18. HAEST UW O HERDERKENS
Haest uw, o Herderkens, comt uyt den Stal, Siet de dry Coninghen met groot ghetal, Comen dit Kintjen aenbidden? Siet, de Sterre blijft staen recht boven den stal, De Kemels knielen r'naest hem al. Men bereyt tot offerhand', Gout, en Wieroock wt rijck mooren Iandt.
Maria neemt Jesus op haeren schoot, De Coninghen die ontdecken haer hooft, Knielen en doen offerhanden, t'Cleyne Kindeken lacht haer vriendelijck aen. Het grabbelt in de goude schael, En met sijn cleyn handeken, Geeft sijnen seghen aen de Coninghen.
Daer naer het Kindeken kreegh grooten dorst, Het keert hem om naer sijns liefs Moeders borst. Siet, het begint daer te suyghen. De dry Coninghen siende t'suyghende kindt, Roepen met vreucht: den Coninck drinckt, en alsoo met blij geschal, Vertrecken haer uyt desen armen stal. | [18] HURRY, O SHEPHERDS
Hurry, o shepherds, come out of your stalls Do you see the Three Kings with their great train Who have come to adore the Child? Behold, the Star stands above the stall. The camels kneel beside Him. Gifts are being prepared, Gold, frankincense and myrrh from the rich Moorish lands
Mary takes Jesus onto her lap, The Kings, baring their heads, Kneel and offer their gifts; The Little Child smiles sweetly at them. He grapes in the golden bowl And with His small hand Gives his blessing to the Kings.
Then the Child feels great thirst And returns to His dear Mother's breast; Behold, he begins to suckle. The Three Kings regard the suckling child And shout with joy: The King drinks. Then with merry fanfares They depart from that poor stall.
Translation © 1997, Peter Lockwood
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