You come wi’ me, lad! come along o’ me, We’ll all be off to Bethlehem, and see What they be doing there! Lord, Lord, I doubt Whether I’ll know to find me way about With such high things a-happening! Sir, you see There ain’t much show about the likes o’ we, But what I say’s--if this be true--well, well, ’Tis the best news that ever I heard tell! 1ST SHEPHERD. And the best fortune any on us has had! Lord, though, but don’t it make an old heart glad! Christ born? You say it is so, Sir? So be it! Thank God as we should be alive to see it! ABEL. Be He at Bethlehem? GABRIEL. Aye, there go ye! While ye so fare, your folds shall guarded be; Round them even now stand those ye do not see. Go ye in peace! SHEPHERDS. We thank you kindly, Sir. SHEPHERDS (_sing_). Now we will go, now we will go, The way we know to Bethlehem; That they may show, and we may know, ’Tis even so as you proclaim. And we will take the bread we bake, The wine we make, as gifts to them; And milk and cheese; and on our knees Will offer these at Bethlehem. And He shall know we love Him so, But cannot show a better way Of service dear, and loving cheer, Than we do here on Christmas Day. [_Exeunt several of the SHEPHERDS._ 6TH SHEPHERD. Sir, do you think that I might make so bold As offer Him a young lamb from the fold? ’Twas the first dropped this lambing time; maybe He’ll take it kindly from the likes o’ we, We being simple shepherds. GABRIEL. Simple? Yes! Would God, all minds had this same simpleness! Take Him what gifts ye will! To-night on earth All’s peace to greet Christ’s birth. 5TH SHEPHERD. Noticed you that? He made the shepherd’s sign: ’a did it pat! SHEPHERDS (_without_). Come on, lads, come! 6TH SHEPHERD. Good-night, Sir. GABRIEL. Peace befall You and your ways! Good-night, friend; good-night, all. [_Exeunt SHEPHERDS._ SHEPHERDS (_in the distance singing_). And we will go, and we will go, The way we know to Bethlehem; That Love may show, and we may know, ’Tis even so as you proclaim. _Enter the ANGEL OF THE STAR. He crosses the stage and departs._ _Enter the KINGS._ 1ST KING. Hear me, O King of Kings, And give me my desire! 2ND KING. Hive me beneath Thy wings, And guide my feet with fire! 3RD KING. Unto that Holy Mount, Where forth from Thee goes Light. ALL. Whence springs a Living Fount To wash the whole world white. GABRIEL. Peace be with you, and hail! Where go ye this fair night, Travellers, and what seek ye? 1ST KING.