The Golden Legend Part 11

The crowd already fills the church, and yonder Upon a stage, a herald with a trumpet, Clad like The Angel Gabriel, proclaims The Mystery that will now be represented.

THE NATIVITY.

A MIRACLE PLAY.

THE NATIVITY.

INTROITUS.

_Praeco._ Come, good people, all and each, Come and listen to our speech!

In your presence here I stand, With a trumpet in my hand, To announce the Easter Play, Which we represent to-day!

First of all we shall rehea.r.s.e, In our action and our verse, The Nativity of our Lord, As written in the old record Of the Protevangelion, So that he who reads may run!

(_Blows his trumpet._)

I. HEAVEN.

_Mercy_ (_at the feet of G.o.d_). Have pity, Lord be not afraid To save mankind, whom thou hast made, Nor let the souls that were betrayed Perish eternally!

_Justice._ It cannot be, it must not be!

When in the garden placed by thee, The fruit of the forbidden tree He ate, and he must die!

_Mercy._ Have pity, Lord! let penitence Atone for disobedience, Nor let the fruit of man's offence Be endless misery!

_Justice._ What penitence proportionate Can e'er be felt for sin so great?

Of the forbidden fruit he ate, And d.a.m.ned must he be!

_G.o.d._ He shall be saved, if that within The bounds of earth one free from sin Be found, who for his kith and kin Will suffer martyrdom.

_The Four Virtues._ Lord! we have searched the world around, From centre to the utmost bound, But no such mortal can be found; Despairing, back we come.

_Wisdom._ No mortal, but a G.o.d made man, Can ever carry out this plan, Achieving what none other can, Salvation unto all!

_G.o.d._ Go, then, O my beloved Son; It can by thee alone be done; By thee the victory shall be won O'er Satan and the Fall!

(_Here the_ ANGEL GABRIEL _shall leave Paradise and fly toward the earth; the jaws of h.e.l.l open below, and the Devils walk about, making a great noise._)

II. MARY AT THE WELL.

_Mary._ Along the garden walk, and thence Through the wicket in the garden fence, I steal with quiet pace, My pitcher at the well to fill, That lies so deep and cool and still In this sequestered place.

These sycamores keep guard around; I see no face, I hear no sound, Save babblings of the spring, And my companions, who within The threads of gold and scarlet spin, And at their labor sing.

_The Angel Gabriel._ Hail, Virgin Mary, full of grace!

(_Here_ MARY _looketh around her, trembling, and then saith:_)

_Mary._ Who is it speaketh in this place, With such a gentle voice?

_Gabriel._ The Lord of heaven is with thee now!

Blessed among all women thou, Who art his holy choice!

_Mary_ (setting down the pitcher). What can this mean?

No one is near, And yet, such sacred words I hear, I almost fear to stay.

(_Here the_ ANGEL, _appearing to her, shall say:_)

_Gabriel._ Fear not, O Mary! but believe!

For thou, a Virgin, shalt conceive A child this very day.

Fear not, O Mary! from the sky The majesty of the Most High Shall overshadow thee!

_Mary._ Behold the handmaid of the Lord!

According to thy holy word, So be it unto me!

(_Here the Devils shall again make a great noise, under the stage._)

III. THE ANGELS OF THE SEVEN PLANETS, _bearing the Star of Bethlehem._

_The Angels._ The Angels of the Planets Seven Across the s.h.i.+ning fields of heaven The natal star we bring!

Dropping our sevenfold virtues down, As priceless jewels in the crown Of Christ, our new-born King.

_Raphael._ I am the Angel of the Sun, Whose flaming wheels began to run When G.o.d's almighty breath Said to the darkness and the Night, Let there be light! and there was light!

I bring the gift of Faith.

_Gabriel._ I am the Angel of the Moon, Darkened, to be rekindled soon Beneath the azure cope!

Nearest to earth, it is my ray That best illumes the midnight way.

I bring the gift of Hope!

_Anael._ The Angel of the Star of Love, The Evening Star, that s.h.i.+nes above The place where lovers be, Above all happy hearths and homes, On roofs of thatch, or golden domes, I give him Charity!

_Zobiachel._ The Planet Jupiter is mine!

The mightiest star of all that s.h.i.+ne, Except the sun alone!

He is the High Priest of the Dove, And sends, from his great throne above, Justice, that shall atone!