THE LOST SAINT

This is a man has love to God,Opening his hand to give out food;Better a small house filled with wheat,Than a big house that's bare of meat.

Old Farmer.Maisead, long life to you, Raftery.

Blind Man.Are you there, boy?

Boy.I am.

Blind Man.I hear more wheels coming. Go out, and tell the people Raftery will let no person come in here without a present for the woman of the house.

Boy.I am going. (He goes out.)

Old Farmer.They say there was not the like of you for a poet in Connacht these hundred years back.

(A middle-aged woman comes in, a pound of tea and a parcel of sugar in her hand.)

Woman.God save all here! I heard Raftery the poet was in it; and I brought this little present to the woman of the house. (Puts them intoMary'shands.) I would sooner see Raftery than be out there in the cart.

Blind Man.Don't forget the fiddler, O right woman.

Woman.And are you Raftery?

Blind Man.

I am Raftery the poet,Full of gentleness and love;With eyes without light,With quietness, without misery.

Woman.Good the man.

Blind Man.

Quick, quick, quick, for no manNeed speak twice to a handy woman;I'll praise you when I hear the clatterOf your shilling on my platter.

(A young man comes in with a side of bacon in his arms, and stands waiting.)

Woman.Indeed, I would not begrudge it to you if it was a piece of gold I had (puts shilling in plate). The 'Repentance' you made is at the end of my fingers. Here's another customer for you now. (The young man comes forward, and gives the bacon toMartin,who puts it with the meal.)

Mary.I thank you kindly. Oh, it's like the miracle worked for Saint Colman, sending him his dinner in the bare hills!

Blind Man.

May that young man with yellow hairFind yellow money everywhere!

Fair Young Man.I heard the world and his wife were stopping at the door to give a welcome to Raftery, and I thought I would not be behindhand. And here is something for the fiddler (puts money in the plate). I would sooner see that fiddler than any other fiddler in the world.

Blind Man.

May that young man with yellow hairBuy cheap, sell dear, in every fair.

Fair Young Man(toMartin). How does he know I have yellow hair and he blind? How does he know that?

Martin.Hush, my head is going round with the wonder is on me.

Mary.No wonder at all in that. Maybe it is dreaming we all are.

(A grey-haired man and two girls come in.)

Grey-Haired Man(laying down a sack). The blessing of God here! I heard Raftery was here in the wedding-house, and that he would let no one in without a present. There was nothing in the cart with us but a sack of potatoes, and there it is for you, ma'am.

Mary.Oh, it's too good you all are to me. Whether it's asleep or awake I am, I thank you kindly.

Blind Man.Don't forget the fiddler.

Grey-Haired Man.Are you Raftery?

Blind Man.

Who will give Raftery a shilling?Here is his platter: who is willing?Who will give honour to the poet?Here is his platter: show it, show it.

Grey-Haired Farmer.You're welcome; you're welcome! That is Raftery, anyhow! (Puts money in the plate.)

Blind Man.

Come hither, girls, give what you canTo the poor old travelling man.

Grey-Haired Man.Aurah Susan, aurah Oona, are you looking at who is before you, the greatest poet in Ireland? That is Raftery himself. It is often you heard talk of the girl that got a husband with the praises he gave her. If he gives you the same, maybe you'll get husbands with it.

First Girl.I often heard talk of Raftery.

The Other Girl.There was always a great name on Raftery. (They put some money in the plate shyly.)

Blind Man.

Before you go, give what you canTo this young girl and this young man.

First Girl(toMary). Here's a couple of dozen of eggs, and welcome.

The Other Girl.O woman of the house! I have nothing with me here; but I have a good clucking hen at home, and I'll bring her to you to-morrow; our house is close by.

Mary.Indeed, that's good news to me; such nice neighbours to be at hand. (Several men and women come into the house together, every one of them carrying something.)

Several(together). Welcome, Raftery!

Blind Man.

If ye have hearts are worth a mouse,Welcome the bride into her house.

(They laugh and greetMary,and put down gifts—a roll of butter, rolls of woollen thread, and many other things.)

Old Farmer.Ha, ha! That's right. They are coming in now. Now, Raftery; isn't it generous and open-handed and liberal this country is? Isn't it better than the County Mayo?

Blind Man.

I'd say all Galway was rich land,If I'd your shillings in my hand.

