Scene out of doors, with shepherds in their usual costume, each shepherd holding a crook, while back of them, huddled close together, stand the herds of sheep. Before the shepherds, and a trifle to their right, is the angel, with outstretched hand, indicating the way.
Tableau Third.—Ye lads and lassies, go fetch ivy, holly, and mistletoe.
An out-of-door winter scene, showing overturned trees, dried and leafless branches, frozen streams, and a light snow, while playfully rushing down the hillside come the gay young people with armfuls of green branches.
Tableau Fourth.—Bringing in the boar's head.
"Was-haile!
Bring in, upon his silver tray,
With minstrelsie
The boar's head, armed with garlands gay
And rosemarie."
The jolliest and tallest boy should take this character, and hold the tray above his head.
If the readers will find the Harper's Monthly for December, 1880, they can copy the tableaux with greatest ease.
While these tableaux are shown the poem should be recited in entirety, and, if thought advisable, more tableaux might be readily added.
Other examples of the religious would be to show an out-of-door winter scene, with snow-covered hills and leafless tree branches, on which a little snow has fallen. Towards the front of the stage half a dozen girls and boys, in gay attire with picturesque wraps and hats, should stand. They should be naturally grouped; some of the boys should have their hands in their pockets, others, again, have them drawn under their short cloaks. It is a cold night, and the young people should indicate it. While they thus stand an invisible chorus should sing a hymn of the Nativity. Or, with a similar background, show five girls standing in a straight line, a tall one in the centre; the two shortest should stand on each end. The girls should be attired differently, but all in warm apparel, with fur-edged cloaks or fur garments of any sort; each girl should have her hands in a muff. Show a quantity of warm color, which can readily be done by silk mufflers, frocks, ribbons, and feathers. Back of these girls an invisible chorus must sing a Christmas carol.
A catchy tableau series would be Mother Goose and her children celebrating Christmas.