Ecclesiastics
Acolytes
Lady Abbess
Nuns
Friar Primus
Friar Secundus
Rascal, their servant
Rustics
Gabriel
Dick
Gammer
Tabby
Michael
Anna
Sym
Thomas
***
(Over the stage are heard voices changing Pales-
(trina's ADORAMUS TE.
(Enter Acolytes right and left with tapers. TheyQuia per sanctum natum tuum redimisti mundum.
(meet stage center, come down steps, light sconces
(stage right and left, and take up positions right
(and left, facing entering Nuns.
(The Nuns come from within the church singing,
(approach, and kneel before the closed recess from
(which the Acolytes draw aside the curtains, show-
(ing for an instant the picture of the Holy Family,
(and then re-covering the niche. The Acolytes with-
(draw and sit in stalls right and left.
Qui Natus est pro nobis.
Domine, Domine, venite nobis.
Domine, Domine, venite nobis.
(The Nuns, led by the Lady Abbess, are then seated,
(and are like doves in the use they make of eyes,
(heads, and necks. They are sleek and demure, and
(silent except when shocked, when a murmur of hor-
(ror, "O Alma Redemptoris!" runs down their line.
(Enter Dick left, brushing snow from his shoulders.
(In his hand he has a short, heavy stick. Gabriel
(follows, removing his cap reverently and shaking
(snow from it.
(Pointing out Holy Family niche.Hey, Gabriel, zee over there!
(Reverently.Eh, Dick, an' Ah wonder what's there. Be it summat for the play?
(Reverently.Faith, yes.
(Crosses himself and turns left, pointing out openAn' there nothin'!
(niche.
(They gape about.
(Enter Gammer right, a tall, hook-nosed old wo-
(man, with full basket over one arm and in the other
(hand a staff. In the basket are a few cakes made in
(the image of a child. She is shivering and she sees
(no one.
(Dick steals a cake.
(Nudging Gabriel.Hey, Gabriel, zee Gammer's legs fold.
(With one hand Gammer reaches far above her
(head, touching the curtain and drawing her hand
(down it. Then she prays long and reverently.
(Compassionately.Eh, poor soul, and the chapped hands! Eh, Jesu have pity on us, what with hunger and cold the poor have never none rest!
(Dick laughs roughly.
(Rising with difficulty and taking up the basket, sheGod's soul, masters, be in peace! I knowt not ye were here.
(hears Dick's laugh. To Dick and Gabriel.
(Gabriel takes out purse and gives her a small coinThankee, Master, Thankee! Be the play begun?
(in exchange for a cake.
(Gammer lifts up one of many ragged petticoats and
(puts the coin in the petticoat pocket.
(To Dick.Deaf, poor soul!
(To Gammer, who is fumbling her way to steps.Nay, Gammer, but 'twill soon begin.
(Gammer crouches on lower steps right, her basket
(on stage. Off stage Sym and Thomas are heard
(shouting with mirth.
(Crossing himself and calling to the wassailers.Peace!
(To Dick.They are as good as in church!
(Derisively.On the very steps!
(Sym and Thomas who have been drinking are seen
(in the doorway, cracking each other on the back
(and shouting with laughter over some jest. They
(enter left.
(Crossing himself.Be the play begun?
(Crosses himself too. Then he swaggers up to Dick.Christus curse, am as good a man as any of ye!
(Gently.Aye, none will say ye nay, Thomas.
(To Gabriel.God's pain, be still.
(Menacingly to Thomas.I say thou art a -
(To Dick and Thomas.Have done! Here comes Goodwife Tabby with her children. Peace, boys, I say!
(Enter Tabby right with the children Michael and
(Anna on either side of her. They go up to niche
(right, kneel, cross themselves, and rise.
(Dick and Thomas glower at each other, separating
(slowly, and seating themselves on steps left. Ga-
(briel seats himself on steps right near Gammer.
