest men.

Caiphas

Als witte and wisdome youre will schal be wroght, Line 522 Here is kempis full kene to the kyng for to care.

Pilate

Nowe seniours, I saie yow sen soth schall be soght, Line 524 But if he schortely be sente it may sitte vs full sore. And therfore sir knyghtis-

Milites

Lorde. Line 526

Pilate

Sir knyghtis that are cruell and kene, Line 527 That warlowe ye warrok and wraste, And loke that he brymly be braste [... ...] Line 529 Do take on that traytoure you betwene.

Tille Herowde in haste with that harlott ye hye, Comaunde me full mekely vnto his moste myght. Saie the dome of this boy, to deme hym to dye, Is done vpponne hym dewly, to dresse or to dight Or liffe for to leue at his liste. Say ought I may do hym indede, His awne am I worthely in wede.

Miles 1

My lorde, we schall springe on a-spede. Line 538 Come thens! To me this traitoure full tryste.

Pilate

Bewe sirs, I bidde you ye be not to bolde, Line 540 But takes tente for oure tribute full trulye to trete.

Miles 2

Mi lorde, we schall hye this beheste for to halde Line 542 And wirke it full wisely in wille and in witte.

Pilate

So sirs me semys itt is sittand. Line 544

Miles 1

Mahounde, sirs, he menske you with myght- Line 545

Miles 2

And saue you sir, semely in sight. Line 546

Pilate

Now in the wilde vengeaunce ye walke with that wight, Line 547 And fresshely ye founde to be flittand.