SCENE II

Before curtain rises, invisible Choir sings—

C
COME let us all sweet carols sing,[5] Omni relicto tædio Of Mary, Mother of our King, Christoque Jesu Filio. When she had borne that Holy Thing. Reponit in præsepio (bis).
2. Now Gabriel sweeping from the sky, Missus a Deo nuntius, These tidings beareth from on high, Lætissimis pastoribus, Behold your God on earth doth lie, Invenietis protinus.
4. Quickly away the shepherds flew, Clara Gabrielis voce, Rejoicing as if filled anew, Bono Bacchico liquore, Leaping and dancing nigh they drew, Simul in Bethlehem Judæ.
6. They entered then the hallowed cave, Jesum hic adoraverunt, The best of all they had they gave, Puerumque oraverunt, Pardon for that was lacking crave, Subitoque abierunt.

Curtain Rises

Scene—Kitchen of inn. In centre a fire: pot over it. White walls. Two doors R. and L., R. into street, L. into inn. A table R. with three stools. Discovered Tobias, stirring pot, and David busying himself with plates at the table. After curtain is up, Tobias leaves spoon in pot, and comes forward. During all this scene he is plainly uneasy and indecisive. He relapses into silence, then rouses himself to speak.

Tob. And you have heard it, David?[They speak softly.
Dav. Yes, all day, Good master, have I heard them.
Tob. “Them,” you say? Why, who are they? [He looks steadily at Dav., with folded arms.
Dav. I know not, but the sound Was that of singing in the air, and round [He makes gesture. About; and steps, and wings; and everywhere I heard them plainly.
Tob. Was it from the air You heard it?
Dav. Aye, sir.
Tob. Nothing have you seen?
Dav. No, sir.[A silence.
Tob. Now, David, what doth all this mean?... I, too, have heard.... Say not a word of this To any man.... For these are mysteries. [Clamour of voices and stamping. [Tob. leaps back to pot and begins stirring again. Dav. turns to plates, &c.
Tob. Now, boy, make haste.... Hark to the guests below. [Shouts. Coming, sirs, coming.... Yes, boy, take and go. [Exit Dav. (L.) with plates and bread. I’ll bring this presently. God bless us! Why [Murmur without. I never heard such tumult. No, not I In all my days.[Knocking heard on door (R.). Yes, yes, come in, come in. [Enter (R.) Three Merchants.
Eliph. Well, my good host, and have you room within?
Tob. What? More of them? Who are you, gentlemen?
Eliph. Why, we are merchants three, come back again To Bethlehem, as all the world doth know, For our enrolment. Through the frost and snow We’ve trudged full many a mile. And have you space For three good gentlemen? [He sits down heavily.
Tob. Why, all the place Is full from roof to garret.[Tumult breaks out again. Hark to them! Why, all mankind seems come to Bethlehem!
Nad. Well, well! Have you no beds?
Tob. Not one to spare, Nor bite nor sup, I think.[He makes despairing gesture.
Uzz. (pointing to pot). What have you there? [Enter Dav. (L.).
Tob. No, no, good sir! First come first served, I say. To Dav. Here, lad, make haste. Come! bear the pot away. [Dav. takes it and exit (L.).
Eliph. Why, but you cannot turn us out! ’Tis night And freezing cold. We must have food and light And roof above us.
Nad. Let us have the floor Here in this kitchen, if you have no more.
Tob. Well, gentlemen, I tell you, as I live, I have no better and no more to give.
Eliph. Well, we must make a shift to rest and dine. A loaf of bread you have, at least, and wine, And skins, I’ll warrant you, to keep the cold From killing us. The sheep within the fold Seemed well-nigh frozen as we passed them by.
Tob. Well, gentlemen, if you can shift, then I Will do my best to please you. Sit you down. [Nad. and Uzz. sit; unloose wrappings.
Enter Dav. (L.). Well, are they served there?
Dav. Yes, sir.[He stands waiting.
Tob. All the town Is full. I never saw the like before! To Dav. Here, lad! make haste! Go, fetch a bottle more, And bread and meat. These gentlemen must dine. [Exit Dav. (L.). (To Three.) I promise you, a cup of our good wine Will set you up, sirs.[He sets out plates and cups.
Eliph. Ah! I warrant you We’ll do good justice to a cup or two.

