SCENE I

_Road outside Bethlehem. Sky, stars, snow. Up, centre, a little to left, a stump of a tree. As curtain begins to rise, there is sung by invisible Choir_....[2]

When Christ was born of Mary free In Bethlehem, that faire citie, Angels sang there, with mirth and glee, In excelsis gloria!

_Chorus (repeat)._ In excelsis ...

2. Herdsmen beheld those angels bright, To them appearing with great light, Who said, “God’s Son is born to-night,” In excelsis gloria. [_Chorus._]

3. The King is come to save mankind, As in Scripture truths we find, Therefore this song we have in mind, In excelsis gloria. [_Chorus._]

4. Then, dear Lord, for Thy great grace, Grant us in bliss to see Thy face, That we may sing to Thy solace In excelsis gloria. [_Chorus._]

_Then, enter_ ZACHARY (L.); _walking with a stick, carrying a bundle and a lantern. His shoulders are covered with snow. He walks very slowly. In centre of stage he halts, looks about him slowly._

ZACH. Now, God have mercy! I must rest awhile, For mile on weary mile, and mile on mile, I’ve trudged on foot since break of day began, And, sure, I’m but an old and ancient man.

[_He goes across to stump, and sits on it slowly, disposing his stick and bundle and lantern. He settles himself deliberately, folding his arms._

Time was, once, long ago, when I would run And leap and swim as good as any one. Aye, aye,—to run a race or climb a wall— Aye, aye,—I’d beat ’em all, I’d beat ’em all.

[_Shakes his head reminiscently. Then passes his hands slowly down his knees._

But, sure, I’m stiff, and my poor bones are old, And night is bitter cold—’tis bitter cold.... Yes, yes [_begins to look about him_]. I’ve come a mighty step to-day. Why, but—

[_Stands up suddenly, stares out_ (R.), _under hand_.

Is that the town so far away? I thought ’twas nearer. But this pesky snow——! At Rachel’s tomb the neighbours bade me go A mile or two.... Yes, yes, they told me so....

[_Sits again heavily._

And now I’m wearied out ... and not so near As I had thought.... (_turns to_ (L.), _stares out_.) God bless me! who comes here?

[_Enter_ (L.) ELIPHAZ, NADAB, and UZZIEL, _together, arm-in-arm; richly dressed; muffled up; carrying bundles, walking with sticks_. NAD. _carries a lantern. They come across briskly as they reach stump._ ZACH. _suddenly stands up, pulling his forelock. They start violently apart._

ZACH. Good gentlemen——

ELIPH. Why, murrain take the man For frighting of us so! I never can Abide these rustics.

[_He crosses over_ (R.). _Others remain_ (L.).

NAD. They’ve no sense, I say, To fright three gentlemen upon their way. See here, old man! (_Lifts stick threateningly._)

UZZ. No, no. Let be! let be!

[_He interposes his arm._

See here, old man! I’d have a word with thee. Are you a native here? (ZACH. _nods_.) Why, then, I’ll lay You’ll guide us, for, I think, we’ve lost our way. A piece of gold or so’ll help you tell——

ZACH. Why, no, good sir; I need no gold——

ELIPH. (_interrupting_). Well, well—— We’re three good merchants, come, as you can see, For this enrolling, down from Galilee, And now we’ve missed our way.

ZACH. Yes, yes, good friend, I’ll set you on your way, if you’ll but lend An arm to my old arm to bear me up; For sure I’ve never had a bite or sup Since break of day.

UZZ. Yes, yes, old man; but tell Us first our way; and all will then be well.

ZACH. (_pointing_ (R.) _very deliberately_). Why, down the hill straight on, another mile, Then to your right, and so beyond the stile

[_He makes gestures of pointing._

To where the vineyards stand—(remember them), And that’ll bring you straight to Bethlehem.

[_He turns, and gathers stick and bundle._

And now, sir—[_comes forward_]—your good arm.

UZZ. (_avoiding_). Why, no, no, no, You’ve given us all we asked. We could not go With such a bag of bones! That’s not the way To make a contract. Come, be off, I say!

[_Threatens him as_ ZACH. _approaches again_.

ZACH. Sir, sir; I’m wearied out! I’m done to death! I’m old and weak of limb, and short of breath. I pray you— [_Seizes_ ELIPHAZ’S _arm, who shakes it off_.

ELIPH. Why, here’s impudence as well! Is’t so you speak to men of Israel? [_Threatens._

ZACH. Sir ...for the love of God ...

UZZ. Why, that’s too good! “The love of God!”—I’ve always understood That God was Justice! Eh! good Nadab, eh?