(Holds out his plate to them.)

Old Farmer(laughing). Now, neighbours, down with it! My conscience! Raftery knows how to get hold of the money.

A Man of Them.Maisead, he doesn't own much riches; and there is pride on us all to see him in this country. (Puts money in the plate, and all the others do the same. A lean old man comes in.)

Martin(toMary). That is John the Miser, or Seagan na Stucaire, as they call him. That is the man that is hardest in this country. He never gave a penny to any person since he was born.

Miser.God save all here! Oh, is that Raftery? Ho, ho! God save you, Raftery, and a hundred thousand welcomes before you to this country. There is pride on us all to see you. There is gladness on the whole country, you to be here in our midst. If you will believe me, neighbours, I saw with my own eyes the bush Raftery put his curse on; and as sure as I'm living, it was withered away. There is nothing of it but a couple of old twigs now.

Blind Man.

I've heard a voice like his before,And liked some little voice the more;I'd sooner have, if I'd my choice,A big heart and a small voice.

Miser.Ho! ho! Raftery, making poems as usual. Well, there is great joy on us, indeed, to see you in our midst.

Blind Man.What is the present you have brought to the new-married woman?

Miser.What is the present I brought? Omaisead! the times are too bad on a poor man. I brought a few fleeces of wool I had to the market to-day, and I couldn't sell it; I had to bring it home again. And calves I had there, I couldn't get any buyer for at all. There is misfortune on these times.

Blind Man.Every person that came in brought his own present with him. There is the new-married woman, and let you put down a good present.

Miser.Omaisead, much good may it do her! (He takes out of his pocket a small parcel of snuff; takes apiece of paper from the floor, and pours into it, slowly and carefully, a little of the snuff, and puts it on the table.)

Blind Man.

Look at the gifts of every kindWere given with a willing mind;After all this, it's not enoughFrom the man of cows—a pinch of snuff!

Old Farmer.Maisead, long life to you, Raftery; that your tongue may never lose its edge. That is a man of cows certainly; I myself am a man of sheep.

Blind Man.A bag of meal from the man of sheep.

Fair Young Man.And I am a man of pigs.

Blind Man.A side of meat from the man of pigs.

Martin.Don't forget the woman of hens.

Blind Man.

A pound of tea from the woman of hens.After all this, it's not enoughFrom the man of cows—a pinch of snuff!

All.

After all this, it's not enoughFrom the man of cows—a pinch of snuff!

Old Farmer.The devil the like of such fun have we had this year!

Miser.Oh, indeed, I was only keeping a little grain for myself; but it's likely they may want it all. (He takes the paper out, and lays it on the table.)

Blind Man.A bag of meal from the man of sheep.

All.

After all this, it's not enoughFrom the man of cows—a half-ounce of snuff!

(One of the girls hands the snuff round; they laugh and sneeze, taking pinches of it.)

Old Farmer.My soul to the devil, Seagan, do the thing decently. Give out one of those fleeces you have in the cart with you.

Miser.I never saw the like of you for fools since I was born. Is it mad you are?

All.From the man of cows, a half-ounce of snuff!

Miser.Oh,maisead, if there must be a present put down, take the fleece, and my share of misfortune on you! (Three or four of the boys run out.)

Old Farmer.Aurah, Seagan, what is your opinion of Raftery now? He has you destroyed worse than the bush! (The boys come back, a fleece with them.)

Boy.Here is the fleece, and it's very heavy it is. (They put it down, and there falls a little bag out of it that bursts and scatters the money here and there on the floor.)

Miser.Ub-ub-bu! That is my share of money scattered on me that I got for my calves. (He stoops down to gather it together. All the people burst out laughing again.)

Old Farmer.Maisead, Seagan, where did you get the money? You told us you didn't sell your share of calves.

Blind Man.

He that got good goldFor calves he never soldMust put good money downWith a laugh, without a frown;Or I'll destroy that manWith a bone-breaking rann.I'll rhyme him by the bookTo a blue-watery look.

Miser.Oh, Raftery, don't do that. I tasted enough of your ranns just now, and I don't want another taste of them. There's threepence for you. (He puts three pennies in the plate.)

Blind Man.

I'll put a new name uponThis strong farmer, of Thrippeny John.He'll be called, without a doubt,Thrippeny John from this time out.Put your sovereign on my plate,Or that and worse will be your fate.

