ACT II.

The inn-stable at Bethlehem. Without, voices are heard singing.

‘Noel, Noel, Noel,’Sang the church bell;‘God’s in His Heaven,This know well!’Noel, Noel, Noel,Ding-dong-bell,God from High HeavenComes on earth to dwell.‘Noel, Noel, Noel,’Bells ring on earth,‘Come and know wellThis bright Birth!’

‘Noel, Noel, Noel,’Sang the church bell;‘God’s in His Heaven,This know well!’

‘Noel, Noel, Noel,’

Sang the church bell;

‘God’s in His Heaven,

This know well!’

Noel, Noel, Noel,Ding-dong-bell,God from High HeavenComes on earth to dwell.

Noel, Noel, Noel,

Ding-dong-bell,

God from High Heaven

Comes on earth to dwell.

‘Noel, Noel, Noel,’Bells ring on earth,‘Come and know wellThis bright Birth!’

‘Noel, Noel, Noel,’

Bells ring on earth,

‘Come and know well

This bright Birth!’

Joseph.Sleepest thou, Mary?Mary.I sleep not; I pray.Behold, on me my Lord His Head doth lay.Look how in sleep He takes a mortal’s rest:See where His Hand is laid upon my breast!Joseph.Mary, I dread to see!Mary.Nay, come more near;But wake Him not!Joseph.Alas! I have such fear.Mary.I, too: my soul is glad through very dreadWhile in this chamber God doth make His bed:For now our eyes behold the glorious BirthWhich shall uplift again low-fallen earth.Here, where He rests, amid these hollowed rocks,I hear the world’s heart move in joyful shocks,—The pulsing of her rivers and her springs:I feel the air beat with the throb of wings:And farther up, amid the heavenly maze,The stars and planets with adoring gazeLook down and say, ‘O maid with favour stored,How com’st thou to be Mother of our Lord?’What can I answer, I? Let GabrielSpeak to those heavenly questioners, and tellHow by the Holy Ghost this came to be;How power from the Highest o’ershadowed me,Till in my heart God came Himself to lie,Perfect fulfilment of all prophecy.Naught may I know save this: His handmaid I.Voices.‘Ave Maria, gratia plena, Dominus tecum!Benedicta tu in mulieribus, et Benedictus Fructusventris tui, Jesus.’[A knocking is heard.Joseph.Who knocks?Shepherd(without).A friend: we be all friendly men:We be the shepherds.Joseph.Come in, shepherds, then:Here’s welcome waiting you! Behold and blessThe Peace within your gates, the Plenteousness!

Joseph.

Sleepest thou, Mary?

Mary.

I sleep not; I pray.Behold, on me my Lord His Head doth lay.Look how in sleep He takes a mortal’s rest:See where His Hand is laid upon my breast!

I sleep not; I pray.

Behold, on me my Lord His Head doth lay.

Look how in sleep He takes a mortal’s rest:

See where His Hand is laid upon my breast!

Joseph.

Mary, I dread to see!

Mary.

Nay, come more near;But wake Him not!

Nay, come more near;

But wake Him not!

Joseph.

Alas! I have such fear.

Mary.

I, too: my soul is glad through very dreadWhile in this chamber God doth make His bed:For now our eyes behold the glorious BirthWhich shall uplift again low-fallen earth.Here, where He rests, amid these hollowed rocks,I hear the world’s heart move in joyful shocks,—The pulsing of her rivers and her springs:I feel the air beat with the throb of wings:And farther up, amid the heavenly maze,The stars and planets with adoring gazeLook down and say, ‘O maid with favour stored,How com’st thou to be Mother of our Lord?’What can I answer, I? Let GabrielSpeak to those heavenly questioners, and tellHow by the Holy Ghost this came to be;How power from the Highest o’ershadowed me,Till in my heart God came Himself to lie,Perfect fulfilment of all prophecy.Naught may I know save this: His handmaid I.

I, too: my soul is glad through very dread

While in this chamber God doth make His bed:

For now our eyes behold the glorious Birth

Which shall uplift again low-fallen earth.

Here, where He rests, amid these hollowed rocks,

I hear the world’s heart move in joyful shocks,—

The pulsing of her rivers and her springs:

I feel the air beat with the throb of wings:

And farther up, amid the heavenly maze,

The stars and planets with adoring gaze

Look down and say, ‘O maid with favour stored,

How com’st thou to be Mother of our Lord?’

