SCENE V
The Epiphany.
Handel’s “Largo” is played before curtain rises.
[If this Scene is acted, in previous SceneJosephdoes not cense the manger; andMarydoes not come to front withChild.She only liftsChild,says the words set down. After which Curtain descends.
Before Curtain rises the first verse of the following carol is sung.
I.WWE three Kings of Orient are;[10]Bearing gifts we traverse afarField and fountain, moor and mountain,Following yonder star.Chorus.O star of wonder, star of night,Star with royal beauty bright,Westward leading, still proceeding,Guide us to Thy perfect light.
I.WWE three Kings of Orient are;[10]Bearing gifts we traverse afarField and fountain, moor and mountain,Following yonder star.Chorus.O star of wonder, star of night,Star with royal beauty bright,Westward leading, still proceeding,Guide us to Thy perfect light.
I.WWE three Kings of Orient are;[10]Bearing gifts we traverse afarField and fountain, moor and mountain,Following yonder star.
W
Chorus.O star of wonder, star of night,Star with royal beauty bright,Westward leading, still proceeding,Guide us to Thy perfect light.
[Curtain rises again on same scene as before. But the Manger is not there. In centre back of stage stands a dais, and upon it a tall chair, bare; two unlighted candles stand upon dais. Discovered,MarthaandAbel,seated upon dais.Abelhas book in his hands, reading.Marthais sewing a child’s dress. Lights are high. A silence follows close of carol.
II.Melch.Born a King, on Bethlehem’s plain,Gold I bring to crown Him again,King for ever, ceasing never,Over us all to reign.Chorus.O star of wonder, &c.III.Gasp.Frankincense to offer have I,Incense owns a Deity nigh.Prayer and praising, all men raising,Worship Him, God most High.Chorus.O star of wonder, &c.IV.Balth.Myrrh is mine, its bitter perfumeBreathes a life of gathering gloom;Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying,Sealed in the stone-cold tomb.Chorus.O star of wonder, &c.V.Glorious now behold Him arise,King and God and sacrifice,Alleluia, Alleluia;Earth to the heavens replies.Chorus.O star of wonder, &c.Mar.(looking up).Read it again. (She listens.)Abel(reading).“Lo! Gentiles in Thy LightShall walk; and kings, all in the splendour brightOf this Thy rising. Lift Thine eyes and see!Lo! they are gathered; lo! they come to Thee!Behold, Thy sons and daughters come from far” (pause).And then again ... “From Madian and Epha,From Saba too they come ... a companyOf kings on camels—all shall come to Thee.And myrrh and gold and incense bring with themTo show God’s glory in Jerusalem.” [He looks up.Mar.(meditatively, sewing).Why, ’tis most strange—this ancient prophecy!Surely it stands as plain as plain can be!And yet no kings or camels!Abel(clasping his knees).Martha, dear,How I should love to see them!Mar.Have no fear.’Twill come to pass, if God hath spoken so....Where is our Lady?[She stands up and comes to front(R.).Abel(putting book down).Oh! an hour agoShe went with Jesus in her arms, to seeThe sheepfolds. Joseph and old ZacharyWent with her.Mar.(walking meditatively).Twelve full days have gone and past,And yet no kings or camels.Abel(clasping his knees).Why, how fast’Tis gone.... Why, heaven itself is not more sweet—To look on Jesus!—kiss His hands and feetAnd kneel before our Lady!Mar.Silly boy!Why, thisisheaven!... for all is peace and joyWhere Jesus is. Why now— [EnterDav.,running(R.).Dav.They’s coming in.[Violin begins, off, “Adeste Fideles.”Quick, Martha, quick—the lights![Signs to music.Now then, begin.
