SCENE II

_Before curtain rises, invisible Choir sings_—

Come let us all sweet carols sing,[5] Omni relicto tædio Of Mary, Mother of our King, Christoque Jesu Filio. When she had borne that Holy Thing. Reponit in præsepio (_bis_).

2. Now Gabriel sweeping from the sky, Missus a Deo nuntius, These tidings beareth from on high, Lætissimis pastoribus, Behold your God on earth doth lie, Invenietis protinus.

4. Quickly away the shepherds flew, Clara Gabrielis voce, Rejoicing as if filled anew, Bono Bacchico liquore, Leaping and dancing nigh they drew, Simul in Bethlehem Judæ.

6. They entered then the hallowed cave, Jesum hic adoraverunt, The best of all they had they gave, Puerumque oraverunt, Pardon for that was lacking crave, Subitoque abierunt.

CURTAIN RISES

SCENE—_Kitchen of inn. In centre a fire: pot over it. White walls. Two doors_ R. _and_ L., R. _into street_, L. _into inn. A table_ R. _with three stools. Discovered_ TOBIAS, _stirring pot, and_ DAVID _busying himself with plates at the table. After curtain is up_, TOBIAS _leaves spoon in pot, and comes forward. During all this scene he is plainly uneasy and indecisive. He relapses into silence, then rouses himself to speak._

TOB. And you have heard it, David? [_They speak softly._

DAV. Yes, all day, Good master, have I heard them.

TOB. “Them,” you say? Why, who are they?

[_He looks steadily at_ DAV., _with folded arms_.

DAV. I know not, but the sound Was that of singing in the air, and round

[_He makes gesture._

About; and steps, and wings; and everywhere I heard them plainly.

TOB. Was it from the air You heard it?

DAV. Aye, sir.

TOB. Nothing have you seen?

DAV. No, sir. [_A silence._

TOB. Now, David, what doth all this mean?... I, too, have heard.... Say not a word of this To any man.... For these are mysteries.

[_Clamour of voices and stamping._

[TOB. _leaps back to pot and begins stirring again_. DAV. _turns to plates, &c._

TOB. Now, boy, make haste.... Hark to the guests below.

[_Shouts._

Coming, sirs, coming.... Yes, boy, take and go.

[_Exit_ DAV. (L.) _with plates and bread_.

I’ll bring this presently. God bless us! Why

[_Murmur without._

I never heard such tumult. No, not I In all my days. [_Knocking heard on door_ (R.). Yes, yes, come in, come in.

[_Enter_ (R.) THREE MERCHANTS.

ELIPH. Well, my good host, and have you room within?

TOB. What? More of them? Who are you, gentlemen?

ELIPH. Why, we are merchants three, come back again To Bethlehem, as all the world doth know, For our enrolment. Through the frost and snow We’ve trudged full many a mile. And have you space For three good gentlemen? [_He sits down heavily._

TOB. Why, all the place Is full from roof to garret. [_Tumult breaks out again._ Hark to them! Why, all mankind seems come to Bethlehem!

NAD. Well, well! Have you no beds?

TOB. Not one to spare, Nor bite nor sup, I think. [_He makes despairing gesture._

UZZ. (_pointing to pot_). What have you there?

[_Enter_ DAV. (L.).

TOB. No, no, good sir! First come first served, I say. _To_ DAV. Here, lad, make haste. Come! bear the pot away.

[DAV. _takes it and exit_ (L.).

ELIPH. Why, but you cannot turn us out! ’Tis night And freezing cold. We must have food and light And roof above us.

NAD. Let us have the floor Here in this kitchen, if you have no more.

TOB. Well, gentlemen, I tell you, as I live, I have no better and no more to give.

ELIPH. Well, we must make a shift to rest and dine. A loaf of bread you have, at least, and wine, And skins, I’ll warrant you, to keep the cold From killing us. The sheep within the fold Seemed well-nigh frozen as we passed them by.

TOB. Well, gentlemen, if you can shift, then I Will do my best to please you. Sit you down.

[NAD. _and_ UZZ. _sit; unloose wrappings_.

_Enter_ DAV. (L.). Well, are they served there?

DAV. Yes, sir. [_He stands waiting._

TOB. All the town Is full. I never saw the like before!

_To_ DAV. Here, lad! make haste! Go, fetch a bottle more, And bread and meat. These gentlemen must dine.

[_Exit_ DAV. (L.).