Miser.O, in the name of God, Raftery, stop your mouth and let me go! Here is the sovereign for you; and indeed it's not with my blessing I give it.

(Blind Manplays on the fiddle. They all stand up and dance butSeagan na Stuciare,who shakes his fist inBlind Man'sface, and goes out.

When they have danced for a minute or two,Blind Manstops fiddling and stands up.)

Blind Man.I was near forgetting: I am the only person here gave nothing to the woman of the house.(Hands the plate of money toMary.) Take that and my seven hundred blessings along with it, and that you may be as well as I wish you to the end of life and time. Count the money now, and see what the neighbours did for you.

Mary.That is too much indeed.

Martin.You have too much done for us already.

Blind Man.Count it, count it; while I go over and try can I hear what sort of blessings Seagan na Stucaire is leaving after him.

(Neighbours all crowd round counting the money.Blind Mangoes to the door, looks back with a sigh, and goes quietly out.)

Old Farmer.Well, you have enough to set you up altogether, Martin. You'll be buying us all up within the next six months.

Martin.Indeed I don't think I'll be going digging potatoes for other men this year, but to be working for myself at home.

(The sound of horse's steps are heard. A young man comes into the house.)

Young Man.What is going on here at all? All the cars in the country gathered at the door, and Seagan na Stucaire going swearing down the road.

Old Farmer.Oh, this is the great wedding was made by Raftery.—Where is Raftery? Where is he gone?

Martin(going to the door). He's not here. I don't see him on the road. (Turns to young farmer.)Did you meet a blind fiddler going out the door—the poet Raftery?

Young Man.The poet Raftery? I did not; but I stood by his grave at Killeenan three days ago.

Mary.His grave? Oh, Martin, it was a dead man was in it!

Martin.Whoever it was, it was a man sent by God was in it.

An Old Man.

A Teacher.

Conall and other Children.

Scene.—A large room as it was in the old time. A long table in it. A troop of children, a share of them eating their dinner, another share of them sitting after eating. There is a teacher stooping over a book in the other part of the room.

A Child(standing up). Come out, Felim, till we see the new hound.

Another Child.We can't. The master told us not to go out till we would learn this poem, the poem he was teaching us to-day.

Another Child.He won't let anyone at all go out till he can say it.

Another Child.Maisead, disgust for ever on the same old poem; but there is no fear for myself—I'll get out, never fear; I'll remember it well enough. But I don't think you will get out, Conall. Oh, there is the master ready to begin.

Teacher(lifting up his head). Now, children, have you finished your dinner?

Children. Not yet. (A poor-looking, grey old man comes to the door.)

A Child. Oh, that is old Cormacin that grinds the meal for us, and minds the oven.

Old Man. The blessing of God here! Master, will you give me leave to gather up the scraps, and to bring them out with me?

Master. You may do that. (To the children.) Come here now, till I see if you have that poem right, and I will let you go out when you have it said.

Fearall. We are coming; but wait a minute till I ask old Cormacin what is he going to do with the leavings he has there.

Old Man. I am gathering them to give to the birds, avourneen.

Teacher. We will do it now; come over here. (The children stand together in a row.)

Teacher.Now I will tell you who made the poem you are going to say to me: There was a holy, saintly man in Ireland some years ago. Aongus Ceile Dé was the name he had. There was no man in Ireland had greater humility than he. He did not like the people to be giving honour to him, or to be saying he was a great saint, or that he made fine poems. It was because of his humility he stole away one night, and put a disguise on himself; and he went like a poor man through the country,working for his own living without anyone knowing him. He is gone away out of knowledge now, without anyone at all knowing where he is. Maybe he is feeding pigs or grinding meal now like any other poor person.

A Child.Grinding meal like old Cormacin here.

Teacher.Exactly. But before he went away, it is many fine sweet poems he made in the praise of God and the angels; and it was one of those I was teaching you to-day.

A Child.What is the name you said he had?

Teacher.Aongus Ceile Dé, the servant of God. They gave him that name because he was so holy. Now, Felim, say the first two lines you; and Art will say the two next lines; and Aodh the two lines after that, and so on to the end.

Felim.

Up in the kingdom of God, there areArchangels for every single day.

Art.

And it is they certainlyThat steer the entire week.

Aodh.