What can I answer, I? Let Gabriel

Speak to those heavenly questioners, and tell

How by the Holy Ghost this came to be;

How power from the Highest o’ershadowed me,

Till in my heart God came Himself to lie,

Perfect fulfilment of all prophecy.

Naught may I know save this: His handmaid I.

Voices.

‘Ave Maria, gratia plena, Dominus tecum!Benedicta tu in mulieribus, et Benedictus Fructusventris tui, Jesus.’

[A knocking is heard.

Joseph.

Who knocks?

Shepherd(without).

A friend: we be all friendly men:We be the shepherds.

A friend: we be all friendly men:

We be the shepherds.

Joseph.

Come in, shepherds, then:Here’s welcome waiting you! Behold and blessThe Peace within your gates, the Plenteousness!

Come in, shepherds, then:

Here’s welcome waiting you! Behold and bless

The Peace within your gates, the Plenteousness!

TheShepherdsenter.

1st Shepherd.Mother of God, welcome to Bethlehem!Mary.Shepherds of Israel, welcome to Christ’s Birth!Omnes.Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is withthee! Blessed art thou among women, and blessedis the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary,Mother of God, pray for us sinners now, andin the hour of our death. Amen.Mary.Behold the handmaid of the Lord!So as His Word hath His Way been;Now Earth to Heaven doth room afford;The Godhead veiled in Flesh is seen.Come and adore, in form of man,The Word that was ere worlds began!

1st Shepherd.

Mother of God, welcome to Bethlehem!

Mary.

Shepherds of Israel, welcome to Christ’s Birth!

Omnes.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is withthee! Blessed art thou among women, and blessedis the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary,Mother of God, pray for us sinners now, andin the hour of our death. Amen.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with

thee! Blessed art thou among women, and blessed

is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary,

Mother of God, pray for us sinners now, and

in the hour of our death. Amen.

Mary.

Behold the handmaid of the Lord!So as His Word hath His Way been;Now Earth to Heaven doth room afford;The Godhead veiled in Flesh is seen.Come and adore, in form of man,The Word that was ere worlds began!

Behold the handmaid of the Lord!

So as His Word hath His Way been;

Now Earth to Heaven doth room afford;

The Godhead veiled in Flesh is seen.

Come and adore, in form of man,

The Word that was ere worlds began!

Omnes.Mother Mary, hail!And of thy Grace,Lift away the veilThat hides God’s face!Here God liesFor a short space.Mary, Mother wise,Show us God’s face!Mary, all the lands,Mary, all the seas,Gather in thy handsTo thy dear knees!Mary, maiden white,Mother, pure within,Show to mortal sightLove that cures sin!

Omnes.

Mother Mary, hail!And of thy Grace,Lift away the veilThat hides God’s face!

Mother Mary, hail!

And of thy Grace,

Lift away the veil

That hides God’s face!

Here God liesFor a short space.Mary, Mother wise,Show us God’s face!

Here God lies

For a short space.

Mary, Mother wise,

Show us God’s face!

Mary, all the lands,Mary, all the seas,Gather in thy handsTo thy dear knees!

Mary, all the lands,

Mary, all the seas,

Gather in thy hands

To thy dear knees!

Mary, maiden white,Mother, pure within,Show to mortal sightLove that cures sin!

Mary, maiden white,

Mother, pure within,

Show to mortal sight

Love that cures sin!

