SCENE III

_Before curtain rises, invisible choir sings._

The first Nowell the angel did say,[6] Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay; In fields where they lay keeping their sheep, On a cold winter’s night that was so deep.

_Chorus._ Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Born is the King of Israel.

2. They looked up and saw a Star Shining in the East, beyond them far; And to the earth it gave great light, And so it continued both day and night.

_Chorus._ Nowell ...

3. (4.) This Star drew nigh to the North-West, O’er Bethlehem it took its rest; And there it did both stop and stay, Right over the place where Jesus lay.

_Chorus._ Nowell ...

4. (6.) Then let us all with one accord Sing praises to our heavenly Lord, That hath made Heaven and earth of nought, And with His Blood mankind hath bought.

_Chorus._ Nowell ...

SCENE—_Hills outside Bethlehem. Lights very low. Starlit sky; rocks on either side; snow on ground, except round fire and shelter._ R. _A shelter of hurdles, open side facing audience, with a stool within it. A fire burning; heaps of skins round it._ EZRA _discovered_ L., _looking out under his hand_ L.; _so he continues a while. Enter_ R.,_from behind shelter_, BEN-EZRA _with lamb_.

BEN. Well, father, do you see him?

EZ. (_slowly, with pauses_). No, not I! (_Still looking._) Nought to be seen but snow and starry sky, And that great star that hangs above the town.

[_He makes a gesture_ L.

BEN. Here is a lamb, new-born. (_He shows it._)

EZ. (_without turning_). Well, lay it down.

[BEN. _goes to shelter_. An ill night to be born in! Frost and snow, Cold heaven above, and colder earth below. I marvel any tender creature should be born On such a night.

BEN. I found it all forlorn, Crying beside its mother.

EZ. Lay it by

[BEN-EZRA _lays it by fire, wrapped up_.

And warm it.

[_He suddenly takes step or two to_ L., _relieved_.

Here comes Uncle Zachary!

[_Enter_ ZACH. _slowly, on stick. All through this scene he speaks rather monotonously, as if bewildered._

Why, uncle, we had given you up for dead!

[_Leads him towards shelter._

Now, God be praised who brought you safe.

ZACH. I said The same an hour ago. (_He comes towards fire._)

EZ. Well, what’s the tale At Bethlehem?

ZACH. (_slowly_). Nay, my old ears do fail; For, seems to me, the town was full of song And lights and music as I came along.

BEN. Singing and music! Why, good uncle, sure They all rejoice to-night, both rich and poor, To see old friends again. No doubt they sing. We, too, have heard it. Is that anything So strange?

ZACH. Nay, nay.... Well, give to me to eat And drink a bit. (_He goes on into shelter._)

EZ. Here, uncle, take your seat Beside the fire, and tell us of the way You’ve come along. We’ve heard no news to-day.

[ZACH. _sits down, begins to eat. He talks slowly, with long pauses._ EZRA _sits by_ (L.) _edge of shelter, cross-legged. He warms his hands at the fire. While he talks and listens_ BEN-EZRA _keeps walking gently up and down_ (L.), _now and then pausing to listen or speak_.

ZACH. First, then, near Rachel’s tomb, I saw three men; And then two children succoured me; and then——

BEN. Succoured you, uncle? Why, what need was there?

ZACH. My son, sore need there was; for all the air Turned black and white about me, when those three Left me alone and would not succour me There as I swooned.

EZ. Swooned, uncle!

ZACH. Yes, my son, There in the snow, ere the descent began To fall to Bethlehem. And there I lay, All frozen, till the children came my way.

EZ. And they did succour you? God bless them, then.

ZACH. God bless all children, as I say. For men

[_Music, “Nowell,” soft. It continues for a line or two._

Are cruel hard.... I think that if came He— Whose coming is most sure by prophecy— ’Tis as a child He’ll come.

BEN. Whom mean you?

ZACH. Why, I mean Messias.... Hark, is that the sky That’s singing? (_Silent pause; music ends._)

EZ. Nay, I hear no sound at all. What mean you, uncle?... Sit you by the wall,

[ZACH. _has finished eating_.

And cover you from cold. For sure the snow

[ZACH. _shifts position_.

’S enough to freeze a body.... Well, and so You came all safe to Bethlehem with those That succoured you so kindly.

ZACH. Aye, God knows They succoured me!

EZ. And, as you came below, Was there no more you met?

[ZACH. _turns and looks at him fixedly_.

Why look you so, Uncle? Why look so strangely?

ZACH. Ezra.

EZ. Well? What was it that you saw?

ZACH. (_shaking head slowly_). No man could tell All that I saw.

EZ. (_eagerly_).

Nay, nay, what was it?

ZACH. Nay, ’Twas but a man and maid upon the way.

[_Music of “Nowell” begins; it continues down to end of_ ZACHARY’S _next speech_.

No more than that. But ... Ezra, ... such a man And such a maid as, since my days began, I never yet have seen.

BEN. What! fair to see Were they?

ZACH. (_very slowly, low voice_). Ben-Ezra, in old prophecy I read of one, the Mother undefiled.... “A Virgin shall conceive and bear a child....

