Annotations by Mike Cruz, Kevin Nord and Andrea Raines (Spring 1996)
The following translation of "Joseph's Trouble about Mary" is taken from the modernized edition of the original manuscript in York Mystery Plays: A Selection in Modern Spelling. The text has been rendered into an even more modernized version by exchanging difficult words and phrases for the definitions given in the footnotes of that same volume, and also by using more understandable phrasing of our own choosing. We chose to quit with the rhyme and the middle English in almost all cases, because we felt that the play would have more meaning for the audience if we performed it in a language they could understand; however, we tried to keep the words of the angel as close to the ones used in the edition we translated from as possible in order to give the angel a "holy" presence.(i.e.: lines 239-255) The more formal language and what's left of the rhyme gives the angel a separate otherworldliness.
Other changes we made to the script were made to ease the in-class performance. Since we had only three people to perform the play, we chose to make the two maidens of the original text into one maiden. They were basically saying the exact same thing and we decided to eliminate the extra character. It is possible that when Joseph's Trouble about Mary was originally performed the extra maiden was added in order to allow more guild members to be involved in the original productions of the play.
Our revised text and the actual performance emphasized Joseph's frustration and anger for comic effect and many of the changes were made to that effect. Mary's lines were relatively undisturbed for two reasons. One reason is simply that she had so few lines in the first place; they were easy to understand and they were repetitions of her original thought.(lines 92, 148, 157, 167 and 178) Unlike Joseph, Mary's demeanor is calm and composed. She is like the "straight-man" to the very human but hysterical ravings of the confused Joseph.(lines 122-143) We chose this tact to emphasize Mary's faith and to show Joseph's lack of faith. The contrast is a good vehicle for teaching the lesson of faith, especially when Joseph finally believes Mary and is able to reconcile with her and accept her virgin conception.(lines 272-281)
2 And walk full of weariness by the way,
3 For now it seems that the best of my life is past, and as was reasonable,
4 always in ease and rest.
5 For I am of great age,
6 weak and feeble,
7 as each man may see.
8 I can't move quickly nor remain
9 Except in wood or field;
10 For shame what shall I say,
11 In this way, now in my old age
12 I have wedded a young lady to be my wife,
13 And cannot step properly over the threshold.
14 Now lord, how long shall I lead this life?
15 Everyone knows my bones are very heavy
16 and cannot stand in place.
17 Lord, give me guidance and advice
18 Or lead me to death
19 You can best bring an end to my trouble.
20 Now I bitterly curse
21 This way. I went into the temple,
22 that unwedded men should stand
23 all assembled at one time and place.
24 And each held a dead stick high in his hand,
25 And I didn't understand what it meant.
26 Among all others, I chose one,
27 the idea of her flourished fair with flowers spread.
28 And they then said to me
29 that I should pick a wife.
30 I made this bargain there,
31 and I now regret it.
32 Now I am sorely tried
33 Now I realize
34 that I might have always
35 led a single life.
36 Her actions make me weep,
37 I am deceived -- how I know not.
38 My young wife is showing with child,
39 That makes me sorrowful
40 and this disgrace kills me.
41 Furthermore, if any man ask of me
42 how this could have happened
43 and I bother to lie
44 The law stands hard against me
45 To death I would be brought.
46 On the other hand, I am loath to think
47 of my wife with another man,
48 and whichever of these two I endure
49 I may not avoid disgrace.
50 The child certainly is not mine
51 This fact torments me and makes me flee from home.
52 I swear on my life that she is a clean virgin
53 as far as I'm concerned.
54 But I know well through prophecy
55 A virgin maiden should bear a child,
56 but truly, this is not my wife.
57 I know I am deceived.
58 And why wouldn't a young man take her?
59 Surely even I think to go over her
60 In some wild woods
61 and steal from her chastity.
62 God forbid these wild beasts kill her,
63 She is so meek and mild.
64 I will warn no one of my departure
67 Greetings, God be with you here. (to the maiden who appears in the doorway)
Maiden:
68 Welcome by God's dear might.
Joseph:
69 Where is Mary?
Maiden:
70 You must understand Joseph
71 That she is not very far away from you.
72 She sits praying earnestly
73 for you and me, and for anyone in need.
