THE FLIGHT INTO EGYPT
Scene I.—Joseph sleepeth in a room white with moonlight.
Outside, Bethlehem lieth still in the moon. Joseph dreameth
and uttereth aloud his dream.
Outside, Bethlehem lieth still in the moon. Joseph dreameth
and uttereth aloud his dream.
Joseph.
Are they not safe? I heard, methought,
The crying of women sore distraught,
And through that lonely sound I caught
The shriek of babes, and then
The crying of women sore distraught,
And through that lonely sound I caught
The shriek of babes, and then
Clashing of swords, and oaths, and fierce
Wild laughter rang against mine ears,
Mine eyes beheld the dripping spears
In hands of wicked men.
Wild laughter rang against mine ears,
Mine eyes beheld the dripping spears
In hands of wicked men.
'Twas night in Bethlehem did seem
All through the horror of my dream.
And "Woe!" and "Woe to Bethlehem!"
I heard a voice cry on.
All through the horror of my dream.
And "Woe!" and "Woe to Bethlehem!"
I heard a voice cry on.
And yet I know the small town lies
Soothed by the sweetest lullabies,
Watched by a million starry eyes
That gaze until the dawn.
Soothed by the sweetest lullabies,
Watched by a million starry eyes
That gaze until the dawn.
191
