Dressed as a Saracen, he wore wonderful Eastern robes, and a jewelled turban. His black hair was dishevelled, his face red and angry, and with his flashing eyes, and huge flashing sword, he looked formidable enough. “_Qui status in Jude ex Rex Israel_,” he began in a loud commanding tone. “That means—‘He that reigns King in Judea and Israel,’” explained Master Gyseburn to the children. “Now listen to his boasting.” “Qui status in Jude et Rex Israel, And the mightiest conquerer that ever Walked on ground” (Herod went on), “For I am even he that made both heaven and hell, And of my mighty power holdeth up this world round. I am the cause of this great light and thunder. It is through my fury that they such noise do make. My fearful countenance the clouds doth so encumber, That often for dread thereof the very earth doth shake.” This was only part of the foolish king’s boasting, for he went on to declare that with one word he could destroy the whole world from the north unto the south; that he was prince of purgatory and chief captain of hell. No tongue, he declared, could tell of his possessions, his wealth, and his power. At last, turning to his servant the herald, he warned him to allow no strangers to pass through the realm without paying tribute to him, and bade him be gone hastily, “For they that will the contrary, Upon a gallows hanged shall be.” Then ordering “trumpets, viols, and other harmony” to announce his presence to all the world, Herod re-entered the palace, and the herald departed to do his bidding. Now appeared riding through the market-place in great state, two of the three kings from the East. They were mounted on white horses with beautiful trappings, and each horse had a long cloth of velvet over his back. The kings were Gaspar (or Jaspar) and Balthazar. The first was an old man with a long white beard, the second a man in the prime of life. They both wore crowns of gold upon which the sunshine sparkled, and their dresses of wonderful colours were embroidered with jewels. Both of them had seen the Star in the East, and from a far country had followed it into Herod’s kingdom. As they rode, they talked together, reminding one another that the prophets had foretold the birth of a wonderful Child. Presently, riding from another direction, came the third king, Melchior, a handsome youth also crowned and richly clothed. He was looking about him as he came, evidently seeking some guide, and his words showed that he too had seen the Star in the East. “I ride wandering in ways wide, Over mountains and dales, I wot not where I am. Now King of all kings send me such guide, That I may have knowledge of this country’s name.... Two kings yonder, I see, and to them will I ride, For to have their company I trust they will me abide [await].” Spurring his horse, he rode up to the two monarchs and addressed them: “Hail, comely kings augent [gentle], Good sirs, I pray you, whither are ye meant?”