ACT I.

Chorusenters and speaks before the curtain.

YeGentles, that come here to watch our play,Put, we beseech you, thought of us away!No standing here have we: in heart we kneel,With, at our hearts, this prayer,—that ye may feelHow in Love’s hands time is a little thing!And so shall Love to-night your senses bringBack to the hills of Bethlehem, the foldWhere shepherds watched their sheep, where angels toldOf peace, goodwill to men, in Christ new-born,By Whom, from Virgin Birth, our flesh goes worn.Also, if we may guide you, ye shall seeThe manger where in great humilityLieth that Babe, the Maker of us all,By Mary’s side, amid the beasts in stall.And ye shall see the coming of the Kings,Led by a star; and Gabriel that bringsUnto St. Joseph, in a dream by night,Word of King Herod’s fear, and counsels flight.So, lastly, ye shall see them rise and go,And the place vacant left. Yet ye shall knowThat Love remains, and that Faith sees it so.So, have ye hope! let Time your trust increase!Hark, I hear music! Christmas comes; ’tis peace!Pastoral music: a shepherd’s voice is heard.‘The world is old, to-night,The world is old;The stars around the foldDo show their light, do show their light.And so they did, and so,A thousand years ago,And so will do, dear love, when you lie cold.’[The curtain opens.Young Shepherd(sings).The world is still, to-night,The world is still;The snow on vale and hillLike wool lies white, like wool lies white.And so it was, and so,A thousand years ago,And so will be, good lads, when we lack will.Watcher.Ay-oh, ay-oh, ay-oh!1st Shepherd.There be good fairies up in air to-night:Come ere a frost so mild with stars so bright?The wind has shut itself in-door again,And all the air be saft like a’ter rain.Watcher.Ay-oh, ay-oh, ay-oh!2nd Shepherd(rising).The sheep be quiet; the dogs have nought to do;The lambs come kind; there haven’t been a eweLost, nor a still one born, this moon, there an’t:A thing I can’t remember, nor I can’t,Since I’ve been shepherd:—that’s nigh forty year.3rd Shepherd.Well, well!4th Shepherd.What star be that’n out yonder there?It’s been a-coming on, night a’ter night,This long time back, but never looked so brightAs ’a do now.Watcher.Ay-oh, ay-oh, ay-oh!4th Shepherd.D’you think stars have a wayOf coming out like, special, when they got summut to say?I’ve often wondered how it is they are:You never seem to get no nearer to a star,—Walk a’ter ’em a mile they still seem just as far.3rd Shepherd.’Tis as God made ’em. Like as they were geese,Go a’ter ’em, and they turns tail and flees;Then you go back, and back they come at you!So as God made ’em’s what they got to do.1st Shepherd.Aye, I don’t doubt the stars lays facts to mind:There’s them as say men’s names be marked and signed,—Writ in the roof up there, for proof that God’s behind.Watcher.Ay-oh, ay-oh, ay-oh!5th Shepherd.You think a star knows what it’s all about,A-blazing for?1st Shepherd.I haven’t got a doubtHe does! That star—now, don’t tell me no moreYou think he don’t know what he’s shining for!Look at him jerking and working, and a-winking and a-blinking;—Well,—that’s him thinking.3rd Shepherd.Well, if he thinks the things God sets him to,Like we poor men, he got enough to do!Watcher.Ay-oh, ay-oh, ay-oh!4th Shepherd.There’s old blind Abe a-looking! Don’t he seemAs if he saw it?2nd Shepherd.Aye! he likes to dreamHe’s won his sight back, tho’ it’s been twelve year gone.Abe, what d’you think you’ve got your eye upon?Abel.A good sight! aye, and a sight as you can’t seeSo well as I. The thought just come to me,While all of you sat talking by my side,Like to the word the prophet prophesied;—And while you talked, the thought o’ it kep’ me dumb:—Shiloh, thinks I,—will I see Shiloh come?And all at once these words were in my head,—What he,—the man whose eyes were open—saidAforetime, ‘I shall see him;—but not now!’Says he, ‘I shall behold him;—but not nigh:‘Out of Jacob there shall come forth a Star,‘And a Sceptre in Israel shall be raised high.’—So he bare witness of things seen afar.And that being told so many years ago,Yet still to come, do surely seem to showHow we be likelier to behold that StarThan he who only spoke o’ it from afar.And in that day, ’tis told, the dumb shall talk,The old shall leap, and the lame man shall walk,And the blind man recover back his sight!3rd Shepherd.Well, well, it may be so! God will do right.1st Shepherd.May we be there to see when that day shows:What it can do for such as we—God knows!Watcher.Ay-oh!...1st Shepherd.Why! who be yon fine gentleman in whiteStepping across the sheepfolds to the right?4th Shepherd.How comes it that his face be lit so bright?3rd Shepherd.The blood pricks in my thumbs;’Tis like a ghost he comes!EnterGabriel.Gabriel.Let nothing you annoy!Behold, I bringGood tidings of great joy:To you a KingThis day is born, to you and all mankind.Even Christ the Lord, to man’s estate resigned.3rd Shepherd.O Lord, O Lord! was ever the like heard tell!Abel.Hold ye your peace, neighbours! he speaks us well.Gabriel.And of that sameLet this be for a sign:In Bethlehem,Cradled amid the kine,A Babe in swaddling-bands ye there shall find.4th Shepherd.Have you no fear? oh, Abel, but you’re blind!Abel.Peace, and give ear! New light shines in my mind.Gabriel.And as a shepherd he shall feedHis flocks, and in his arms shall bearThe lambs, and like a father fairThe ewes with young shall lead.