II.Melch.Born a King, on Bethlehem’s plain,Gold I bring to crown Him again,King for ever, ceasing never,Over us all to reign.Chorus.O star of wonder, &c.III.Gasp.Frankincense to offer have I,Incense owns a Deity nigh.Prayer and praising, all men raising,Worship Him, God most High.Chorus.O star of wonder, &c.IV.Balth.Myrrh is mine, its bitter perfumeBreathes a life of gathering gloom;Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying,Sealed in the stone-cold tomb.Chorus.O star of wonder, &c.V.Glorious now behold Him arise,King and God and sacrifice,Alleluia, Alleluia;Earth to the heavens replies.Chorus.O star of wonder, &c.Mar.(looking up).Read it again. (She listens.)Abel(reading).“Lo! Gentiles in Thy LightShall walk; and kings, all in the splendour brightOf this Thy rising. Lift Thine eyes and see!Lo! they are gathered; lo! they come to Thee!Behold, Thy sons and daughters come from far” (pause).And then again ... “From Madian and Epha,From Saba too they come ... a companyOf kings on camels—all shall come to Thee.And myrrh and gold and incense bring with themTo show God’s glory in Jerusalem.” [He looks up.Mar.(meditatively, sewing).Why, ’tis most strange—this ancient prophecy!Surely it stands as plain as plain can be!And yet no kings or camels!Abel(clasping his knees).Martha, dear,How I should love to see them!Mar.Have no fear.’Twill come to pass, if God hath spoken so....Where is our Lady?[She stands up and comes to front(R.).Abel(putting book down).Oh! an hour agoShe went with Jesus in her arms, to seeThe sheepfolds. Joseph and old ZacharyWent with her.Mar.(walking meditatively).Twelve full days have gone and past,And yet no kings or camels.Abel(clasping his knees).Why, how fast’Tis gone.... Why, heaven itself is not more sweet—To look on Jesus!—kiss His hands and feetAnd kneel before our Lady!Mar.Silly boy!Why, thisisheaven!... for all is peace and joyWhere Jesus is. Why now— [EnterDav.,running(R.).Dav.They’s coming in.[Violin begins, off, “Adeste Fideles.”Quick, Martha, quick—the lights![Signs to music.Now then, begin.
II.Melch.Born a King, on Bethlehem’s plain,Gold I bring to crown Him again,King for ever, ceasing never,Over us all to reign.
Chorus.O star of wonder, &c.
III.Gasp.Frankincense to offer have I,Incense owns a Deity nigh.Prayer and praising, all men raising,Worship Him, God most High.
Chorus.O star of wonder, &c.
IV.Balth.Myrrh is mine, its bitter perfumeBreathes a life of gathering gloom;Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying,Sealed in the stone-cold tomb.
Chorus.O star of wonder, &c.
V.Glorious now behold Him arise,King and God and sacrifice,Alleluia, Alleluia;Earth to the heavens replies.
Chorus.O star of wonder, &c.
Mar.(looking up).Read it again. (She listens.)
Abel(reading).“Lo! Gentiles in Thy LightShall walk; and kings, all in the splendour brightOf this Thy rising. Lift Thine eyes and see!Lo! they are gathered; lo! they come to Thee!Behold, Thy sons and daughters come from far” (pause).And then again ... “From Madian and Epha,From Saba too they come ... a companyOf kings on camels—all shall come to Thee.And myrrh and gold and incense bring with themTo show God’s glory in Jerusalem.” [He looks up.
Mar.(meditatively, sewing).Why, ’tis most strange—this ancient prophecy!Surely it stands as plain as plain can be!And yet no kings or camels!
Abel(clasping his knees).Martha, dear,How I should love to see them!
Mar.Have no fear.’Twill come to pass, if God hath spoken so....Where is our Lady?[She stands up and comes to front(R.).
Abel(putting book down).Oh! an hour agoShe went with Jesus in her arms, to seeThe sheepfolds. Joseph and old ZacharyWent with her.
Mar.(walking meditatively).Twelve full days have gone and past,And yet no kings or camels.
Abel(clasping his knees).Why, how fast’Tis gone.... Why, heaven itself is not more sweet—To look on Jesus!—kiss His hands and feetAnd kneel before our Lady!
Mar.Silly boy!Why, thisisheaven!... for all is peace and joyWhere Jesus is. Why now— [EnterDav.,running(R.).
Dav.They’s coming in.
[Violin begins, off, “Adeste Fideles.”
Quick, Martha, quick—the lights![Signs to music.Now then, begin.
[Organ takes up Adeste ... with violin.Abelsprings up atDavid’sentrance; runs to side, gets tapers and lights two candles that stand beside chair. He takes one,Dav.takes other.Mar.picks up basket of flowers. All three go to entrance(R.)and wait, facing audience, looking out. Enter(R.)twoAngels,playing violin and zither; thenAngelsbearing instruments of the Passion; thenZach.with spear; then twoShepherdswith spears; then, after slight pause,Mary,cloaked, carryingChild;thenJoseph,and two moreAngelswith swords.Mar.slips in behind twoShepherds,and walks backwards, strewing flowers,AbelandDav.place themselves on either side ofMarywith candles and walk with her. The procession takes curve to front and comes up to chair.Marystands atchair, slips off cloak intoJoseph’shands, and sits. Candles placed by her.Josephstands behind(R.),Angelsgroup themselves at back.Shepherdspass to(L.)front.Mar.,Abel,andDav.seat themselves on dais;Zach.stands by dais(L.);Josephbehind chair(R.).