74 I will go and tell her you are here.
75 Stop what you are doing and get up lady
76 Joseph has come home.
Mary:
78 Undoubtedly he has been very dear to me.
79 Joseph, my husband you are welcome.
Joseph:
80 Thank you Mary, tell me how are you
81 Tell me the truth, how are you?
82 Who has been here?
83 Your stomach is big,
84 I think you are pregnant.
85 Ah, maiden, shame on you,
86 Who allowed her to learn such conduct.
Maiden:
87 Joseph, you shall not believe
88 Such poor behaviour of her.
Joseph:
89 Believe she is innocent? Dear girl, enough of this!
90 Her body shows she is with child.
91 Whose is it Mary?
Mary:
92 Sir, God's and yours
Joseph:
93 Oh, no,
94 Now I well know I am being deceived,
95 And for what reason?
96 You were never physically violated by me,
97 And therefore I now reject it.
98 Say, maiden how did this come about?
99 Tell me the truth, counsel me;
100 Unless you do, indeed,
101 you will pay the penalty for this state of affairs.
Maiden:
102 However earnestly you threaten,
103 there is nothing to say about this
104 with any evil deed
105 For I have stayed with her all the time,
106 And was never from her day or night.
107 Her keeper I have been
108 And she's stayed in my sight,
109 Came here no man in the meantime,
110 To touch that young woman so bright.
111 No, here came no man in this place
112 And of that I will testify,
113 Except an angel once each day,
114 With bodily nourishment he fed her;
115 No other came.
116 Therefore I do not know how it could be
117 But through the Holy Ghost alone.
118 I truly trust this,
119 His grace goes with her
120 Because she never did anything wrong
121 Of this I can testify.
122 Then I see well what your meaning is
123 The angel has mad her with child.
124 No, some man with angel's looks
125 With some kind of trick has her deceived,
126 And I trust that.
127 Therefore such wild suggestions are not necessary
128 To tell me deceivingly.
129 Go on, why lie to me so
130 And invent such fantasy?
131 Alas, I am full of sadness
132 For sorrow, why can't I just die?
133 To me this is a woeful circumstance,
134 Reckless I rave, my wits are taken away.
135 I dare look no man in the face,
136 Wretchedly for sorrow, why am I not dead?
137 I hate my life.
138 In temple and in other place
139 Early man will hold me up for scorn.
140 Was never a creature so sad,
141 For grief takes all my thoughts,
142 Alas, why have you done so
143 Mary, my wedded wife?
144 Mary:
145 To my witness great God I call,
146 I who never thought to do anything wrong.
Joseph:
147 Whose is the child you are carrying?
Mary:
148 Yours sir, and the king's of bliss.
Joseph:
149 Really? How then?
151 These women can sure make up excuses
152 But Mary, anyone
153 Can see you behavior is wicked,
154 Your womb gives away the fact
155 That you have slept with a man.
156 Whose is it, as you hope to prosper?
Mary:
157 Sir, it is yours and God's will.
Joseph:
158 No, I have nothing to do with it --
159 Mention it no more, be quiet!
160 You know as well as I,
161 That we two together
162 Never did such evil things physically.
163 Be sure you did no wrong
164 Behind my back, secretly
165 That would violate your virginity.
166 But who is the father? Tell me his name.
Mary:
167 None but yourself
Joseph:
168 Stop, for shame.
169 I never did it; you speak foolishly, woman, as if you were possessed
170 According to you, I must take the blame even though I am innocent
171 Because I never, in word or action,
172 did anything to spoil your virginity,
173 As far as I'm concerned.
174 There is no need for such difficulty as this,
175 Because I would bring the child up as my own,
176 For the sake of peace;
177 Therefore tell me the father, Mary.
Mary:
178 Other than God and you, I know none.
Joseph:
