3. The Cardmakers' Play: The Creation of Adam and Eve

GOD:	
In Heaven and Earth, the fruit is seen
Of five days' work, until the end.
I have them made by methods clean.
I think the span of time well spent.

In Heaven are angels fair and bright.
Stars and planets their courses go.
The moon shines pale to serve the night;
The sun lights up the day also.

In Earth are trees and grass to spring,
Beasts and birds, both great and small,
Fish in flood.  And everything
Does thrive; they have my blessing, all.

This work is made now, at my will.
But yet, no beast here can I see
Yet suitable in mind and skill
That for my work might honour me.

A perfect work it would be none
If nought were made to give it care.
I made this world for love alone;
My love in it shall now appear.

To keep my creatures, more and less,
A clever beast now will I make
After my shape, and my likeness,
The which shall worship to me make.
	
Of earth, out of the humblest,
I shall make man, and this is why:
For to abate his haughtiness,
His pride, and other faults beside,

And so that he may keep in mind
How humble he is when he is born.
For just as feeble I shall him find
When he does unto dust return.

For this reason and cause alone
I shall make man like unto me.
Rise up, you Earth, in blood and bone;
In the shape of man, I bid you be.

From your left rib, I make a mate
For you, and her to you I send,
So that alone you may not wait
Without a sister and a friend.

Take now here the breath of life;
Receive now both your souls from me.
This woman take now as your wife.
Adam and Eve your names shall be.

ADAM: 		
Ah, Lord, how marvelous is your might!
And that we see on every side,
For here is such a joyful sight,
To see this world so long and wide!

So many things herein I see,
Beasts and birds, both wild and tame,
Yet none is made like unto thee
But we alone.  Loved be your name!

EVE: 		
To such a lord, of such degree,
Be loving, lasting evermore,
That to us such a dignity
Has given, all other things before;

Such wondrous things may we see here
In this great world, so long and broad-
These beasts and birds so many, so dear;
Blessed be he that has us made!

ADAM: 		
Ah, blessed Lord, since we are made
Now at your will, I beg you tell
Us both, my lord, as I you pray,
What shall we do?  And where to dwell?

GOD: 		
For this cause I made you today:
My name to honour everywhere.
Love me, therefore, every day
For this, my work.  I ask no more.

Both wise and clever you shall be,
Now, man, that I have made of nought.
Lordship on Earth now grant I thee,
All things to rule that I have wrought.

In Paradise you both shall dwell;
Of Earthly things you have no need.
You both shall learn of good and ill;
I shall teach you how your lives to lead.

ADAM: 		
Ah, lord, since we shall do nothing
But love you for your great goodness,
We always shall bow to your bidding,
And fulfill each word, both more and less.

EVE: 		
And since his sign is set on us
And sets us from all things apart,
We shall not cease to love him, thus
To honour him, in word and heart.

GOD: 		
With Heaven and Earth I first began,
And six days worked, ere I would rest.
My work is ended now, with man.
All pleases me, but this is best.

My blessing have they from this day.
The seventh day shall my resting be.
Thus will I cease, the truth to say,
From all my work in each degree.

I shall you bring to bliss.
Come forth, you two, with me,
To live in joyfulness.
My blessing with you be.
Amen.

Return to York Pageant List.