YeGentles, that come here to watch our play,

Put, we beseech you, thought of us away!

No standing here have we: in heart we kneel,

With, at our hearts, this prayer,—that ye may feel

How in Love’s hands time is a little thing!

And so shall Love to-night your senses bring

Back to the hills of Bethlehem, the fold

Where shepherds watched their sheep, where angels told

Of peace, goodwill to men, in Christ new-born,

By Whom, from Virgin Birth, our flesh goes worn.

Also, if we may guide you, ye shall see

The manger where in great humility

Lieth that Babe, the Maker of us all,

By Mary’s side, amid the beasts in stall.

And ye shall see the coming of the Kings,

Led by a star; and Gabriel that brings

Unto St. Joseph, in a dream by night,

Word of King Herod’s fear, and counsels flight.

So, lastly, ye shall see them rise and go,

And the place vacant left. Yet ye shall know

That Love remains, and that Faith sees it so.

So, have ye hope! let Time your trust increase!

Hark, I hear music! Christmas comes; ’tis peace!

Pastoral music: a shepherd’s voice is heard.

‘The world is old, to-night,The world is old;The stars around the foldDo show their light, do show their light.And so they did, and so,A thousand years ago,And so will do, dear love, when you lie cold.’

‘The world is old, to-night,

The world is old;

The stars around the fold

Do show their light, do show their light.

And so they did, and so,

A thousand years ago,

And so will do, dear love, when you lie cold.’

[The curtain opens.

Young Shepherd(sings).

The world is still, to-night,The world is still;The snow on vale and hillLike wool lies white, like wool lies white.And so it was, and so,A thousand years ago,And so will be, good lads, when we lack will.

The world is still, to-night,

The world is still;

The snow on vale and hill

Like wool lies white, like wool lies white.

And so it was, and so,

A thousand years ago,

And so will be, good lads, when we lack will.

Watcher.

Ay-oh, ay-oh, ay-oh!

1st Shepherd.

There be good fairies up in air to-night:Come ere a frost so mild with stars so bright?The wind has shut itself in-door again,And all the air be saft like a’ter rain.

There be good fairies up in air to-night:

Come ere a frost so mild with stars so bright?

The wind has shut itself in-door again,

And all the air be saft like a’ter rain.

Watcher.

Ay-oh, ay-oh, ay-oh!

2nd Shepherd(rising).

The sheep be quiet; the dogs have nought to do;The lambs come kind; there haven’t been a eweLost, nor a still one born, this moon, there an’t:A thing I can’t remember, nor I can’t,Since I’ve been shepherd:—that’s nigh forty year.

The sheep be quiet; the dogs have nought to do;

The lambs come kind; there haven’t been a ewe

Lost, nor a still one born, this moon, there an’t:

A thing I can’t remember, nor I can’t,

Since I’ve been shepherd:—that’s nigh forty year.

3rd Shepherd.

Well, well!

4th Shepherd.

What star be that’n out yonder there?It’s been a-coming on, night a’ter night,This long time back, but never looked so brightAs ’a do now.Watcher.

What star be that’n out yonder there?

It’s been a-coming on, night a’ter night,

This long time back, but never looked so bright

As ’a do now.

Watcher.

