_CHORUS A_ _A dream! A dream shall survive him!_ HEROD Now, by my host of power! he shall not escape me— This babe low-born, but for his sake shall all The hosts of childhood perish. Go forth and slay them, All newly born of women, that he among them May not escape, and all who shall resist My power, young men or old, brothers or fathers, Destroy them likewise—yea, with red fire and spear And burning sword-blade. Go! My will is God’s, For I am Herod—Herod, lord of the world! (Raising his sword, the CAPTAIN makes sign to the HOST, who lift high their spears. As the CHORUS breaks into song, they depart, marching, while HEROD reënters his palace.) [Sidenote: _Sixth Chorus: B,3. Song of the Persecuting Host_] _CHORUS_ _Go forth, ye host of power!_ _Lay waste, lay waste the lowly!_ _For Herod’s might is a blazing tower,_ _And Herod’s wrath is holy._ _Yea, Herod’s wrath_ _God’s ire it hath_ _As he rends the weak asunder._ _Go forth upon his fiery path_ _Go forth, ye host, in thunder!_ _The strong, the strong shall reign!_ _Unleash the hounds of pain,_ _And loose their cry_ _Where the wounded lie_ _And the weakling race are slain._ _Go forth, ye host of power!_ _Destroy, destroy the dreaming!_ _For none may pause for a dream to flower_ _Where Herod’s might goes streaming._ _Yea, Herod’s might_ _God maketh His right_ _When the weak of the world go under._ _Go forth upon their darkling flight,_ _Go forth, ye host, in thunder!_ [Illustration: SWORD OF THE WORLD _CHORUS B_ _Herod, our lord and king! Who shall defy his command?_ _CHORUS A_ _A star! A star shall confound him!_] SIXTH ACTION (The Befriending) _STAGE A_ Now, from the Place of Outcasts, CHORAL VOICES sing, while once more JOSEPH, MARY and SHEPHERDS bearing the MANGER appear, coming forth from the shelter of the Evergreen. With them TREE also appears. [Sidenote: _Seventh Chorus: A,5. Glory and Serenity_] _CHORUS_ _Glory and serenity,_ _Beauty of desire,_ _Bless to-night this holy tree_ _And our candle fire._ _Tree of our hearts, behold!_ _How the dreams of a child in your boughs unfold_ _And the weary of earth put off their pain_ _Where the Child of our love has lain._ JOSEPH Shepherd, the morrow’s light will soon begin To wake the desert world. Here we have lain This night in quiet refuge; yet through sleep I heard far off the host of Herod rage Against this Child His kingdom. So once more Let us go forth our way, till He is safe Beyond the war-lord’s might. SHEPHERD Yea, let us go, Yet not till we have thanked this gentle Tree. JOSEPH