Page:Christmas Carols Ancient and Modern.djvu/166



Worchepe we this holy day, y$t$ all innocentis for vs pray.

Herode y$t$ was both wylde & wode, ful muche he shadde of cristen blode, To sle y$t$ chylde so meke of mode that mary bare, y$t$ clene may.

Mary w$t$ ih̃u forthe yfrawzt, As the angell hur towzt To flee the londe till h$t$ wer' sowzt. To epytte she toke hure way.

Herode sloo w$t$ pryde & synne Thowsands of ij zer' & w$t$ ynne, The body of criste he thozft to wynne, & to destrye the cristen fay.

Now ih̃u y$t$ dyest for vs on the rode, And c$ꝛ$stendest innocents in his blode. By the p̃yer of thy moder gode, Bryng vꝰ to blysse y$t$ lastith ay.