CAIAPHAS:
Peace good sirs, I bid that no jangling you make
Soon cease all your sayings, and see what I say
See this time that truly attention you take
As a lord, I am loyally learned in your lay.
By cunning of clergy and casting of wit
Full wisely my words, I wield at my will
So I seem in my seat very seemly to sit
You may learn of me law; I shall lead you by skill
Right soon.
With anyone who has any words with me
Full friendly in faith I am found.
Come now, do quickly let me see
How graciously granted, his boon comes around.
There is neither lord nor lady learned in the law,
Nor bishop nor prelate who's proved in this wise;
No clerk in the court is so cunning to know,
To defend him with wisdom, in this world so wise.
I've the rank and the rule of all that is royal
To rule it by right, as reasonable is.
All doomsmen on daises should worry about me
Those who are obedient, for bale or for bliss.
Wherefore, to my tales pay attention, don't flout me.
Therefore sir knights -
SOLDIERS:
Lord!
CAIAPHAS:
I charge you to challenge your rights
To wait now, both days and nights
For the bringing of a boy into bale.
1 SOLDIER:
Yes lord, we're aware if any wonders walk
And as far as folks are faring, we shall always ask around
2 SOLDIER:
We're obedient to your bidding, we shall never orders balk
If they bring in that boy, who is in a band bound
ANNAS:
Why sir, is there a boy who will not bow to your bidding?
CAIAPHAS:
Yes sir, and of that churl's cleverness there is much carping.
Half for amusement, I've sent for that man.
ANNAS:
What wonderful works works that wight?
CAIAPHAS:
Sure healing to sick men and sorry, he can
And also to lame ones; to blind he sends sight.
Of crooked cripples that we know
It is, to hear, great wondering
How he heals them all in a row
Through false and lucky blundering
I am sorry at the sight
It urges me to ire
Our law he breaks with all his might
It's all he does desire.
Our Sabbath day he will not save
But is about to bring it down
And therefore sorrows he must have
He must be caught, in field or town
For his false teaching
He foully defames the Godhead
He's son of heaven, in his preaching!
ANNAS:
I have good knowledge of that knave
His mother was Mary, I believe
And Joseph, his father, so God me save
Was shown and well-known as a wright.
But one thing I marvel at, over all
The diverse deeds that he has done -
CAIAPHAS:
With witch-craft he fares with all
Sir, that you shall see full soon.
Our knights have now gone forth
To take him; he's betrayed
I hold his life of little worth
He cannot run away.
ANNAS:
Would you now, sir, take your rest?
This evening is near at hand;
And take some wine, to slake your thirst
T'will do you well, I dare warrant.
You should have tidings soon
Of those knights who are gone
Of how well they have done
To take him with a trick
So put all thoughts away
And let your matters rest
CAIAPHAS:
I will do as you say
Go get some wine of the best.
1 SOLDIER:
My lord, here is wine that will make you wink
It's a liquor delicious, my lord, if you like
I heartily counsel a draft you should drink
Around here, there's no more that we know that is like
I recommend that with relish, this cup you may kiss
CAIAPHAS:
Now daintily draw me to dream on my dais
And handily heap me with wrapping
And warn all men to be in peace
For I am late laid unto napping.
ANNAS:
My lord, by your leave, if you please, I shall pass
CAIAPHAS:
Adieu unto you, as the custom is.
WOMAN:
Sir knights, do keep this boy in a band
I will go find out what it may mean
Why yonder stranger's been following
Early and late and all times between.
He will come near; he will not let
I tell you, he's a spy full bold
3 SOLDIER:
By his face it appears that he'd rather be set
Before a hot fire, to escape from the cold
WOMAN:
Yes, but if you knew as well as me
What wonders this one has wrought
All through his master's sorcery
Full cruelly in death they should be bought
4 SOLDIER:
Madam, we have him now at our will
The one for so long whom we've sought
If the others pass us still
Of these we have no thought
WOMAN:
It's scandalous that he should escape
Without even using reason and skill
He lurks there, looking like an ape
I think I'll go and accuse him myself.
Hey you! Scoundrel! What makes you stand
So stable and still in your thought?
You've committed many crimes in this land
And wondrous works you have wrought.
A layabout, a would-be leader in law
To pursue him and see him you sought
Stand forth, and join with this crew
And bring all your mastery into naught
He looks like a badger held in a lock
Bound in a band to bait
Or else like an owl in a tree-stock
Who privately his prey will await
PETER:
Woman, your words and your wind do not waste
I never kept company with that man
Truth to tell, it's all a mistake
Therefore now this error, you may amend
WOMAN:
Then you deny here the things you said:
How he should claim to be called God's son;
And those works that while he walked, he did;
And obediently at our bidding will ever be bound?
