Hail with holiness the morn,
Kneel before the Prince of Heaven.
Blessed be this day of birth,
God hath given His Son to earth.
Jesu, Jesu, Nene Jesu,
Hallelujah!”
Behind the little hills the sun went down, leaving a million sparks of light upon the road.
“Yonder come the kings!” the children cried. “See the splendor of their shining crowns and how the jewels sparkle on their mantles! They may be angry if they find us out so late; come, let us run home before they see us.”
The children turned. Back to the city gates they ran, back to their homes, to the good madres watching for them and their own white beds ready for them.
But one they left behind them on the road: a little, bare-limbed boy whose name was Manuel. He watched until the children had disappeared within the gates, and then he turned again toward the setting sun.