little, and less": a sort of insipid rhymed Proverbs not devoid of a pleasant feminine substitute for humour. Also, strange in the midst of these, a savage passionate outburst against the cruelty of the Inquisition; and, bound up with all this medley of old-fashioned piety and sisterly devotion, a series of four Mysteries, interspersed by exquisite and charming Pastorals.
Of these Mysteries, or Comedies, as Margaret prefers to call them, that on the Nativity far excels the three others: the Desert, the Innocents, and the Adoration of the Kings. Nothing more delicate, more sweetly fantastic, than this strange, light, little comedy, this religious operetta. Joseph sings a tripping sort of Vaudeville to welcome the Holy Babe; and then the scene shifts, and the Bergerie begins.
The shepherds and shepherdesses of Palestine are sitting on the grass at evening, watching their folded flocks. They relate the work of the day to each other and then lie down to sleep—all in a sort of song—when one of them remarks the unusual brightness of the stars. At this point appears a choir of singing angels who tell of the birth of Christ. Then, when the heavenly voices all are hushed, the wondering youths and maidens sing a Nowell, charming in its light-shift touch and dancing metres.
Chorus of Shepherds and Shepherdesses.
Come let us hasten, journeying
To see the Child and Mother bright
Of whom the angels, carolling,
Have sung sweet homilies to-night:
Sing Nowell, let the Nowell ring,
For Christ is given to us outright.
