So Laughing In Lap Laid

Words: Temp. Henry VII and VIII

Source: Edith Rickert, Ancient English Christmas Carols: 1400-1700 (London: Chatto & Windus, 1914), pp. 63-4.

"Quid petis, O Fili?"
Mater dulcissima ba ba:
"Quid petis, O Fili?"
Michi plausus oscula da da!"

1. So laughing in lap laid,
So prettily, so pertly,
So passingly well apaid,¹
Full softly and full soberly,
Unto her sweet Son she said:
    "Quid petis, O Fili?"
    Mater dulcissima ba ba:
    "Quid petis, O Fili?"
    Michi plausus oscula da da!"

2. The mother full mannerly and meekly as a maid,
Looking on her little Son so laughing in lap laid,
So prettily, so pertly, so passingly wel apaid,
So passingly well apaid,
Full softly and full soberly,
Unto her Son she said:
    "Quid petis, O Fili?"
    Mater dulcissima ba ba:
    "Quid petis, O Fili?"
    Michi plausus oscula da da!"

3. I mean this by Mary, our Maker's mother of might,
Full lovely looking on our Lord, the Lantern of light,
Thus saying to our Saviour, this saw I in my sight;
This reason that (I) rede in now, I rede it full right.
    "Quid petis, O Fili?"
    Mater dulcissima ba ba:
    "Quid petis, O Fili?"
    Michi plausus oscula da da!"

4. Musing on her manners so, my word was my main,
Save it pleased me so passingly that past was my pain;
Yet softly to her sweet Son methought I heard her sayn:
"Now gracious God, and good sweet Babe, yet once again this game.
    "Quid petis, O Fili?"
    Mater dulcissima ba ba:
    "Quid petis, O Fili?"
    Michi plausus oscula da da!"

Note:

1. Pleased. Return

Rickert provides the following translation:

The question marks were provided by Rickert.   

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