ing born in that city. But
Herod and all his people were greatly disturbed at their sudden coming,
for their company and beasts of burden were of so great a number that
the city might not receive them, but for the most part they lay without
the gates all about, whereof Isaias prophesied: "The strength of folk
cometh to thee--that is to say, to the City of Jerusalem--great plenty
of camels shall do thee service, and dromedaries of Madyan and Effa
shall come to thee. All men shall come from Saba, bringing gold and
incense and showing praise to God."

So, these three worshipful Kings, when they were come into the city,
asked of the people concerning the Child that was born; and, when Herod
heard this, he was troubled and all Jerusalem with him, and he gathered
together all his princes and priests and asked them where Christ should
be born, and they said: "In Bethlehem of Judea." Then Herod privily
summoned to him these three Kings, and learned of them the time that the
Star appeared, and so sent them forth unto Bethlehem, saying: "Go and
inquire busily of this Child, and when you have found Him, come and tell
me, that I may go and do Him worship."

Now when these three Kings were informed of the birth of Christ and of
the place where He was born, and so were passed out of Jerusalem, then
the Star appeared to them again as it did erst, and went before them
till they came to Bethlehem. And fast by that place were the shepherds
to whom the angel appeared with great light, showing them the birth of
Christ. And the three Kings spake with them, and when the shepherds saw
the Star they run together and told how the angel had appeared to them,
and furthermore all that the angel had spoken to them. And the Kings
were wondrous glad, and with good cheer heard and took consideration of
the shepherds' words; and so from witness, and from the words of the
shepherds and from the voice of the angel that was heard out of the
Star, they had no doubt of the thing. Then anon, when they knew that
they were come to Bethlehem, they got down from their horses and changed
all their array, and clothed themselves in the best and richest that
they had, as kings should be clothed--and always the Star went forth
before them.

Now the nearer the Kings came to the place where Christ was born the
brighter shined the Star, and they entered Bethlehem the sixth hour of
the day. And then they rode through the covered street till they came
before that littl