Christmas Carols, Ancient and Modern/De innocentibus
DE INNOCENTIBUS.
Worchepe we this holy day,
yt all innocentis for vs pray.
Herode yt was both wylde & wode,
ful muche he shadde of cristen blode,
To sle yt chylde so meke of mode
that mary bare, yt clene may.
Mary wt ih̃u forthe yfrawzt,
As the angell hur towzt
To flee the londe till ht wer' sowzt.
To epytte she toke hure way.
Herode sloo wt pryde & synne
Thowsands of ij zer' & wt ynne,
The body of criste he thozft to wynne,
& to destrye the cristen fay.
Now ih̃u yt dyest for vs on the rode,
And cꝛstendest innocents in his blode.
By the p̃yer of thy moder gode,
Bryng vꝰ to blysse yt lastith ay.