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diff --git a/old/64178-0.txt b/old/64178-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 34d2a43..0000000 --- a/old/64178-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,1643 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook of Bethlehem, by Laurence Housman - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you -will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before -using this eBook. - -Title: Bethlehem - A Nativity Play - -Author: Laurence Housman - -Release Date: December 30, 2020 [eBook #64178] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -Produced by: Tim Lindell, David E. Brown, and the Online Distributed - Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was - produced from images generously made available by The Internet - Archive/American Libraries.) - -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BETHLEHEM *** - - - - -BETHLEHEM - -[Illustration] - - - - - BETHLEHEM - - A NATIVITY PLAY - BY LAURENCE HOUSMAN - PERFORMED WITH MUSIC - BY JOSEPH MOORAT UNDER - THE STAGE-DIRECTION OF - EDWARD GORDON CRAIG - DECEMBER MCMII - - - LONDON - MACMILLAN AND CO., LIMITED - NEW YORK: THE MACMILLAN COMPANY - 1902 - - - _All rights reserved_ - - - - -ACT I. - - - _CHORUS enters and speaks before the curtain._ - - Ye Gentles, 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 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 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. - - 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 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 bright - As ’a do now. - - WATCHER. - - Ay-oh, ay-oh, ay-oh! - - 4TH SHEPHERD. - - 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. - - 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 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! - - WATCHER. - - Ay-oh, ay-oh, ay-oh! - - 4TH SHEPHERD. - - There’s old blind Abe a-looking! Don’t he seem - As if he saw it? - - 2ND SHEPHERD. - - 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 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! - - WATCHER. - - Ay-oh!... - - 1ST SHEPHERD. - - 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! - - _Enter GABRIEL._ - - GABRIEL. - - 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 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 feed - His flocks, and in his arms shall bear - The lambs, and like a father fair - The ewes with young shall lead. - - _Enter ANGELS._ - - ANGELS. - - SEMI-CHORUS. SEMI-CHORUS. - - Glory to God In the Highest! - Who unto man Now comes nighest. - Peace be to earth! Goodwill to all! - Christ the new Birth Redeems man’s fall. - - 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. - - CHORUS. - - Glory to God In the Highest! - Who unto man Now comes nighest. - Peace be to earth! Goodwill to all! - Christ the new Birth Redeems man’s fall. - - [_The ANGELS disappear._ - 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 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! - - 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. - - 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 knees - Will offer these at Bethlehem. - - 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 the SHEPHERDS._ - - 6TH SHEPHERD. - - 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 earth - All’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 befall - You and your ways! Good-night, friend; good-night, all. - - [_Exeunt SHEPHERDS._ - - 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. - - _Enter the ANGEL OF THE STAR. He crosses the stage and departs._ - - _Enter the KINGS._ - - 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 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? - - 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 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 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 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? - - 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 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_). - - Glory to God In the Highest! - Who unto man Now comes nighest. - Peace be to earth! Goodwill to all! - Christ the new Birth Redeems man’s fall. - - 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 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. - - [_Exeunt the KINGS._ - - - - -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 Heaven - Comes on earth to dwell. - - ‘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 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 Fructus ventris 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 bless - The Peace within your gates, the Plenteousness! - - _The SHEPHERDS enter._ - - 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 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! - - OMNES. - - Mother Mary, hail! - And of thy Grace, - Lift away the veil - That hides 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 hands - To thy dear knees! - - 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 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. - - 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. - - 6TH SHEPHERD. - - 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 song - Such as we shepherds sing. - - MARY. - - 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 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 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 KINGS enter._ - - 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 first - Of all hath satisfied my thirst! - - 3RD KING. - - Oh, Light, - That brings me sight! - - 1ST KING. - - 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 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 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 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 adore - The Christ made Man for evermore. - - THE SHEPHERDS. - - ’Tis Christmas morn: - Come ye, and bow the knee - Lo, here we see - The perfect Man is born. - - CHORUS. - - (_in alternate parts, KINGS and SHEPHERDS_). - - 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 begins - For man the perfect way. - - CHORUS (_as before_). - - For this fair Birth, etc. - - [_During this song the Attendants of the KINGS have 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 worth - God reached down for me. - - MARY. - - 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 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 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 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 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 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 fold - Are come. Take all the bliss that hearts on earth may hold! - - [_Exeunt KINGS, SHEPHERDS, and ATTENDANTS._ - - SHEPHERDS AND KINGS (_without_). - - 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! - - 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! - - 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! - - 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! - - _Enter GABRIEL._ - - 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 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. - - It is God’s will? - - JOSEPH. - - ’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 Lord - Is born on Christmas Day! - - - [CURTAIN.] - - - _Enter CHORUS._ - - _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 pass _your_ way? - 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 by_ R. & R. CLARK, LIMITED, _Edinburgh_. - - - - -TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES: - - - Italicized text is surrounded by underscores: _italics_. - - Obvious typographical errors have been corrected. - - -*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BETHLEHEM *** - -***** This file should be named 64178-0.txt or 64178-0.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - https://www.gutenberg.org/6/4/1/7/64178/ - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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