Ay-oh, ay-oh, ay-oh!

4th Shepherd.

D’you think stars have a wayOf coming out like, special, when they got summut to say?I’ve often wondered how it is they are:You never seem to get no nearer to a star,—Walk a’ter ’em a mile they still seem just as far.

D’you think stars have a way

Of coming out like, special, when they got summut to say?

I’ve often wondered how it is they are:

You never seem to get no nearer to a star,—

Walk a’ter ’em a mile they still seem just as far.

3rd Shepherd.

’Tis as God made ’em. Like as they were geese,Go a’ter ’em, and they turns tail and flees;Then you go back, and back they come at you!So as God made ’em’s what they got to do.

’Tis as God made ’em. Like as they were geese,

Go a’ter ’em, and they turns tail and flees;

Then you go back, and back they come at you!

So as God made ’em’s what they got to do.

1st Shepherd.

Aye, I don’t doubt the stars lays facts to mind:There’s them as say men’s names be marked and signed,—Writ in the roof up there, for proof that God’s behind.

Aye, I don’t doubt the stars lays facts to mind:

There’s them as say men’s names be marked and signed,—

Writ in the roof up there, for proof that God’s behind.

Watcher.

Ay-oh, ay-oh, ay-oh!

5th Shepherd.

You think a star knows what it’s all about,A-blazing for?

You think a star knows what it’s all about,

A-blazing for?

1st Shepherd.

I haven’t got a doubtHe does! That star—now, don’t tell me no moreYou think he don’t know what he’s shining for!Look at him jerking and working, and a-winking and a-blinking;—Well,—that’s him thinking.

I haven’t got a doubt

He does! That star—now, don’t tell me no more

You think he don’t know what he’s shining for!

Look at him jerking and working, and a-winking and a-blinking;—

Well,—that’s him thinking.

3rd Shepherd.

Well, if he thinks the things God sets him to,Like we poor men, he got enough to do!

Well, if he thinks the things God sets him to,

Like we poor men, he got enough to do!

Watcher.

Ay-oh, ay-oh, ay-oh!

4th Shepherd.

There’s old blind Abe a-looking! Don’t he seemAs if he saw it?

There’s old blind Abe a-looking! Don’t he seem

As if he saw it?

2nd Shepherd.

Aye! he likes to dreamHe’s won his sight back, tho’ it’s been twelve year gone.Abe, what d’you think you’ve got your eye upon?

Aye! he likes to dream

He’s won his sight back, tho’ it’s been twelve year gone.

Abe, what d’you think you’ve got your eye upon?

Abel.

A good sight! aye, and a sight as you can’t seeSo well as I. The thought just come to me,While all of you sat talking by my side,Like to the word the prophet prophesied;—And while you talked, the thought o’ it kep’ me dumb:—Shiloh, thinks I,—will I see Shiloh come?And all at once these words were in my head,—What he,—the man whose eyes were open—saidAforetime, ‘I shall see him;—but not now!’Says he, ‘I shall behold him;—but not nigh:‘Out of Jacob there shall come forth a Star,‘And a Sceptre in Israel shall be raised high.’—So he bare witness of things seen afar.And that being told so many years ago,Yet still to come, do surely seem to showHow we be likelier to behold that StarThan he who only spoke o’ it from afar.And in that day, ’tis told, the dumb shall talk,The old shall leap, and the lame man shall walk,And the blind man recover back his sight!

A good sight! aye, and a sight as you can’t see

So well as I. The thought just come to me,

While all of you sat talking by my side,

Like to the word the prophet prophesied;—

And while you talked, the thought o’ it kep’ me dumb:—

Shiloh, thinks I,—will I see Shiloh come?

And all at once these words were in my head,—

What he,—the man whose eyes were open—said

Aforetime, ‘I shall see him;—but not now!’

Says he, ‘I shall behold him;—but not nigh:

‘Out of Jacob there shall come forth a Star,

‘And a Sceptre in Israel shall be raised high.’—

So he bare witness of things seen afar.

And that being told so many years ago,

Yet still to come, do surely seem to show

How we be likelier to behold that Star

Than he who only spoke o’ it from afar.

And in that day, ’tis told, the dumb shall talk,

The old shall leap, and the lame man shall walk,

And the blind man recover back his sight!

3rd Shepherd.

Well, well, it may be so! God will do right.

1st Shepherd.

May we be there to see when that day shows:What it can do for such as we—God knows!