(_To_ THREE.) I promise you, a cup of our good wine Will set you up, sirs. [_He sets out plates and cups._

ELIPH. Ah! I warrant you We’ll do good justice to a cup or two.

[_They range themselves. Enter_ DAV. _with bottle, mugs, bread, and meat, and exit again_ (L.). _They begin to eat and drink. Landlord stands with arms akimbo by fire, watching. Now and again he comes to table, helps them to wine, &c., and goes back, as conversation continues._

TOB. And was all quiet as you came?

[_He looks at them curiously._

NAD. Why, yes. All was as still as death—a wilderness Of snow and frost.

TOB. And did you see no man?

[_Very earnestly, leaning on table._

NAD. Why, yes, a few. Just as the road began To come to Rachel’s tomb we passed a maid And old man, and her arm in his was laid;

[_He pauses to eat during this speech. He is very cool and self-contained._

And they were walking—walking wondrous slow:

[_He makes a little gesture._

The maid seemed wearied.... And an hour ago Two children; and then afterwards again Some old fool of a shepherd-man; and then None further, till we reached the market-square.

TOB. Ah! yes. A mighty company was there Of neighbours, come to see the folk arrive From all the country.

[_He begins to walk about uneasily, pensively. There is a long silence. The three eat. Then he suddenly comes back._

As I am alive, I could have sworn that more were there than men.

ELIPH. What, women?

TOB. Aye, and more. (_He looks darkly._)

ELIPH. Well, children, then?

TOB. Aye, more than human-kind.

[_They stare at him, dropping food._

Once and again,

[_He looks at them earnestly, making gestures. Speaking softly_—

As I looked out upon the folks, it seemed Something was forward—somewhat—or I dreamed!— Of more than earthly business. For the air Seemed full of singing, runnings to and fro, Then silences again—rushes of sound— Footsteps, it seemed, moved on the frozen ground, As if some company, to come and go Was set, all busy, in the market-square.

ELIPH. (_after pause_). Bah! You were dreaming, man! The air was keen, And you were weary.... There was nothing seen?

[_He seems a little disturbed._

TOB. No; for I asked my lad if aught were there That he could see——

NAD. Bah! You and your market-square! A dreamer! Like the old man on the hill Who babbled of God’s Love and Justice till I was all wearied—and Messias’ name, Who comes one day, he said. Why, but the same Old tale is past and gone for you and me Since old Isaias babbled prophecy. (_Scornfully._) “A Virgin shall conceive,” he said!...

CHOIR _softly sings a line or two_— “_A Virgin unspotted, the Prophet foretold, Should bring forth a Saviour whom now we...._”

TOB. (_starting_). What is that sound? Do you hear nothing?

[_They stare. Clamour breaks out in room_ (L.), _and music stops_.

Gone again, and drowned! But you heard nothing?

[_Enter_ DAVID (L.) _running, excited. He stops dead._

ELIPH. (_after pause_). Why, the man is mad! Singing and footsteps! What next? Here, you lad, Did you hear aught now?

DAV. (_frightened_). Sir, what did you say?

ELIPH. (_banging table impatiently_). Did you hear aught just now? From far away A sound of singing?

DAV. Why, sir, yes—all day— And now again!

[_Silence. They eye one another uneasily._

NAD. (_to_ TOB.). Bah! Here, a cup of wine Will clear your hearing. I dare wager mine ’S as good as yours. Some drunken fellow there Is noisy in his cups.

[_Holds out cup of wine to_ TOB., _who takes it hesitatingly_.

TOB. (_after pause_). Well, sir, I swear I never heard nor drunk nor sober sing As fair as this I heard. (_Drinks._)

ELIPH. (_easily_). Why, anything May maze a man on such a night, when snow And cold conspire to starve the senses. Go And see your other guests. Perhaps.... Maybe You’ll find them singing.

[TOB. _begins to go out_ (L.) _slowly_.

Aye, come back to me,

[_Exit_ TOB. (L.) _with_ DAV. _whispering to him_.

And we three’ll join them. (_To other two._) Did you ever hear Such madness?

UZZ. Bah! Why, all the world is mad Save such as you and I. As for that lad, I swear he spoke so just to please the man.

NAD. But to come back to where we first began—

[_Air of “A Virgin” sung by_ CHOIR _with closed lips; it continues very faintly down to where_ ELIPH. _opens the door_.