Zach.Well, children, here we are—come back, you see—Jesus and Joseph both, and Queen Mary,To home in Bethlehem.... How have you spedMeantime while we were gone?Mar.Why, Abel readA little; and I sewed a little.Zach.(lifting book).What is this?Mar.Why, we were reading that—the propheciesOf kings and camels, Uncle, who, they sayShall come to worship Jesus.... Where are they?Zach.Nay, child, but ask our Lady: she knows best.[He signs to her.Mar.Show it her, Abel.[Abeljumps up, opens book, steps on dais, andpoints out passage, first genuflecting.Abel.Here! and all the restThat follows ... here ... and here ... here, do you see?...[Zach.comes and looks over book.Now will you tell us, please, your Majesty?Zach.Nay, let me read it. [He takes book and comes(L.)front.“Gentiles in thy lightShall walk; and kings, all in the splendour brightOf this thy rising. Lift Thine eyes and seeLo! they are gathered ... lo! they come to Thee.Behold Thy sons and daughters come from far.”[Looks atMaryand back.... Why, that would mean that following the starThey come from Orient and from Araby....And yet they come not ... will your Majesty.[Breaks off asMaryturns and looks out(R.).Distant jangled murmur.... Why now, what sound is that? How loud it swellsHigh on the wind!—Why, sure! ’tis camel-bells.
Zach.Well, children, here we are—come back, you see—Jesus and Joseph both, and Queen Mary,To home in Bethlehem.... How have you spedMeantime while we were gone?Mar.Why, Abel readA little; and I sewed a little.Zach.(lifting book).What is this?Mar.Why, we were reading that—the propheciesOf kings and camels, Uncle, who, they sayShall come to worship Jesus.... Where are they?Zach.Nay, child, but ask our Lady: she knows best.[He signs to her.Mar.Show it her, Abel.[Abeljumps up, opens book, steps on dais, andpoints out passage, first genuflecting.Abel.Here! and all the restThat follows ... here ... and here ... here, do you see?...[Zach.comes and looks over book.Now will you tell us, please, your Majesty?Zach.Nay, let me read it. [He takes book and comes(L.)front.“Gentiles in thy lightShall walk; and kings, all in the splendour brightOf this thy rising. Lift Thine eyes and seeLo! they are gathered ... lo! they come to Thee.Behold Thy sons and daughters come from far.”[Looks atMaryand back.... Why, that would mean that following the starThey come from Orient and from Araby....And yet they come not ... will your Majesty.[Breaks off asMaryturns and looks out(R.).Distant jangled murmur.... Why now, what sound is that? How loud it swellsHigh on the wind!—Why, sure! ’tis camel-bells.
Zach.Well, children, here we are—come back, you see—Jesus and Joseph both, and Queen Mary,To home in Bethlehem.... How have you spedMeantime while we were gone?
Mar.Why, Abel readA little; and I sewed a little.
Zach.(lifting book).What is this?
Mar.Why, we were reading that—the propheciesOf kings and camels, Uncle, who, they sayShall come to worship Jesus.... Where are they?
Zach.Nay, child, but ask our Lady: she knows best.[He signs to her.
Mar.Show it her, Abel.[Abeljumps up, opens book, steps on dais, andpoints out passage, first genuflecting.
Abel.Here! and all the restThat follows ... here ... and here ... here, do you see?...[Zach.comes and looks over book.Now will you tell us, please, your Majesty?
Zach.Nay, let me read it. [He takes book and comes(L.)front.“Gentiles in thy lightShall walk; and kings, all in the splendour brightOf this thy rising. Lift Thine eyes and seeLo! they are gathered ... lo! they come to Thee.Behold Thy sons and daughters come from far.”[Looks atMaryand back.... Why, that would mean that following the starThey come from Orient and from Araby....And yet they come not ... will your Majesty.[Breaks off asMaryturns and looks out(R.).Distant jangled murmur.... Why now, what sound is that? How loud it swellsHigh on the wind!—Why, sure! ’tis camel-bells.
[Maryremains passive, smiling. All others look out eagerly(R.).Sound comes nearer, footsteps, bells, murmur of voices. Children spring up.Angelscontinually look atChild.