PETER:
I consent to your sayings; what should I say more?
Women are crabby, it comes of their kind
But I never have known him - I told you before
As a friend of your fellowship, you'll always me find.
MALCHUS:
Hark you knights of this land that are known as men
How this boy with his boasting has brewed up much bale
He's forsaken his master for yonder women
I'll prove it here openly and tell you my tale.
I was present with the people when the press was full pressed
To meet with his master with main and with might
To hurl him down hard in a hasty arrest
They bitterly bound him in bindings all night.
And it tokens the truth, I will tell you
How this boy with his sword came full near
Now, discuss all these matters among you -
For swiftly, he swiped off my ear!
And his master, with might, then healed me whole
So that so sign remained of where it was stuck
And then bade him peace, whatever his toil
"He who strikes with a sword, with a sword shall be struck."
Let us see whether you grant this your guilt
Do speak on, and spare not to tell us
Or I'll certainly cause you to split
If you don't tell the truth here among us
Come on, do quickly let me see now
Save yourself from shame
Tell all, I know you recognize me now
Speak forth, accept your bearing of the blame
PETER:
I was never with him in the works that he wrought
In word or in work, in will or in deed
I've never known this man you've brought
In any court of this land, it's the truth indeed!
MALCHUS:
Do you hear sirs, how he has forsaken
His master, for these women, twice
Now newly to our law, he's taken
Thus, he has denied him thrice.
JESUS:
Peter, Peter, thus I said ere
When you said you would abide with me
In well and woe, in sorrow and care
While I should thrice forsaken be.
PETER:
Alas, that I ever came in here
That I denied my lord in court
The look of his fair face so clear
With full sad sorrow shears my hear.
3 SOLDIER:
Sir knights, take care of this churl, be clever
On account of Sir Caiaphas - we know well his thought
He'll reward us full well, I warrant this ever
When he learns of these works, how well we have wrought.
4 SOLDIER:
Sir, this is Caiaphas' hall here at hand
Now we'll go bodl with this boy we have brought
3 SOLDIER:
No sirs, we must stalk to this stead, and still stand
For it's night on to midnight - they nap, or they ought.
1 SOLDIER:
Say, who is here?
3 SOLDIER:
I, a friend.
In this land I'm well-known as a knight.
2 SOLDIER:
Go away - on your ways you may wend
We have harboured enough for tonight
1 SOLDIER:
Good sirs, go back - you both are to blame
To bother the bishop when he's bound for bed
4 SOLDIER:
To some worthy welcome now we are came
We went for this warlock, and well we have sped.
2 SOLDIER:
Why? Who is that?
3 SOLDIER:
The Jews' king, Jesus by name.
1 SOLDIER:
Ah! You are welcome, I'll lay a bet
My lord has sent for to seek him
4 SOLDIER:
Lo - see here the same.
2 SOLDIER:
Abide as I bid, there is nothing to dread
My lord, my lord, my lord - here's some sport if you like
CAIAPHAS:
Silence, you fools! Are you nuts?
1 SOLDIER:
My lord, it is better you know
CAIAPHAS:
What? Name us no more, this is twice.
You take no heed to the haste here at hand;
Go find how our folk fare who forth have run.
2 SOLDIER:
Lord, your knights have cared as you did command,
They have fallen full fair.
CAIAPHAS:
Why, is the fool found?
1 SOLDIER:
Yes lord, in a band he's brought bound
CAIAPHAS:
Where is Sir Anna? Let him quickly come near.
ANNAS:
My lord, by your leave, it behoves me be here.
CAIAPHAS:
Ah, sir, come in - let's sit together here.
ANNAS:
Sir, let's bid them to bring in that boy in a band
CAIAPHAS:
Peace now sir Annas; be still - let him stand.
Let's make certain this game is correctly begun.
ANNAS:
Sir, this game is begun of the best
This time he'd no force for to flee them
CAIAPHAS:
Now in faith, I'm glad he's made fast
Lead in the lad: let's see him then.
2 SOLDIER:
Sir, we have spoken with our sovereign:
Go now and see him yourself of this thing.
3 SOLDIER:
My lord, all your bidding, willingly we'll obey;
Lo, here we've brought whom you bade us to bring.
4 SOLDIER:
My lord, he's all yours to correct.
CAIAPHAS:
Now I'm happy again!
Fellows, may fair befall you for finding.
ANNAS:
Lord, if you trust they are true without tricks,
Bid them tell you the tale of the taking.
CAIAPHAS:
Say fellows, how'd you nab him so nimbly by night?
