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?
[_The_ THREE MERCHANTS _rise in alarm and stand_ L., _staring_ R.
DAV. There, across the way! All, all in light they move, a countless host.
ELIPH. Bah! bah! What foolery! He sees a ghost.
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!
[_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._
_Pastoral symphony begins at once, and continues until the Carol._
[Illustration: _Angel.—Gloria in Excelsis Deo._—]
_Before curtain rises, invisible choir sings._
The first Nowell the angel did say,[6] Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay; In fields where they lay keeping their sheep, On a cold winter’s night that was so deep.
_Chorus._ Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Born is the King of Israel.
2. They looked up and saw a Star Shining in the East, beyond them far; And to the earth it gave great light, And so it continued both day and night.
3. (4.) This Star drew nigh to the North-West, O’er Bethlehem it took its rest; And there it did both stop and stay, Right over the place where Jesus lay.
4. (6.) Then let us all with one accord Sing praises to our heavenly Lord, That hath made Heaven and earth of nought, And with His Blood mankind hath bought.
SCENE—_Hills outside Bethlehem. Lights very low. Starlit sky; rocks on either side; snow on ground, except round fire and shelter._ R. _A shelter of hurdles, open side facing audience, with a stool within it. A fire burning; heaps of skins round it._ EZRA _discovered_ L., _looking out under his hand_ L.; _so he continues a while. Enter_ R.,_from behind shelter_, BEN-EZRA _with lamb_.