Abel (to Gasp.). Will you not speak for us?
Mar. Some word to tell To Jesus, for to show we love Him well? We—and the people here[Signs to audience. Who have no gold Nor myrrh nor frankincense; yet, young and old Alike, desire to show that for their parts They love their Infant King with all their hearts.
Zach. Aye, speak, King Gaspar, at this holy tide For us who have no gold—and all poor folks beside.
[Gaspar rises, looks at audience, then back to Mary. Then suddenly and fervently speaks. His voice rises in tone and force as he speaks, till he ends passionately.
Gasp. Why, yes; the greatest gift is yet ungiven, For He, who for our sake came down from Heaven, Has all already. For His glory fills The earth: the cattle on a thousand hills, The birds, the beasts, the fishes; gold and gem, Ivory of Ophir—all are His; for them He made, and they are His.[Stretches arms. So we entreat To offer here before His holy feet That which alone He asks of us—the love For whose poor sake He came here from above, Since we, as best we can, have played our parts, [He kneels, stretches hands. All kneel with him. Oh! Jesus, Mary, Joseph, take our hearts. To Jesus, Mary, Joseph, wondrous three, All glory, praise, and honour endless be From men and angels now and through eternity.
[Music of “Adeste Fideles” instantly begins, ff.; the curtain comes down; then rises again to show Mary coped and crowned; then after one chord all begin to sing—all on their knees. At end of first verse Gaspar rises, then Melchior, Balthasar, Zachary, Two Shepherds, Abel, Martha, David, Servants, Angels—each one by one comes up, genuflects at dais, and kisses the Child’s foot and Mary’s hand. Meantime Joseph, kneeling at side, censes them. At end of last chorus, as last line begins, Mary stands, and as she makes Sign of Cross with Child, all cross themselves.
Curtain.
