SCENE IV
Before curtain rises, invisible Chorus sings.[7]
L
LIKE silver lamps in a distant shrine
The stars are sparkling bright,
The bells of the City of God ring out,
For the Son of Mary was born to-night.
The gloom is past, and the morn at last
Is coming with orient light.
Curtain rises.
Scene—Interior of stable. Back, centre
(L.), a manger, with lamp burning in it above.
Joseph and Mary
kneeling before it motionless. Rest of stage dark.
Mary kneels rather in foreground. The
Child is just visible. Two angels stand
throughout at the head and foot of the manger. If possible, one plays a
violin, the other a zither.
3. Now a new Power has come on the earth,
A match for the armies of hell,
A Child is born who shall conquer the foe,
And all the spirits of wickedness quell.
For Mary’s Son is the Mighty One
Whom the prophets of God foretell.
4.(5.) Faith sees no longer the stable floor,
The pavement of sapphire is there;
The clear light of Heaven streams out to the world,
And angels of God are crowding the air.
Heaven and Earth through the spotless Birth
Are at peace on this night so fair.
[Mary slightly
changes her position. Joseph lays censer
down. Music modulates into Coventry Carol.
Lullay, Thou little tiny Child,[8]
By-by, lull-y, lull-lay,
Lullay, Thou little tiny Child,
By-by, lully, lullay.
2. O sisters too, how may we do
For to preserve this day,
This poor youngling for whom we sing
By-by, lully, lullay....
[Enter softly Martha
and Abel, hand in hand. Abel is holding a toy-horse. They stand
motionless, staring. Standing front (L.). They look the whole time at
the crib.
3. (4.) Then woe is me, poor Child for Thee
And ever mourn and say
For thy parting, nor say nor sing
By-by, lully, lullay.
Martha.
Tread softly—[They advance a step or two.
Abel.
Oh! but, Martha, is that He,
The King you told me of?
Mar.
Hush, wait and see.
I think so.... Speak to her.
Abel.
What shall I say?
Mar.
Why, hail her by her name. I think you may.
Abel.
What is her name?
Mar.
Oh, Mary is her name.
And that old man is Joseph.
Abel.
And the same
We saw just now?
Mar.
Hush.... Yes.... Look on her face....
[They come a step nearer crib.
Now speak aloud....
Abel.
Hail! Mary, full of grace!
The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou above
All women.—Martha, Martha, may I move
A little nearer?
Mar.
Yes.[They move a step nearer.
Abel.
And blest thy Son
Whose name is—Sister, now I have begun
I know not how to end.
Mar.
Call Him the best
Of all the names you know.
Abel.
Why all the rest
Are not so good as Jesus; for that is
The word for Saviour. Will that do for His?
Mar.
Yes, call him Jesus.
Abel.
Blest is this thy Child
Whose name is Jesus. Hail, O Mary mild!
[Mary turns very slowly, smiling; makes the
sign of the Cross, and turns again to adore.
Abel.
Oh! Martha, did you see the sign she made?
[Angels begin to come in and group themselves.
They carry the Instruments of the Passion in humeral veils. They form
group down stage (L.).
What did that mean?
Mar.
I know not.
Abel.
See Him laid
So little, in the manger for His bed.
Oh! Is He truly King of kings? You said
You thought he was!
Mar.
Why, yes, I think so. See
The Angels all about His Majesty.
[Angels remain motionless, turned towards
manger. During the following carol the children go across,
step by step, nearer and nearer: they kneel down by Mary. Abel offers
his horse. Mary takes it, and makes
him put it by Child in Manger. Mary leans over manger and puts arms round Child.
Angels.
When I view the Mother holding[9]
In her arms the heavenly boy,
Thousand blissful thoughts unfolding
Melt my heart with sweetest joy.
With her babe the hours beguiling,
Mary’s soul in transport lives.
God her Son upon her smiling,
Thousand kisses fondly gives.
As the sun his radiance flinging
Shines upon the bright expanse,
So the Child to Mary clinging
Doth her gentle heart entrance.
See the Virgin Mother bearing
[Enter Shepherds,
followed by Dav. These fall on
their knees, Zach. and Dav. together; and remain till end of singing.
Zach. is nearest audience, then Dav., then Ezra,
then Ben-Ezra.
Jesus by her arms embraced,
Dew on softest roses gleaming,
Violet with lily chaste.
Each round other fondly twining,
Pours the shafts of mutual love,
Thick as flowers in meadow shining,
Countless as the stars above.
Oh! may one such arrow glowing,
Sweetest Child which Thou dost dart
Through Thy mother’s bosom going,
Blessed Jesus, pierce my heart....
[Music continues softly until Mary rises. If possible, the music should be
played on the violin only, which the Angel
holds. The air is that of the preceding Carol.
Zach. (stretching out his arms).
Did I not tell you so? Oh! see Him lie!
Dimittis nunc in pace, Domine
Me servum tuum.
Uzz. (pointing).
See the angels great
About the manger where He lies in state.
Secundum verbum tuum, oculi
Mei viderunt, quod præparasti
Hoc tuum salutare.
Ben. (pointing).
See the maid
And mother undefiled, where He is laid,
To worship Him. Ostende hunc fructum
Ventris tui post hoc exsilium!
[Joseph
rises. Then Mary lifts the Child, all others fall on their knees; and
all the Angels. All remain absolutely
still. Then, if this Scene is the last, she brings the Child to the front of the stage. Music stops. She
lifts the Child as high as she can.
Mary.
Magnificat anima mea Dominum.
[With the Child she makes the sign of the
Cross over the audience.
Curtain.
Mary standing, holding Jesus..
Mary—Magnificat anima mea Dominum—