The first day is holy;Sunday belongs to God.

Fergus.

Gabriel watches constantlyEvery week over Monday.

Conall.

Gabriel watches constantly—

Teacher.That's not it, Conall; Fergus said that.

Conall.It is to God Sunday belongs——

Teacher.That's not it; that was said before. It is at Tuesday we are now. Who is it has Tuesday? (The little boy does not answer.) Who is it has Tuesday? Don't be a fool, now.

Conall(putting the joint of his finger in his eye). I don't know.

Teacher.Oh, my shame you are! Look now; go in the place Fearall is, and he will go in your place. Now, Fearall.

Fearall.

It is true that Tuesday is keptBy Michael in his full strength.

Teacher.That's it. Now, Conall, say who has Monday.

Conall.I can't.

Teacher.Say the two lines before that and I will be satisfied. Who has Monday?

Conall(crying). I don't know.

Teacher.Oh, aren't you the little amadan! I will never put anything at all in your head. I will not let you go out till you know that poem. Now, boys, run out with you; and we will leave Conall Amadan here. (TheTeacherand all the other scholars go out.)

The Old Man.Don't be crying, avourneen; I will teach the poem to you; I know it myself.

Conall.Aurah, Cormacin, I cannot learn it. I am not clever or quick like the other boys. I can'tput anything in my head (bursts into crying again). I have no memory for anything.

Old Man(laying his hand on his head). Take courage, astore. You will be a wise man yet, with the help of God. Come with me now, and help me to divide these scraps. (The child gets up.) That's it now; dry your eyes and don't be discouraged.

Conall(wiping his eyes). What are you making three shares of the scraps for?

The Old Man.I am going to give the first share to the geese; I am putting all the cabbage on this dish for them; and when I go out, I will put a grain of meal on it, and it will feed them finely. I have scraps of meat here, and old broken bread, and I will give that to the hens; they will lay their eggs better when they will get food like that. These little crumbs are for the little birds that do be singing to me in the morning, and that awaken me with their share of music. I have oaten meal for them. (Sweeps the floor, and gathers little crumbs of bread.) I have a great wish for the little birds. (The old man looks up; he sees the little boy lying on a cushion, and he asleep. He stands a little while looking at him. Tears gather in his eyes; then he goes down on his knees.)

Old Man.O Lord, O God, take pity on this little soft child. Put wisdom in his head, cleanse his heart, scatter the mist from his mind, and let him learn his lesson like the other boys. O Lord, Thou wert Thyself young one time: take pity on youth. O Lord, Thou Thyself shed tears: dry the tears of this little lad.Listen, O Lord, to the prayer of Thy servant, and do not keep from him this little thing he is asking of Thee. O Lord, bitter are the tears of a child, sweeten them; deep are the thoughts of a child, quiet them; sharp is the grief of a child, take it from him; soft is the heart of a child, do not harden it.

(While the old man is praying, theTeachercomes in. He makes a sign to the children outside; they come in and gather about him. The old man notices the children; he starts up, and shame burns on him.)

Teacher.I heard your prayer, old man; but there is no good in it. I praise you greatly for it, but that child is half-witted. I prayed to God myself once or twice on his account, but there was no good in it.

The Old Man.Perhaps God heard me. God is for the most part ready to hear. The time we ourselves are empty without anything, God listens to us; and He does not think on the thing we are without, but gives us our fill.

Teacher.It is the truth you are speaking; but there is no good in praying this time. This boy is very ignorant. (He and the old man go over to the child, who is still asleep, and signs of tears on his cheeks.) He must work hard, and very hard; and maybe with the dint of work, he will get a little learning some time. (He puts his hand on the cheek of the little boy, and he starts up, and wonder on him when he sees them all about him.)

The Old Man.Ask it to him now.

Teacher.DO you remember the poem now, Conall?

Conall.

Up in the heaven of God, there areArchangels for every day.And it is they certainlyThat steer the entire week.The first day is holy;Sunday belongs to God.Gabriel watches constantlyEvery week over Monday.It is true that Tuesday is keptBy Michael in his full strength.Rafael, honest and kind and gentle,It is to him Wednesday belongs.To Sachiel, that is without crookedness,Thursday belongs every week.Haniel, the Archangel of God,It is he has Friday.Bright Cassiel, of the blue eyes,It is he directs Saturday.