May we be there to see when that day shows:

What it can do for such as we—God knows!

Watcher.

Ay-oh!...

1st Shepherd.

Why! who be yon fine gentleman in whiteStepping across the sheepfolds to the right?

Why! who be yon fine gentleman in white

Stepping across the sheepfolds to the right?

4th Shepherd.

How comes it that his face be lit so bright?

3rd Shepherd.

The blood pricks in my thumbs;’Tis like a ghost he comes!

The blood pricks in my thumbs;

’Tis like a ghost he comes!

EnterGabriel.

Gabriel.

Let nothing you annoy!Behold, I bringGood tidings of great joy:To you a KingThis day is born, to you and all mankind.Even Christ the Lord, to man’s estate resigned.

Let nothing you annoy!

Behold, I bring

Good tidings of great joy:

To you a King

This day is born, to you and all mankind.

Even Christ the Lord, to man’s estate resigned.

3rd Shepherd.

O Lord, O Lord! was ever the like heard tell!

Abel.

Hold ye your peace, neighbours! he speaks us well.

Gabriel.

And of that sameLet this be for a sign:In Bethlehem,Cradled amid the kine,A Babe in swaddling-bands ye there shall find.

And of that same

Let this be for a sign:

In Bethlehem,

Cradled amid the kine,

A Babe in swaddling-bands ye there shall find.

4th Shepherd.

Have you no fear? oh, Abel, but you’re blind!

Abel.

Peace, and give ear! New light shines in my mind.

Gabriel.

And as a shepherd he shall feedHis flocks, and in his arms shall bearThe lambs, and like a father fairThe ewes with young shall lead.

And as a shepherd he shall feed

His flocks, and in his arms shall bear

The lambs, and like a father fair

The ewes with young shall lead.

EnterAngels.

Angels.

Gabriel.Ye holy and humble men of fearful heart,Be not afraid with these to take your part!To-night God gives you sight; then be not blind;Behold with us the high celestial mind!Ye also with one voice must here rejoice.1st Shepherd.We be poor mortals! Here’s all Heaven in sight!Gabriel.The Heavens themselves are joined with earth to-night.Fear not, but rise! Mercy and Truth are met;And Righteousness on Peace her seal hath set.Stand and be strong,Ye, too, shall share our song!Semi-Chorus.Glory to God; on earth, peace, goodwill!He smites with His rod, and the waters are still;He maketh it bud for the evil and good,He lifts the low valley and bends the high hill.Semi-Chorus.Thou Christ art the Rod, and Thy reign shall be peace!At the power of Thy nod, all warfare shall cease.The desert shall blossom and be as the rose,When the Healing of nations from Bethlehem flows.

Gabriel.

Ye holy and humble men of fearful heart,Be not afraid with these to take your part!To-night God gives you sight; then be not blind;Behold with us the high celestial mind!Ye also with one voice must here rejoice.

Ye holy and humble men of fearful heart,

Be not afraid with these to take your part!

To-night God gives you sight; then be not blind;

Behold with us the high celestial mind!

Ye also with one voice must here rejoice.

1st Shepherd.

We be poor mortals! Here’s all Heaven in sight!

Gabriel.

The Heavens themselves are joined with earth to-night.Fear not, but rise! Mercy and Truth are met;And Righteousness on Peace her seal hath set.Stand and be strong,Ye, too, shall share our song!

The Heavens themselves are joined with earth to-night.

Fear not, but rise! Mercy and Truth are met;

And Righteousness on Peace her seal hath set.

Stand and be strong,

Ye, too, shall share our song!

Semi-Chorus.

Glory to God; on earth, peace, goodwill!He smites with His rod, and the waters are still;He maketh it bud for the evil and good,He lifts the low valley and bends the high hill.

Glory to God; on earth, peace, goodwill!

He smites with His rod, and the waters are still;

He maketh it bud for the evil and good,

He lifts the low valley and bends the high hill.

Semi-Chorus.

Thou Christ art the Rod, and Thy reign shall be peace!At the power of Thy nod, all warfare shall cease.The desert shall blossom and be as the rose,When the Healing of nations from Bethlehem flows.

Thou Christ art the Rod, and Thy reign shall be peace!

At the power of Thy nod, all warfare shall cease.

The desert shall blossom and be as the rose,

When the Healing of nations from Bethlehem flows.

