he ass are merely
animals: the allegorical interpretation of Origen had vanished from
Christendom: and in its place we find St. Francis (see _Life of St.
Francis_ by St. Bonaventura, "Temple Classics" edition, p. 111)
making a _presepio_ at Greccio, to which a living ox and ass are
brought, in order that a visible representation of the manger-scene
might kindle the devotion of the Brethren and the assembled
townsfolk. This act of St. Francis inaugurated the custom, still
observed in the Roman Church, of representing by means of waxen
images the whole of the Nativity manger-scene, Mother and Child
together with the adoring animals.

97 For the _obstetrix_, cf. _Proto-Evangelium of the Pseudo-James_ (a
Greek romance of the fourth century), Sec. 18 _et seq._, where Joseph
is represented as seeking and finding a Hebrew midwife.

100 Cf. Milton's _Ode on the Nativity_, ll. 157-164:--

"With such a horrid clang
As on Mount Sinai rang
While the red fire and smould'ring clouds outbrake:
The aged earth aghast
With terror of that blast,
Shall from the surface to the centre shake;
When at the world's last session
The dreadful Judge in middle air shall spread his throne."

XII

1 This poem has given four hymns to the Roman Breviary:--
(1) For the Feast of the Transfiguration, Vespers and Matins
consisting of ll. 1-4, 37-40, 41-44, 85-88.
(2) For the Epiphany at Lauds, beginning _O sola magnarum urbium_,
ll. 77-80, 5-8, 61-72.
(3) For the Feast of Holy Innocents at Matins, beginning _Audit
tyrannus anxius_, ll. 93-100, 133-136.
(4) Also the Feast of Holy Innocents at Lauds, beginning _Salvete
flores martyrum_, ll. 125-132.

5 For a curious parallel to these opening lines see Henry Vaughan's
_Pious Thoughts and Ejaculations_ (the Nativity):--

"But stay! what light is that doth stream
And drop here in a gilded beam?
It is Thy star runs Page and brings
Thy tributary Eastern kings.
Lord! grant some light to us that we
May find with them the way to Thee!"

12 Cf. Ignatius, _Ep. ad Ephes. xix._: "All the other stars, together
with the Sun and Moon, became a chorus to the Star, which in its
light excelled them all."