The Epiphany.

Handel’s “Largo” is played before curtain rises.

[If this Scene is acted, in previous Scene Joseph does not cense the manger; and Mary does not come to front with Child. She only lifts Child, says the words set down. After which Curtain descends.

Before Curtain rises the first verse of the following carol is sung.

[Curtain rises again on same scene as before. But the Manger is not there. In centre back of stage stands a dais, and upon it a tall chair, bare; two unlighted candles stand upon dais. Discovered, Martha and Abel, seated upon dais. Abel has book in his hands, reading. Martha is sewing a child’s dress. Lights are high. A silence follows close of carol.

[Organ takes up Adeste ... with violin. Abel springs up at David’s entrance; runs to side, gets tapers and lights two candles that stand beside chair. He takes one, Dav. takes other. Mar. picks up basket of flowers. All three go to entrance (R.) and wait, facing audience, looking out. Enter (R.) two Angels, playing violin and zither; then Angels bearing instruments of the Passion; then Zach. with spear; then two Shepherds with spears; then, after slight pause, Mary, cloaked, carrying Child; then Joseph, and two more Angels with swords. Mar. slips in behind two Shepherds, and walks backwards, strewing flowers, Abel and Dav. place themselves on either side of Mary with candles and walk with her. The procession takes curve to front and comes up to chair. Mary stands at chair, slips off cloak into Joseph’s hands, and sits. Candles placed by her. Joseph stands behind (R.), Angels group themselves at back. Shepherds pass to (L.) front. Mar., Abel, and Dav. seat themselves on dais; Zach. stands by dais (L.); Joseph behind chair (R.).

[Mary remains passive, smiling. All others look out eagerly (R.). Sound comes nearer, footsteps, bells, murmur of voices. Children spring up. Angels continually look at Child.

[He goes across again (L.) genuflecting. Children stand back, staring. Enter, slowly, Gaspar, Melchior, and Balthasar, followed by two servants with bundles, &c. The three come down (R.) and stand facing towards Mary; they bow profoundly. Mary bows back.

[Mary holds out Child. Zach. makes a sign to them. They bow again profoundly as “Adeste” begins to be played, then, one by one, they go up in order. Each genuflects before dais, then, kneeling on dais, kiss the Child’s foot and Mary’s hand; then each retires back to R. front and kneels once more. Music ends. Gaspar lifts two crowns from Servant’s tray, and holds them out; then sceptre.

[Joseph advances, takes crowns, genuflects, places them on dais, then the casket, finally the censer, into which he puts incense; he kneels; all kneel. He censes throne with three double swings. He stands, genuflects, and goes back. Gaspar turns to tray, lifts a cope, still kneeling. Melchior takes a little silk robe.

[Joseph steps forward, takes the gifts, and lays them at Mary’s feet. Then Abel steps forward with Martha.

[Gaspar rises, looks at audience, then back to Mary. Then suddenly and fervently speaks. His voice rises in tone and force as he speaks, till he ends passionately.

[Music of “Adeste Fideles” instantly begins, ff.; the curtain comes down; then rises again to show Mary coped and crowned; then after one chord all begin to sing—all on their knees. At end of first verse Gaspar rises, then Melchior, Balthasar, Zachary, Two Shepherds, Abel, Martha, David, Servants, Angels—each one by one comes up, genuflects at dais, and kisses the Child’s foot and Mary’s hand. Meantime Joseph, kneeling at side, censes them. At end of last chorus, as last line begins, Mary stands, and as she makes Sign of Cross with Child, all cross themselves.

Curtain.