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The evergreen tree cover

The evergreen tree

Chapter 7: SIXTH ACTION (The Befriending)
By Percy MacKaye
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About This Book

A community masque in twelve actions frames a Christmas ritual around an evergreen as a symbol of light, childhood, and renewal. Folk and biblical figures—elves and gnomes, shepherds, a mute Mary and Joseph, a persecuting host, outcasts, and the Three Kings—interact with choruses, carols, and staged tableaux to dramatize contrasts between innocence, authority, exile, and consolation. Music, choral participation, and scenic design are integral, with carols and choruses set for communal singing and acting. The piece envisions a democratic, devotional festival that blends pagan merriment with Christian passion to express communal hope and sorrow amid social trial.

SIXTH ACTION
(The Befriending)

STAGE A

Now, from the Place of Outcasts, Choral Voices sing, while once more JOSEPH, MARY and Shepherds bearing the Manger appear, coming forth from the shelter of the Evergreen. With them TREE also appears.

Seventh Chorus: A,5. Glory and Serenity
CHORUS
Glory and serenity,
Beauty of desire,
Bless to-night this holy tree
And our candle fire.
Tree of our hearts, behold!
How the dreams of a child in your boughs unfold
And the weary of earth put off their pain
Where the Child of our love has lain.
JOSEPH
Shepherd, the morrow’s light will soon begin
To wake the desert world. Here we have lain
This night in quiet refuge; yet through sleep
I heard far off the host of Herod rage
Against this Child His kingdom. So once more
Let us go forth our way, till He is safe
Beyond the war-lord’s might.
SHEPHERD
Yea, let us go,
Yet not till we have thanked this gentle Tree.
JOSEPH
Dear Tree, you have befriended in his need
This little Child new-born. So—for His sake—
Your gracious boughs shall evermore be green,
Nor ever in winter lose their April sap,
But freshly, at this season of His birth,
They shall be fragrant of the hallowed dreams
His happy heart bequeathes you.
TREE
He was welcome,
And I will deck my boughs with infant joys
In his remembrance.
SHEPHERD
So we say—God keep you!
And not ‘Goodbye’!
JOSEPH
(To Tree)
Nay, still another token
We leave with you: His star—to be henceforth
A morning star of song for other children
Who rest from Herod’s wrath. So you shall be
No more a forest sprite, but a hallow’d angel—
His shining angel with a sheathèd sword
To guard all childhood’s home. Keep here his star:
Farewell!
TREE
O fare you well, dear wanderers,
That have fulfilled with love my lonely dream!

(With lighted candles, in processional, the Shepherds with Manger, Mary and Joseph depart toward the desert. While the Chorus sings, Tree stands gazing after them.)

Eighth Chorus: A,6. Glory and Serenity
CHORUS
Glory and serenity,
Beauty of desire,
Blend the song of men set free
With their children’s choir.
Child of our hearts, behold!
How the dark is strewn with your fairy gold
And the bitter of soul lay-by their spleen
Where the Tree of our love grows green.
(Tree goes within.)