In the Yule-Log Glow, Book I | Page 5

into
the firmament, and it was nothing like to stars that be painted in divers
places, for it had right many long streaks and beams, more burning and
lighter than a brand of fire; and, as an eagle flying and beating the air
with his wings, right so the streaks and beams of the Star stirred it
about. And it had in itself the form and likeness of a young child, and
above him a sign of the holy cross, and a voice was heard in the Star,
saying: "This day is born to us the King of Jews that folk have awaited,
and Lord is of them. Go and seek Him and do Him worship!"
Then all the people, both man and woman, of all the country about,
when they saw this wonderful and marvellous Star and also heard the
voice out of the Star, were greatly aghast and had wonder thereof; but
yet they knew well that it was the Star that was prophesied by Balaam,
and long time was desired of all the people in that country.
Now when the three worshipful Kings who in that time reigned in Ind,
Chaldee, and Persia were informed, by the astronomers, of this Star,
they were right glad that they had grace to see the Star in their days.
Wherefore these three worshipful Kings, though each of them was far
from the other, and none knew of the other's purpose, yet in the same
hour the Star appeared to all three, and then they ordained and purposed
them, with great and rich gifts and many rich and diverse ornaments
that belong to a king's array, and also with mules and camels and horses
charged with treasure, and with a great multitude of people, to go seek
and worship the Lord and King of the Jews that was new born, as the
voice of the Star had commanded. And furthermore they arrayed
themselves the much more honestly and worshipfully, because they
knew well that he was a worthier King than any of them was.
And you shall understand that there be three Indias, of which these
three lords were kings; and all the lands for the most part are islands,

and there are also there great waters and wildernesses full of wild and
perilous beasts and horrible serpents, and there grow also reeds so high
and so great that men make thereof houses and ships. And these isles
are divided every one by itself far from the others, so that only with
great travail shall a man pass from one kingdom to another.
Now, in the first Ind was the land of Nubia, and therein reigned King
Melchior, in the time that Christ was born. Therein also is the land of
Araby, in which is the hill Sinai: and a man may lightly sail by the Red
Sea out of Egypt and Syria into Ind. In this land is found gold
wonderfully red, like thin and small roots, and that gold is the best that
is in the world. Herein is also a hill called Bena, where is found a
precious stone, called smaragd.
In the second Ind was the kingdom of Godolia, of which Balthazar was
king when Christ was born; and this Balthazar offered incense to the
Babe; for in this land many more good spices grow than in all the
countries of the East, and especially incense, more than in all places of
the world; and it droppeth down out of certain trees in the manner of
gum.
In the third Ind was the kingdom of Thaars. Of that kingdom was
Jaspar king at the birth of Christ. And Jaspar offered myrrh to the
young Child, and in this land is the isle of Egrisoulla, where groweth
myrrh more plentifully than in any place of the world, and it waxeth
like ears of corn that are burnt with the weather, and right thick; and
when it is ripe it is so soft that it cleaveth to men's clothes as they go by
the way.
Now when these three worshipful Kings were passed forth out of their
kingdoms, the Star evenly went before each King and his people, and
when they stood still and rested the Star stood still, and when they went
forward again the Star always went before them in virtue and strength,
and gave light all the way. And, as it is written before, in the time that
Christ was born there was peace in all the world, wherefore in all the
cities and towns which they went through there was no gate shut
neither by night nor by day; and all men of the cities and towns that
these worthy Kings went through in the night were wonderfully aghast

and passingly marvelled thereof, for they saw kings