A Medieval Christmas Carol

From: Jokinen, Anniina, ed. "What Tidings Bringest Thou." Luminarium. 26 Nov 2009.

What Tidings Bringest Thou? :: What tydynges bringest thou, messenger, Of Christes birth this Yoles day? :: A babe ys born of hye nature, Is prins of pes & ever shal be. Of hevene & erthe he hath the cure, His lordshyp is eternite. Such wonder tydyngys ye mow here, That man is made now Godys pere, Whom synne hadde made but fendes praye. :: What tydynges bringest, &c. :: A semely syght hit is to se, The berde that hath this babe y-borne Conceyved a lord of hye degre, A maiden as heo was byforne. Such wonder tydyngys ye mow here, That maide & moder is one y-fere, And alwey lady of hye aray. :: What tydynges bringest, &c. :: This maide began to gretyn here childe, Saide: "Haile sone, haile fader dere!" He said: "Haile moder, haile maide mylde." This gretynge was in queynt maner. Such wonder tydyngys ye mow here, Here gretynge was in suche maner Hit turned manys peyne to play. :: What tydynges bringest, &c. :: A wonder thynge is now befalle; That lorde that formed sterres & sunne, Heven & earth & angelys alle, Nowe in mankynde is byginne. Such wonder tydyngys ye mow here, A faunt that is not of o yere, Ever hath y be & shal be ay. :: What tydynges bringest, &c. :: Notes: Yoles day - Yule Day; Christmas Day. hye - high prins of pes - Prince of Peace. Of heven... cure - he has power over heaven and earth. wonder tydyngys - wondrous tidings. mow here - may hear. Godys pere - God's peer. fendes praye - fiend's (Devil's) prey. semely syght hit is to se - pleasing sight it is to see. berde - maiden. hath this babe y-born - has given birth to this child. A maiden as heo was byforne - a virgin, as she was before [bearing the child]. That maide & moder is one y-fere - that maid & mother are one and the same. of hye aray - of great estate; magnificence. queynt - elegant. manes peyne to play - man's punishment (in hell) to enjoyment (in heaven). is now befalle - has now befallen; has happened. sterres - stars. angelys - angels. in mankynde is byginne - is born as man. faunt - infant (from the Fr. "enfant"). not of o yere - not even one year old. Ever hath y be & shal be ay - always has been and always will be.