1st Shepherd.Mother Mary, may we see God?Mary.Stand near in faith, behold,Be comforted by Him!Here, shepherds, is your fold.Abel.Lady, I cannot see: mine eyes are dim.Mary.Come near, in faith: come near!Thou shalt win sight.Doubt not: have thou no fear!Abel.Lady, mine eyes be healed and full of light!Mary.Even so, even so,Let Earth perceive and know!1st Shepherd.Son of God, shine on us!2nd Shepherd.Lamb of God, look on us!3rd Shepherd.Shepherd of men, set Thy sign on us!4th Shepherd.And lay Thy yoke on us!5th Shepherd.And we will be thankful.1st Shepherd(kneeling).Queen, Mother, pardon me who make so boldTo speak! but hearts grown full be hard to holdTo-night, as Heaven hath willed, have come thy wayPoor folk with meagre speech yet much to say.So, if word lack, let thine own wisdom fill:And—give me countenance!—I’ll not speak ill.Dear Mother, pray for us! Foolish we be,Untaught and rude: but what we see we see,And what we hear we hear; to what’s aboveOur heads we bow: and what we love we love!And, loving thee since our first entrance in,Do thereby more love God, and more hate sin;And of all lips would have thy lips to prayPardon for us and peace to seek His way.Fair Mother, we have old men here among,As thou may’st see; and thou, we see, art young:Yet the name ‘Mother’ runneth to the tongueThat seeks a name for thee. May we not allThee as our Lady and our Mother call,For thy Son’s sake?Mary.Amen. So, shepherds, do!Call as Love bids you, and I’ll answer you.1st Shepherd.Mother, I have laid bread here at thy feet.For thy Son’s sake, I pray thee take and eat!2nd Shepherd.Mother, I bring thee milk.3rd Shepherd.I bring thee cheese.4th Shepherd.I have brought nuts. Strengthen His teeth on these,When they begin to pair.5th Shepherd.Also here’s wine,Good for a festal, or when frost bites fine.Also my cloak is thine.

1st Shepherd.

Mother Mary, may we see God?

Mary.

Stand near in faith, behold,Be comforted by Him!Here, shepherds, is your fold.

Stand near in faith, behold,

Be comforted by Him!

Here, shepherds, is your fold.

Abel.

Lady, I cannot see: mine eyes are dim.

Mary.

Come near, in faith: come near!Thou shalt win sight.Doubt not: have thou no fear!

Come near, in faith: come near!

Thou shalt win sight.

Doubt not: have thou no fear!

Abel.

Lady, mine eyes be healed and full of light!

Mary.

Even so, even so,Let Earth perceive and know!

Even so, even so,

Let Earth perceive and know!

1st Shepherd.

Son of God, shine on us!

2nd Shepherd.

Lamb of God, look on us!

3rd Shepherd.

Shepherd of men, set Thy sign on us!

4th Shepherd.

And lay Thy yoke on us!

5th Shepherd.

And we will be thankful.

1st Shepherd(kneeling).

Queen, Mother, pardon me who make so boldTo speak! but hearts grown full be hard to holdTo-night, as Heaven hath willed, have come thy wayPoor folk with meagre speech yet much to say.So, if word lack, let thine own wisdom fill:And—give me countenance!—I’ll not speak ill.Dear Mother, pray for us! Foolish we be,Untaught and rude: but what we see we see,And what we hear we hear; to what’s aboveOur heads we bow: and what we love we love!And, loving thee since our first entrance in,Do thereby more love God, and more hate sin;And of all lips would have thy lips to prayPardon for us and peace to seek His way.Fair Mother, we have old men here among,As thou may’st see; and thou, we see, art young:Yet the name ‘Mother’ runneth to the tongueThat seeks a name for thee. May we not allThee as our Lady and our Mother call,For thy Son’s sake?

Queen, Mother, pardon me who make so bold

To speak! but hearts grown full be hard to hold

To-night, as Heaven hath willed, have come thy way

Poor folk with meagre speech yet much to say.

So, if word lack, let thine own wisdom fill:

And—give me countenance!—I’ll not speak ill.

Dear Mother, pray for us! Foolish we be,

Untaught and rude: but what we see we see,

And what we hear we hear; to what’s above

Our heads we bow: and what we love we love!

And, loving thee since our first entrance in,

Do thereby more love God, and more hate sin;

And of all lips would have thy lips to pray

Pardon for us and peace to seek His way.

Fair Mother, we have old men here among,

As thou may’st see; and thou, we see, art young:

Yet the name ‘Mother’ runneth to the tongue

That seeks a name for thee. May we not all

Thee as our Lady and our Mother call,

For thy Son’s sake?

Mary.

Amen. So, shepherds, do!Call as Love bids you, and I’ll answer you.

Amen. So, shepherds, do!

Call as Love bids you, and I’ll answer you.

1st Shepherd.

Mother, I have laid bread here at thy feet.For thy Son’s sake, I pray thee take and eat!

Mother, I have laid bread here at thy feet.

