BETHLEHEM

A NATIVITY PLAY
BY LAURENCE HOUSMAN
PERFORMED WITH MUSIC
BY JOSEPH MOORAT UNDER
THE STAGE-DIRECTION OF
EDWARD GORDON CRAIG
DECEMBER MCMII

LONDON
MACMILLAN AND CO., Limited
NEW YORK: THE MACMILLAN COMPANY
1902

[5]

ACT I.

Chorus enters and speaks before the curtain.

Ye Gentles, that come here to watch our play,

Put, we beseech you, thought of us away!

No standing here have we: in heart we kneel,

With, at our hearts, this prayer,—that ye may feel

How in Love’s hands time is a little thing!

And so shall Love to-night your senses bring

Back to the hills of Bethlehem, the fold

Where shepherds watched their sheep, where angels told

Of peace, goodwill to men, in Christ new-born,

By Whom, from Virgin Birth, our flesh goes worn.

Also, if we may guide you, ye shall see

The manger where in great humility

Lieth that Babe, the Maker of us all,

By Mary’s side, amid the beasts in stall.

And ye shall see the coming of the Kings,

Led by a star; and Gabriel that brings

[6]

Unto St. Joseph, in a dream by night,

Word of King Herod’s fear, and counsels flight.

So, lastly, ye shall see them rise and go,

And the place vacant left. Yet ye shall know

That Love remains, and that Faith sees it so.

So, have ye hope! let Time your trust increase!

Hark, I hear music! Christmas comes; ’tis peace!

Pastoral music: a shepherd’s voice is heard.

‘The world is old, to-night,

The world is old;

The stars around the fold

Do show their light, do show their light.

And so they did, and so,

A thousand years ago,

And so will do, dear love, when you lie cold.’

[The curtain opens.

Young Shepherd (sings).

The world is still, to-night,

The world is still;

...