SIMEON.
Make haste, my son, the hour is waxing late,
The night is cold, methinks our sheep await.

ISAAC.
Nay gran'ther, I would liefer tarry here.
The town is gay, the inns are full of cheer.

SIMEON (_points to rear right_).
But there our duty lies, the wind grows cold!
Come, let's away and put the sheep in fold.

(_Starts off right._)

ISAAC.
Nay, Simeon, wait! What means this crowd of men
And women here in peaceful Bethlehem?

SIMEON (_comes to him_).
Herod the King hath issued a decree
That each and all his subjects taxed be;
And every one who in this town saw light
Must here return and register tonight.
From all Judea, aye, from th' distant land,
Each Bethlehemite must come at his command.

ISAAC (_comes to the doorway of the inn and peers in_).
The town is full of people, great and small,
Each inn is crowded to its very wall.

SIMEON (_comes down center and takes his arm_).
But come, we're wasting time, 'tis very late.
Make haste, my son, I know the flocks await!

ISAAC.
Thou speakest true, though I would rather stay,
Our duty calls, so to the hills, away!

(_They go out at rear right._)

_The concealed choir repeats the first stanza of the song softly.
After a slight pause_ DEBORAH _enters from the inn._

DEBORAH (_coming down to right front_).
My inn is crowded to the doors. The heat
Is stifling, but out here the air is sweet.

(_Looks upward._)

The bright stars twinkle with mysterious light,
Methinks there's something strange about the night.

_She sits on the bench in front of the inn._ TIMOTHY _enters from rear
left._ DEBORAH _continues her soliloquy._

The air is still, the night is very cold,
The shepherds seek the hills to watch the fold.

(_Sees him._)

(TIMOTHY _goes out at rear R._)

DEBORAH.
Some strange, unearthly voice seems calling me,
Methinks this night portends great things to be.

_Enter_ RACHEL _and_ PRISCILLA _from rear right, then come down center
and address the hostess._

RACHEL.
Hail, hostess of the inn, my cousin here
Hath lodgings at your inn. We'd seek its cheer.

DEBORAH (_rises_).
Enter within. My guests tonight are gay
And fain would turn this winter's night to day.

RACHEL _and_ PRISCILLA _enter the inn, followed by_ DEBORAH. _The
organ music continues softly. After a slight pause