The sleeping shepherds and shepherdesses awake; they look about them and perceive the angels surrounded with a heavenly glory. FIRST SHEPHERD. Heavens! what means this brightness here? I am almost numbed with fear. SECOND SHEPHERDESS. By this clear and glorious light My weak eyes are dazzled quite. FIRST ANGEL. Gentle shepherds, do not fear, I am come your hearts to cheer, With glad tidings.... For to you upon this morn The Saviour Jesus Christ is born. As 'twas writ; and this the sign How to know the child divine; Wrapped in swaddling bands, the Son Has a manger for a throne.... The Jesus whom the Lord has sent To fulfil his covenant. All the angels then sing the hymn of praise: Glory be to God most high. SECOND SHEPHERD. Let us haste and feast our eyes Where the hope of mortals lies. THIRD SHEPHERD. In a hut so mean and poor, If we cannot pass the door, We can through some crevice spy[82] Where our Lord and King doth lie. The shepherds and shepherdesses converse as they go on the reception they will give to the Messiah, with a simplicity that may appear excessive, but which is not devoid of grace and genuineness. FIRST SHEPHERD AND SHEPHERDESS. Let us from our plenty bear Presents to their scanty fare. THIRD SHEPHERD. Here's a cheese I'll take with me In this basket. SECOND SHEPHERD. And you see, This great bowl of milk I'll carry, And I hope 'twill please sweet Mary. FIRST SHEPHERD. I shall give this cage and bird. SECOND SHEPHERD. I this faggot, for, my word! The weather's cold. THIRD SHEPHERD. This rude toy, This rustic flute will please the boy. FIRST SHEPHERDESS. I will kiss his very cheek.... SECOND SHEPHERD. Nay! 't is honour sure enough But to kiss him in the foot.[83] Shepherds and shepherdesses all leave the fields and hurry to Bethlehem. The scene again changes to this town, where the shepherds and shepherdesses arrive and look for the place where the child lies. SECOND SHEPHERD. In this house with paint so gay The holy child would never stay. THIRD SHEPHERD. Nor in this palace would he rest, But rather in some humbler nest. FIRST SHEPHERDESS, _searching carefully_. There's a place in this rude rock; Can it be the honoured spot? Shepherds and shepherdesses draw near, and looking through the cracks in the wall of the poor stable, discover Mary and Jesus. The second shepherd exclaims with rapture: There's the child ... and there's the mother.... THIRD SHEPHERDESS. See how mild Hangs on his mother's breast the child. SECOND SHEPHERD. Call yon man to ope the door.... (_to Joseph_) Hola! master.... JOSEPH. What means that noise without? FIRST SHEPHERD. The true fruit of heaven we seek. MARY.