If God hath this great fact revealed, By us it must not be concealed; For to believers we the Christ must show: Open the door.... JOSEPH, _opening the door_. You can come in. The shepherds and shepherdesses approach respectfully, and puny as the child appears, they recognise in him the height of the eternal Majesty, and worship him: THIRD SHEPHERD. ... Thou art the promised seed To Adam after his misdeed. Abraham and David on this relied, And both alike were justified. SECOND SHEPHERD. The eye beholds a weak and powerless child; But faith which comes of knowledge bids us bow In honour and in adoration at his feet, As the true God. After the adoration of the shepherds, the shepherdesses, a little curious, surround Mary and enter into conversation with her. THIRD SHEPHERDESS. How is't no costly robes he owns: Silver and gold and precious stones? MARY. Simplicity he liketh best, Nor will he in choice clothes be dressed. The first streaks of dawn begin to appear. SECOND SHEPHERD. The day is near ... I must begone. FIRST SHEPHERDESS, _approaching Mary_. May I just give his little toe One single kiss before I go.[84] THIRD SHEPHERDESS. Our hands have touched, our eyes have seen, The Lamb who takes away our sin. The shepherds and shepherdesses then present their humble offerings. FIRST SHEPHERD. Serving thee we'll live and die, For without thee life is naught. The second act being finished, a new interlude was introduced to make the spectators merry. The jesters reappeared and recited several rondeaux, always containing some piquant and unexpected joke, which called forth the laughter of the audience. The burden of the _virelais_ (poems composed of very short lines, and with two rhymes) usually turned on some monk, which greatly diverted the spectators. The cardinals and the catholics who took pleasure in the drama were annoyed by the satires.[85] The third act began. Satan, who was making the tour of the world, arrived over the fields of Bethlehem, whither the shepherds had returned, and absorbed in his own thoughts, said to himself: I have reigned until this hour And subdued earth to my power; With God above have warred unceasing, And my triumphs are increasing. The shepherdesses, to whom he was invisible, expressed their joy in hymns: Shepherdesses, maidens fair, Listen to the song we sing: Tidings of great joy we bring, That take away all mortal care. Satan stopped and listened: becoming alarmed, he exclaimed: This is a hymn that chills my blood ... What tidings have they heard? The shepherdesses, still unconscious of Satan's presence, continue singing: Hail! to the Virgin-born, Hail! to the Lord and Son, Who in this happy morn, The veil of earth puts on. Loud praise to God be given Who makes us heirs of heaven. Satan listening, and still more uneasy: