THE NATIVITY
Let 's heap the fire; the wind brings snow;
And feed the little life that's low;
Lamb's life and babe's life flickering go
In this gray hour ere morn.
And feed the little life that's low;
Lamb's life and babe's life flickering go
In this gray hour ere morn.
Third Shepherd (entering, a lamb in his arms).
Brothers, a little lamb I bring,
A curled and soft and helpless thing;
Its mother died at birth-giving;
And see the blood upon
A curled and soft and helpless thing;
Its mother died at birth-giving;
And see the blood upon
The fleece, as though one marked it thus
For sacrifice most piteous.
There 's room enough for this with us,
Beside my little son.
For sacrifice most piteous.
There 's room enough for this with us,
Beside my little son.
First Shepherd.
Brothers, the night grows still and fair.
What balmy warmth is in the air?
Look ye, whence comes that splendid Star,
Travelling to Bethlehem?
What balmy warmth is in the air?
Look ye, whence comes that splendid Star,
Travelling to Bethlehem?
Third Shepherd.
To-night some marvels we shall see.
Golden-clad folk went down by me,
All shimmering from the head to knee,
And with a diadem.
Golden-clad folk went down by me,
All shimmering from the head to knee,
And with a diadem.
Second Shepherd.
Peace now! For see above our hill
The heavens are opening wide, until
The heavens are opening wide, until
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