(To Michael and Anna.Hey, little ones, be ye come to the play?
(Michael shrugs his shoulders and Anna turns to
(them and curtsies.
(To Michael.Have a care, boy, there might be a devil in the play.
(Kindly.Nay, little ones, only if a king be a devil!
(To children.Ay, and the devil has a long snout, - like this!
(Indicates long snout and jumps at children.
(To men.Sirs, tease them not, lest fear put them in Bedlam!
(They go toward steps right, seating themselves
(there, a child on either side of Tabby.
(As Anna passes them.A pretty child.
(The Star enters left. He is clad in black tights,
(with gold stars on the black, a gold-colored coat
(with large, black-lined sleeves, and a black-cowled
(hood. He bears over his shoulder a quaint lantern,
(star inwrought.
Welcome, my deare friends,
All who are gathered of this faire citye
To see me cast my bright beams
On this playe which shall follow me.
I am the star sent from Heaven
To warn the three Wise Men
Lest they know not
That a sweet babe is born in Bethlehem.
I go now to search these men
And to lead them hither on the waye
Where this precious babe with Maria is this daye.
Listen ye all, for soon begins the wondrous playe!
(The Star goes out left.
(A low murmuring is in the crowd as Herod and
(Timon come in right. Herod is dressed in a sage
(green robe with gold-embroidered, jewelled collar
(and cuffs, a magenta cape and a gold crown.
(Timon is clad in scarlet and silver-grey tights,
(a grey jacket with long, jagged sleeves lined with
(scarlet, a cowled headdress with big shawl collar.
(There is a long tail on the headdress covered with
(bells. He wears pointed shoes with bells, and car-
(ries a scarlet and grey bauble.
(Doffing his cap to the people.
Haile, good people that are heare,
I give you greeting from my king!
He is a good king withal
But he has now a great sorrowing.
Oh ho, ho - ho!
(Here Timon is overcome with mirth.
Is not ouer king a wonderly sight?
He makes you to tremble with feare I wight.
So can I with my good sword!
(Then Timon takes his bauble, shaking it at theCome you squires, lovers, knights.
(people.
(To Dick, shoving him.You!
(Dick stands up from the steps.
Here, Timon, one I wot to fight with you!
(He makes ready to fight. The crowd shouts for joy.
Come, now, may the Devil give you his due!
On, losel! I will carve you in two.
(Timon capers about, matching the rustic's stick
(with his bauble.
(To Dick, giving him a smart tap on the head withThere, fellow, take that on thy pate!
(his bauble.
(With a roar of anger.Hold, knaves, have done!
(Dick steps back and sits down rubbing his head.
Ah, gramercy, sweet Herod,
I fight but to preserve your faire name.
(Herod frowns. To the crowd.
In soth, there is bad news for Herod;
It makes him wroth - I wot.
Sorrow lays exceeding heavye on his minde.
(Here Timon laughs.
But never the truth from Timon will he finde!
(He gives Timon a rap on the head.
Peace, brodel, on your wagging tongue!
Tell me what news or I will cause thee to be hung!
Ah, now sweet Herod - I will tell all.
You threaten Timon most unkindlie.
Three wise men there are in ouer citye
Who have travelled afar from the East.
They ask of the people on the street
Where is a childe born king of the Jews?
For we saw his star shine bright and sweet,
And are come to welcome him and grete.
(Raging.
Devil now take this new king!
I am the only king you may know!
Timon, quick, I bid you go
Bring the Chief Scribe,
I would heare more of this thing.
By my faie I will bring him
And make him confess this secrete sin.
(Exit Timon right.
(Striding to and fro and roaring in his rage.
How is it now!
I - chief of great and awful kings
Before whom all miserlie things
Tremble with just feare!
A little sicklie wretch
Would prevail against!
I will discover from the Scribe
The place where the wretched babe kepes
And slay him whilst he slepes, -
So to these evil tales put an ende!
