THE FLIGHT INTO EGYPT

[SCENE 1.-JOSEPH sleepeth in a room white with moonlight. Outside Bethlehem lieth still in the morn. JOSEPH dreameth and uttereth aloud his dream.]

Joseph

ARE they not safe? I heard, me

thought,

The crying of women sore distraught, And through that lonely sound I caught The shriek of babes, and then

Clashing of swords, and oaths, and fierce Wild laughter rang against mine ears. Mine eyes beheld the dripping spears In hands of wicked men.

'Twas night in Bethlehem did seem
All through the horror of my dream.
And 'Woe!' and 'Woe to Bethlehem!'
I heard a voice cry on.

And yet I know the small town lies
Soothed by the sweetest lullabies,
Watched by a million starry eyes
That gaze until the dawn.

I know the babies lie at rest,
Each rosy on its mother's breast,
Wherein Love makes the tenderest nest.
O hard-heart little town!

The

That bade my Dearest in her need

Flight Take refuge in the cattle-shed,
And gave her sweetest Son for bed
The cattle's manger brown.

Into
Egypt

Nevertheless sleep well, and far
Away from thee those cries of war!
Sleep sweetly under the Birthnight Star
Until the cock shall crow.

The while I list, as soft as love
The tender breathing of my Dove
And the dear Babe her heart above
Breathing so soft and low.

[A radiance floated in his dream, in the midst of which appeareth THE ANGEL OF THE LORD.]

The Angel

Joseph, arise! no time for sleep

If thou thy trust with God wouldst keep.
Leave Bethlehem town to wail and weep,
But thou, up and away!

Take Mother and Child, and ride in haste
Across the desert still and vast.
Saddle thine ass and ride thee fast,
Be far ere break of day.

Herod now seeks the Child to kill,
Up and away with a good-will.
Soon will the winds of dawn blow chill,
The day of blood be red.

Save thou the Child! Here will be moan,
Weeping and lamentation lone
The voice of Rachel for her son

Mourning uncomforted.

[JOSEPH waketh and peereth in the moonlight. He then ariseth hastily and wakeneth MARY.]