[TheAngelsdisappear.4th Shepherd.Sir, have we dreamed this?Gabriel.Let your own hearts tell!Do dreams bequeath such joy? Your bosoms swell,Your faces glow, your eyes are full of cheer.Why are they so? Lately you had great fear,And stood as huddled flocks before a storm;Have dreams, then, made you warm?4th Shepherd.Oh, Sir, ’tis true!Yet scarcely do I know what next to do.2nd Shepherd.You come wi’ me, lad! come along o’ me,We’ll all be off to Bethlehem, and seeWhat they be doing there! Lord, Lord, I doubtWhether I’ll know to find me way aboutWith such high things a-happening!Sir, you seeThere ain’t much show about the likes o’ we,But what I say’s—if this be true—well, well,’Tis the best news that ever I heard tell!1st Shepherd.And the best fortune any on us has had!Lord, though, but don’t it make an old heart glad!Christ born? You say it is so, Sir? So be it!Thank God as we should be alive to see it!Abel.Be He at Bethlehem?Gabriel.Aye, there go ye!While ye so fare, your folds shall guarded be;Round them even now stand those ye do not see.Go ye in peace!Shepherds.We thank you kindly, Sir.

[TheAngelsdisappear.

4th Shepherd.

Sir, have we dreamed this?

Gabriel.

Let your own hearts tell!Do dreams bequeath such joy? Your bosoms swell,Your faces glow, your eyes are full of cheer.Why are they so? Lately you had great fear,And stood as huddled flocks before a storm;Have dreams, then, made you warm?

Let your own hearts tell!

Do dreams bequeath such joy? Your bosoms swell,

Your faces glow, your eyes are full of cheer.

Why are they so? Lately you had great fear,

And stood as huddled flocks before a storm;

Have dreams, then, made you warm?

4th Shepherd.

Oh, Sir, ’tis true!Yet scarcely do I know what next to do.

Oh, Sir, ’tis true!

Yet scarcely do I know what next to do.

2nd Shepherd.

You come wi’ me, lad! come along o’ me,We’ll all be off to Bethlehem, and seeWhat they be doing there! Lord, Lord, I doubtWhether I’ll know to find me way aboutWith such high things a-happening!Sir, you seeThere ain’t much show about the likes o’ we,But what I say’s—if this be true—well, well,’Tis the best news that ever I heard tell!

You come wi’ me, lad! come along o’ me,

We’ll all be off to Bethlehem, and see

What they be doing there! Lord, Lord, I doubt

Whether I’ll know to find me way about

With such high things a-happening!

Sir, you see

There ain’t much show about the likes o’ we,

But what I say’s—if this be true—well, well,

’Tis the best news that ever I heard tell!

1st Shepherd.

And the best fortune any on us has had!Lord, though, but don’t it make an old heart glad!Christ born? You say it is so, Sir? So be it!Thank God as we should be alive to see it!

And the best fortune any on us has had!

Lord, though, but don’t it make an old heart glad!

Christ born? You say it is so, Sir? So be it!

Thank God as we should be alive to see it!

Abel.

Be He at Bethlehem?

Gabriel.

Aye, there go ye!While ye so fare, your folds shall guarded be;Round them even now stand those ye do not see.Go ye in peace!

Aye, there go ye!

While ye so fare, your folds shall guarded be;

Round them even now stand those ye do not see.

Go ye in peace!

Shepherds.

We thank you kindly, Sir.

Shepherds(sing).Now we will go, now we will go,The way we know to Bethlehem;That they may show, and we may know,’Tis even so as you proclaim.And we will take the bread we bake,The wine we make, as gifts to them;And milk and cheese; and on our kneesWill offer these at Bethlehem.And He shall know we love Him so,But cannot show a better wayOf service dear, and loving cheer,Than we do here on Christmas Day.

Shepherds(sing).

Now we will go, now we will go,The way we know to Bethlehem;That they may show, and we may know,’Tis even so as you proclaim.

Now we will go, now we will go,

The way we know to Bethlehem;

That they may show, and we may know,

’Tis even so as you proclaim.

And we will take the bread we bake,The wine we make, as gifts to them;And milk and cheese; and on our kneesWill offer these at Bethlehem.

And we will take the bread we bake,

The wine we make, as gifts to them;

And milk and cheese; and on our knees

Will offer these at Bethlehem.

And He shall know we love Him so,But cannot show a better wayOf service dear, and loving cheer,Than we do here on Christmas Day.

And He shall know we love Him so,

But cannot show a better way

Of service dear, and loving cheer,

Than we do here on Christmas Day.

