[_Exeunt_ (R.) _three Merchants, saluting_ ZACHARY _ironically_. ZACHARY _stands looking after them, hands raised. He totters a step or two, then he lets hands sink slowly._ ZACH. Now, God have mercy! But I’m wearied sore. [_Begins to limp back to stump._ So wearied I have never been before. [_He sits heavily on ground, leaning against stump. Then, after a pause._ My limbs that heavy! [_Lifts hands, and lets them drop._ My old eyes, that dim! [_Stares about, bewildered._ Why—if He came—I could not look at Him.... [_His voice grows weaker._ Dreams, did they say?... And old Isaias too?... [_He rolls his eyes._ David.... And Balaam ... and the Fleece of Dew That Gideon saw.... Why, now, how soft the snow.... [_Sleepy voice; closing eyes._ I’ll sleep ... a bit ... a bit ... before ... I ... go. [_Sinks down. Music begins very softly, and verse of carol is played through as he falls asleep. Then_ MARTHA _and_ ABEL _begin to sing, off_. And ... God ... have ... pity on ... all ... poor folks ... here below. MAR. AND ABEL.[3] The Lord at first had Adam made Out of the dust and clay, And in his nostrils breathed life.... [_Enter_ (L.) MARTHA _and_ ABEL, _carrying bundles, with sticks, over shoulders, hand in hand_. MARTHA _carries a lantern_. E’en as the Scriptures say. And then in Eden’s Paradise He placed him to dwell That he within— [_Stop abruptly._ MAR. Why, Abel, what’s that lying by the tree? [ABEL _clings to her, lets go, tries to run_. Nay, nay, be quiet! Here, take hold of me. [_She is staring at_ ZACHARY. ABEL. Oh! Martha, Martha, I’m afraid— [_Tries to pull her away._ MAR. No, no. [_She goes closer with him; looks._ ’Tis but an old man, sleeping in the snow. Why—look how white he is! How white and old! He’ll take his death! The night is bitter cold. [_Advances close to him with lantern._ Sir, sir! Wake up.... Here, Abel, take the light! [_Hands him lantern. He shrinks away._ You silly boy! With God nor day nor night Can harm His children.... Here, sir, wake, awake! [_Shakes him by arm._ The night is cold. Sir! [_She kneels by him._ For Messias’ sake! [ZACHARY _moans gently, lifts his head, looks round, sinks back_.