The White Christmas and other Merry Christmas Plays | Page 4

many a weary mile, We've trudged along since break of day began.
JOSEPH. 'Tis true, and I'm an old and ancient man, My joints are stiff, my bones are waxing old-- And the long night is bitter, bitter cold. Here take my cloak and keep thee warm within, And wait thee here while I search out an inn.
(He wraps his cloak around her and seats her on the bench or stool in front of the manger. He goes out at rear left. The music changes to the Magnificat, to be found in all Episcopal hymnals.)
MARY (sings). My soul doth magnify the Lord: and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For he hath regarded: the lowliness of his handmaiden. For behold, from henceforth: all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty has magnified me: and holy is his Name. And his mercy is on them that fear him: throughout all generations. He hath showed strength with his arm: he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from their seat: and hath exalted the humble and meek. He hath filled the hungry with good things: and the rich he hath sent empty away. He remembering his mercy hath holpen his servant Israel: as he promised to our forefathers, Abraham and his seed, forever.
Enter JOSEPH from rear L.
JOSEPH. For hours I've trudged the street in fruitless quest, Here is an inn, mayhap at last we'll rest.
Enter DEBORAH from the inn.
MARY. Husband, I'm faint; I can no farther go. Methinks I'll rest me here upon this loe.
(Sits in front of the manger.)
JOSEPH (assisting her). Have courage, Mary, here's the hostess here.
(Comes to DEBORAH at right.)
We'd lodge with thee tonight.
DEBORAH. Alas, I fear My inn is crowded to the very wall, Soldiers and scribes, the rich, the great, the small!
JOSEPH. Is there room for us? My wife is ill.
DEBORAH. My heart is sad and it is not my will To send you hence, but naught is left to do. Perhaps some other inn will shelter you.
JOSEPH. Alas, the other inns are all the same!
DEBORAH. Never was seen the like in Bethlehem.
(Laughter and noise at R.)
My guests are merry, hear their jovial din!
(Goes to R.)
I pity you, there's no room at the inn.
(Exits into the inn.)
MARY. Our last hope gone! Now, what shall we do? My strength is leaving!
(Bows head.)
JOSEPH. Would I could succor you. I'll wrap thee warm. Now rest thee here a while. We've traveled far, full many a weary mile.
Enter RUTH from rear L., hurrying along.
JOSEPH. Maiden, I fain would stop thee in thy flight-- Can'st tell where we could lodge this winter night?
RUTH. That inn is crowded. There's one upon the hill.
JOSEPH. I've tried them all, my wife is very ill.
RUTH. That little stable there upon the loe,
(Points to L front.)
'Tis snug and warm. 'Twill shield thee from the snow.
MARY (rises). God's blessing on thy little head, sweet child! Come, Joseph, for the wind now waxes wild.
(Exits L. front.)
(JOSEPH leads her to exit L., then turns and looks off R.)
JOSEPH.
O little town of Bethlehem, How still we see thee lie! Above thy deep and dreamless sleep The silent stars go by. Yet in thy dark streets shineth
(Turns toward manger.)
The everlasting Light; The hopes and fears of all the years Are met in thee tonight.
(RUTH stands at rear C., watching him.)
The curtains slowly fall.
Scene II: Hymn by the congregation.
WHILE SHEPHERDS WATCHED THEIR FLOCKS.
While shepherds watched their flocks by night, All seated on the ground. The angel of the Lord came down, And glory shone around, And glory shone around.
"Fear not," said he,--for mighty dread Had seized their troubled mind, "Glad tidings of great joy I bring, To you and all mankind, To you and all mankind."
"To you in David's town this day, Is born of David's line, The Saviour, who is Christ, the Lord, And this shall be the sign, And this shall be the sign."
"The heav'nly babe you there shall find To human view displayed, All meanly wrapped in swathing bands, And in a manger laid, And in a manger laid."
Thus spake the seraph--and forthwith Appeared a shining throng Of angels, praising God, who thus Addressed their joyful song, Addressed their joyful song:--
"All glory be to God on high, And to the earth be peace; Good will henceforth, from heav'n to men, Begin and never cease, Begin and never cease."
The PROLOGUE appears before the curtains and speaks.
PROLOGUE.
There's scarlet holly on the streets, and silver mistletoe; The surging, jeweled, ragged crowds forever come and go. And here a silken woman laughs, and there a beggar asks-- And, oh, the faces, tense of lip, like mad and mocking masks. Who thinks of Bethlehem today, and one lone winter night? Who knows that in a manger-bed there breathed a Child of Light?
There's