Classic Poem

SCENE III The flight. Night. Near the house of Matthias and Rebecca. Enter Joseph, leading an ass upon which is seated Mary with the Child.

Joseph .

Ye stars, that run before the winds of heaven,
Hide in the frowning cliffs of mountainous cloud;
Thou, planet, wimpled as a maid, with light,
Tell not our steps; God's finger points us far;
The way is His who is the Way.

M ARY .

Soft, listen!
R EBECCA .

Baby, sleep, my babe;
God's own night is o'er us.
Jesse's rod hath flowered;
Heaven opes before us.
God sleeps as thou art sleeping,
While angels watch are keeping.
Sleep, sleep, until the songful dawn;
God's day is here, sin's night is gone.

M ARY .

Yet, ere another westering sun his way
Hath crimsoned, earth shall lie in their blood washed,
The sons that sleep this night on mother breasts.

Joseph .

This woman's child hath died that he may live,
Romping forever in the fields of heaven.