I, too: my soul is glad through very dread While in this chamber God doth make His bed: For now our eyes behold the glorious Birth Which shall uplift again low-fallen earth. Here, where He rests, amid these hollowed rocks, I hear the world’s heart move in joyful shocks,-- The pulsing of her rivers and her springs: I feel the air beat with the throb of wings: And farther up, amid the heavenly maze, The stars and planets with adoring gaze Look down and say, ‘O maid with favour stored, How com’st thou to be Mother of our Lord?’ What can I answer, I? Let Gabriel Speak to those heavenly questioners, and tell How by the Holy Ghost this came to be; How power from the Highest o’ershadowed me, Till in my heart God came Himself to lie, Perfect fulfilment of all prophecy. Naught may I know save this: His handmaid I. VOICES. ‘Ave Maria, gratia plena, Dominus tecum! Benedicta tu in mulieribus, et Benedictus Fructus ventris tui, Jesus.’ [_A knocking is heard._ JOSEPH. Who knocks? SHEPHERD (_without_). A friend: we be all friendly men: We be the shepherds. JOSEPH. Come in, shepherds, then: Here’s welcome waiting you! Behold and bless The Peace within your gates, the Plenteousness! _The SHEPHERDS enter._ 1ST SHEPHERD. Mother of God, welcome to Bethlehem! MARY. Shepherds of Israel, welcome to Christ’s Birth! OMNES. Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee! Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now, and in the hour of our death. Amen. MARY. Behold the handmaid of the Lord! So as His Word hath His Way been; Now Earth to Heaven doth room afford; The Godhead veiled in Flesh is seen. Come and adore, in form of man, The Word that was ere worlds began! OMNES. Mother Mary, hail! And of thy Grace, Lift away the veil That hides God’s face! Here God lies For a short space. Mary, Mother wise, Show us God’s face! Mary, all the lands, Mary, all the seas, Gather in thy hands To thy dear knees! Mary, maiden white, Mother, pure within, Show to mortal sight Love that cures sin! 1ST SHEPHERD. Mother Mary, may we see God? MARY. Stand near in faith, behold, Be comforted by Him! Here, shepherds, is your fold. ABEL. Lady, I cannot see: mine eyes are dim. MARY. Come near, in faith: come near! Thou shalt win sight. Doubt not: have thou no fear! ABEL. Lady, mine eyes be healed and full of light! MARY. Even so, even so, Let Earth perceive and know! 1ST SHEPHERD. Son of God, shine on us! 2ND SHEPHERD. Lamb of God, look on us! 3RD SHEPHERD. Shepherd of men, set Thy sign on us! 4TH SHEPHERD. And lay Thy yoke on us! 5TH SHEPHERD. And we will be thankful.