SCENE I. _Hills outside Jerusalem

_Carol by Children_:

In the fields with their flocks abiding, They lay on the dewy ground, And glimmering under the starlight The sheep lay white around. When the light of the Lord streamed o’er them, And lo! from the heavens above An angel leaned from the glory, And sang his song of love; He sang that first sweet Christmas The song that shall never cease-- Glory to God in the highest, On earth good will and peace.

FIRST SHEPHERD:

Now must I rest awhile! For mile on mile, and mile on mile I’ve trudged on foot since break of day began. And I’m but an old and ancient man. I am stiff and my bones are old, And the night is bitter--bitter cold.

SECOND SHEPHERD:

Aye, ’tis bitter cold, and naught to be seen But snow and the starry sky.

FIRST SHEPHERD:

I’ve come a mighty step to-day, But--is that the town so far away?

SECOND SHEPHERD:

Aye, dost see that great star That hangs above the town?

FIRST SHEPHERD:

’Tis a wondrous star even as ever I saw. But I am wearied sore; So wearied I have never been before.

_Enter Third Shepherd_

THIRD SHEPHERD:

Look ye, here is a lamb, new born.

SECOND SHEPHERD:

Poor little beastie! Lay it down and warm it.

THIRD SHEPHERD:

An ill night to be born in! Frost and snow, Cold heaven above, cold earth below. I marvel any little creature should be born On such a night. I found it all forlorn, Crying beside its mother.

SECOND SHEPHERD:

Warm it in thy cloak. ’Tis but a little lamb.

FIRST SHEPHERD:

Hark! is that the sky that sings?

SECOND SHEPHERD:

Nay, I hear no sound at all. You are wearied. Mile and mile you’ve trudged to-day.

THIRD SHEPHERD:

Well, as for sleep, I’m ready. What say ye?

SECOND SHEPHERD:

Aye, do. Sleep ye, and I’ll keep watch. The wolf, maybe, will visit us ere dawn. Or, if not he, perchance another lamb.

(_They sleep. The Third Shepherd walks, with the lamb in his cloak. Soft music is heard._)

THIRD SHEPHERD:

Hark! There’s music in the wind! And what strange light is in the east? Surely it is not dawn?

(_Angels appear. The Shepherd arouses the others._)

ANGEL:

Gloria in Excelsis! Fear not, for behold I bring you glad tidings of great joy. For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be the sign unto you: Ye shall find the heavenly babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. Gloria in Excelsis!

FIRST SHEPHERD:

’Twas a fine voice--even as ever I heard.

SECOND SHEPHERD:

All the hills with a lighting, methought, at his word shone fair.

THIRD SHEPHERD:

He spoke of a Babe at Bethlehem, mark you well. That betokens yon star. Let us seek Him there.

FIRST SHEPHERD:

To Bethlehem he bade that we should go. I fear we tarry too long.

SECOND SHEPHERD:

Full glad would I be, Might I kneel on my knee Some word to say to that child.

THIRD SHEPHERD:

But the angel said in a manger was he laid and poorly clad.

FIRST SHEPHERD:

We shall see him I know before it be morn.

SECOND SHEPHERD:

The place is near. Let us go even now unto Bethlehem and see this thing which has come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

FIRST and THIRD SHEPHERDS:

Aye, let us go and find Him!

(_Tableau held while music dies away._)