“And with great concord banquet with me,
And that Child myself then will I see
And honour Him also,”
he added, allowing his guests to depart with many compliments on either side.
But no sooner had they mounted their horses and ridden away than Herod’s rage blazed forth.
“When they come again, they shall die that same day,
And thus these vile wretches to death shall be brought!”
he exclaimed, stalking into his palace, while the kings rode a little distance to another pageant where again the stable at Bethlehem was represented, with Mary watching by the manger.
Here, just as the shepherds had done, but in much more stately language, they offered their costly gifts to the Child.
Gaspar gave a cup of gold. “In tokening Thou art without peer,” he said, as he laid his offering at the foot of the manger.