Dav.(excitedly, pointing).Oh! look! the camels—see how slow they wind.Look! look! Here are the kings! and there behindThe servants follow ... See, they’re coming ... See!...Now they are stopping! Oh! I’m glad that weWere here to see it!... Now they’re kneeling down—The camels, at the door—and all the townIs out to see them.Abel(pointing).Look! they’re taking outThe bundles and the gold; and all aboutThe people crowding.... Why! how grand they are!Dav.(pointing).Oh look! look at that sceptre!... Grander farThan Herod’s.Abel(pointing).And the crowns! Why, that’s the goldIsaias told us of.Dav.Why, look how oldThat first one is.Abel.(A little frightened, taking holding ofMartha.)Oh, Martha, stand by me.(ToMary.) They’re coming up the steps, your Majesty.[Marymakes gesture toZach.to goR.Zach.stepsR.Knocking.Zach.Yes, sir; and who are you?Gaspar(without).[He speaks slowly and gravely.We come from far,Led by the shining of a splendid star.Our names are Gaspar, Melchior, Balthasar.Zach.Whom do ye seek?Gasp.We seek a new-born King,To bring Him gold, and every precious thingThat kings should have.Zach.And is that all?Gasp.Nay, nay;We bring Him myrrh; for He shall die one day.Zach.What? He shall die?...[He glances at Mary.And is that all?Gasp.Why, no,It is not all; for all men here belowShall die. But God our Lord shall rise from thence,And therefore do we bring Him frankincense. [Pause.Zach.(very slowly and impressively).And is that all?Gasp.Nay. As is meet and right,We bring our darkness to His Heavenly Light.Our ignorance to The Wise; our sicknessesTo Him for health; our sins to His Righteousness.Aye; all our nature, ringed about with HellAnd Heathendom to Him, the King of Israel.Zach.(making gesture of welcome).Come in, then, since ye know these mysteries;For here He dwells, and this His Palace is.
Dav.(excitedly, pointing).Oh! look! the camels—see how slow they wind.Look! look! Here are the kings! and there behindThe servants follow ... See, they’re coming ... See!...Now they are stopping! Oh! I’m glad that weWere here to see it!... Now they’re kneeling down—The camels, at the door—and all the townIs out to see them.Abel(pointing).Look! they’re taking outThe bundles and the gold; and all aboutThe people crowding.... Why! how grand they are!Dav.(pointing).Oh look! look at that sceptre!... Grander farThan Herod’s.Abel(pointing).And the crowns! Why, that’s the goldIsaias told us of.Dav.Why, look how oldThat first one is.Abel.(A little frightened, taking holding ofMartha.)Oh, Martha, stand by me.(ToMary.) They’re coming up the steps, your Majesty.[Marymakes gesture toZach.to goR.Zach.stepsR.Knocking.Zach.Yes, sir; and who are you?Gaspar(without).[He speaks slowly and gravely.We come from far,Led by the shining of a splendid star.Our names are Gaspar, Melchior, Balthasar.Zach.Whom do ye seek?Gasp.We seek a new-born King,To bring Him gold, and every precious thingThat kings should have.Zach.And is that all?Gasp.Nay, nay;We bring Him myrrh; for He shall die one day.Zach.What? He shall die?...[He glances at Mary.And is that all?Gasp.Why, no,It is not all; for all men here belowShall die. But God our Lord shall rise from thence,And therefore do we bring Him frankincense. [Pause.Zach.(very slowly and impressively).And is that all?Gasp.Nay. As is meet and right,We bring our darkness to His Heavenly Light.Our ignorance to The Wise; our sicknessesTo Him for health; our sins to His Righteousness.Aye; all our nature, ringed about with HellAnd Heathendom to Him, the King of Israel.Zach.(making gesture of welcome).Come in, then, since ye know these mysteries;For here He dwells, and this His Palace is.
Dav.(excitedly, pointing).Oh! look! the camels—see how slow they wind.Look! look! Here are the kings! and there behindThe servants follow ... See, they’re coming ... See!...Now they are stopping! Oh! I’m glad that weWere here to see it!... Now they’re kneeling down—The camels, at the door—and all the townIs out to see them.
Abel(pointing).Look! they’re taking outThe bundles and the gold; and all aboutThe people crowding.... Why! how grand they are!
Dav.(pointing).Oh look! look at that sceptre!... Grander farThan Herod’s.
