Sir Pilate, if we might spede
His body for to crave;
I will strive with all my might
For my service to ask that knight,
His body for to grave.[408]

_Nicodemus._ Joseph, I will wend with thee
For to do what is in me
For that body to pray;
For our good-will and our travail
I hope that it may us avail
Hereafterward some day.

_Joseph._ Sir Pilate, God thee save!
Grant me what I crave
If that it be thy will.

_Pilate._ Welcome, Joseph, might thou be,
What so thou askest, I grant it thee
So that it be skill.[409]

_Joseph._ For my long service, I thee pray,
Grant me the body, say me not nay
Of Jesus dead on rood.

_Pilate._ I grant it well if he dead be,
Good leave shalt thou have of me.
Do with him what thou think good.

_Joseph._ Gramercy, sir, of your good grace
That you did grant me in this place.
Go we our way:
Nicodeme, come me forth with,
For I myself shall be the smith
The nails out for to dray.[410]

_Nicodemus._ Joseph, I am ready here
To go with thee with full good cheer
To help with all my might.
Pull forth the nails on either side
And I shall hold him up this tide;
Ah, Lord, how art thou dight!

[_They take down the body._

_Joseph._ Help now, fellow, with all thy might,
That he be wounden[411] and well dight,
And lay him on this bier:
Bear we him forth into the kirk
To the tomb that I gar'd[412] work
Since full many a year.

_Nicodemus._ It shall be so, withouten nay,
He that died on Good Friday,
And crowned was with thorn;
Save you all that now here be
That Lord that thus would dee,
And rose on Pasche[413] morn.

THE CORNISH MYSTERY-PLAY OF THE THREE MARIES

CHARACTERS

The Gardener--Jesus Christ
The Three Maries--
Mary Magdalene
Mary, Mother of James
Mary Salome
First Angel
Second Angel

THE MYSTERY OF THE THREE MARIES

[_Enter Mary Magdalene, and Mary, mother of James._]

_Mary Magdalene._ What shall I do, alas!
My Lord went to the tomb,
To-day is the third day;
Go now see indeed
If he comes and rises,
As he said to me truly.

_Mary, Mother of James._ I will go and see
The body _of him_ who redeemed me with pain,
If it be risen again.
Great comfort he was to us;
That we should have seen his death!
Alas! alas!

[_Enter Mary Salome_

_Mary Salome._ The third day is to-day;
If the body of Christ be risen,
Go to see.
For the torment which he had
Is ever in my heart;
This sorrow does not