3 SOLDIER:
My lord, there was no man to prevent or pursue us.
4 SOLDIER:
My lord, we had lanterns and light,
And some of his company knew us.
ANNAS:
But how did he do, this - Judas?
3 SOLDIER:
Ah, sir - full wisely and well.
He marked out his master among all his men,
And kissed him full kindly - his comfort to kill,
As a sign to identify him from all those men.
CAIAPHAS:
Thus he did his duty?
4 SOLDIER:
Yes lord, the whole of the deal.
He told us to take him sometime after ten.
ANNAS:
Now, by my faith, a faint friend must he feel!
3 SOLDIER:
Sir, you'd have said so yourself, if you'd seen him then.
4 SOLDIER:
He set us on the same whom he'd sold us,
And feigned to be friendly, the faker,
Just as the token he told us.
CAIAPHAS:
That was truly the trick of a traitor.
ANNAS:
Yeah - but whether traitor or true, we don't care at all;
Let's attend at this time and hear what he'll tell.
CAIAPHAS:
See that all of our household is held in this hall;
Let none carp on this case unless in court they dwell.
3 SOLDIER:
Ah lord, this scoundrel has stirred up much bale.
CAIAPHAS:
Therefore we shall speed us to inquire of his spells.
Sir Annas, take heed now and hear him.
ANNAS:
Say lad - not inclined to bow to a lord?
4 SOLDIER:
No sir - by your leave, we shall teach him.
CAIAPHAS:
Nay sir, there's no haste, not so fast;
It's not sporting to beat beasts who are bound.
And therefore in fairness, first we shall test
Further, then deal with whatever is found.
Now truthfully, tell us some tales we can trust.
ANNAS:
Sir, we might as well talk to an empty old round;
I warrant he's witless; his brain's in a twist,
Or he thinks, on release, that his old songs he'll sound.
3 SOLDIER:
His old way was always to work much woe,
And make many masteries among us.
CAIAPHAS:
And some he shall grant, before he shall go,
Or else you'll attend him and tell us.
4 SOLDIER:
My lord, to wit, the wonders he's wrought,
To tell you the tenth, it would our tongues tear.
CAIAPHAS:
Since the boy, for his boasting, is into bale brought,
We will know, ere he goes, just how his works were.
3 SOLDIER:
Our Sabbath, we say, he celebrates not,
Which he ought to hallow and hold very dear.
4 SOLDIER:
No Sir, in that feast, when we this sot sought,
From several sides he healed sickness severe!
CAIAPHAS:
What, so he sets them all gracefully going?
3 SOLDIER:
Yea Lord, they go forth from every town,
He heals them to life who have languished so long
CAIAPHAS:
Ah, this he must make by the might of Mahound!
4 SOLDIER:
Sir, our stiff temple there, made out of stone,
Surpassing all palaces priceless in praise,
If thrown to the earth and to the ground gone,
This ribald has bragged that he'd rapidly raise!
3 SOLDIER:
Yes, and many another great wonder he's done,
And with his loud lying he's threatening our ways.
CAIAPHAS:
Go loose him, and leave then, and let me alone,
I shall search him myself and hear what he says.
ANNAS:
Hark Jesus of Jews: we will have joy
To spoil all your sport for those speeches.
CAIAPHAS:
Name forth fellow, the friends that fed you before,
And then, fellow, of your further fare I shall find;
Go on! Name them lightly! His language is lorn.
3 SOLDIER:
My Lord, by your leave, this man likes to lie;
If he escapes us unscathed, we shall all come to scorn,
For he's mustered among us many men of like mind.
4 SOLDIER:
Malchus, your man, Lord, who had his ear shorn,
This harlot full hastily healed it again!
CAIAPHAS:
What? And now he's as still as the stones,
And he hears how I try to entreat him?
ANNAS:
Now, by Belial's blood and his bones,
The best thing to do is go beat him.
CAIAPHAS:
Nay sir, no haste, we'll have games ere we go;
Boy, be not aghast at our merry way.
I conjure you kindly and command it also:
By great God that is living, and last shall for aye,
If you are Christ and God's son, say it is so.
JESUS:
Sir, you said it yourself: now truly I say
That I came from my Father; to him I shall go,
And worthily with Him in wealth dwell always.
CAIAPHAS:
Why, shame on you, trickster untrue!
Your father you've foully defamed!
We now need no further ado;
Himself with his sayings he's shamed.
ANNAS:
There's no need either witness or counsel to call;
Just the speeches he's said in this stead.
He slanders the Godhead and grieves one and all,
And for this he deserves to be dead.