[Exeunt several of theShepherds.6th Shepherd.Sir, do you think that I might make so boldAs offer Him a young lamb from the fold?’Twas the first dropped this lambing time; maybeHe’ll take it kindly from the likes o’ we,We being simple shepherds.Gabriel.Simple? Yes!Would God, all minds had this same simpleness!Take Him what gifts ye will! To-night on earthAll’s peace to greet Christ’s birth.5th Shepherd.Noticed you that?He made the shepherd’s sign: ’a did it pat!Shepherds(without).Come on, lads, come!6th Shepherd.Good-night, Sir.Gabriel.Peace befallYou and your ways! Good-night, friend; good-night, all.[ExeuntShepherds.

[Exeunt several of theShepherds.

6th Shepherd.

Sir, do you think that I might make so boldAs offer Him a young lamb from the fold?’Twas the first dropped this lambing time; maybeHe’ll take it kindly from the likes o’ we,We being simple shepherds.

Sir, do you think that I might make so bold

As offer Him a young lamb from the fold?

’Twas the first dropped this lambing time; maybe

He’ll take it kindly from the likes o’ we,

We being simple shepherds.

Gabriel.

Simple? Yes!Would God, all minds had this same simpleness!Take Him what gifts ye will! To-night on earthAll’s peace to greet Christ’s birth.

Simple? Yes!

Would God, all minds had this same simpleness!

Take Him what gifts ye will! To-night on earth

All’s peace to greet Christ’s birth.

5th Shepherd.

Noticed you that?He made the shepherd’s sign: ’a did it pat!

Noticed you that?

He made the shepherd’s sign: ’a did it pat!

Shepherds(without).

Come on, lads, come!

6th Shepherd.

Good-night, Sir.

Gabriel.

Peace befallYou and your ways! Good-night, friend; good-night, all.

Peace befall

You and your ways! Good-night, friend; good-night, all.

[ExeuntShepherds.

Shepherds(in the distance singing).And we will go, and we will go,The way we know to Bethlehem;That Love may show, and we may know,’Tis even so as you proclaim.

Shepherds(in the distance singing).

And we will go, and we will go,The way we know to Bethlehem;That Love may show, and we may know,’Tis even so as you proclaim.

And we will go, and we will go,

The way we know to Bethlehem;

That Love may show, and we may know,

’Tis even so as you proclaim.

Enter theAngel of the Star.He crosses the stage and departs.

Enter theKings.

1st King.Hear me, O King of Kings,And give me my desire!2nd King.Hive me beneath Thy wings,And guide my feet with fire!3rd King.Unto that Holy Mount,Where forth from Thee goes Light.All.Whence springs a Living FountTo wash the whole world white.Gabriel.Peace be with you, and hail!Where go ye this fair night,Travellers, and what seek ye?1st King.We seek from the hill the vale,And from the vale the hill.2nd King.From the ends of the morning, rest;And from the East the West.3rd King.In the darkness we seek fire,And out of dreams the heart’s desire!And, if to-day we fail,To-morrow we seek it still.Gabriel.Are ye not weary, seeking so?Are ye not laden with care?1st King.We are not weary. If our feet be slow,’Tis with the burden of the Love we bear.It is our longing for the Light we seekWhich makes us weak.Gabriel.What is the longing of each one?3rd King.Melchior, wilt thou first speak?2nd King.Too slow my footsteps moveFor the goal I seek to prove.My body is a waste,Through which my soul doth haste,Famished until it tasteIts nameless new desire!A flame my spirit owns,Ashes are all my bones,Love lights in me such fire!I thirst! my throat is dried!I ask;—am still denied!Cry to be satisfied:Yet only as Love will.Now, if He come not first,Not death, but ease were worst;—Let me die, thirsting still!Gabriel.And you?

1st King.

Hear me, O King of Kings,And give me my desire!

Hear me, O King of Kings,

And give me my desire!

2nd King.

Hive me beneath Thy wings,And guide my feet with fire!

Hive me beneath Thy wings,

And guide my feet with fire!

3rd King.

Unto that Holy Mount,Where forth from Thee goes Light.

Unto that Holy Mount,

Where forth from Thee goes Light.

All.

Whence springs a Living FountTo wash the whole world white.

Whence springs a Living Fount

To wash the whole world white.

Gabriel.

Peace be with you, and hail!Where go ye this fair night,Travellers, and what seek ye?

