nd to heaven_). Ah! blessed be God that
is but one!
Against Abraham I will be gone
Worshipfully, and then anon,
My office to fulfil,
Will present him with bread and wine,
For, grace of God is him within;
Speeds fast for love mine!
For this is God's will.

_Knight_ (_with a cup_). Sir, here is wine withouten were,[56]
And thereto bread, both white and clear,
To present him in good manere
That so us helped has.

_Melchisedec._ To God, I know he is full dear,
For of all things his prayer
He hath, without danger,
And specially great grace.

_Melchisedec_ (_coming to Abraham and offering him a cup
of wine and bread on a plate_). Abraham, welcome must thou be,
God's grace is fully in thee,
Blessed ever must thou be
That enemies so can make.
I have brought, as thou may'st see,
Bread and wine for thy degree;
Receive this present now from me,
And that I thee beseke.[57]

_Abraham._ Sir king, welcome in good say,
Thy present is welcome to my pay.
God has helped me to-day
Unworthy though I were.
He shall have part of my prey
That I won since I went away.
Therefore to thee thou take it may
The tenth I offer here.

[_He delivers to the King a laden horse._

_Melchisedec._ And your present, sir, take I,
And honour it devoutly,
For much good it may signify
In time that is coming.
Therefore horse, harness, and perye,[58]
As falls to my dignity,
The tithe of it I take of thee,
And receive thy off'ring.

[_Abraham receives the bread and wine, and Melchisedec the laden horse
as tithe from Lot._

_Lot._ And I will offer with good intent
Of such goods as God hath me sent
To Melchisedec here present,
As God's will is to be.
Abraham, my brother, offered has;
And so will I with God's grace:
This royal cup before your face,
Receive it now of me.

[_Lot offers the wine and bread, which Melchisedec receives._

_Melchisedec._ Sir, your off'ring welcome is,
And well I know forsooth, I wis,
That fully God's will it is
That is now done to-day.
Go we together to my city,
And now God heartily thank we
That helps us aye through his postye,[59]
For so we full well may.

_Expositor_ (_riding_). Lordings, what may this signify,
I will expound openly
That all, standing hereby,
May know what this may be.
This off'ring, I say verament,[60]
Signifieth the new Testament,
That now is used with good intent
Throughout all Christianity.
In the old law without leasing,[61]
When these