Up in the heaven of God, there areArchangels for every day.

And it is they certainlyThat steer the entire week.

The first day is holy;Sunday belongs to God.

Gabriel watches constantlyEvery week over Monday.

It is true that Tuesday is keptBy Michael in his full strength.

Rafael, honest and kind and gentle,It is to him Wednesday belongs.

To Sachiel, that is without crookedness,Thursday belongs every week.

Haniel, the Archangel of God,It is he has Friday.

Bright Cassiel, of the blue eyes,It is he directs Saturday.

Teacher.That is a great wonder, not a word failed on him. But tell me, Conall astore, how did you learn that poem since?

Conall.When I was sleeping, just now, there came an old man to me, and I thought there was every colour that is in the rainbow upon him. And he took hold of my shirt, and he tore it; and then heopened my breast, and he put the poem within in my heart.

Old Man.It is God that sent that dream to you. I have no doubt you will not be hard to teach from this out.

Conall.And the man that came to me, I thought it was old Cormacin that was in it.

Fearall.Maybe it was Aongus Ceile Dé himself that was in it.

Aodh.Maybe Cormacin is Aongus.

Teacher.Are you Aongus Ceile Dé? I desire you in the name of God to tell me.

The Old Man(bowing his head). Oh, you have found it out now! Oh, I thought no one at all would ever know me. My grief that you have found me out!

Teacher(going on his knees). O holy Aongus, forgive me; give me your blessing. O holy man, give your blessing to these children. (The children fall on their knees round him.)

The Old Man(stretching out his hand). The blessing of God on you. The blessing of Christ and His Holy Mother on you. My own blessing on you.

Two Women.

Shepherds.

Kings.

Child Angels.

The Holy Family.

Scene.—A stable. The door shut on it. The dawn of day is rising, and the colours of morning coming. Two women come in—a woman of them from the east, and a woman from the west, and they tired from the journey. There is a branch of a cherry tree in the hand of one of them, and a flock of flax in the hand of the other of them.

The First Woman.God be with you!

The Second Woman.God be with yourself!

First Woman.Where are you going?

Second Woman.In search of a woman I am.

First Woman.And myself as well as you.

Second Woman.That is strange. What woman is that?

First Woman.A woman that is about to give birth to a child; and I think it would be well for her, another woman to be giving care to her.

Second Woman.That is the same woman I am in search of in the same way.

First Woman.I did an unkindness to her, and grief and shame came on me after, and I thought to make up for it if I could.

First Woman.Oh, that is just the same thing I myself did.

Second Woman.That is a wonder. I will tell you how it happened with me; and you will tell me your story after that.

First Woman.I will tell it.

Second Woman.That is good. I was one evening a while ago getting ready the supper for my husband and my children, when there came a man and a young woman to the door, and the woman riding an ass. They asked a night's lodging of me. They said it was up to Jerusalem they were going. But, my grief! the husband I have is a rough man, and there was fear on me to let them in; I was afraid he would do something to me, and I refused them. They said to me they were very tired; and they pressed so hard on me that I told them at last to go out and sleep in the barn, in the place the flax was, and my husband would not have knowledge of it. But about midnight my husband was struck with sickness, and a great pain came on him of a sudden, as if his death was near. When I thought him to be dying, I was in dread; and I ran out to the people I had put in the barn, asking help from them.

First Woman.God help us!

Second Woman.God help us, indeed! And when the woman that was lying on the stalks of flax heard my story, it is what she did: she took a flock of the husks of the flax that were on the floor, and said to me: 'Lay that,' she said, 'on the place the pain is, and it will cure him.' Out with me as quick as I could, and the husks in my hand, the same as they are now. My husband was on the point of death at that time; but, as sure as I am alive, when I put the husks on him, the pain went away, and he was as well as ever he was.

First Woman.That is a great story!

Second Woman.And when I ran out again to bring the woman in with me, she was gone; and I heard a voice, as I thought, saying these two lines:—

'A meek woman and a rough man;The Son of God lying in husks.'

First Woman.You heard that said?

Second Woman.There was grief and shame on me then, letting her from me like that, without giving her thanks, or anything at all; and I followed her on the morrow, for I said to myself that she was blessed. I heard she was gone to Bethlehem; and I followed her to this stable; for I thought I could be helpful to her, and she in that state. They told me she was not in the inn; and that there was no place at all for her to get, till she came to this stable.

