fect form, without a speck or flaw.

SIMEON.
A stranger star! It never shone before,
It standeth still above that stable door.

_Enter_ ANNA _and_ RUTH _from rear left._ ANNA _carries a little
lamb._

ANNA (_joining the group_).
Look ye, I've found a little lamb new-born.

TIMOTHY.
Poor little beastie! Wrap him well and warm.

SIMEON.
An ill night to be born in, frost and snow,
Naught but cold skies above, cold earth below.
I marvel any little creature should be born
On such a night.

ANNA.
I found it all forlorn,
Crying beside its mother in the storm.

SIMEON (_comes down a little to right front_).
Hark, I thought I heard a sound of mighty wings!
Listen! Is it the winter sky that sings?

ISAAC (_with the group at rear center_).
Nay, gran'ther, I heard naught. You're old and gray
And weary with the miles you've walked today.

SIMEON.
At noon I met a man who tarried in the shade,
He led a mule, and riding it a maid--
A maiden with a face I'll ne'er forget,
A wondrous face, I seem to see it yet
Lit with an inward shining, as if God
Had set a lighted lamp within her soul.
Many have passed all day, but none like these,
And no face have I ever seen like hers.

TIMOTHY.
Belike the man and maid were strangers here,
And come to Bethlehem at the king's command.

RUTH (_comes down to_ SIMEON _and takes his hand_).
Methinks I met that very man and maid--
A maiden with such wondrous dove-like eyes,
I saw them near this place, all tired and worn,
Trudging about the town, seeking an inn.

SIMEON.
And did they find one?

RUTH.
Nay, not so!
For every inn was crowded to its doors.
Hard by Deborah's inn there is a little barn,
All full of cattle, oxen, cooing doves--
I showed it to them, and they went therein.

THOMAS (_standing at rear L. with_ ANNA).
Mother, that star! That wondrous, wondrous light,

(_Points up._)

It turns the night to day, it shines so bright
I am afraid! It cannot be that any star,
Only a star, can give so great a light.
It frightens me.

ANNA.
All things are strange tonight.
The very sheep are restless in their fold,
They watch the star and do not mind the cold.

SIMEON (_puts hand to right ear, bends toward right and listens_).
Again I heard a singing in the sk