What think you of Messias and that tale The prophets tell?

ELIPH. Well, may not prophets fail As much as any man? I hold such men No better than this dreamer back again. Once, as a child, I thought it otherwise, And deemed that all was holy, and the skies Crowded with angels, and the earth I trod All holy as the dwelling-place of God. And now! Why, I know better.... (_Drinks._)

NAD. As for me, I’m with you. (_Drinks._)

UZZ. So am I. The Sadducee Seems wisest of the lot.

[_They pledge one another. Knocking heard_ (R.).

Why, who comes here?

[_He pauses. Then he goes to door_ (R.) _impatiently, and opens it. A burst of music. Silence. He seems to listen._

No, no! No room! Nor here, nor anywhere!...

[_Listens._

I tell you, No! There’s not a bed to spare.

[_Listens._

NAD. Who’s that? (UZZ. _begins to stare towards door, listening_.)

ELIPH. (_after pause_). The landlord’s out.... What’s that?... Why, then You’d best find shelter as you may.

[_Closes door; comes back. As he comes to seat, knocking._

Again!

[_Rises angrily; goes to door, flings open. After pause_—

That’s no affair of mine! I tell you, Go. And find room where you may. Above, below, The place is packed. Be off! Be off, I say!

[_Half-closes door, listening._

No; not for such as you. The host’s away, Up in Jerusalem. I’m master here; That’s my last word.

[_Bangs door; comes to seat. Knocking. He rises furiously._

Here’s impudence, I swear!

[_Opens door once more._

I’ll set the dogs upon you.... I don’t care....

[_Pause._

Yes, to the stable then, with ox and ass.

[_Bangs door; returns growling; sits._

NAD. Who were the knaves?

ELIPH. That old man and the lass We saw up yonder.

UZZ. (_who has been listening intently_). Was there no one more? I could have sworn I heard them at the door— A multitude of footsteps.

ELIPH. (_hands trembling, head jerking_). Bah! what stuff! The two were there. No more! And quite enough.

[_He drinks. The two stare._

NAD. What ails you, friend?

ELIPH. (_furiously_). Ails me! Why—

[_Enter_ TOB. _and_ DAV. _hurriedly_ (L.).

TOB. Who came then? I swear I heard the music once again. And knocking. Was there no one at the door?

[_He hurries across to_ R., _but stops irresolute_.

ELIPH. Music? What foolery is this?

NAD. (_coolly_). Before You came just now, two folks were here, but now Gone otherwhere to seek for shelter.

TOB. How?

[_He hastens to door_ (R.), _followed by_ DAV.

Gone otherwhere! Why, there’s no room to find In all the place.

[_Opens door; looks out. Very faint music, “A Virgin unspotted ...;” it continues down to end of scene._

It surely were unkind To turn a dog away on such a night. (_Turns from door._) Where are they gone? Here, David, bring a light.

[DAV. _does so. He looks._

NAD. Nay, they are gone. Here, drink a cup with me.

DAV. (_crying out, pointing_). Oh! master, look!

TOB. (_looking eagerly_). Eh? eh? What is’t you see?

DAV. There master, there!

[_The_ THREE MERCHANTS _rise in alarm and stand_ L., _staring_ R.

ELIPH. What is it? Speak, I say.

TOB. (_staring out_). No. I see nothing!

DAV. There, across the way! All, all in light they move, a countless host.

[_He falls on knee._

ELIPH. Bah! bah! What foolery! He sees a ghost.

[_Shrinks in fear and anger._

TOB. (_quietly_). My lad, I can see nothing.... That’s the byre Where lie the cattle.

DAV. (_suddenly crying out and pointing_). See! all, all afire With glory!

ELIPH. (_in terror, as are others_). Here, man! Shut the door!

[_They continue there._

Well, if you will not, I will.

[_Sidles along wall; shuts door angrily._

One fool more Or less in such a household matters not.

NAD. (_recovering_). Why, landlord! your old wits are clean forgot And wildered.

UZZ. Drink a cup of wine with me! There’s no cure for such madness but good company.

[_Slowly_ TOB. _comes across to table, still listening_. DAV. _slips out_ R. ELIPH. _follows_ TOB. _All fill cups_, TOB. _still listening. Music swells up; dies again._ TOB., _after pause, touches his cup with the others. They all drink._

CURTAIN.

_Pastoral symphony begins at once, and continues until the Carol._