Quid petis, O fili?

Quid petis, O fili?

Mater dulcissima ba, ba.

O Pater, O fili,

Michi plausus oscula da, da.

The mother, full mannerly,

and meekly as a maid,

Looking on her little son,

so laughing in lap laid,

So prettily, so pertly,

so passingly well apay'd;

Full softly and full soberly

unto her sweet son she said:

Quid petis, O fili?...

I mean this by Mary,

our Maker's mother of might

Full lovely looking on our Lord,

the lantern of light,

Thus saying to our Saviour;

this saw I in my sight;

This reason that I rede you now,

I rede it full right.

Quid petis, O fili?...

Musing on her manners

so nigh marr'd was my main,

Save it pleased me so passingly

that past was my pain;

Yet softly to her sweet son

me thought I heard her sain:

Now gracious God and good sweet babe,

yet once this game again.

Quid petis, O fili?...