Bethlehem: A Nativity Play

Bethlehem: A Nativity Play

Ye Gentles, that come here to watch our play, Put, we beseech you, thought of us away! No standing here have we: in heart we kneel, With, at our hearts, this prayer,that ye may feel How in Loves hands time is a little thing! And so shall Love to-night your senses bring Back to the hills of Bethlehem, the fold Where shepherds watched their sheep, where angels told Of peace, goodwill to men, in Christ new-born, By Whom, from Virgin Birth, our flesh goes worn. Also, if we may guide you, ye shall see The manger where in great humility Lieth that Babe, the Maker of us all, By Marys side, amid the beasts in stall. And ye shall see the coming of the Kings, Led by a star; and Gabriel that brings[6] Unto St. Joseph, in a dream by night, Word of King Herods fear, and counsels flight. So, lastly, ye shall see them rise and go, And the place vacant left. Yet ye shall know That Love remains, and that Faith sees it so. So, have ye hope! let Time your trust increase! Hark, I hear music! Christmas comes; tis peace! Pastoral music: a shepherds voice is heard. The world is old, to-night, The world is old; The stars around the fold Do show their light, do show their light. And so they did, and so, A thousand years ago, And so will do, dear love, when you lie cold. [The curtain opens. Young Shepherd (sings). The world is still, to-night, The world is still; The snow on vale and hill Like wool lies white, like wool lies white. And so it was, and so, A thousand years ago, And so will be, good lads, when we lack will. [7] Watcher. Ay-oh, ay-oh, ay-oh! 1st Shepherd. There be good fairies up in air to-night: Come ere a frost so mild with stars so bright? The wind has shut itself in-door again, And all the air be saft like ater rain. Watcher. Ay-oh, ay-oh, ay-oh! 2nd Shepherd (rising). The sheep be quiet; the dogs have nought to do; The lambs come kind; there havent been a ewe Lost, nor a still one born, this moon, there ant: A thing I cant remember, nor I cant, Since Ive been shepherd:thats nigh forty year. 3rd Shepherd. Well, well! 4th Shepherd. What star be thatn out yonder there? Its been a-coming on, night ater night, This long time back, but never looked so bright As a do now. [8] Watcher. Ay-oh, ay-oh, ay-oh! 4th Shepherd. Dyou think stars have a way Of coming out like, special, when they got summut to say? Ive often wondered how it is they are: You never seem to get no nearer to a star, Walk ater em a mile they still seem just as far. 3rd Shepherd. Tis as God made em. Like as they were geese, Go ater em, and they turns tail and flees; Then you go back, and back they come at you! So as God made ems what they got to do. 1st Shepherd. Aye, I dont doubt the stars lays facts to mind: Theres them as say mens names be marked and signed, Writ in the roof up there, for proof that Gods behind. [9] Watcher. Ay-oh, ay-oh, ay-oh! 5th Shepherd. You think a star knows what its all about, A-blazing for? 1st Shepherd. I havent got a doubt He does! That starnow, dont tell me no more You think he dont know what hes shining for! Look at him jerking and working, and a-winking and a-blinking; Well,thats him thinking. 3rd Shepherd. Well, if he thinks the things God sets him to, Like we poor men, he got enough to do! Watcher. Ay-oh, ay-oh, ay-oh! 4th Shepherd. Theres old blind Abe a-looking! Dont he seem As if he saw it? 2nd Shepherd. Aye! he likes to dream Hes won his sight back, tho its been twelve year gone. Abe, what dyou think youve got your eye upon? [10] Abel. A good sight! aye, and a sight as you cant see So well as I. The thought just come to me, While all of you sat talking by my side, Like to the word the prophet prophesied; And while you talked, the thought o it kep me dumb: Shiloh, thinks I,will I see Shiloh come? And all at once these words were in my head, What he,the man whose eyes were opensaid Aforetime, I shall see him;but not now! Says he, I shall behold him;but not nigh: Out of Jacob there shall come forth a Star, And a Sceptre in Israel shall be raised high. So he bare witness of things seen afar. And that being told so many years ago, Yet still to come, do surely seem to show How we be likelier to behold that Star Than he who only spoke o it from afar. And in that day, tis told, the dumb shall talk, The old shall leap, and the lame man shall walk, And the blind man recover back his sight! 3rd Shepherd. Well, well, it may be so! God will do right. [11] 1st Shepherd. May we be there to see when that day shows: What it can do for such as weGod knows! Watcher. Ay-oh!... 1st Shepherd. Why! who be yon fine gentleman in white Stepping across the sheepfolds to the right? 4th Shepherd. How comes it that his face be lit so bright? 3rd Shepherd. The blood pricks in my thumbs; Tis like a ghost he comes! Enter Gabriel. Gabriel. Let nothing you annoy! Behold, I bring Good tidings of great joy: To you a King This day is born, to you and all mankind. Even Christ the Lord, to mans estate resigned. [12] 3rd Shepherd. O Lord, O Lord! was ever the like heard tell! Abel. Hold ye your peace, neighbours! he speaks us well. Gabriel. And of that same Let this be for a sign: In Bethlehem, Cradled amid the kine, A Babe in swaddling-bands ye there shall find. 4th Shepherd. Have you no fear? oh, Abel, but youre blind! Abel. Peace, and give ear! New light shines in my mind. Gabriel. And as a shepherd he shall feed His flocks, and in his arms shall bear The lambs, and like a father fair The ewes with young shall lead. ......Buy Now (To Read More)

Product details

Ebook Number: 64178
Author: Housman, Laurence
Release Date: Dec 30, 2020
Format: eBook
Language: English