[They range themselves. Enter Dav. with bottle, mugs, bread, and meat, and exit again (L.). They begin to eat and drink. Landlord stands with arms akimbo by fire, watching. Now and again he comes to table, helps them to wine, &c., and goes back, as conversation continues.

Tob. And was all quiet as you came? [He looks at them curiously.
Nad. Why, yes. All was as still as death—a wilderness Of snow and frost.
Tob. And did you see no man? [Very earnestly, leaning on table.
Nad. Why, yes, a few. Just as the road began To come to Rachel’s tomb we passed a maid And old man, and her arm in his was laid; [He pauses to eat during this speech. He is very cool and self-contained. And they were walking—walking wondrous slow: [He makes a little gesture. The maid seemed wearied.... And an hour ago Two children; and then afterwards again Some old fool of a shepherd-man; and then None further, till we reached the market-square.
Tob. Ah! yes. A mighty company was there Of neighbours, come to see the folk arrive From all the country.

[He begins to walk about uneasily, pensively. There is a long silence. The three eat. Then he suddenly comes back.

As I am alive, I could have sworn that more were there than men.
Eliph. What, women?
Tob. Aye, and more.(He looks darkly.)
Eliph. Well, children, then?
Tob. Aye, more than human-kind. [They stare at him, dropping food. Once and again, [He looks at them earnestly, making gestures. Speaking softly— As I looked out upon the folks, it seemed Something was forward—somewhat—or I dreamed!— Of more than earthly business. For the air Seemed full of singing, runnings to and fro, Then silences again—rushes of sound— Footsteps, it seemed, moved on the frozen ground, As if some company, to come and go Was set, all busy, in the market-square.
Eliph. (after pause). Bah! You were dreaming, man! The air was keen, And you were weary.... There was nothing seen? [He seems a little disturbed.
Tob. No; for I asked my lad if aught were there That he could see——
Nad. Bah! You and your market-square! A dreamer! Like the old man on the hill Who babbled of God’s Love and Justice till I was all wearied—and Messias’ name, Who comes one day, he said. Why, but the same Old tale is past and gone for you and me Since old Isaias babbled prophecy. (Scornfully.) “A Virgin shall conceive,” he said!...
Choir softly sings a line or two—
“A Virgin unspotted, the Prophet foretold, Should bring forth a Saviour whom now we....”
Tob. (starting). What is that sound? Do you hear nothing? [They stare. Clamour breaks out in room (L.), and music stops. Gone again, and drowned! But you heard nothing? [Enter David (L.) running, excited. He stops dead.
Eliph. (after pause). Why, the man is mad! Singing and footsteps! What next? Here, you lad, Did you hear aught now?
Dav. (frightened). Sir, what did you say?
Eliph. (banging table impatiently). Did you hear aught just now? From far away A sound of singing?
Dav. Why, sir, yes—all day— And now again! [Silence. They eye one another uneasily.
Nad. (to Tob.). Bah! Here, a cup of wine Will clear your hearing. I dare wager mine ’S as good as yours. Some drunken fellow there Is noisy in his cups. [Holds out cup of wine to Tob., who takes it hesitatingly.
Tob. (after pause). Well, sir, I swear I never heard nor drunk nor sober sing As fair as this I heard. (Drinks.)
Eliph. (easily). Why, anything May maze a man on such a night, when snow And cold conspire to starve the senses. Go And see your other guests. Perhaps.... Maybe You’ll find them singing. [Tob. begins to go out (L.) slowly. Aye, come back to me, [Exit Tob. (L.) with Dav. whispering to him. And we three’ll join them. (To other two.) Did you ever hear Such madness?
Uzz. Bah! Why, all the world is mad Save such as you and I. As for that lad, I swear he spoke so just to please the man.
Nad. But to come back to where we first began—

[Air of “A Virgin” sung by Choir with closed lips; it continues very faintly down to where Eliph. opens the door.

