Part 12 (2/2)

He is nimble as a goat.

(_Here_ MARY _shall alight and go to the spring._)

_Mary_. O Joseph! I am much afraid, For men are sleeping in the shade; I fear that we shall be waylaid, And robbed and beaten sore!

(_Here a band of robbers shall be seen sleeping, two of whom shall rise and come forward_.)

_Dumachus_. c.o.c.k's soul! deliver up your gold!

_Joseph_. I pray you, Sirs, let go your hold!

Of wealth I have no store.

_Dumachus_. Give up your money!

_t.i.tus_. Prithee cease!

Let these good people go in peace!

_Dumachus_. First let them pay for their release, And then go on their way.

_t.i.tus_. These forty groats I give in fee, If thou wilt only silent be.

_Mary_. May G.o.d be merciful to thee Upon the Judgment Day!

_Jesus_. When thirty years shall have gone by, I at Jerusalem shall die, By Jewish hands exalted high On the accursed tree.

Then on my right and my left side, These thieves shall both be crucified And t.i.tus thenceforth shall abide In paradise with me.

(_Here a great rumor of trumpets and horses, like the noise of a king with his army, and the robbers shall take flight._)

VI. THE SLAUGHTER OF THE INNOCENTS.

_King Herod._ Potz-tausend! Himmel-sacrament!

Filled am I with great wonderment At this unwelcome news!

Am I not Herod? Who shall dare My crown to take, my sceptre bear, As king among the Jews?

(_Here he shall stride up and down and flourish his sword._)

What ho! I fain would drink a can Of the strong wine of Canaan!

The wine of Helbon bring, I purchased at the Fair of Tyre, As red as blood, as hot as fire, And fit for any king!

(_He quaffs great goblets of wine._)

Now at the window will I stand, While in the street the armed band The little children slay: The babe just born in Bethlehem Will surely slaughtered be with them, Nor live another day!

(_Here a voice of lamentation shall be heard in the street._)

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