THE NATIVITY
It beckons us the way it goes;
And Tib, our dog, the creature knows:
He too, in bitter frosts and snows,
Saw Gates of Heaven rolled back.
[They gather up their belongings, and all go out.
And Tib, our dog, the creature knows:
He too, in bitter frosts and snows,
Saw Gates of Heaven rolled back.
[They gather up their belongings, and all go out.
Scene II.—The stable. Mary sitteth in the grass of the
manger, the Babe on her knee. Joseph kneeleth by her.
The Ox and the Ass mildly gaze upon her Son.
manger, the Babe on her knee. Joseph kneeleth by her.
The Ox and the Ass mildly gaze upon her Son.
Mary.
Sweet Son, and is it thus you come
To such a poor, unworthy home?
Better than this was Mary's womb,
Unworthy though it were.
To such a poor, unworthy home?
Better than this was Mary's womb,
Unworthy though it were.
Nine months have I desired you, sweet,
To kiss your prisoned hands and feet;
But never dreamt your face to greet
In a sad stable, bare.
To kiss your prisoned hands and feet;
But never dreamt your face to greet
In a sad stable, bare.
Sleep, little one, sleep sweet, mine own!
Mother shall rock her dearest one.
To-night He is her own, her Son,
Whatever the years bring.
Mother shall rock her dearest one.
To-night He is her own, her Son,
Whatever the years bring.
In Nazareth she hath laid by
Great store of baby napery,
With lavender sweet, and rosemary,
All for her Baby King.
Great store of baby napery,
With lavender sweet, and rosemary,
All for her Baby King.
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