For thy Son’s sake, I pray thee take and eat!

2nd Shepherd.

Mother, I bring thee milk.

3rd Shepherd.

I bring thee cheese.

4th Shepherd.

I have brought nuts. Strengthen His teeth on these,When they begin to pair.

I have brought nuts. Strengthen His teeth on these,

When they begin to pair.

5th Shepherd.

Also here’s wine,Good for a festal, or when frost bites fine.Also my cloak is thine.

Also here’s wine,

Good for a festal, or when frost bites fine.

Also my cloak is thine.

6th Shepherd.Dear Mother, for God’s sake,Wilt thou, I prithee, takeThis firstling from the fold?It is so beautiful,And thereto hath warm woolTo ward one from the cold.Take it, then, to thy lapBeside thy Son:It may keep warm, mayhap,The Blessed One.

6th Shepherd.

Dear Mother, for God’s sake,Wilt thou, I prithee, takeThis firstling from the fold?It is so beautiful,And thereto hath warm woolTo ward one from the cold.Take it, then, to thy lapBeside thy Son:It may keep warm, mayhap,The Blessed One.

Dear Mother, for God’s sake,

Wilt thou, I prithee, take

This firstling from the fold?

It is so beautiful,

And thereto hath warm wool

To ward one from the cold.

Take it, then, to thy lap

Beside thy Son:

It may keep warm, mayhap,

The Blessed One.

Mary.It shall keep warm my heart, shepherd, to thee.7th Shepherd.Mother, my empty hands do me a wrong:No gift have I, but in my lips a songSuch as we shepherds sing.Mary.Such songs are best.To-night your lips shall lull the Shepherd’s KingTo rest.7th Shepherd(sings).The world is old to-night,The world is old;The stars around the foldDo show their light.And so they did, and so,A thousand years ago,And so will do, dear Love, when you lie cold.(Speaks.) Nay, nay, but I can sing no more thereof;I had forgot the sadness of the end!Mary.Thou hast but prophesied how men shall scoffEven at Love, my friend.[Knocking is heard.Joseph.Ho, there without! Who knocks? Come ye in peace?Kings(without).Kings, seeking it, we come!Joseph.Here enter, and find ease!The Kingsenter.1st King.Blessed be God!Omnes.Blessed be God!2nd King.Blessed be His Holy Name!Omnes.Blessed be His Holy Name!3rd King.Blessed be Jesus Christ, true God and true Man!Omnes.Blessed be Jesus Christ, true God and true Man!

Mary.

It shall keep warm my heart, shepherd, to thee.

7th Shepherd.

Mother, my empty hands do me a wrong:No gift have I, but in my lips a songSuch as we shepherds sing.

Mother, my empty hands do me a wrong:

No gift have I, but in my lips a song

Such as we shepherds sing.

Mary.

Such songs are best.To-night your lips shall lull the Shepherd’s KingTo rest.

Such songs are best.

To-night your lips shall lull the Shepherd’s King

To rest.

7th Shepherd(sings).

The world is old to-night,The world is old;The stars around the foldDo show their light.And so they did, and so,A thousand years ago,And so will do, dear Love, when you lie cold.(Speaks.) Nay, nay, but I can sing no more thereof;I had forgot the sadness of the end!

The world is old to-night,

The world is old;

The stars around the fold

Do show their light.

And so they did, and so,

A thousand years ago,

And so will do, dear Love, when you lie cold.

(Speaks.) Nay, nay, but I can sing no more thereof;

I had forgot the sadness of the end!

Mary.

Thou hast but prophesied how men shall scoffEven at Love, my friend.

Thou hast but prophesied how men shall scoff

Even at Love, my friend.

[Knocking is heard.

Joseph.

Ho, there without! Who knocks? Come ye in peace?

Kings(without).

Kings, seeking it, we come!

Joseph.

Here enter, and find ease!

The Kingsenter.

1st King.

Blessed be God!

Omnes.

Blessed be God!

2nd King.

Blessed be His Holy Name!

Omnes.

Blessed be His Holy Name!

3rd King.

Blessed be Jesus Christ, true God and true Man!

Omnes.

Blessed be Jesus Christ, true God and true Man!

