1915] on Music and Poetry 513 j 



6. Saint Stephen. 

 Ancient Ballad. 



Saint Stephen was a clerk | 



In King Herodes hall, ^ 



And served him of bread and cloth 



As ever King befall. \ 



Stephen out of kitchen came, 



With boares head on hand, j 



He saw a star was fair and bright \ 



Over Bethlehem stand. ( 



He kist^ adown the boares head ^ 



And went into the hall : - 

 "I forsake thee King Herod, 



And thy workes all. \ 



" I forsake thee. King Herod, 



And thy workes all ; • 



There is a child in Bethlehem born 1 



Is better than we all." j 



" What aileth thee, Stephen ? \ 



What is the befall ? j 

 Lacketh thee either meat or drink 



In King Herodes hall ? " j 



" Lacketh me neither meat or drink 



In King Herodes hall ; i 



There is a child in Bethlehem born i 



Is better than we all." ; 



" What aileth thee, Stephen ? ■ 



Art thou wode - or thou ginnest to breed ? ^ i 



Lacketh thee either gold or fee | 



Or any riche weed ? " '^ j 



" Lacketh me neither gold or fee, i 



Ne none riche weed ; \ 

 There is a child in Bethlehem born 



Shall helpen us at our need." ; 



" That is al so-^ sooth, Stephen, 



Al so sooth, i-wis,^ -j 



As 'this capon crowe shall ; 



That heth here in my dish." \ 



1 Cast. 2 ;^iad. ' Upbraid. * Dress. « As. « Certainly. 