What think you of Messias and that tale The prophets tell?
Eliph. Well, may not prophets fail As much as any man? I hold such men No better than this dreamer back again. Once, as a child, I thought it otherwise, And deemed that all was holy, and the skies Crowded with angels, and the earth I trod All holy as the dwelling-place of God. And now! Why, I know better.... (Drinks.)
Nad. As for me, I’m with you. (Drinks.)
Uzz. So am I. The Sadducee Seems wisest of the lot. [They pledge one another. Knocking heard (R.). Why, who comes here? [He pauses. Then he goes to door (R.) impatiently, and opens it. A burst of music. Silence. He seems to listen. No, no! No room! Nor here, nor anywhere!... [Listens. I tell you, No! There’s not a bed to spare. [Listens.
Nad. Who’s that? (Uzz. begins to stare towards door, listening.)
Eliph. (after pause). The landlord’s out.... What’s that?... Why, then You’d best find shelter as you may. [Closes door; comes back. As he comes to seat, knocking. Again! [Rises angrily; goes to door, flings open. After pause— That’s no affair of mine! I tell you, Go. And find room where you may. Above, below, The place is packed. Be off! Be off, I say! [Half-closes door, listening. No; not for such as you. The host’s away, Up in Jerusalem. I’m master here; That’s my last word. [Bangs door; comes to seat. Knocking. He rises furiously. Here’s impudence, I swear! [Opens door once more. I’ll set the dogs upon you.... I don’t care.... [Pause. Yes, to the stable then, with ox and ass. [Bangs door; returns growling; sits.
Nad. Who were the knaves?
Eliph. That old man and the lass We saw up yonder.
Uzz. (who has been listening intently). Was there no one more? I could have sworn I heard them at the door— A multitude of footsteps.
Eliph. (hands trembling, head jerking). Bah! what stuff! The two were there. No more! And quite enough. [He drinks. The two stare.
Nad. What ails you, friend?
Eliph. (furiously). Ails me! Why—
[Enter Tob. and Dav. hurriedly (L.).
Tob. Who came then? I swear I heard the music once again. And knocking. Was there no one at the door? [He hurries across to R., but stops irresolute.
Eliph. Music? What foolery is this?
Nad. (coolly). Before You came just now, two folks were here, but now Gone otherwhere to seek for shelter.
Tob. How? [He hastens to door (R.), followed by Dav. Gone otherwhere! Why, there’s no room to find In all the place.
[Opens door; looks out. Very faint music, “A Virgin unspotted ...;” it continues down to end of scene.
It surely were unkind To turn a dog away on such a night. (Turns from door.) Where are they gone? Here, David, bring a light. [Dav. does so. He looks.
Nad. Nay, they are gone. Here, drink a cup with me.
Dav. (crying out, pointing). Oh! master, look!
Tob. (looking eagerly). Eh? eh? What is’t you see?
Dav. There master, there! [The Three Merchants rise in alarm and stand L., staring R.
Eliph. What is it? Speak, I say.
Tob. (staring out). No. I see nothing!
Dav. There, across the way! All, all in light they move, a countless host. [He falls on knee.
Eliph. Bah! bah! What foolery! He sees a ghost. [Shrinks in fear and anger.
Tob. (quietly). My lad, I can see nothing.... That’s the byre Where lie the cattle.
Dav. (suddenly crying out and pointing). See! all, all afire With glory!
Eliph. (in terror, as are others). Here, man! Shut the door! [They continue there. Well, if you will not, I will. [Sidles along wall; shuts door angrily. One fool more Or less in such a household matters not.
Nad. (recovering). Why, landlord! your old wits are clean forgot And wildered.
Uzz. Drink a cup of wine with me! There’s no cure for such madness but good company.

[Slowly Tob. comes across to table, still listening. Dav. slips out R. Eliph. follows Tob. All fill cups, Tob. still listening. Music swells up; dies again. Tob., after pause, touches his cup with the others. They all drink.

Curtain.

Pastoral symphony begins at once, and continues until the Carol.

Man stirring pot.

Angel.—Gloria in Excelsis Deo.—