1st King.Oh, finished quest!Oh, rest!2nd King.Oh, Fount, that firstOf all hath satisfied my thirst!3rd King.Oh, Light,That brings me sight!1st King.Thou Birth Divine,Behold,The earthly signOf power and kingship, gold,Here in my hands I hold,And offer, to be Thine.2nd King.This frankincenseLet beA symbol, whenceAll men may learn to seeHow veiled a mysteryDefeats man’s sense where Godhead deigns to be.3rd King.Oh, Comforter of souls,I bring Thee myrrh.When grief my heart controlsAnd darkness round me rolls,Sweet Saviour, be Thou near!The Three Kings.Thanksgiving, Praise, and Prayer,Three offerings meet,We lay in equal shareBefore Christ’s feet.

1st King.

Oh, finished quest!Oh, rest!

Oh, finished quest!

Oh, rest!

2nd King.

Oh, Fount, that firstOf all hath satisfied my thirst!

Oh, Fount, that first

Of all hath satisfied my thirst!

3rd King.

Oh, Light,That brings me sight!

Oh, Light,

That brings me sight!

1st King.

Thou Birth Divine,Behold,The earthly signOf power and kingship, gold,Here in my hands I hold,And offer, to be Thine.

Thou Birth Divine,

Behold,

The earthly sign

Of power and kingship, gold,

Here in my hands I hold,

And offer, to be Thine.

2nd King.

This frankincenseLet beA symbol, whenceAll men may learn to seeHow veiled a mysteryDefeats man’s sense where Godhead deigns to be.

This frankincense

Let be

A symbol, whence

All men may learn to see

How veiled a mystery

Defeats man’s sense where Godhead deigns to be.

3rd King.

Oh, Comforter of souls,I bring Thee myrrh.When grief my heart controlsAnd darkness round me rolls,Sweet Saviour, be Thou near!

Oh, Comforter of souls,

I bring Thee myrrh.

When grief my heart controls

And darkness round me rolls,

Sweet Saviour, be Thou near!

The Three Kings.

Thanksgiving, Praise, and Prayer,Three offerings meet,We lay in equal shareBefore Christ’s feet.

Thanksgiving, Praise, and Prayer,

Three offerings meet,

We lay in equal share

Before Christ’s feet.

Mary.Your welcome gifts,Proffered in love, from Earth to Heaven He lifts.The Kings.Now see we Love on Earth His throne!All we have known,Or hoped to gain,Was this alone—That He might reign!Omnes.That He might reign!Oh, welcome Birth! let all adoreThe Christ made Man for evermore.The Shepherds.’Tis Christmas morn:Come ye, and bow the kneeLo, here we seeThe perfect Man is born.Chorus.(in alternate parts,KingsandShepherds).For this fair Birth(Which now we see!)Shows forth God’s worth,(Then sing we merrily!)And makes glad earth,And brings man mirth,(So sing we merrily this fair Birth!)The Kings.’Tis Christmas Day:Oh pray,—put off your sins!This day beginsFor man the perfect way.Chorus(as before).For this fair Birth, etc.[During this song the Attendants of theKingshave entered.Omnes.Mother Mary, give us thy Son’s Blessing!(They sing.) Mary, Gate of Day,Lend thine intercession!Holy Mother Mary,Pray for my transgression!Ere He yet touched Earth,He did first touch thee;Through thy perfect worthGod reached down for me.Mary.The word expressedIn Flesh hath come;Against my breastThe Voice lies dumb,That shall be of all prophecies the sum.Oh, Thou dread VoiceOf Heaven’s decree,Who madest choiceTo dwell with me,Now through my lips, this once, let utterance be!My Peace I leave,My Peace I give:All that receiveThe same shall live;And tribute hearts win joy retributive.The Cup I bless,The Bread I break,Is Righteousness!Draw near and take!Eat, drink, and hold remembrance for Love’s sake!The peace of Peace,Outpassing sense,Give your mind’s easeWhen ye go hence.Love, peace, and pardon be your recompense!Omnes.Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is withthee! Blessed art thou among women, and blessedis the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary,Mother of God, pray for us sinners now, andin the hour of our death. Amen.Mary.Kings from far countries have ye come to seeA King Whose reign shall make all kingdoms free.Low at His feet your crowns ye cast to ground;From this day forward ye shall go more crowned;For, named hereafter, ye shall be named wise,Seeing that in Heaven ye watched Christ’s star arise.Great kings ye came, but much more great ye go,Who to His state have bowed yourselves so low.And you, dear Shepherds, to your settled foldsReturn, and father your sweet flocks to rest!Though Heavenly signs depart, Heaven’s purpose holds,Where Earth’s Redemption slumbers at my breast.Look where He lies! Kiss ye His feet, and go!Your Shepherd He: Whose sheep are ye, I know.When mothers teach to babes their mother-tongue,This tale shall first be told:How to His birth ye came in days of old,While starlight led and seraph-voices sung.So, in that story, shall your names stay young.Farewell; give thanks for this! Ye to Christ’s foldAre come. Take all the bliss that hearts on earth may hold![ExeuntKings,Shepherds,andAttendants.

