“He is exceeding fair,” said the princess.
“He is wiser than I am,” said the king. “Surely this is He that is our Master.”
And the skies opened and there came forth angels such as Hilarion had seen before with the glory of radiant gold about their heads and garlands of roses around their necks. And they sang again, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”
THE STAR IN THE EAST
Three Shepherds
Three Kings: Gaspar, Melchior, Balthazar
Joseph Mary
Scene I. Hills outside Jerusalem
Carol by Children:
In the fields with their flocks abiding,
They lay on the dewy ground,
And glimmering under the starlight
The sheep lay white around.
When the light of the Lord streamed o’er them,
And lo! from the heavens above
An angel leaned from the glory,
And sang his song of love;
He sang that first sweet Christmas
The song that shall never cease—
Glory to God in the highest,
On earth good will and peace.
First Shepherd:
Now must I rest awhile!
For mile on mile, and mile on mile
I’ve trudged on foot since break of day began.
And I’m but an old and ancient man.
I am stiff and my bones are old,
And the night is bitter—bitter cold.
Second Shepherd:
Aye, ’tis bitter cold, and naught to be seen
But snow and the starry sky.
First Shepherd:
I’ve come a mighty step to-day,
But—is that the town so far away?