179 Ah, such words make me sorry,
180 With great mourning that makes me moan.
182 That no such tales be told,
183 But keep quiet as stone.
184 You are young and I am old,
185 Even if I were inclined,
186 I am past doing such things.
187 Therefore, tell me in confidence,
188 Whose child are you carrying?
189 Certainly, no one shall know but us,
190 I dread the law as much as you.
Mary:
191 Now great God of his might
192 That may ordain and accomplish all,
193 Meekly to you I bow.
193 Have pity on this weary creature,
194 That in his heart might alight
195 The truth to know and trust.
Joseph:
196 Who took your virginity, Mary?
197 Have you any recollection?
Mary:
198 In truth, I am a pure woman.
Joseph:
199 No, you speak now against nature,
200 Such a thing no man could ever assert.
201 A virgin to be with child?
202 What you say is mad,
203 such a thing does not exist.
Mary:
204 Joseph, you are deceived
205 With sin was I never filed.
206 God's gift in me is seen.
Joseph:
207 God's gift? Yah, Mary, God help!
208 But certainly that child was never ours together.
209 Even when women want help,
Mary:
210 Certainly it is God's gift.
211 I shall never deny that.
Joseph:
212 Yah, Mary, be quiet.
213 I'll continue to question
214 for I don't believe this to be so
215 You have kept the truth from me
216 You cannot hide the child you are bearing
217 But sit still here till I come again,
218 I have to attend to an errand nearby.
Mary:
219 May God go with you
220 And remove your doubt
221 in me, whatever happens.
222 As he is king of bliss,
223 May he send you some proof of this,
224 So that you might know the truth.
Joseph:
225 Now Lord God that all things may
226 At thine own will both do and dress,
227 Inform me now of some easy way
228 To walk here in this wilderness.
229 But before I pass this hill,
230 Do with me what God will,
231 Either more or less,
232 Here I must rest
233 Till I have slept my fill,
234 My heart so heavy it is.
235 Waken, Joseph, and pay more attention
236 To Mary, who is your faithful mate.
237 Ah, I am full weary, sir, let me sleep,
238 I am weary with wandering in this forest.
Angel:
239 Rise up, and sleep no more,
240 You make her heart full sore
241 Who loves thee best.
242 Well, now this is an extraordinary thing
243 For to be followed here and there,
244 And nowhere may I have rest.
245 Say, what are you? Explain yourself.
246 I, am Gabriel, God's angel, to tell the truth.
247 Who has taken Mary into my care.
248 I am sent to bring you a command
249 To stay married.
250 Leave her not, I forbid thee,
251 Nor mention any sin of hers,
252 But go to her now
253 And doubt her no longer,
254 It is a message from God.
255 The child that shall be born of her,
256 It is conceived of the Holy Ghost.
257 All joy and bliss then shall be after,
258 And to all mankind now most of all.
259 Jesus his name thou call,
260 For such fortune shall him fall
261 Of evils and sins all,
262 In which they are now entangled.
Joseph:
263 Angel, do you tell the truth?
Angel:
264 Yes, and take this as a true sign:
265 Go forth to Mary thy faithful wife,
266 Bring her to Bethlehem this very night.
267 There shall be born a child,
268 God's son of heaven is he
269 And a man most of might.
Joseph:
270 Now, Lord God, I am very glad
271 That I have seen this sight.
272 I have never been so light-hearted.
273 For I would have condemned her,
274 and blamed the innocent who was always pure.
275 I must beg her to forgive me.
276 Say Mary, how's it going?
Mary:
277 The better, sir, for seeing you.
278 Why do you stand there? Come near.
Joseph:<P> 279 I would gladly bow
280 And ask forgiveness now,
281 If I thought you would listen to me.
282 Forgiveness sir? Let be, for shame,
283 such words should all good women do without.
284 Yes, but Mary, I am to blame
285 For words some time ago I spoke to you.
286 But now gather together all our possessions, such poor clothes as we wear, and
287 fasten them in a pack. To Bethlehem I must carry it, for women are vexed by little
288 things. Help me up with it.
1Translated from "Joseph's Troubles about Mary." York Mystery Plays: A Selection in Modern Spelling. Eds. Richard Beadle and Pamela M. King. New York: Oxford University Press, 1995, 48-58.