[_He pauses now and then, as if to remember._

For unto us,” Isaias sang, “a Son Is given.” And then I read King Solomon Speaks of a maiden, fairest of her race, Among the vineyards, young, and full of grace.... A fountain sealed and holy.... Well, my son, She whom I saw to-day was such an one. (_Music ends._)

EZ. Uncle! you jest!

ZACH. I jest not.

BEN. And the man That went with her?

ZACH. Son, when I first began To see the couple coming up the height, I had no eyes for him; for all the night

[_He makes slow, sweeping gesture._

Seemed full of glory from her face who came So wearily.

EZ. Who were they? What her name?

ZACH. (_softly_). Her name is Mary; for he told me so. And his is Joseph.

[_Discovers bundle by fire; he examines it in silence._

What is this below The mantle?

BEN. Nay, ’tis but a lamb.

ZACH. You say A lamb? And born to-night? Here far away Down in the snowy world? [_He strokes its head tenderly._

BEN. Why, surely so, ’Twas born but hardly half-an-hour ago!

ZACH. And is it without blemish—fit to die

[_He speaks impressively._

At God’s own altar?

EZ. (_impatiently_). Yes, yes, yes, but why Ask you me that? Nay, tell us of the maid And man you saw to-day. The lamb is laid Content enough.

ZACH. Content without its dam?

BEN. Why, surely so!... Now, uncle, leave the lamb And tell us what you saw.

ZACH. I saw but those I spoke of. Maid and man.

BEN. But then, who knows The place they come from, or the place they lie To-night?

ZACH. (_indignantly_). Nay, none doth know but God and I, And all the hosts of heaven, and beasts, maybe, That give them shelter!

EZ. Why! what mystery You make of nothing, uncle!

ZACH. (_still smouldering_). Aye. Or ’tis That you make nothing of great mysteries.

BEN. Why, uncle——

ZACH. (_emphatically_). Nay, my son, I tell you this: That when I saw the wondrous maiden fair, I knelt me down; and lo! she blessed me there!

[_He spreads out his hands._

EZ. You, uncle! Blessed by her!

ZACH. Aye, aye; ’twas so. I think one day that many here below Will envy me for that! Her hands she laid Upon my head, and spoke no words, that maid.

EZ. Why, this is folly.

ZACH. (_indignantly_). Aye, God’s foolishness, Wiser than all men’s wisdom.

[_His tone changes to despondency._

Yes, yes, yes! ’Tis nought but foolishness.... And so we came To Bethlehem.

BEN. (_pensively_). And Mary was her name?

ZACH. (_slowly_). Aye. Joseph and Mary; Joseph and Mary.

BEN. Well, Uncle, and is that all you have to tell?

ZACH. Aye, that is all—save that all Bethlehem Seemed full of glory, all to welcome them.

BEN. Why, were the folks without to meet them?

ZACH. (_excitedly_). Nay; The folks were snug within. And yet I say ’Twas full of glory.

EZ. (_makes soothing gesture_). Uncle, rest awhile; You’re wearied. Well I see that. Mile on mile You’ve trudged to-day.

[BEN-EZRA _crosses front to_ (R.) _by edge of shelter_.

ZACH. Aye, lad, and more than space I’ve travelled since I looked on Mary’s face.

BEN. Nay, uncle; rest awhile. We’ll talk, maybe, Of lighter things....

ZACH. (_ironically_). Of wine and company, And wherewithal we shall be clothed—aye, speak Of all such matters as the Gentiles seek.

BEN. Nay, we will talk of sheep, and lambs, and snow; And such things as God sends us here below.

ZACH. Aye, then, of Lambs.... Such as was born to-night.

[_He strokes bundle._

EZ. Why, very well, if’t please you.

ZACH. Such a sight Might teach the simplest!... Have you heard, my son, How that the ancient prophets speak of one Who as a lamb is silent, as a sheep Before his shearers all his peace doth keep?

EZ. (_soothingly_). Why, uncle, you’re all ’mazed to-night, it seems.

ZACH. Aye, so they told me. Dreams, they told me, dreams!

BEN. (_cheerfully_). Well, as for sleep, I’m ready. What say you?

[_He stretches and yawns._

[_At this point Angels begin to come in softly one by one behind; take places. Music also—“Nowell”—begins very softly and continues when Angel speaks._

EZ. Uncle, you’re weary. Shall we sleep?

ZACH. Aye, do; Sleep you, and I’ll keep watch. The wolf, maybe, Will visit us by dawn.—[_Slowly to left._]—Or if not he, Perchance another Lamb.

BEN. (_sitting down_ (R.)). Nay, nay, not so; It is for us to watch.

ZACH. I tell you no. Lest when He come, He find me sleeping. Sleep, Ben-Ezra; ’tis for me the watch to keep.

[_The two settle themselves for sleep._ ZACHARY _remains bolt-upright facing audience, seated. Music continues—a little louder. He starts, then rises softly. Comes out, and sees the angels, and stands aghast. Suddenly lights turned up to the full. Angels all stretch arms up and out._ ZACHARY _falls on his knees. The two others awaken; rush out. Then, to the ordinary plainsong melody of mass_—

ANGEL. Gloria in Excelsis Deo.

CHORUS (_in simple harmony_). Et in terra pax, hominibus bonæ voluntatis.

CURTAIN.

[_Immediately after curtain, a piece of music begins and continues till carol._