To make a man laugh!”
But all she could say was useless, for by this time of course the shepherds were very suspicious, and the sheep was pulled out from the cradle, while the market-place rang with laughter. The angry shepherds, seizing a blanket, now forced Mac into it, and to the huge delight of the crowd, before returning to their field they tossed him violently, as a punishment for his evil-doing.
The laughter caused by this farce had scarcely died away when the serious part of the performance began. A second stage had been drawn meanwhile to the market-place, and was stationed at a little distance from the first one, where to the shepherds, once more quietly guarding their flock, there suddenly appeared an angel. The simple countrymen gazed in awe, while in a sweet voice he sang Gloria in Excelsis, and then, as he came closer, they sank on their knees, while he addressed them:
“Rise, gracious hired-men, for now is He born
That shall take from the fiend that Adam had lorn [lost] ...
God is made your friend: now at this morn
He behests [commands]
To Bedlem go see
There lies that free [Divine One]
In a crib full poorly,