[_He turns to_ NAD.

What do you think? That never was the way We learned at school! [_Threatens_ ZACHARY. Hands off! old man! I say!

[ELIPH. _crosses_ (L.). ZACH. Sir, for Messias’ sake!...

UZZ. Why, who is He?

ZACH. (_solemnly_). Sir, it is He told of in prophecy, Who surely comes one day to set all right, And judge in love and justice. Why, this night Maybe, He’ll come.

UZZ. Nay, nay! That’s past a joke! Come, gentlemen; enough of crazy folk! We must be going on a mile or two To shelter; and, my friend, good-night to you!

[_Exeunt_ (R.) _three Merchants, saluting_ ZACHARY _ironically_. ZACHARY _stands looking after them, hands raised. He totters a step or two, then he lets hands sink slowly._

ZACH. Now, God have mercy! But I’m wearied sore.

[_Begins to limp back to stump._

So wearied I have never been before.

[_He sits heavily on ground, leaning against stump. Then, after a pause._

My limbs that heavy! [_Lifts hands, and lets them drop._ My old eyes, that dim!

[_Stares about, bewildered._

Why—if He came—I could not look at Him....

[_His voice grows weaker._

Dreams, did they say?... And old Isaias too?...

[_He rolls his eyes._

David.... And Balaam ... and the Fleece of Dew That Gideon saw.... Why, now, how soft the snow.... [_Sleepy voice; closing eyes._ I’ll sleep ... a bit ... a bit ... before ... I ... go.

[_Sinks down. Music begins very softly, and verse of carol is played through as he falls asleep. Then_ MARTHA _and_ ABEL _begin to sing, off_.

And ... God ... have ... pity on ... all ... poor folks ... here below.

MAR. AND ABEL.[3] The Lord at first had Adam made Out of the dust and clay, And in his nostrils breathed life....

[_Enter_ (L.) MARTHA _and_ ABEL, _carrying bundles, with sticks, over shoulders, hand in hand_. MARTHA _carries a lantern_.

E’en as the Scriptures say. And then in Eden’s Paradise He placed him to dwell That he within— [_Stop abruptly._

MAR. Why, Abel, what’s that lying by the tree?

[ABEL _clings to her, lets go, tries to run_.

Nay, nay, be quiet! Here, take hold of me.

[_She is staring at_ ZACHARY.

ABEL. Oh! Martha, Martha, I’m afraid—

[_Tries to pull her away._

MAR. No, no.

[_She goes closer with him; looks._

’Tis but an old man, sleeping in the snow. Why—look how white he is! How white and old! He’ll take his death! The night is bitter cold.

[_Advances close to him with lantern._

Sir, sir! Wake up.... Here, Abel, take the light!

[_Hands him lantern. He shrinks away._

You silly boy! With God nor day nor night Can harm His children.... Here, sir, wake, awake!

[_Shakes him by arm._

The night is cold. Sir! [_She kneels by him._ For Messias’ sake!

[ZACHARY _moans gently, lifts his head, looks round, sinks back_.

ZACH. (_sleepily_). Messias! eh? Messias? Why ... they ... said ... ’Twas dreams ... all dreams. [_She shakes him._ Why ... what is this?... my head ... Is heavy ... let me sleep.... [_Rolls over a little._ Ah! let me sleep.... And dream Messias’ coming ... lest ... He ... weep ... To find no welcome.

MAR. (_rapidly_). Abel, here— [_He is sobbing._ Don’t cry.... Quick, boy, I tell you ... lest the old man die.

[_Together they lift him slowly, first up to tree, then on his feet. He clings to them. They move about; finally he sits down on stump, and begins to recover himself._

ZACH. (_rubbing eyes_).

Why, ’tis but children! And I thought that He Had sent His angels down to succour me, And bring me tidings that His Christ was here.

[_Looks round, then drops his head._

No, dreams! All dreams it is.

[MARTHA _takes him by arm_.

MAR. Sir! can you hear Me speak, good father? Can you see me plain?

[_He looks at her; recovers further._

ZACH. Why, yes.... I heard you singing. Sing again That which you sang. [_Releases his arm._ Nay, nay, child, let me go! I’m well awake enough. ’Twas but the snow Bewildered me. What was that song so sweet I heard so plain?

[MARTHA _comes a little forward, smiling shyly_.

MAR. Sir, to beguile our feet We sang a carol, made—Oh! long ago, Of times when God walked once with men below In Eden’s garden; whence all woe began From Satan’s tempting and the sin of man. That was the little song you heard so plain As we were coming.

ZACH. Sing the song again.

[MARTHA _and_ ABEL _stand side by side_ (R.).