Abel(pointing).And the crowns! Why, that’s the goldIsaias told us of.
Dav.Why, look how oldThat first one is.
Abel.(A little frightened, taking holding ofMartha.)Oh, Martha, stand by me.(ToMary.) They’re coming up the steps, your Majesty.[Marymakes gesture toZach.to goR.Zach.stepsR.Knocking.
Zach.Yes, sir; and who are you?
Gaspar(without).[He speaks slowly and gravely.We come from far,Led by the shining of a splendid star.Our names are Gaspar, Melchior, Balthasar.
Zach.Whom do ye seek?
Gasp.We seek a new-born King,To bring Him gold, and every precious thingThat kings should have.
Zach.And is that all?
Gasp.Nay, nay;We bring Him myrrh; for He shall die one day.
Zach.What? He shall die?...[He glances at Mary.And is that all?
Gasp.Why, no,It is not all; for all men here belowShall die. But God our Lord shall rise from thence,And therefore do we bring Him frankincense. [Pause.
Zach.(very slowly and impressively).And is that all?
Gasp.Nay. As is meet and right,We bring our darkness to His Heavenly Light.Our ignorance to The Wise; our sicknessesTo Him for health; our sins to His Righteousness.Aye; all our nature, ringed about with HellAnd Heathendom to Him, the King of Israel.
Zach.(making gesture of welcome).Come in, then, since ye know these mysteries;For here He dwells, and this His Palace is.
[He goes across again(L.)genuflecting. Children stand back, staring. Enter, slowly,Gaspar,Melchior,andBalthasar,followed by two servants with bundles, &c. The three come down(R.)and stand facing towardsMary;they bow profoundly.Marybows back.
Gasp.(courteously).That is our Lady?Zach.Yes.Melch.And that her Son,The King of Kings?Zach.Yes, sir.Melch.(clasping his hands).Oh! well begunWas this our journey.Balt.And well ended too.(ToMary.) Hail, Mary, full of grace![He bows to her again.Melch.The Lord in truthIs with her! In her arms, in very sooth!
Gasp.(courteously).That is our Lady?Zach.Yes.Melch.And that her Son,The King of Kings?Zach.Yes, sir.Melch.(clasping his hands).Oh! well begunWas this our journey.Balt.And well ended too.(ToMary.) Hail, Mary, full of grace![He bows to her again.Melch.The Lord in truthIs with her! In her arms, in very sooth!
Gasp.(courteously).That is our Lady?
Zach.Yes.
Melch.And that her Son,The King of Kings?
Zach.Yes, sir.
Melch.(clasping his hands).Oh! well begunWas this our journey.
Balt.And well ended too.(ToMary.) Hail, Mary, full of grace![He bows to her again.
Melch.The Lord in truthIs with her! In her arms, in very sooth!
[Maryholds outChild.Zach.makes a sign to them. They bow again profoundly as “Adeste” begins to be played, then, one by one, they go up in order. Each genuflects before dais, then, kneeling on dais, kiss theChild’sfoot andMary’shand; then each retires back toR.front and kneels once more. Music ends.Gasparlifts two crowns fromServant’stray, and holds them out; then sceptre.
Gasp.Here be two crowns of gold for Him and Thee;And here a sceptre all of gems.Melch.(leaning forward with censer boat).For meI bring sweet frankincense.Balt.(leaning forward with casket).And I but myrrhTo offer here.... Lord Joseph, give them her.
Gasp.Here be two crowns of gold for Him and Thee;And here a sceptre all of gems.Melch.(leaning forward with censer boat).For meI bring sweet frankincense.Balt.(leaning forward with casket).And I but myrrhTo offer here.... Lord Joseph, give them her.
Gasp.Here be two crowns of gold for Him and Thee;And here a sceptre all of gems.
Melch.(leaning forward with censer boat).For meI bring sweet frankincense.
Balt.(leaning forward with casket).And I but myrrhTo offer here.... Lord Joseph, give them her.
[Josephadvances, takes crowns, genuflects, places them on dais, then the casket, finally the censer, into which he puts incense; he kneels; all kneel. He censes throne with three double swings. He stands, genuflects, and goes back.Gasparturns to tray, lifts a cope, still kneeling.Melchiortakes a little silk robe.
Gasp.Will not my Lady take a gift or twoOf silk and satin, broidered through and throughWith jewels?Melch.And a many-coloured dressFit for the Little King of Righteousness.
