And then in Eden’s Paradise He placed him to dwell, That he within it should remain To dress and keep it well.
[_Chorus suddenly begins from behind scene. Children are terrified._ ZACH. _stands up, frightened. They cling to him. During the singing they recover themselves a little. They look about, standing all together_ (R.) _facing_ (L.). ABEL _leaves the others and begins to move across stage, looking in all directions_.
Now let good Christians all begin A holier life to live; And to rejoice and merry be For this is Christmas Eve.
4. Now mark the goodness of the Lord Which He to mankind bore, His mercy soon He did extend Lost man for to restore;
And, therefore, to redeem our souls From death and hell and thrall, He said His own dear Son should be The Saviour of us all.
ABEL (_letting go_). Why! What was that? Who’s singing there below?...
[_Runs to_ MARTHA, _who is looking_ (L.).
I’m frightened, Martha.... Martha! let us go.
ZACH. Why! Who comes here? [_He goes a step._ An old man and a maid! Is that their singing?... No ... she seems afraid And weary. Children! See how slow they wind!
Children! look closer.... Who comes on behind?... No ... he is gone again.... I thought I saw Figures who came and went, behind, before, As if to keep them.... Children, do you see?
[Illustration: _Why! Who comes here? An old man and a maid—— See how slow they wind!_]
MAR. (_looking_). I see a maiden, and a man like thee. Old, old and heavy.... Why, sir, look again! Why ... who is that? Nay ... nay, I saw him plain— All, all in light—Nay, but he’s gone again.
[_The three shrink together backwards across the stage to_ (R.) _as_ (L.) _enter_ JOSEPH _and_ MARY, _very slowly. She leans on him. They come up to tree. She sinks on to it, in his arms, and drops her head. He stands behind, holding her. So the tableau remains. Behind the scenes the Chorus sings, as below. During the singing_, ABEL _advances step by step, almost imperceptibly, with_ MARTHA _behind and_ ZACHARY _last_.
CHORUS. A Virgin unspotted, the Prophet foretold,[4] Should bring forth a Saviour, which now we behold, To be our Redeemer from death, hell, and sin, Which Adam’s transgression had wrappèd us in.
_Chorus._ Aye and therefore be merry; set sorrow aside, Christ Jesus our Saviour was born on this tide.