First Woman.Is not that wonderful? You saidthe truth when you said it was a blessed woman that was in it.

Second Woman.How do you know that?

First Woman.Because she did a great marvel under my own eyes. My sorrow and my bitter grief! I did a thing seven times worse than what you did. It was fear before your husband was on you when you refused her the night's lodging; but the hardness and the misery in my own heart made me refuse her fruit she asked of me. She herself and the man that was with her were going by; and the day came close on her and hot, and there was a large tree of cherries in my garden. She looked up then, and she took a longing for them. 'O right woman!' she said; 'there is a desire come on me to have a few of your cherries; maybe you will give me a share of them.' 'I will not give them,' said I, 'to any stranger at all travelling the road like yourself.' 'Give them to me, if it is your will,' says she, quiet, and nice, and gentle, 'for I am not far from the birth of my child; and I have a great longing for them.'

I don't know what was the bad thing was in my heart; but I refused her again. No sooner was the word out of my mouth than the big tree bent down of itself to her, and laid its twigs across the wall, and out on the road, till she could put out her hand and take her fill of the cherries.

Second Woman.That was a great miracle, without doubt.

First Woman.It was so; and grief came to meafter that for refusing her; for I knew by it that God had a hand in her. And I took this branch in my hand, and I followed her to the stable to ask pardon of her.

Second Woman.Is it not a wonder how we came here together on the same search?

First Woman.I think she will be wanting help, for they said to me in the inn she was not far from the birth of her child; and I made as good haste as I could. Maybe we are in time to give her help yet.

Second Woman.I will knock at the door.

First Woman.Do so.

Second Woman.Wait a while; there are strangers coming up this road from the west.

First Woman.That is so; and look on the other side: there are great people coming from the east. We must wait till they go past. (They sit down on either side of the door. Kings, finely dressed, come in at the east side; and herds and shepherds on the west side.)

A King(pointing upwards with his hand). Kings and friends, it is not possible I am mistaken. Is not the wonderful star we followed as far as this standing now without stirring over this place?

A Shepherd.O friends, look up. There is not a bird in the sky that is not gathered above this house.

A King.We are come from the east, from the rising of the sun, a long, long way off from thiscountry, following the star that is standing still over us now. Where are you come from, shepherds?

A Shepherd.We are come from the west, from the setting of the sun, a long way off from this country.

King.And what is it brought you here? I dare say it is not without cause yourselves and ourselves are met at the door of this house.

Shepherd.We were sitting one evening quiet and satisfied on a grassy hill watching our flocks; and we saw all of a sudden a thing that put wonder on us. The lambs that were sucking at the ewes left off sucking, and they looked up in the sky; and the kids that were drinking at the pool stopped drinking and looked up. It would put wonder on any person at all to see the little kids looking up as wise as ourselves. We looked up then, and we saw a beautiful bright angel over our heads; and fear came on us; but the angel spoke, and he said to us that some great joy was coming into the world, and he said: 'Set out now in search of it, and go to Bethlehem.' 'Where is that?' we asked. 'In a country that is called Judea,' said the angel, 'a long, long way from you to the east.' We made ourselves ready on the morrow; and there was every sort of bird that was in the sky going before us. Look at them all now, a share of them sitting on the roof of the house, and thousands of others above in a great cloud. We are all simple people, poor shepherds, it is not fitting for us to be coming here; but there was fear on us when we heard the angel speak.

King.It is great powerful kings we are. We come from far off, from the rising of the sun. There is not a king or a prince in these parts is fit to be put beside the lowest steward we have. And we are wise. There is no knowledge or learning to be had under the sun that we have not got. But now we are brought by the guidance of that star to the Master and the Teacher that will teach us all the knowledge and wisdom of the whole world. It is in that hope we are come following this star. And now, shepherds, tell us what is it you want here.

Shepherd.We cannot say rightly what we want here. But the angel told us there was some great joy coming into the world; and we followed the birds in search of that joy, and the birds came to this place.

King.It is likely, since the star of knowledge led us, and the birds led you, to the one place, that there is some wonderful thing in it. O friends, whatever thing is in this closed stable, it is certain it will put great fear or great joy, or maybe great sorrow, on these shepherds and on ourselves.