Gasp.Will not my Lady take a gift or twoOf silk and satin, broidered through and throughWith jewels?Melch.And a many-coloured dressFit for the Little King of Righteousness.
Gasp.Will not my Lady take a gift or twoOf silk and satin, broidered through and throughWith jewels?
Melch.And a many-coloured dressFit for the Little King of Righteousness.
[Josephsteps forward, takes the gifts, and lays them atMary’sfeet. ThenAbelsteps forward withMartha.
Abel(toGasp.).Will you not speak for us?Mar.Some word to tellTo Jesus, for to show we love Him well?We—and the people here[Signs to audience.Who have no goldNor myrrh nor frankincense; yet, young and oldAlike, desire to show that for their partsThey love their Infant King with all their hearts.Zach.Aye, speak, King Gaspar, at this holy tideFor us who have no gold—and all poor folks beside.
Abel(toGasp.).Will you not speak for us?Mar.Some word to tellTo Jesus, for to show we love Him well?We—and the people here[Signs to audience.Who have no goldNor myrrh nor frankincense; yet, young and oldAlike, desire to show that for their partsThey love their Infant King with all their hearts.Zach.Aye, speak, King Gaspar, at this holy tideFor us who have no gold—and all poor folks beside.
Abel(toGasp.).Will you not speak for us?
Mar.Some word to tellTo Jesus, for to show we love Him well?We—and the people here[Signs to audience.Who have no goldNor myrrh nor frankincense; yet, young and oldAlike, desire to show that for their partsThey love their Infant King with all their hearts.
Zach.Aye, speak, King Gaspar, at this holy tideFor us who have no gold—and all poor folks beside.
[Gasparrises, looks at audience, then back toMary.Then suddenly and fervently speaks. His voice rises in tone and force as he speaks, till he ends passionately.
Gasp.Why, yes; the greatest gift is yet ungiven,For He, who for our sake came down from Heaven,Has all already. For His glory fillsThe earth: the cattle on a thousand hills,The birds, the beasts, the fishes; gold and gem,Ivory of Ophir—all are His; for themHe made, and they are His.[Stretches arms.So we entreatTo offer here before His holy feetThat which alone He asks of us—the loveFor whose poor sake He came here from above,Since we, as best we can, have played our parts,[He kneels, stretches hands. All kneel with him.Oh!Jesus,Mary,Joseph, take our hearts.ToJesus,Mary,Joseph, wondrous three,All glory, praise, and honour endless beFrom men and angels now and through eternity.
Gasp.Why, yes; the greatest gift is yet ungiven,For He, who for our sake came down from Heaven,Has all already. For His glory fillsThe earth: the cattle on a thousand hills,The birds, the beasts, the fishes; gold and gem,Ivory of Ophir—all are His; for themHe made, and they are His.[Stretches arms.So we entreatTo offer here before His holy feetThat which alone He asks of us—the loveFor whose poor sake He came here from above,Since we, as best we can, have played our parts,[He kneels, stretches hands. All kneel with him.Oh!Jesus,Mary,Joseph, take our hearts.ToJesus,Mary,Joseph, wondrous three,All glory, praise, and honour endless beFrom men and angels now and through eternity.
Gasp.Why, yes; the greatest gift is yet ungiven,For He, who for our sake came down from Heaven,Has all already. For His glory fillsThe earth: the cattle on a thousand hills,The birds, the beasts, the fishes; gold and gem,Ivory of Ophir—all are His; for themHe made, and they are His.[Stretches arms.So we entreatTo offer here before His holy feetThat which alone He asks of us—the loveFor whose poor sake He came here from above,Since we, as best we can, have played our parts,[He kneels, stretches hands. All kneel with him.Oh!Jesus,Mary,Joseph, take our hearts.ToJesus,Mary,Joseph, wondrous three,All glory, praise, and honour endless beFrom men and angels now and through eternity.
[Music of “Adeste Fideles” instantly begins, ff.; the curtain comes down; then rises again to showMarycoped and crowned; then after one chord all begin to sing—all on their knees. At end of first verseGasparrises, thenMelchior,Balthasar,Zachary,Two Shepherds,Abel,Martha,David,Servants,Angels—each one by one comes up, genuflects at dais, and kisses theChild’sfoot andMary’shand. MeantimeJoseph,kneeling at side, censes them. At end of last chorus, as last line begins,Marystands, and as she makes Sign of Cross withChild,all cross themselves.
Curtain.
The three kings on camels and the star.