Mary.

Your welcome gifts,Proffered in love, from Earth to Heaven He lifts.

Your welcome gifts,

Proffered in love, from Earth to Heaven He lifts.

The Kings.

Now see we Love on Earth His throne!All we have known,Or hoped to gain,Was this alone—That He might reign!

Now see we Love on Earth His throne!

All we have known,

Or hoped to gain,

Was this alone—

That He might reign!

Omnes.

That He might reign!Oh, welcome Birth! let all adoreThe Christ made Man for evermore.

That He might reign!

Oh, welcome Birth! let all adore

The Christ made Man for evermore.

The Shepherds.

’Tis Christmas morn:Come ye, and bow the kneeLo, here we seeThe perfect Man is born.

’Tis Christmas morn:

Come ye, and bow the knee

Lo, here we see

The perfect Man is born.

Chorus.

(in alternate parts,KingsandShepherds).

For this fair Birth(Which now we see!)Shows forth God’s worth,(Then sing we merrily!)And makes glad earth,And brings man mirth,(So sing we merrily this fair Birth!)

For this fair Birth

(Which now we see!)

Shows forth God’s worth,

(Then sing we merrily!)

And makes glad earth,

And brings man mirth,

(So sing we merrily this fair Birth!)

The Kings.

’Tis Christmas Day:Oh pray,—put off your sins!This day beginsFor man the perfect way.

’Tis Christmas Day:

Oh pray,—put off your sins!

This day begins

For man the perfect way.

Chorus(as before).

For this fair Birth, etc.

[During this song the Attendants of theKingshave entered.

Omnes.

Mother Mary, give us thy Son’s Blessing!

(They sing.) Mary, Gate of Day,Lend thine intercession!Holy Mother Mary,Pray for my transgression!

(They sing.) Mary, Gate of Day,

Lend thine intercession!

Holy Mother Mary,

Pray for my transgression!

Ere He yet touched Earth,He did first touch thee;Through thy perfect worthGod reached down for me.

Ere He yet touched Earth,

He did first touch thee;

Through thy perfect worth

God reached down for me.

Mary.

The word expressedIn Flesh hath come;Against my breastThe Voice lies dumb,That shall be of all prophecies the sum.

The word expressed

In Flesh hath come;

Against my breast

The Voice lies dumb,

That shall be of all prophecies the sum.

Oh, Thou dread VoiceOf Heaven’s decree,Who madest choiceTo dwell with me,Now through my lips, this once, let utterance be!

Oh, Thou dread Voice

Of Heaven’s decree,

Who madest choice

To dwell with me,

Now through my lips, this once, let utterance be!

My Peace I leave,My Peace I give:All that receiveThe same shall live;And tribute hearts win joy retributive.

My Peace I leave,

My Peace I give:

All that receive

The same shall live;

And tribute hearts win joy retributive.

The Cup I bless,The Bread I break,Is Righteousness!Draw near and take!Eat, drink, and hold remembrance for Love’s sake!

The Cup I bless,

The Bread I break,

Is Righteousness!

Draw near and take!

Eat, drink, and hold remembrance for Love’s sake!

The peace of Peace,Outpassing sense,Give your mind’s easeWhen ye go hence.Love, peace, and pardon be your recompense!

The peace of Peace,

Outpassing sense,

Give your mind’s ease

When ye go hence.

Love, peace, and pardon be your recompense!

Omnes.

Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is withthee! Blessed art thou among women, and blessedis the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary,Mother of God, pray for us sinners now, andin the hour of our death. Amen.

Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with

thee! Blessed art thou among women, and blessed

is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary,

Mother of God, pray for us sinners now, and

in the hour of our death. Amen.

Mary.

Kings from far countries have ye come to seeA King Whose reign shall make all kingdoms free.Low at His feet your crowns ye cast to ground;From this day forward ye shall go more crowned;For, named hereafter, ye shall be named wise,Seeing that in Heaven ye watched Christ’s star arise.Great kings ye came, but much more great ye go,Who to His state have bowed yourselves so low.And you, dear Shepherds, to your settled foldsReturn, and father your sweet flocks to rest!Though Heavenly signs depart, Heaven’s purpose holds,Where Earth’s Redemption slumbers at my breast.Look where He lies! Kiss ye His feet, and go!Your Shepherd He: Whose sheep are ye, I know.

Kings from far countries have ye come to see

A King Whose reign shall make all kingdoms free.

Low at His feet your crowns ye cast to ground;

From this day forward ye shall go more crowned;

For, named hereafter, ye shall be named wise,

Seeing that in Heaven ye watched Christ’s star arise.

Great kings ye came, but much more great ye go,

Who to His state have bowed yourselves so low.

And you, dear Shepherds, to your settled folds

Return, and father your sweet flocks to rest!

Though Heavenly signs depart, Heaven’s purpose holds,

Where Earth’s Redemption slumbers at my breast.

Look where He lies! Kiss ye His feet, and go!

Your Shepherd He: Whose sheep are ye, I know.

When mothers teach to babes their mother-tongue,This tale shall first be told:How to His birth ye came in days of old,While starlight led and seraph-voices sung.So, in that story, shall your names stay young.Farewell; give thanks for this! Ye to Christ’s foldAre come. Take all the bliss that hearts on earth may hold!

When mothers teach to babes their mother-tongue,

This tale shall first be told:

How to His birth ye came in days of old,

While starlight led and seraph-voices sung.

So, in that story, shall your names stay young.

Farewell; give thanks for this! Ye to Christ’s fold

Are come. Take all the bliss that hearts on earth may hold!

[ExeuntKings,Shepherds,andAttendants.

Shepherds and Kings(without).I heard on Christmas nightThe loud bells ringing:‘New Life and LightChrist comes bringing!’Chorus.Oh, that is true, is true,And better could not be!So God bless you!And God bless me!I heard on Christmas nightThe glad news pealing:‘Christ to human sightNow gives healing!’Oh, that is true, is true,And better could not be!So God bless you!And God bless me!I heard on Christmas nightThe high Heavens telling:‘Christ who left His height,On earth finds dwelling!’Oh, that is true, is true,And better could not be!So God bless you!And God bless me!From Mary, Queen of Might,Comes down sweet saying:‘I hear, on Christmas night,All poor hearts praying!’Oh, that is true, is true,And better could not be!So God bless you!And God bless me!

Shepherds and Kings(without).

I heard on Christmas nightThe loud bells ringing:‘New Life and LightChrist comes bringing!’

I heard on Christmas night

The loud bells ringing:

‘New Life and Light

Christ comes bringing!’

Chorus.

Oh, that is true, is true,And better could not be!So God bless you!And God bless me!

Oh, that is true, is true,

And better could not be!

So God bless you!

And God bless me!

I heard on Christmas nightThe glad news pealing:‘Christ to human sightNow gives healing!’

I heard on Christmas night

The glad news pealing:

‘Christ to human sight

Now gives healing!’

Oh, that is true, is true,And better could not be!So God bless you!And God bless me!

Oh, that is true, is true,

And better could not be!

So God bless you!

And God bless me!

I heard on Christmas nightThe high Heavens telling:‘Christ who left His height,On earth finds dwelling!’

I heard on Christmas night

The high Heavens telling:

‘Christ who left His height,

On earth finds dwelling!’

Oh, that is true, is true,And better could not be!So God bless you!And God bless me!

Oh, that is true, is true,

And better could not be!

So God bless you!

And God bless me!

From Mary, Queen of Might,Comes down sweet saying:‘I hear, on Christmas night,All poor hearts praying!’

From Mary, Queen of Might,

Comes down sweet saying:

‘I hear, on Christmas night,

All poor hearts praying!’

