WATCHING OF THE SPARROWHAWK 41

that he turned not again, she began to cry, as a thing that had much sorrow and then she turned again, into her cave; and anon the knight died. And since then, hitherwards, might no knight see her, but that he died anon. But when a knight cometh, that is so hardy to kiss her, he shall not die; but he shall turn the damsel into her right form and kindly shape, and he shall be lord of all the countries and isles abovesaid.

THE WATCHING OF THE SPARROWHAWK

AND from thence, men go through little Ermonye. And in that country is an old castle, that stands upon a rock, the which is cleped the Castle of the Sparrowhawk, that is beyond the city of Layays, beside the town of Pharsipee, that belongeth to the lordship of Cruk; that is a rich lord and a good Christian man; where men find a sparrowhawk upon a perch right fair, and right well made; and a fair Lady of Fayrye, that keepeth it. And who that will wake the Sparrowhawk, seven days and seven nights, and as some men say, three days and three nights, without company and without sleep, that fair lady shall give him, when he hath done, the first wish, that he will wish, of earthly things: and that hath been proved often times. And one time befel, that a king of Ermonye, that was a worthy knight and a doughty man and a noble prince, woke that hawk some time; and at the end of seven days and seven nights, the lady came to him and bade him wish; for he had well deserved it. And he answered that he was great lord the now, and well in peace, and had enough of worldly riches; and therefore he would wish none other thing, but the body of that fair lady, to have it at his will. And she answered him, that he knew not what he asked; and said, that he was a fool, to desire that he might not have: for she said, that he should not ask, but earthly thing: for she was no earthly thing, but a ghostly thing. And the lady answered, "Sith that I may not withdraw you from your lewd courage,

I shall give you without wishing, and to all them that shall come of you. Sire King, ye shall have war without peace, and always to the ninth degree, ye shall be in subjection of your enemies; and ye shall be needy of all goods." And never since, neither the King of Ermonye, nor the country, were never in peace, nor they had never since plenty of goods; and they have been since always under tribute of the Saracens. Also the son of a poor man woke that hawk, and wished that he might cheve well, and to be happy to merchandise. And the lady granted him. And he became the most rich and the most famous merchant that might be on sea or on earth. And he became so rich, that he knew not the thousandth part of that he had: and he was wiser, in wishing, than was the king. Also a Knight of the Temple woke there; and wished a purse ever more full of gold; and the lady granted him. But she said him, that he had asked the destruction of their Order; for the trust and the affiance of that purse, and for the great pride, that they should have: and so it was. And therefore look he keep him well, that shall wake: for if he sleep, he is lost, that never man shall see him more. This is not the right way for to go to the parts, that I have named before; but for to see the marvel, that I have spoken of.

Travels of Sir John Mandeville.

CHESTER PLAYS

THE SACRIFICE OF ISAAC

(14TH CENTURY-SPELLING LATER)
God. Abraham, my servante, Abraham.
Abraham. Loe, Lorde, all readye heare I am.
God. Take, Isaake, thy sonne by name,
That thou loveste the best of all,
And in sacrifice offer hym to me
Uppon that hyll their besides thee.
Abraham, I will that soe it be,

For oughte that maye befalle.

THE SACRIFICE OF ISAAC

Abraham. My Lorde, to thee is myne intente

Ever to be obediente.

That sonne that thou to me hast sente,

Offer I will to thee,

And fulfill thy comaundemente,

With hartie will, as I am kente.
Highe God, Lorde omnipotente,
Thy byddinge done shalbe.

My meanye and my children eichone
Lenges at home, bouth all and one,

Save Isaake, my sonne, with me shall gone
To a hill heare besyde.

Heare Abraham, torninge hym to his sonne Isaake, saith:

Make thee readye, my deare darlinge,
For we must doe a littill thinge.

This woode doe on thy backe it bringe,

We maye no longer abyde.

A sworde and fier that I will take;

(Heare Abraham taketh a sworde and fier.)

For sacrafice me behoves to make :
Godes byddinge will I not forsake,
But ever obediente be.

43

Heare Isaake speaketh to his father, and taketh a burne of stickes and beareth after his father, and saieth :

Isaake. Father, I am all readye

To doe your byddinge moste mekelye,
And to beare this woode full beane am I,

As you comaunded me.

Abraham. O Isaake, my darlinge deare,
My blessinge nowe I geve thee heare,
Take up this faggote with good cheare,
And on thy backe it bringe.

And fier with us I will take.

kente=bid. obedient.

meanye household. lenges=abides.

beane=

Isaake. Your byddinge I will not forsake ;

Father, I will never slake

To fulfill your byddinge.

(Heare they goe bouth to the place to doe sacriffice.)

Abraham. Now, Isaake sonne, goe we our waie
To yender mounte, yf that we maye.
Isaake. My deare father, I will asaye
To followe you full fayne.

Abraham, beinge mynded to sleye his sonne Isaake, leiftes up his handes, and saith fowlowinge.

Abraham. O! my harte will breake in three,

To heare thy wordes I have pittye;

As thou wylte, Lorde, so muste yt be,

To thee I wilbe bayne.

Laye downe thy faggote, my owne sonne deare.
Isaake. All readye, father, loe yt is heare.
But whye make you suche heavye cheare?
Are you anye thinge adreade?

Father, yf yt be your will,

Wher is the beaste that we shall kill?
Abraham. Therof, sonne, is non upon this hill,

That I see here in this steade.

Isaake, fearinge leste his ffather would slaye him, saith:
Isaake. Father, I am full sore [affearde]
To see you beare that drawne [swerde]:
I hope for all myddel earde

You will not slaye your childe.

Abraham comfortes his sonne, and saieth :

Abraham. Dreede thee not, my childe, I reade;
Our Lorde will sende of his godheade
Some manner of beaste into this [steade],
Either tame or wilde.

bayne obedient. steade=place.

reade advise.

THE SACRIFICE OF ISAAC

45

Isaake. Father, tell me or I goe

Whether I shalbe harmede or noe.

Abraham. Ah! deare God! that me is woe!

Thou breakes my harte in sunder.

Isaake. Father, tell me of this case

Why you your sorde drawne hase,

And beares yt nacked in this place,
Theirof I have greate wonder.

Abraham. Isaake, sonne, peace, I praie thee
Thou breakes my harte even in three.

Isaake. I praye you, father, leane nothinge from me,
But tell me what you thinke.

Abraham. Ah! Isaake, Isaake, I muste thee kille!
Isaake. Alas! father, is that your will,
Your owine childe for to spill
Upon this hilles brinke ?

Yf I have treasspasede in anye degree,
With a yarde you maye beate me ;
Put up your sorde, yf your wil be,
For I am but a childe.

Abraham. O, my deare sonne, I am sorye
To doe to thee this greate anoye :
Godes commaundmente doe muste I,

His workes are ever full mylde.

Isaake. Woulde God my mother were here with me! Shee woulde kneele downe upon her knee,

Prainge you, father, if yt may be,

For to save my liffe.

Abraham. O! comelye creature, but I thee kille,

I greve my God, and that full ylle;

I may not worke againste his will,
But ever obediente be.

O! Isaake, sonne, to thee I saie,
God hath commaunded me to daye
Sacrifice, this is no naye,

To make of thy bodye.

Isaake. Is yt Godes will I shalbe slayne ?

Abraham. Yea, sonne, it is not for to leane;

yarde=rod.