e beard and a turban, who twirls a revolving star. A
remarkable point about the Tyrolese star-singers is that before anything
is given them they are told to stamp on the snowy fields outside the
houses, in order to promote the growth of the crops in summer.{53}

In Little Russia the "star" is made of pasteboard and has a transparent
centre with a picture of Christ through which the light of a candle
shines. One boy carries the star and another twirls the points.{54} In
Roumania it is made of wood and adorned with frills and little bells. A
representation of the "manger," illuminated from behind, forms the
centre, and the star also shows pictures of Adam and Eve and angels.{55}

|153| A curious traditional drama, in which pagan elements seem to have
mingled with the Herod story, is still performed by the Roumanians during
the Christmas festival. It is called in Wallachia "Vicleim" (from
Bethlehem), in Moldavia and Transylvania "Irozi" (plural from _Irod_ =
Herod). At least ten persons figure in it: "Emperor" Herod, an old
grumbling monarch who speaks in harsh tones to his followers; an officer
and two soldiers in Roman attire; the three Magi, in Oriental garb, a
child, and "two comical figures--the _paiata_ (the clown) and the
_mosul_, or old man, the former in harlequin accoutrement, the latter
with a mask on his face, a long beard, a hunch on his back, and dressed
in a sheepskin with the wool on the outside. The plot of the play is
quite simple. The officer brings the news that three strange men have
been caught, going to Bethlehem to adore the new-born Messiah; Herod
orders them to be shown in: they enter singing in a choir. Long dialogues
ensue between them and Herod, who at last orders them to be taken to
prison. But then they address the Heavenly Father, and shout imprecations
on Herod, invoking celestial punishment on him, at which unaccountable
noises are heard, seeming to announce the fulfilment of the curse. Herod
falters, begs the Wise Men's forgiveness, putting off his anger till more
opportune times. The Wise Men retire.... Then a child is introduced, who
goes on his knees before Herod, with his hands on his breast, asking
pity. He gives clever answers to various questions and foretells the
Christ's future career, at which Herod stabs him. The whole troupe now
strikes up a tune of reproach to Herod, who falls on his knees in deep
repentance." The play is sometimes performed by puppets instead of living
actor