MAR. AND ABEL. The Lord at first had Adam made Out of the dust and clay, And in his nostrils breathed life, E’en as the Scriptures say.

And then in Eden’s Paradise He placed him to dwell, That he within it should remain To dress and keep it well.

[_They turn to_ ZACH.

ZACH.

Why—

[_Chorus suddenly begins from behind scene. Children are terrified._ ZACH. _stands up, frightened. They cling to him. During the singing they recover themselves a little. They look about, standing all together_ (R.) _facing_ (L.). ABEL _leaves the others and begins to move across stage, looking in all directions_.

INVISIBLE CHORUS.

Now let good Christians all begin A holier life to live; And to rejoice and merry be For this is Christmas Eve.

4. Now mark the goodness of the Lord Which He to mankind bore, His mercy soon He did extend Lost man for to restore;

And, therefore, to redeem our souls From death and hell and thrall, He said His own dear Son should be The Saviour of us all.

_Chorus._ Now let ...

ABEL (_letting go_). Why! What was that? Who’s singing there below?...

[_Runs to_ MARTHA, _who is looking_ (L.).

I’m frightened, Martha.... Martha! let us go.

[ZACH., _also staring_ (L.).

ZACH. Why! Who comes here? [_He goes a step._ An old man and a maid! Is that their singing?... No ... she seems afraid And weary. Children! See how slow they wind!

[_Looks intently, under hand._

Children! look closer.... Who comes on behind?... No ... he is gone again.... I thought I saw Figures who came and went, behind, before, As if to keep them.... Children, do you see?

[_A silence._

MAR. (_looking_). I see a maiden, and a man like thee. Old, old and heavy.... Why, sir, look again! Why ... who is that? Nay ... nay, I saw him plain— All, all in light—Nay, but he’s gone again.

[_The three shrink together backwards across the stage to_ (R.) _as_ (L.) _enter_ JOSEPH _and_ MARY, _very slowly. She leans on him. They come up to tree. She sinks on to it, in his arms, and drops her head. He stands behind, holding her. So the tableau remains. Behind the scenes the Chorus sings, as below. During the singing_, ABEL _advances step by step, almost imperceptibly, with_ MARTHA _behind and_ ZACHARY _last_.

CHORUS. A Virgin unspotted, the Prophet foretold,[4] Should bring forth a Saviour, which now we behold, To be our Redeemer from death, hell, and sin, Which Adam’s transgression had wrappèd us in.

_Chorus._ Aye and therefore be merry; set sorrow aside, Christ Jesus our Saviour was born on this tide.

2. At Bethlehem city in Jewry it was That Joseph and Mary together did pass, All for to be taxed with many one more; Great Cæsar commanded the same should be so.

_Chorus._ Aye and therefore ...

3. There were they constrained in a stable to lie, Where horses and asses they used for to tie, Their lodging so simple they took it no scorn, But against the next morning our Saviour was born.

_Chorus._ Aye and therefore ...

[_At this point_ ABEL _reaches_ MARY, _and kneels down before her on his knees, looking, on her right, and_ MARTHA _on her left_, ZACHARY _in centre. During the next verses_, MARY _opens her eyes, sees them, then slowly stretches out her hands on to their heads; each kisses her hand. Then both_ MARY’S _hands on_ ZACHARY’S _head. He takes them both and kisses them. All this very slowly during following verse._

INVISIBLE CHORUS. Then God sent an angel from heaven so high, To certain poor shepherds in fields where they lie, And bade them no longer in sorrow to stay, Because that our Saviour was born on this day.

_Chorus._ Aye and therefore ...

[_Then_ MARY _is slowly supported by_ JOSEPH _on her right, with her arm round his shoulders, and, on the left, in the same way, by_ MARTHA _and_ ABEL. ZACHARY _slowly gathers up bundles and sticks and lantern_.

Then presently after the shepherds did spy, Vast numbers of angels to stand in the sky; They joyfully talked, and sweetly did sing, To God be all glory, our heavenly King.

_Chorus._ Aye and therefore ...

[_They begin to go out_ (R.) _in the above order. As they disappear_ (R.), _enter_ (L.) _two tall angels bearing swords in right hand and burning tapers in left, and two small angels bearing tapers only. These pairs slowly cross stage, and as curtain comes down they are still passing, and simultaneously the last chorus ends._

To teach us humility all this was done, And learn we from thence haughty pride for to shun, A manger His cradle, who came from above, The great God of mercy, of peace, and of love.

_Chorus._ Aye and therefore ...

CURTAIN.

[_A quiet piece of music begins and continues until Carol._