CLAUS No balsam gum can heal us our lost babe. Ruth, wife, where lieth now his little body? RUTH Death holds him fast. Death holdeth him forever. MELCHIOR Herod is king. Ye should have awe of kings And bow before them. BELSHASAR We are kings and wise, And warn you what you owe to Herod. CLAUS Herod! I have paid back to Herod all I owe him— The red blade of this broken sword. CASPAR Brave said! Give me the hasp. See, we will hang it here On this green bough, to be your shining cross Of freedom and remembrance—yea, a sign For Herods, when they pass, to pause and think on. MELCHIOR (To BELSHASAR) He flouteth what we say! (BELSHASAR shrugs, but motions MELCHIOR to listen. ELF returns.) CASPAR So, Pedlar Claus, Lay-by thy pack, and rest you here till morrow; Tend him, good Elf and Gnome. Now, mother, bravely! These beasties shall make hospitality And share their holy frost-cakes with your children, Wiping their eyes with love: And these war-weary, Glad of our Evergreen, shall take new hope From yon clear star. (He helps CLAUS to rise and supports him to the foot of the Tree, where he places his pack for CLAUS to recline. The stretcher is borne away. Far off, a long blast sounds.) BELSHASAR Hark, hark! What trumpet calls? MELCHIOR ’Tis Herod’s host. Take heed! RUTH God shield us now! (She turns toward CASPAR, who comforts her and the CHILDREN.) ELEVENTH ACTION (The Persecuting Host) _AISLE I AND AISLE II_ Pouring forth from the Place of Empire, the HOST OF HEROD and their LEADERS, with spears held high, come marching on both pathways toward the Tree, singing in chorus as they march. [Sidenote: _Tenth Chorus: B,4. Song of the Persecuting Host_] _CHORUS_ _Go forth, ye host of power!_ _Enslave, enslave the humble!_ _’Fore Herod’s host their hearts shall cower,_ _Their builded hopes shall crumble._ _Yea, Herod’s host_ _Shall trample them most_ _Where they build their shrines of wonder.—_ _Go forth with Vengeance’ war-red ghost,_ _Go forth, go forth in thunder!_ TWELFTH ACTION (The Morning Stars) _STAGE A_ Staying his Followers, the CAPTAIN OF THE HOST approaches the THREE KINGS by the Tree. In his hand he bears the Staff of Herod. CAPTAIN Halt here!—Behold them. They are found. Stand forth, ye Kings of East! What make ye So far from Herod’s throne? MELCHIOR We journey home. CAPTAIN Know ye not Herod’s wrath, what ’tis!— Why brought ye not your tidings back To him? Where is the Manger-Child? MELCHIOR We know him not. BELSHASAR