And therefore sir, tell him the truth -
CAIAPHAS:
I certainly shall
Do you hear me, you harlot? Ill hap on your head!
Answer directly to great and to small,
And give explanation for what you have said.
JESUS:
My words I don't need to rehearse,
And they who might help me are not here now.
ANNAS:
Say lad, do you like to make verse?
Do tell on forthwith, let us hear now.
JESUS:
If I tell you the truth, sir, you shall not assent,
But hurt me, or haste me to be hung.
I preached where the people themselves did present,
And never in secret, to old and to young;
Also, in your temple, I told my intent.
You might well have taken me then for my telling:
Much better than sneaking with torches unspent
To annoy me by night, and thus also for nothing.
CAIAPHAS:
For nothing? You loser, you lie!
Your words and your works are for punishment seeking.
JESUS:
Sir, since myself you so wrongly betray,
Go ask them who heard of my speaking.
CAIAPHAS:
Ah! This traitor has taxed me with the tales he has told;
I never yet had such scorn from a harlot like he
1 SOLDIER:
What? Shame on you, beggar! Who made you so bold
As to mock at our bishop? Your bane I shall be!
JESUS:
Sir, if my words were wrong, or worse than you would,
A false witness I know you to be;
And if my words are true, then they'll sorely be sold,
For you mock me too broadly so you can beat me.
2 SOLDIER:
My Lord, will you hear? By Mahound,
To go further now, there's no need.
CAIAPHAS:
Go address you and ding him on down,
And deafen me not with his deeds.
ANNAS:
Nay sir, then you blemish your prelate's estate;
You ought to deem no man to death for to ding.
CAIAPHAS:
Why? It's better than being in debate;
You see the boy will not bow to our bidding.
ANNAS:
Now must you send him to Sir Pilate,
For he is the doomsman, and next to the King.
Let him hear the whole, and how you him hate,
And see whether he'll help him, or hasten to hang.
1 SOLDIER:
My lord, let men lead him by night,
So shall you escape best from scorning.
2 SOLDIER:
My lord, it is now in the night:
I'd advise that you wait until morning.
CAIAPHAS:
My good man, you say well, and so it shall be -
But teach yonder boy better to bend and to bow.
1 SOLDIER:
We shall teach yonder lad, by my loyalty,
How to honour a lord who is like unto you.
CAIAPHAS:
Yeah, fellows - see that he stays ever waking
2 SOLDIER:
-- yes lord, this warrant will we
It would be futile to bid us to nap now
3 SOLDIER:
For sure now! Do sit, and soon you shall see
How we shall play popsy for this page so proud
4 SOLDIER:
Lo, who will start for a stool?
For I have a hood here to hide him.
1 SOLDIER:
Lo, here is one fit for a fool --
Go get it and sit there beside him.
2 SOLDIER:
Nay, I shall set it myself, and slap him also.
Look, here's a shroud for a shrew, in a suitable shape.
3 SOLDIER:
Play fair together; there's one, and there's two.
I shall fix it and fasten it with a fair flap;
And there's three, and there's four for you.
Say now, with this evil hap,
Who is nearest you now? Not a word, no.
4 SOLDIER:
Beat his head with your fists so that he will not nap.
1 SOLDIER:
Nay, for napping now, there is no need,
Wassail, wassail! I warrant he's waking.
2 SOLDIER:
Yeah, and unless he's got magic indeed,
Such buffets as these he'll be taking.
3 SOLDIER:
Prophet, I say, let us end this debate:
Quis te percussit, man? Advise, if you may.
4 SOLDIER:
These words are wasted! What did you think he'd say?
It seems by his working, his wits are away.
1 SOLDIER:
Now let him stand, as he stood, in a fool's state;
For, my life I dare lay, he likes not this play.
2 SOLDIER:
Sirs, we must present this page to Sir Pilate
But let's go first to Sir Caiaphas, to see what he'll say.
3 SOLDIER:
My Lord, we have played with this boy,
And made him full hot here among us.
CAIAPHAS:
Then heard you some jesting of joy?
4 SOLDIER:
May the devil himself take what words he has sung us.
ANNAS:
Sir, bid that briskly they go and bind him again,
So that he will escape not, for that would bring scorn.
CAIAPHAS:
Do tell to Sir Pilate all we complain;
And say that this lad with his lies our laws would have torn;
And say, this same day that he must be slain,
Because of the Sabbath that comes in the morn;
And say that we're coming ourselves, for certain
For to further this affair; now fare you before.
1 SOLDIER:
My lord, with your leave, we must wend,
Our message to make as we may.
CAIAPHAS:
Sir, your fair fellowship we betake to the fiend!
Go on now, and dance forth in the devil's way.
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