Scene—In the Air
The Lords of the Air:
What light hath passed us in the silent ways?
The Spirits of Fire:
We are sustainèd, strengthened suddenly.
The Spirits of Water:
Lo, how the utmost deeps are clarified!
The Spirits Terrene:
What might is this more potent than the spring?
Lo, how the night
Which wrapped us round with its most heavy cloths
Opens and breathes with some strange-fashioned brighness!
Scene—In Heaven
Christ, the eternal Spirit in Heaven speaketh thus, over the child of Mary:
O star, move forth and write upon the skies,
“This child is born in ways miraculous.”
* * * * *
O windy spirits, that are born in Heaven,
Go down and bid the powers of Earth and Air
Protect his ways until the Time shall come.
* * * * *
O Mother, if the dark of things to be
Wrap round thy heart with cloudy apprehensions,
Eat of thy present corn, the aftermath
Hath its appointed end in whirling light.
Eat of thy present corn, thou so hast share
In mightier portents than Augustus hath.
* * * * *
In every moment all to be is born,
Thou art the moment and need’st fear no scorn.
Echo of the Angels singing “Exultasti”:
Silence is born of many peaceful things,
Thus is the starlight woven into strings
Whereon the Powers of peace make sweet accord.
Rejoice, O Earth, thy Lord
Hath chosen Him his holy resting-place.
Lo, how the winged sign
Flutters above that hallowed chrysalis.
Scene—In the Air
The invisible Spirit of the Star answers them:
Bend in your singing, gracious potencies,
Bend low above your ivory bows and gold!
That which ye know but dimly hath been wrought
High in the luminous courts and azure ways:
Bend in your praise;
For though your subtle thought
Sees but in part the source of mysteries,
Yet are ye bidden in your songs, sing this:
”Gloria! gloria in excelsis
Pax in terra nunc natast.”
Angels continuing in song:
Shepherds and kings, with lambs and frankincense
Go and atone for mankind’s ignorance:
Make ye soft savour from your ruddy myrrh.
Lo, how God’s son is turned God’s almoner.
Give ye this little
Ere he give ye all.
Scene—On Earth
One of the Magi:
How the deep-voicèd night turns councillor!
And how, for end, our starry meditations
Admit us to his board!
A Shepherd:
Sir, we be humble and perceive ye are
Men of great power and authority,
And yet we too have heard.