The simplest version is from Limoges[174]. The three kings enter by the great door of the choir singing a _prosula_. They show their gifts, the royal gold, the divine incense, the myrrh for funeral. Then they see the star, and follow it to the high altar. Here they offer their gifts, each contained in a gilt cup, or some other _iocale pretiosum_, after which a boy, representing an angel, announces to them the birth of Christ, and they retire singing to the sacristy. The text of this version stands by itself: nearly all the others are derived from a common tradition, which is seen in its simplest form at Rouen[175]. In the Rouen _Officium Stellae_, the three kings, coming respectively from the east, north, and south of the church, meet before the altar. One of them points to the star with his stick, and they sing: ‘1. Stella fulgore nimio rutilat, 2. Quae regem regum natum demonstrat 3. Quem venturum olim prophetiae signaverant.’ They kiss each other and sing an anthem, which occurs also in the Limoges version: _Eamus ergo et inquiramus eum, offerentes ei munera; aurum thus et myrrham._ A procession is now formed, and as it moves towards the nave, the choir chant narrative passages, describing the visit of the _Magi_ to Jerusalem and their reception by Herod. Meanwhile a star is lit over the altar of the cross where an image of the Virgin has been placed. The _Magi_ approach it, singing the passage which begins _Ecce stella in Oriente_. They are met by two in dalmatics, who appear to be identical with the _obstetrices_ of the Rouen _Pastores_. A dialogue follows: ‘Qui sunt hi qui, stella duce, nos adeuntes inaudita ferunt. _Magi respondeant_: nos sumus, quos cernitis, reges Tharsis et Arabum et Saba, dona ferentes Christo, regi nato, Domino, quem, stella deducente, adorare venimus. _Tunc duo Dalmaticati aperientes cortinam dicant_: ecce puer adest quem queritis, Iam properate adorate, quia ipse est redemptio mundi. _Tunc procidentes Reges ad terram, simul salutent puerum, ita dicentes_: salve, princeps saeculorum. _Tunc unus a suo famulo aurum accipiat et dicat_: suscipe, rex, aurum. _Et offerat._ _Secundus ita dicat et offerat_: tolle thus, tu, vere Deus. _Tercius ita dicat et offerat_: mirram, signum sepulturae.’ Then the congregation make their oblations. Meanwhile the _Magi_ pray and fall asleep. In their sleep an angel warns them to return home another way. The procession returns up a side aisle to the choir; and the Mass, in which the _Magi_, like the shepherds on Christmas day, ‘rule the choir,’ follows.