(Two pages enter left, struggling across the church
(door with a highly decorated Yule log. Straw, rib-
(bons, and a piece of holly are bound to the log. All
(the Rustics cheer and break into song.
Yule! Yule! Yule!
Three puddings in a Pule!
Crack nuts and cry Yule!
(The Pages, pleased by the attention they receive,
(try to set down the log, and it falls on the foot of
(one. The Rustics break into a roar of laughter.
(The Pages leave the log and exit right.
(To children.See the pratty berried spray!
(Crossing himself reverently.Our Lord sitteth with His Mother.
(Still angry, putting an end to the Christmas mirth.
Devil now take all here!
Louts, have done with these wretched words!
(Timon enters right with The Scribe. He is a tall
(man with a great white beard. He wears a brown
(robe.
Lo, gentil master, I have brought the gray-beard.
Make him speak all -
I am here - be not afeared!
Cease prating now, Timon,
Speak and tell, old man,
How this thing can be -
That a childe of low degree
Seeks to take my royaltye.
Where is this boy to be
Who would destroy my majestie!
Lo, Herod, thus it has been written:
A sacred Babe shall be born in Bethlehem
Who shall rule all the skye and lande.
They are heare now who say these thinges -
They have travelled from afar - three kinges.
These are evil tidings to my heart!
Go, bring these three men -
I would speak to them apart!
Their footsteps I will go pursue
And bring them presentlie to you.
(Exit The Scribe left.
Sir, by my troth, a pretty mess!
Come, your sad head I will caress.
Out - away with silly chatterings!
This ill news stirs my heart to mutterings;
A wastrel seeks my doughtie throne -
By the devil - I will breke his bone!
(Two Carmelite Friars of the Blessed Virgin enter
(right begging alms. They wear white mantels over
(brown habits, and are followed by Rascal, over his
(shoulder a sack to receive what they beg.
Peace, master, they come who beg,
Under white mantel wearing brown,
Under the brown wearing a leg.
(Capers, turns away from Friar, begging.
(To Herod.Sire, in principio radix est cupiditas.
(Herod stares, eyes bulging, and waves them offUnder the honey of the goods of the body is hid the venom that slayeth the Devil!
(insolently. Dick laughs. Timon capers. The others
(cross themselves. Friar Secundus makes an entry.
(To Herod, with a malicious glance and in a sing-
(song voice, as he leaves him.
(He turns away to Rustics.
(Slapping thigh.Here, by corpus bones!
(To all Rustics in a singsong voice.
Give us a bushel wheat or else of rye,
A cake of God or else a bit of cheese,
Or bacon or beef if that you please,
Or food in many a muscle and many an oyster.
Give us your gold to make our cloister.
Or with a bit of blanket or a penny buy
Your soul's redemption and your peace.
(Pointing to Rascal.
Here in this sturdy Rascal's sack
Is ample place on ample back.
(Turns to Tabby and Children and speaks sharpDame, unbuckle thy purse. For a groat thou shalt go free of thy sins.
(prose.
(Pulls out her purse.Nought but a farthing!
(Gives Anna the coin.Well, here!
(Rising and bending her little knee.A farthing for you, most Holy Father.
(Friar Primus puts coin in his scrip and turns away
(without a blessing. Friar Secundus makes record.
(Loud-voiced and impudent.Thirty masses for a dead man's soul!
(To Gabriel.Come near! Come hither!
(Gabriel comes.My son, at thy age, doth a man stand on the grave's edge?
(Feels for his purse.
(Whispering some Latin to him rapidly.Ego te absolvo in nomine Patris et Filii et Spiritus Sancti
(Repeats rapidly.Amen.
(Gabriel, pulling out purse, empties it into cuppedEgo te absolvo!
(hands of Friar Primus, who empties it into his
(scrip. Friar Secundus makes record.
(Blessing Gabriel.
