ANNA. (_Reading_) “He was taken from prison and from judgment, and who shall declare his generation? For he was cut off out of the land of the living, for the transgression of my people was he smitten. And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.” (_Voices of water-carriers heard without._) 1ST ANTIPHON. The bows of the mighty men are broken. 2ND ANTIPHON. And they that stumbled are girded with strength. 1ST ANTIPHON. They that were full have hired themselves for bread. 2ND ANTIPHON. And they that were hungry have ceased. (_The women pass by._) 1ST ANTIPHON. So that the barren hath born seven. 2ND ANTIPHON. And she that hath many children is waxed feeble. 1ST ANTIPHON.-- The Lord killeth, and maketh alive. He bringeth down to the grave and bringeth up. 2ND ANTIPHON. The Lord maketh poor and maketh rich. He bringeth low and lifteth up. MARY. It is the women going to the well. ANNA. What are they singing? MARY.-- Of the joy that fell, To Anna for her first-born, Samuel. ANNA. And thy joy also! MARY. And the pain as well! 1ST ANTIPHON. He raiseth the poor out of the dust. 2ND ANTIPHON. And lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill. 1ST ANTIPHON. To set them among the princes. 2ND ANTIPHON. And to make them inherit the throne of glory. 1ST ANTIPHON. He will keep the feet of his saints. 2ND ANTIPHON. And the wicked shall be silent in darkness. 1ST ANTIPHON. For by strength shall no man prevail. 2ND ANTIPHON. The adversaries of the Lord shall be broken in pieces. (_The voices pass away. It begins to grow dark._) ANNA. (_Sings as she winds her flax_) Little child, lo, I spin Flax to clothe thy body in; Little child, do not grieve Out of this a cloth I’ll weave, Make of it a little shirt,---- What man shall do thee hurt? So while it lasts, wear it still, What man shall wish thee ill? Do not from thy body strip This; ’tis human fellowship. (_She lays the cloth over the child_) MARY.-- When thou to death art bowed This web shall be thy shroud. So in fellowship with all Thy soul shall meet God’s call, Oh, then, may my soul, too, Wake and see the darkness through And my ears, no longer bound, List, to the heavenly sound! (_A pause._ ANNA _lights a small lamp. As she goes to place it in the window she stops. Its light falls on the sleeping child_) MARY.-- See, from his face has passed the pain. And every sense of heart and brain Is gathered unto rest again. O son, O child, while round thy sleep The peace of God lies folded deep, Thou can’st not hear thy mother weep. Oh, me, the anguish and the dread Of that dark hour which lies ahead When I shall see thee lying dead. Clay, cold, and all my cares undone! O perfect, pure, and stainless one, My son, my own, my little son.