“Riepl. What a noise there is. Everything seems so strange to me!
Jörgl. Have the heavens fallen to-day; are the angels flying over our field?
R. They are leaping
J. Down from above.
R. I couldn't do the thing; ‘twould break my neck and legs.”
“J. My child, canst find no lodging? Must Thou bear such frost and cold?
R. Thou liest in cold swaddling-clothes! Come, put a garment about Him!
J. Cover His feet up; wrap Him up delicately!”
[ [76] “Three eggs and some butter we bring, too; deign to accept it! A fowl to make some broth if Thy mother can cook it—put some dripping in, and ‘twill be good. Because we've nothing else—we are but poor shepherds—accept our goodwill.”
“J. The best of health to thee ever, my little dear; when thou wantest anything, come to me.
J. God keep thee ever!
R. Grow up fine and tall soon!
J. I'll take thee into service when thou'rt big enough.”
[ [78] Jacopone da Todi, whose Christmas songs we have already considered, was probably connected with the movement.
[ [79] An interesting and pathetic Christmas example is given by Signor D'Ancona in his “Origini del Teatro in Italia.”[{35}]
[ [80] Though the ox and ass are not mentioned by St. Luke, it is an easy transition to them from the idea of the manger. Early Christian writers found a Scriptural sanction for them in two passages in the prophets: Isaiah i. 3, “The ox knoweth his owner and the ass his master's crib,” and Habakkuk iii. 2 (a mistranslation), “In the midst of two beasts shall Thou be known.”