At these words, the startled Joseph looks round him, and discovering at last a poor stable, which the wind penetrates on every side, he presses Mary to enter it: I will take care To shelter you from every hurtful air. He settles the young woman as comfortably as he can in the rude shed, and prepares to go into the town to get what she requires. MARY. Go, go, my friend: I shall not be alone, For where God is, there also is my home. Mary remaining alone offers up a touching prayer to her heavenly Father; then, yielding to her fatigue, she lies down upon the straw and falls asleep. The scene changes to heaven. The eyes of the Lord, which 'look upon the sons of men,' are turned upon the earth, and are fixed with kindness on Mary, whose sleep is gentle and peaceful. Then as the great moment approaches, He orders the angels to leave heaven and announce to mankind the news of a great joy. He gives each of them a message; some are to go to Mary, others to Simeon. The humblest of them says: ... And I, Lord ... I will go seek the least of all, And tell him how _great_ he has become Since the great one has become small. Hymns of praise immediately resound through heaven: Glory to Thee, Almighty Lord! And the angels depart upon their mission. The scene changes, and we are once more in the stable at Bethlehem. Mary awakes and is still alone. Her heart is agitated by the most astounding thoughts: the mystery of God which she discerns surprises and confounds her. Strange! a virgin ... yet a mother Of a son above all other, Very God and very man! Emanuel! of the Father dearest Son ... May my hands be joined with thine? May thy lips be touched by mine? At this moment the angels sent by God arrive: they enter the wretched stable, filling it with their glory, and each salutes the poor virgin of Nazareth in his own fashion. One of them says: All hail, happy dame, Mother of the Son thou lov'st so dearly! Another, whose character appears to be humility, addresses the new-born child: Little child, pray spare me not ... Though I'm small I shall delight To wait upon you day and night, To wash you or to warm your bed.[80]... At this point Joseph returns with the provisions he has bought; he is distressed at his inability to receive becomingly this child of heaven, but resolving to give all that he has, he advances towards the stable. On a sudden he stops in surprise ... he looks ... a divine light fills the humble shed, and shines all around. What a strange gleam There comes from within! I'm like a man in a maze: I am quite sure I never before Saw such a glorious blaze. He stops at the threshold and looks in. The angels have disappeared, and he says: Mary, I see, Has not lost her glee, Her face with joy runs o'er ... But why does she stare, This virgin dear, So constantly on the floor?