Shepherd.You who are noble and great, and rich and wise, and learned in all things, tell us what is in this stable.

King.It is true we are noble and honourable, and learned and powerful, and wise and prudent, but we cannot tell you that. We do not know ourselves what is the thing that is in it.

Shepherd.Tell us this much anyway, is it sorrow or joy, grief or gladness, courage or fear, it will put onus? Will you not tell us that before we knock at the closed door?

King.It is certain there are no other persons in the world so learned as ourselves. We are astronomers to tell of the coming and going of the stars, and the ways of the heavens, and everything that is on the earth and in the clouds and under the earth. But for all that we cannot tell you this thing.

Shepherd.Who will knock at the door?

King.It is my advice to you now: the king that is youngest of us, and the shepherd that is youngest of you, to go to the door and to knock together.

Shepherd.Why do you say the youngest king and the youngest shepherd?

King.Do you not know there is no person free from sin but only infants that have never found occasion of doing it? The man that is youngest of us, it is he found least occasion to do wrong; and he is the best fitted to knock at this door, whatever there may be inside it.

Shepherd(leading out another shepherd). This is the man that is youngest among us.

King(leading out another king). This is the youngest king in our company.

(The two go to the door together and knock at it. The door is opened by St. Joseph, and the manger is seen, and Mary Mother kneeling beside the manger on her two knees, her hands crossed on her breast, and she praying.)

King.We are come to this door to do honour to God, and to Him that God has sent. It is here allthe people of the whole world will be taught, and will be put on the road that is best. Show Him to us; and we will proclaim Him to all the people of knowledge, and the learned people of the world.

Sheperd.We are come in search of Him who is come to put joy in the world, and to put gladness in the hearts of the people. Show Him to us; and we will give news of Him to the herds and the shepherds, and the simple people of the whole world.

St. Joseph.It is great my gladness is to see you here. A hundred welcomes before you, both gentle and simple. Come in, and I will show you Him you are in search of. Look at this baby in the manger. It is He is King of the World, and He will put all the countries of the world under His feet.

Mary Mother.He is the Son of God.

(They all go on their knees.)

King.We have brought gifts and offerings with us. Let us show them to you.

Mary Mother.Walk softly and quietly, that you may not awake the Child.

A King.I am the king is oldest in our company. I will walk softly, and I will not awake the Child.

A Shepherd.I am the man is oldest among us; let us give our poor gifts to you like the others. I will walk softly; I will not awake the little One.

King.We have brought from the rising of the sun, gold, and frankincense, and myrrh, and a share of every noble precious treasure there is in the world. It is not possible for the whole world to give a thingwe have not with us; and we have brought another thing the world has not to give, the knowledge and sense and wisdom of our own hearts. We have been gathering it through the years, from youth to old age; and we put it first of all these things. (They lay gold and spices, and other treasures before the Child.)

Shepherd.We have brought fleeces, and cheeses, and a little lamb with us as an offering. We have no other thing to give. We are old now, and we have got this wisdom from God, that there is nothing better worth giving than the things God has given to us. (They put down their own offerings. The two women come round to the front.)

The First Woman.Oh, do you see that?

Second Woman.King of the World, he said! Oh, are we not the unhappy sinners?

First Woman.My bitter grief for myself and yourself!

Second Woman.I am lost for ever. There is no forgiveness for me to find for the thing I did!

First Woman.Nor for myself.

Second Woman.You were not so guilty as I was.

First Woman.Let us go; and let us hide ourselves under some scalp of a rock, in a hole in the earth, or in the middle of the woods!

Second Woman.Let us then hasten that we may hide ourselves.

Mary Mother(rises up and stretches out her hands, beckoning to the women). Come over here.Come to this cradle. The Son of God is in this cradle, and His cradle is nothing but a manger. But yet He is King of the World. There is a welcome before the whole world coming to this cradle; but it is those that are asking forgiveness will get the greatest welcome.

(The two women fall on their knees.

Child angels come and stand on the rising ground at each side of the stable, and shining clothes on them like the colours of the morning. They lift their trumpets and blow them softly.)

Mary Mother.Listen to the angels, the angels of God!

An Angel of them.A hundred welcomes before the whole world to this cradle. We give out peace; we give out goodwill; we give out joy to the whole world! (They take their share of trumpets up again, and blow them long and very sweetly.)

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