Nazareth: a Morality in One Act: by Laurence Housman Samuel French: Publisher 28-30 West Thirty-eighth Street: New York LONDON Samuel French, Ltd. 26 SOUTHAMPTON STREET, STRAND Copyright, 1916 By LAURENCE HOUSMAN CAUTION.--Amateurs and Professionals are hereby warned that “NAZARETH,” being fully protected under the copyright laws of the United States, is subject to royalty, and any one presenting the play without the consent of the author or his authorized agent, will be liable to the penalties by law provided. Application for the right to produce “NAZARETH” must be made to Samuel French, 28-30 West 38th Street, New York City. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. NAZARETH. PROLOGUE. Since Love first looked on life with human eyes, Twixt him and us time like a curtain lies. Of all the years while He made life His own With dear familiar touch--how little’s known! The gospels of His Birth, the tale make plain Then two years till He died and rose again, Naught else remains to us of all, save when He, at Jerusalem, with learned men Was by His parents found, and taken thence Back to far Nazareth. And by no sense Of mortal mind from where they now lie hid Can we recover the fair things He did, Growing to man’s estate, that He might die For man’s salvation; hidden there they lie, The days which mounted up to Calvary. Yet here on earth that lovely deed was done; Love in man’s form took life from wind and sun, Waked, slept, ate bread, and toiled, and without speed, Patient, made test of each frail weak human need; Found means on small frail feet men’s ways to go; From mother tongue was taught man’s speech to know; So, for man’s making, childhood, boyhood, youth, Each he endowed in turn with deathless truth, Himself the type and pattern for each stage Of human growth. Oh! in what future age Shall we who, seeking that lost Pattern, roam, Find it again, and to that form come home? Ah, friends! this simple showing that ye see Of Love at Nazareth, this is not He! ’Tis but a thought, a fathering wish, a prayer That with hearts knit we may come closelier there, Where He lived lowly. Lo, He by your side Lies hidden, a waiting guest, still multiplied By man’s still growing needs,--with such intent He made humanity His Sacrament; The flesh and blood, which here we beat and bruise, Is Christ’s. Ah, put it to some better use! Be members all with all! Hear what Love saith, And make your home with Him at Nazareth! NAZARETH