Let nothing you annoy! Behold, I bring Good tidings of great joy: To you a King This day is born, to you and all mankind. Even Christ the Lord, to man’s estate resigned. 3RD SHEPHERD. O Lord, O Lord! was ever the like heard tell! ABEL. Hold ye your peace, neighbours! he speaks us well. GABRIEL. And of that same Let this be for a sign: In Bethlehem, Cradled amid the kine, A Babe in swaddling-bands ye there shall find. 4TH SHEPHERD. Have you no fear? oh, Abel, but you’re blind! ABEL. Peace, and give ear! New light shines in my mind. GABRIEL. And as a shepherd he shall feed His flocks, and in his arms shall bear The lambs, and like a father fair The ewes with young shall lead. _Enter ANGELS._ ANGELS. SEMI-CHORUS. SEMI-CHORUS. Glory to God In the Highest! Who unto man Now comes nighest. Peace be to earth! Goodwill to all! Christ the new Birth Redeems man’s fall. GABRIEL. Ye holy and humble men of fearful heart, Be not afraid with these to take your part! To-night God gives you sight; then be not blind; Behold with us the high celestial mind! Ye also with one voice must here rejoice. 1ST SHEPHERD. We be poor mortals! Here’s all Heaven in sight! GABRIEL. The Heavens themselves are joined with earth to-night. Fear not, but rise! Mercy and Truth are met; And Righteousness on Peace her seal hath set. Stand and be strong, Ye, too, shall share our song! SEMI-CHORUS. Glory to God; on earth, peace, goodwill! He smites with His rod, and the waters are still; He maketh it bud for the evil and good, He lifts the low valley and bends the high hill. SEMI-CHORUS. Thou Christ art the Rod, and Thy reign shall be peace! At the power of Thy nod, all warfare shall cease. The desert shall blossom and be as the rose, When the Healing of nations from Bethlehem flows. CHORUS. Glory to God In the Highest! Who unto man Now comes nighest. Peace be to earth! Goodwill to all! Christ the new Birth Redeems man’s fall. [_The ANGELS disappear._ 4TH SHEPHERD. Sir, have we dreamed this? GABRIEL. Let your own hearts tell! Do dreams bequeath such joy? Your bosoms swell, Your faces glow, your eyes are full of cheer. Why are they so? Lately you had great fear, And stood as huddled flocks before a storm; Have dreams, then, made you warm? 4TH SHEPHERD. Oh, Sir, ’tis true! Yet scarcely do I know what next to do. 2ND SHEPHERD.