The Golden Legend Part 12

_Michael._ The Planet Mercury, whose place Is nearest to the sun in s.p.a.ce, Is my allotted sphere!

And with celestial ardor swift I bear upon my hands the gift Of heavenly Prudence here!

_Uriel._ I am the Minister of Mars, The strongest star among the stars!

My songs of power prelude The march and battle of man's life, And for the suffering and the strife, I give him Fort.i.tude!

_Anachiel._ The Angel of the uttermost Of all the s.h.i.+ning, heavenly host, From the far-off expanse Of the Saturnian, endless s.p.a.ce I bring the last, the crowning grace, The gift of Temperance!

(_A sudden light s.h.i.+nes from the windows of the stable in the village below._)

IV. THE WISE MEN OF THE EAST.

_The stable of the Inn. The_ VIRGIN _and_ CHILD.

_Three Gypsy Kings,_ GASPAR, MELCHIOR, _and_ BELSHAZZAR, _shall come in._

_Gaspar._ Hail to thee, Jesus of Nazareth!

Though in a manger thou drawest thy breath, Thou art greater than Life and Death, Greater than Joy or Woe!

This cross upon the line of life Portendeth struggle, toil, and strife, And through a region with dangers rife In darkness shall thou go!

_Melchior._ Hail to thee, King of Jerusalem Though humbly born in Bethlehem, A sceptre and a diadem Await thy brow and hand!

The sceptre is a simple reed, The crown will make thy temples bleed, And in thy hour of greatest need, Abashed thy subjects stand!

_Belshazzar_. Hail to thee, Christ of Christendom!

O'er all the earth thy kingdom come!

From distant Trebizond to Rome Thy name shall men adore!

Peace and good-will among all men, The Virgin has returned again, Returned the old Saturnian reign And Golden Age once more.

_The Child Christ_. Jesus, the Son of G.o.d, am I, Born here to suffer and to die According to the prophecy, That other men may live!

_The Virgin_. And now these clothes, that wrapped him, take And keep them precious, for his sake; For benediction thus we make, Naught else have we to give.

(_She gives them swaddling-clothes and they depart_.)

V. THE FLIGHT INTO EGYPT.

_Here shall_ JOSEPH _come in, leading an a.s.s, on which are seated_ MARY _and the_ CHILD.

_Mary_. Here will we rest us, under these Underhanging branches of the trees, Where robins chant their Litanies, And canticles of joy.

_Joseph_. My saddle-girths have given way With trudging through the heat to-day To you I think it is but play To ride and hold the boy.

_Mary_. Hark! how the robins shout and sing, As if to hail their infant King!

I will alight at yonder spring To wash his little coat.

_Joseph_. And I will hobble well the a.s.s, Lest, being loose upon the gra.s.s, He should escape; for, by the ma.s.s.

He is nimble as a goat.

(_Here_ MARY _shall alight and go to the spring._)

_Mary_. O Joseph! I am much afraid, For men are sleeping in the shade; I fear that we shall be waylaid, And robbed and beaten sore!

(_Here a band of robbers shall be seen sleeping, two of whom shall rise and come forward_.)

_Dumachus_. c.o.c.k's soul! deliver up your gold!

_Joseph_. I pray you, Sirs, let go your hold!

Of wealth I have no store.

_Dumachus_. Give up your money!

_t.i.tus_. Prithee cease!

Let these good people go in peace!

_Dumachus_. First let them pay for their release, And then go on their way.

_t.i.tus_. These forty groats I give in fee, If thou wilt only silent be.

_Mary_. May G.o.d be merciful to thee Upon the Judgment Day!

_Jesus_. When thirty years shall have gone by, I at Jerusalem shall die, By Jewish hands exalted high On the accursed tree.

Then on my right and my left side, These thieves shall both be crucified And t.i.tus thenceforth shall abide In paradise with me.

(_Here a great rumor of trumpets and horses, like the noise of a king with his army, and the robbers shall take flight._)

VI. THE SLAUGHTER OF THE INNOCENTS.

_King Herod._ Potz-tausend! Himmel-sacrament!

Filled am I with great wonderment At this unwelcome news!

Am I not Herod? Who shall dare My crown to take, my sceptre bear, As king among the Jews?

(_Here he shall stride up and down and flourish his sword._)

What ho! I fain would drink a can Of the strong wine of Canaan!

The wine of Helbon bring, I purchased at the Fair of Tyre, As red as blood, as hot as fire, And fit for any king!

(_He quaffs great goblets of wine._)

Now at the window will I stand, While in the street the armed band The little children slay: The babe just born in Bethlehem Will surely slaughtered be with them, Nor live another day!

(_Here a voice of lamentation shall be heard in the street._)