(_A sound of sheep passing is heard. A shepherd stops at the door, and looks in. He draws off his hat._) SHEPHERD. God’s peace be in this house. (_He goes on his way_) ANNA. Again! MARY. Who spoke? ANNA.-- The shepherd from the plain, The stranger, so last night he came And stayed to greet us in God’s name, Then went. MARY.-- And there were others, too, Who also stayed. (_A stranger passes the door._) STRANGER. Peace be with you! MARY. God give you peace. (_She rises and turns_) ANNA. Nay, he is gone. MARY.-- Oh, strange! And more will come anon, And each one turning from his way, Wilt halt here at the door to say Some word, or show by look or sign That here peace dwells! (_Enter an old man._) OLD MAN.-- Yes, peace is thine! I would, I would to God, such peace were mine. (_Enter a little child, led by its mother. The little one kneels beside the bench where the other child is laid._) LITTLE CHILD.-- Gentle Jesus, meek and mild, Look upon a little child, Pity my simplicity, And suffer me to come to thee! (_The mother lifts the little one from its knees and carries it away._) OLD MAN. (_Weeping, he stands in the child’s place_) I’m an old sinner, oft have I gone the road Of mine own will, so now I bear the load; And in my body grief has come to pass! Surely, the preacher saith, all flesh is grass, And goodliness the flower of the field. Lo, the wind passeth, and its day is o’er, And in his place man’s name is known no more. God give us peace. (_He kneels. While he speaks others have entered. The scene has grown dark. One of the men carries a lantern_) 1ST MAN. The grass withereth, the flower fadeth, but the word of our God shall stand forever. 2ND MAN. Son of God, shine on us! (_All kneel._) 3RD MAN. Lamb of God, look on us! 4TH MAN. Shepherd of men, set thy sign on us! 5TH MAN. And lay thy yoke on us! 1ST MAN. And we will be thankful. (_The moon rises. Outside the door, others are seen kneeling: men, women and children._) ALL. Hail, Mary, full of Grace, the Lord is with thee! Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb: Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of our death. Amen. (_One by one the men rise and go out. The crowd outside also disappears._ ANNA _goes and closes the doors, and the shutter of the window. The house is flooded with moonlight._ MARY _kneels at the head of the sleeping child. Voices are heard singing._) VOICES.-- Ave Maria, gratia plena, Dominus tecum! Benedicta tu in mulieribus, et Benedictus Fructus ventris tui, Jesus! CURTAIN. THE WORLD’S BEST PLAYS By Celebrated European Authors