I shall you tell this ylke nyght
For Saint Stephen
Words and
Music: Middle English Traditional
British
Museum. MS. Egerton 3307. XV Cent.
Source: Lost.
This carol requires the installation of the "Junicode"
font
for best display.
You can obtain a copy of this font from
Old English
at the University of Virginia, or right click
here, and
then select "Save File As" to save a copy of the zipped file to your computer.
See notes in F A Q.
Note: Because Middle English contains letters not found in modern English, I've used a special font, "Junicode" created by Professor Peter S. Baker, Professor of English, University of Virginia on some pages. I will note on the individual carol's page which ones need this font. You can obtain a copy of this font from his website Old English at the University of Virginia (select "Windows TrueType," or right click here, and then select "Save File As" to save a copy of the zipped file to your computer). This font must be downloaded and installed before these pages will display accurately.
I
Shall you tell this ylke nyght
(Retyped in Old
Blackletter)
The Holy Marter Steven We Pray (Richard Greene)
(Initial stanzas missing from source?)
Blessyd Stephan we the praye
Pro nobis preces funde
I shall you tell this ylke nyght
Of saynt Stephan goddes knyght
He tolde the Jewes that it was ryght
That Cryst was borne of a mayde
Blessyd Stephan. etc.
Then sayd the Jewes ẁ[ith] grete scorne
That goddes sone myght not be borne
Stephan sayd ƿe be forlorne
And all that byleueth on that lay
Blessyd Stephan. etc.
This Stephen whan he was most þfyte
In Crystes lawe illumynate
The Jewes hym toke with grete dyspyte
Without the towne to lapidate
Blessyd Stephan. etc.
The cursyd Jewes at the last
Stones at Stephan they gan cast
They bette hym and bounde hym fast
And made his body in foule aray
Blessyd Stephan. etc.
(Concluding stanzas missing from source)
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