Oh, that is true, is true,And better could not be!So God bless you!And God bless me!

Oh, that is true, is true,

And better could not be!

So God bless you!

And God bless me!

EnterGabriel.

Gabriel.Servant of God, sleep not, awake!Saddle the ass ere dawn of day;The Mother, and the young Child take,Whom Herod seeketh now to slay;Get thee hence ere the wakening birdHath sung; to Egypt win thy way:There, till I come and bring thee word,Shalt thou in hiding stay.As thou hast heard, make haste, obey![Exit.Joseph.Mary, arise; hence must we go,Even before the dawn of day.Mary.It is God’s will?Joseph.’Tis even so:His angel’s word.Mary.Which we obey.[Exeunt.

Gabriel.

Servant of God, sleep not, awake!Saddle the ass ere dawn of day;The Mother, and the young Child take,Whom Herod seeketh now to slay;Get thee hence ere the wakening birdHath sung; to Egypt win thy way:There, till I come and bring thee word,Shalt thou in hiding stay.As thou hast heard, make haste, obey!

Servant of God, sleep not, awake!

Saddle the ass ere dawn of day;

The Mother, and the young Child take,

Whom Herod seeketh now to slay;

Get thee hence ere the wakening bird

Hath sung; to Egypt win thy way:

There, till I come and bring thee word,

Shalt thou in hiding stay.

As thou hast heard, make haste, obey!

[Exit.

Joseph.

Mary, arise; hence must we go,Even before the dawn of day.

Mary, arise; hence must we go,

Even before the dawn of day.

Mary.

It is God’s will?

Joseph.

’Tis even so:His angel’s word.

’Tis even so:

His angel’s word.

Mary.

Which we obey.

[Exeunt.

Voices of Carol-Singers(without).God rest you, merry gentlemen,Let nothing you dismay!Because that Jesus Christ our LordIs born on Christmas Day![Curtain.]

Voices of Carol-Singers(without).

God rest you, merry gentlemen,Let nothing you dismay!Because that Jesus Christ our LordIs born on Christmas Day!

God rest you, merry gentlemen,

Let nothing you dismay!

Because that Jesus Christ our Lord

Is born on Christmas Day!

[Curtain.]

EnterChorus.Chorus.Oh Maid and Holy Child, where have ye gone?Lost are the voices, sets the Star that shone:Back to their folds have gone the shepherd-band:Each king is now returned to his own land.Love is gone forth into the world to winSaints to their rest, and sinners back from sin.Gentles, O ye that here have watched our play,Tell me, I pray you, did He passyourway?Say have ye Him safe, each one, in his breast?Oh, hold Him well! So shall we all have rest.The grace of Jesus Christ, who is our Lord,The Love of God, the Holy Ghost’s accord,Be with us all! And Heaven be our reward!Amen.

EnterChorus.

Chorus.Oh Maid and Holy Child, where have ye gone?Lost are the voices, sets the Star that shone:Back to their folds have gone the shepherd-band:Each king is now returned to his own land.Love is gone forth into the world to winSaints to their rest, and sinners back from sin.Gentles, O ye that here have watched our play,Tell me, I pray you, did He passyourway?Say have ye Him safe, each one, in his breast?Oh, hold Him well! So shall we all have rest.The grace of Jesus Christ, who is our Lord,The Love of God, the Holy Ghost’s accord,Be with us all! And Heaven be our reward!Amen.

Chorus.Oh Maid and Holy Child, where have ye gone?

Lost are the voices, sets the Star that shone:

Back to their folds have gone the shepherd-band:

Each king is now returned to his own land.

Love is gone forth into the world to win

Saints to their rest, and sinners back from sin.

Gentles, O ye that here have watched our play,

Tell me, I pray you, did He passyourway?

Say have ye Him safe, each one, in his breast?

Oh, hold Him well! So shall we all have rest.

The grace of Jesus Christ, who is our Lord,

The Love of God, the Holy Ghost’s accord,

Be with us all! And Heaven be our reward!

Amen.

Printed byR. & R.Clark, Limited,Edinburgh.

TRANSCRIBER’S NOTE:Obvious typographical errors have been corrected.

TRANSCRIBER’S NOTE:

Obvious typographical errors have been corrected.

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