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.