Is. My fair sweet father, I am here,
And make my prayers to the Trinity.

Ab. Rise up, my child, and fast come hither,

My gentle bairn that art so wise, For we two, child, must go together,

And unto my Lord make sacrifice.

Is. I am full ready, my father, lo! Given to your hands, I stand right here,

And whatsoever ye bid me do,

It shall be done with glad cheer,
Full well and fine.

Ab. Ah, Isaac, my own son so dear,
God's blessing I give thee, and mine.

Hold this fagot upon thy back,
And here myself fire shall bring.
Is. Father, all this here will I pack,
I am full fain to do your bidding.

Ab. Ah, Lord of Heaven, my hands I wring,

This child's words all to-wound 12
heart!

Now, Isaac, son, go we our way

my

Unto yon mount, with all our main. Is. Go we, my dear father, as fast as I

may;

To follow you I am full fain,
Although I be slender.

Ab. Ah, Lord, my heart breaketh in twain, This child's words, they be so tender!

Ah, Isaac son, anon lay it down,
No longer upon thy back it hold,
For I must make ready boon 13

To honor my Lord God as I should.

Is. Lo, my dear father, where it is!

To cheer you, alway I draw me near. But, father, I marvel sore at this,

Why that ye make this heavy cheer;

And also, father, ever more dread I: Where is your quick 14 beast that ye should kill?

Both fire and wood we have ready,

But quick beast have we none on this hill.

A quick beast, I wot well, must be dead, Your sacrifice for to make.

Is. Now truly, somewhat, father, ye think, That ye mourn thus more and more. Ab. Ah, Lord of Heaven, thy grace let sink,

For my heart was never half so sore!

Is. I pray you, father, that ye will let me that wit,1 17

Whether shall I have any harm or no. Ab. Iwis, sweet son, I may not tell thee yet,

My heart is now so full of woe.

Is. Dear father, I pray you, hide it not from me,

But some of your thought that ye tell

Therefore do our Lord's bidding,

And when I am dead, then pray for

me.

But, good father, tell ye my mother nothing,

Say that I am in another country dwelling.

Ab.

Ah, Isaac, Isaac, blessed may thou be!

My heart beginneth strongly to rise

To see the blood of thy blessed body! Is. Father, since it may be no other wise, Let it pass over, as well as I.

But, father, ere I go unto my death,
I pray you bless me with your hand.
Ab. Now, Isaac, with all my breath,

21 will is Manly's emen.
dation; MS. plecer.

22 nature.

Ab. Now farewell, my child, so full of grace.

Is. Ah, father, father, turn downward my face!

For of your sharp sword I am ever adread.

Ab. To do this deed I am full sorry, But, Lord, thine hest I will not withstand.

Is. Ah, Father of Heaven, to thee I cry; Lord, receive me into thy hand!

Ab. Lo, now is the time come certain

That my sword in his neck shall bite. Ah, Lord, my heart riseth there-against, I may not find it in my heart to smite! My heart will not now thereto ! Yet fain I would work my Lord's will, But this young innocent lieth so still, I may not find it in my heart him to kill— O Father of Heaven, what shall I do!