William Stanley Braithwaite, ed. The Book of Restoration Verse. 1910.
St. Stephen and HerodAnonymous
S
And servyd him of bred and cloth, as every kyng befalle.
He saw a sterre was fayr and brygt over Bedlem stonde.
‘I forsak the, Kyng Herowdes, and thi werkes alle.
Ther is a chyld in Bedlem born is beter than we alle.’
Lakkyt the eyther mete or drynk in Kyng Herowdes halle?’
Ther is a chyld in Bedlem born beter than we alle.’
Lakkyt the eyther gold or fe, or ony ryche wede?’
Ther is a chyld in Bedlem born sal helpyn us at our nede.’
As this capoun crowe sal that lyth here in myn dysh.’
The capoun crew Cristus natus est! among the lordes alle.
And ledyt Stevyn out of this toun, and stonyt hym wyth ston!’
And therfore is his evyn Crystes owyn day.