Peace be with you, and hail!

Where go ye this fair night,

Travellers, and what seek ye?

1st King.

We seek from the hill the vale,And from the vale the hill.

We seek from the hill the vale,

And from the vale the hill.

2nd King.

From the ends of the morning, rest;And from the East the West.

From the ends of the morning, rest;

And from the East the West.

3rd King.

In the darkness we seek fire,And out of dreams the heart’s desire!And, if to-day we fail,To-morrow we seek it still.

In the darkness we seek fire,

And out of dreams the heart’s desire!

And, if to-day we fail,

To-morrow we seek it still.

Gabriel.

Are ye not weary, seeking so?Are ye not laden with care?

Are ye not weary, seeking so?

Are ye not laden with care?

1st King.

We are not weary. If our feet be slow,’Tis with the burden of the Love we bear.It is our longing for the Light we seekWhich makes us weak.

We are not weary. If our feet be slow,

’Tis with the burden of the Love we bear.

It is our longing for the Light we seek

Which makes us weak.

Gabriel.

What is the longing of each one?

3rd King.

Melchior, wilt thou first speak?

2nd King.

Too slow my footsteps moveFor the goal I seek to prove.My body is a waste,Through which my soul doth haste,Famished until it tasteIts nameless new desire!A flame my spirit owns,Ashes are all my bones,Love lights in me such fire!I thirst! my throat is dried!I ask;—am still denied!Cry to be satisfied:Yet only as Love will.Now, if He come not first,Not death, but ease were worst;—Let me die, thirsting still!

Too slow my footsteps move

For the goal I seek to prove.

My body is a waste,

Through which my soul doth haste,

Famished until it taste

Its nameless new desire!

A flame my spirit owns,

Ashes are all my bones,

Love lights in me such fire!

I thirst! my throat is dried!

I ask;—am still denied!

Cry to be satisfied:

Yet only as Love will.

Now, if He come not first,

Not death, but ease were worst;—

Let me die, thirsting still!

Gabriel.

And you?

3rd King.I have such Love!Beauty, I know not of,Hath laid on me the vision of its Light.When that Light shines, earth’s endsTherein shall all be friends:They shall not hurt nor kill, but on the heightNamed Holy shall be peace.Then shall all warfare cease,And every king his crownShall at the cradle of a new-born Babe lay down.Gabriel.And thou, that standest last,Say what desire thou hast?1st King.For Earth’s waiting to be done;For God to send forth His Son,Godhead and man made one!That creation, wrought afresh,May be finished and made whole;That the Word may become Flesh,And Earth receive her soul!Pray we for this,Seeing well how good it is.Gabriel.Behold, this night shall bring you to your bliss.3rd King.Whence comes thy knowledge to make hope so near?Gabriel.Oh, let your ears be opened till they hear!Open your eyes, and mark with fearless sightThe throng of thanksgiving which fills this night:Nor walks on heaven alone, but earth as well!Sound in sweet tone, celestial Choirs, and tell!Angels(appearing).

3rd King.

I have such Love!Beauty, I know not of,Hath laid on me the vision of its Light.When that Light shines, earth’s endsTherein shall all be friends:They shall not hurt nor kill, but on the heightNamed Holy shall be peace.Then shall all warfare cease,And every king his crownShall at the cradle of a new-born Babe lay down.

I have such Love!

Beauty, I know not of,

Hath laid on me the vision of its Light.

When that Light shines, earth’s ends

Therein shall all be friends:

They shall not hurt nor kill, but on the height

Named Holy shall be peace.

Then shall all warfare cease,

And every king his crown

Shall at the cradle of a new-born Babe lay down.

Gabriel.

And thou, that standest last,Say what desire thou hast?

And thou, that standest last,

Say what desire thou hast?

1st King.

For Earth’s waiting to be done;For God to send forth His Son,Godhead and man made one!That creation, wrought afresh,May be finished and made whole;That the Word may become Flesh,And Earth receive her soul!Pray we for this,Seeing well how good it is.

For Earth’s waiting to be done;

For God to send forth His Son,

Godhead and man made one!

That creation, wrought afresh,

May be finished and made whole;

That the Word may become Flesh,

And Earth receive her soul!

Pray we for this,

Seeing well how good it is.

Gabriel.

Behold, this night shall bring you to your bliss.

3rd King.

Whence comes thy knowledge to make hope so near?

Gabriel.

