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! [Looks intently, under hand. 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? [A silence.
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.
2. At Bethlehem city in Jewry it was That Joseph and Mary together did pass, All for to be taxed with many one more; Great Cæsar commanded the same should be so.
Chorus. Aye and therefore ...
3. There were they constrained in a stable to lie, Where horses and asses they used for to tie, Their lodging so simple they took it no scorn, But against the next morning our Saviour was born.