(Sidles over to Gammer and raps her imperiously.Give, Gammer! Hell waits at thy door!
(Gammer rises, paws around with shaking hands inHast coin?
(her basket, and pulls out three cakes which she gives
(him and which he passes reluctantly to Rascal.
(Friar Secundus makes record. To Gammer.
(Slowly Gammer lifts up the one of many petti-
(coats and takes out the one coin it contains, - the
(one Gabriel had given her. This she gives to Friar
(Primus.
(Friar Primus puts it into his scrip. Friar Secundus
(makes record. The Friars and Rascal seat them-
(selves on steps left. The Pages come in with torches,
(singing CHRISTUS NATUS EST. The Rustics join in
(the song.
The cock croweth, Christus natus est!
The Raven crieth, Quando?
The ox replieth, Hac nocte.
The sheep bleateth out, Ubi? Ubi?
The Cow calleth out, Bethlehem.
Voices from on high, Gloria in Excelsis Deo!
(The Scribe enters left with the Three Wise Men.
(They are clad in rich garments and wear turbans.
(Gaspard is old, bearded, and bent of back. He leans
(upon a staff. The three men carry knotted packs of
(cloth.
Lo, here are they, Herod, of whom I tolde -
Balthasar, Melchior, and Gaspard the Old.
(Aside.These three miserable knights I will snare in my craftie designs.
So pretend great freyndliness
And good cheer of all kyndes!
(To the Wise Men..
Welcome, heare, good Wise Men from the East,
Pray tell me of this strange prophesie,
And where you search so lustilie,
A young king born of low degree?
We followed with our camels from afar
The shining light of a wondrous star.
So was it written by prophets olde
A younge prince should be born unto us,
A lowly babe - so was it tolde -
Who would bring all manner of men to his fold.
A! lyars and knaves both!
I will spare their olde bones then
To turn them to my purpose
And speak softlie now - for soth!
Ye have travelled far and are sore tired.
Can you say, Oh Herod,
Where dwells the Christ Child mild?
(To The Scribe.
Is it not for them to search diligentlie
And if they do find the little wretch
Bring in their tydings unto me
So that I may better wreck my vengeance?
Ah, Herod, you have a mightie mynde,
And can all villainie defyne.
(Pointing to village on dome and still whispering toIf the child be, he must be there!
(The Scribe.
(To the Wise Men.
You will seek this king in Bethlehem.
Speed now upon your waye, goode men,
And bring me news another daye
That I may go also and worship him.
(The Three Wise Men bow deeply.
Farewell, good Herod, peace to ye,
Tydings you will know most presentlie.
(Exeunt the Three Wise Men left, followed by Pages
(with torches.
(To the Rustics.
God kepe you now in securitie!
I pray he will that much do for me!
Fy, knave, have done with these louts!
They had best kepe an eye for the babe
Or I will levie a tax on their heads!
Come, make Herod's soule light
For I am sore wroth and vexed!
(Exeunt Herod and The Scribe right. Timon capers
(after them. Enter Pages left carrying torches.
(It grows dark..
(The Pages go stage right and stage left, standing
(by the proscenium arch. Re-enter the Three Wise
(Men, right, Gaspard the old groping his way,
(feeble and almost blind. He mistakes the torches
(stage left for The Star.
(Pointing.
My eyes are old and dimmer
With age than autumn is with mist;
Yet there, is't not the glimmer
Of that Star is bliss?
(Kindly.
Nay, not that nor yet the daystarn.
Yet some place we have seen before
Is this confused by night.
(Points stage right at Page's torch.
And there another light.
I am with fear now we are alone,
Lest we have lost the waye.
How many leagues, good Melchior, can you say -
Are we from Bethlehem?
(Looks to the sky..
Alas! I too finde not the star
That served to guide us from afar.
The night is dark and the path is drear;
The way is lost, good friends, I feare.
My bones are dry and weary.
I will lay me down to rest a little while.
(Gaspard lies down. The other two keep watch over
(him.
We will kepe his guard, -
His limbs are aged and tired.
I will offer a prayer to God's grace
That we may know the waye and kepe his faith.
(A soft chanting is heard in another part of the
(place, becoming stronger. The Angel comes in left
(leading The Star.
(Chanting.
Gloria in excelsis Deo et in terra
Pax hominibus bonae voluntatis.
(Gaspard wakes and the Three Wise Men fall down
(upon their knees in wonder. The Rustics cross
(themselves and bow their heads.
Yonder is the Star sent to guide our way.
I will to God give my praise!
An angel bright!
What wondrous sight of blisse
Is this!
(He rubs his eyes.
What sweet sound do I heare?
The Star and Angel all fayre and deare!
Lo, Wise Men of the East,
I come to bring great tydings.
The King you seeke
Is nigh at hande to greete!
Arise and follow the Star;
There you will the little babe finde.
But all thoughts of Herod put behinde,
For he is of the Devil's own kinde!
(The Star comes up to the niche right. The Three
(Wise Men follow him. He swings his lantern high
(and draws back the curtain. Here Maria, the Little
(Babe in her arms, is seated, with Joseph kneeling.
(Gaspard, Melchior, and Balthasar fall down on
(their knees before the Little Babe and worship him.
(Then, while they worship, follows the sacred lull-
(aby.
There is no rose of such virtue
As is the rose that bear Jesu:
For in this rose contained was
Heaven and earth in little space:
By that rose we may well see
There be one God in Persons Three:
The angels sayd, the shepherds too:
Gloria in Excelsis Deo:
Leave we all this wordly mirth
And follow we this joyful birth:
Haile, little one of light!
Most precious in God's sight.
(Gaspard opens his pack and draws forth a piece of
(gold for the child.
Here is a piece of gold for thee,
Sweet prince of puritie!
(He opens his pack for the Little Babe.
Haile to thee, darlynge deare,
Little shining treasure of good cheere!
A gift of frankincense I offer
From my poore store.
(He brings a gift from his pack also.
Haile, thou sweet one of prophesie,
I give a bit of myrrh to thee!
Blessed childe of posteritie,
Sent from Heaven above!
(Motionless, and even the voice seeming to remain
(within the frame of the picture.
You are welcome, oh Wise Men,
With your rich presents
To my little babe who is full deare to me,
Given by God's own mercie.
(Also motionless, his voice remaining within the
(frame of the picture.
Thanks be to you,
O Wise Men from the East,
All glory is your due
For homage heare tonight.
Our own sweet little one,
Born of my blessed wife,
Brings joy to a waiting lande
And peace to every life.
I pray you now, goodly men,
Take the blessing of the Virgin Marie;
For your kinde deeds I give you thanks
On this - my little babe's birthday.
(The Star casts his latern rays over the heads of
(Maria, the Little Babe, and Joseph.
(The Angel hovers over them. Then is heard the
(music and singing of the GLORIA IN EXCELSIS.
(The Rustics stand, cross themselves, make salu-
(tation to the Holy Family, and go out right and left.
(The curtain is drawn over the niche. The Acolytes
(put out the lights as the GLORIA IN EXCELSIS passes
(into the ADORAMUS TE, with the exit of the Wise
(Men and the Nuns. The two Pages come together,
(stage center. The light brightens. The Pages
(separate. Timon capers in. The Pages stand on
(either side of him, torches raised, as Timon bids
(the audience good night and dismisses them in
(these words:
Gentil, lover, lady, knight,
Never was a Star so bright,
Leading Wise Men to the Child,
Finding Jesu, precious, mild.
Wicked though we seem to be,
King in rage, and I in glee,
We did set you on the way,
We did bring you to this play.
Though we grieve to have you go
Out through wind and winter snow,
Timon bids you all godspeed!
Better life in better deed.