Oh, let your ears be opened till they hear!Open your eyes, and mark with fearless sightThe throng of thanksgiving which fills this night:Nor walks on heaven alone, but earth as well!Sound in sweet tone, celestial Choirs, and tell!

Oh, let your ears be opened till they hear!

Open your eyes, and mark with fearless sight

The throng of thanksgiving which fills this night:

Nor walks on heaven alone, but earth as well!

Sound in sweet tone, celestial Choirs, and tell!

Angels(appearing).

1st King.Oh, ye blest sounds, be as the air we breathe!2nd King.Oh, fair things seen, your light to us bequeath!3rd King.And if there be an ending to our quest,Show, now, where lies our rest!Gabriel.O Kings, your quest is ended now, earth joinsTo greet her Lord, in Heaven’s exultant strains.Righteousness is the girdle of His loins,And faithfulness the girdle of His reins.The Spirit of God shall rest on Him, of might,Of wisdom, and of counsel, and of fear:He shall not judge according unto sight,Neither reprove by the hearing of His ear:But by His righteousness shall He do right,And with His equity the meek repay;Out of His mouth a rod the earth shall smite,And by His breath the wicked He shall slay.The wolf shall make his dwelling in the fold,The leopard and the kid together play,The young lion with the fatling: and beholdA Little Child shall lead them in the way!Then like the ox the lion shall eat straw,The calf and the young bear be in one pen;The suckling from his hole the asp shall draw,And the weaned child play by the adder’s den.They shall not hurt in all my Holy Hill,Nor shall there any more destruction be:The knowledge of the Lord the earth shall fill,Even as the water covereth the sea.And He shall raise His people from their sin.This is the way of Life: walk ye therein!1st King.Where shall we find Him? where throw off our load?Gabriel.In Bethlehem Peace makes His fair abode.Yonder His star still lights you to your road.[Exeunt theKings.

1st King.

Oh, ye blest sounds, be as the air we breathe!

2nd King.

Oh, fair things seen, your light to us bequeath!

3rd King.

And if there be an ending to our quest,Show, now, where lies our rest!

And if there be an ending to our quest,

Show, now, where lies our rest!

Gabriel.

O Kings, your quest is ended now, earth joinsTo greet her Lord, in Heaven’s exultant strains.Righteousness is the girdle of His loins,And faithfulness the girdle of His reins.The Spirit of God shall rest on Him, of might,Of wisdom, and of counsel, and of fear:He shall not judge according unto sight,Neither reprove by the hearing of His ear:But by His righteousness shall He do right,And with His equity the meek repay;Out of His mouth a rod the earth shall smite,And by His breath the wicked He shall slay.The wolf shall make his dwelling in the fold,The leopard and the kid together play,The young lion with the fatling: and beholdA Little Child shall lead them in the way!Then like the ox the lion shall eat straw,The calf and the young bear be in one pen;The suckling from his hole the asp shall draw,And the weaned child play by the adder’s den.They shall not hurt in all my Holy Hill,Nor shall there any more destruction be:The knowledge of the Lord the earth shall fill,Even as the water covereth the sea.And He shall raise His people from their sin.This is the way of Life: walk ye therein!

O Kings, your quest is ended now, earth joins

To greet her Lord, in Heaven’s exultant strains.

Righteousness is the girdle of His loins,

And faithfulness the girdle of His reins.

The Spirit of God shall rest on Him, of might,

Of wisdom, and of counsel, and of fear:

He shall not judge according unto sight,

Neither reprove by the hearing of His ear:

But by His righteousness shall He do right,

And with His equity the meek repay;

Out of His mouth a rod the earth shall smite,

And by His breath the wicked He shall slay.

The wolf shall make his dwelling in the fold,

The leopard and the kid together play,

The young lion with the fatling: and behold

A Little Child shall lead them in the way!

Then like the ox the lion shall eat straw,

The calf and the young bear be in one pen;

The suckling from his hole the asp shall draw,

And the weaned child play by the adder’s den.

They shall not hurt in all my Holy Hill,

Nor shall there any more destruction be:

The knowledge of the Lord the earth shall fill,

Even as the water covereth the sea.

And He shall raise His people from their sin.

This is the way of Life: walk ye therein!

1st King.

Where shall we find Him? where throw off our load?

Gabriel.

In Bethlehem Peace makes His fair abode.Yonder His star still lights you to your road.

In Bethlehem Peace makes His fair abode.

Yonder His star still lights you to your road.

[Exeunt theKings.

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