V. THE FLIGHT INTO EGYPT.
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Here shall_ JOSEPH _come in, leading an ass, on whichare seated_ MARY _and the_ CHILD. _Mary_. Here will we rest us, under theseUnderhanging branches of the trees,Where robins chant their Litanies,And canticles of joy. _Joseph_. My saddle-girths have given wayWith trudging through the heat to-dayTo you I think it is but playTo ride and hold the boy. _Mary_. Hark! how the robins shout and sing,As if to hail their infant King!I will alight at yonder springTo wash his little coat. _Joseph_. And I will hobble well the ass,Lest, being loose upon the grass,He should escape; for, by the mass.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 ofwhom shall rise and come forward_.) _Dumachus_. Cock'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! _Titus_. Prithee cease!Let these good people go in peace! _Dumachus_. First let them pay for their release,And then go on their way. _Titus_. These forty groats I give in fee,If thou wilt only silent be. _Mary_. May God be merciful to theeUpon the Judgment Day! _Jesus_. When thirty years shall have gone by,I at Jerusalem shall die,By Jewish hands exalted highOn the accursed tree.Then on my right and my left side,These thieves shall both be crucifiedAnd Titus thenceforth shall abideIn paradise with me. (_Here a great rumor of trumpets and horses, like thenoise of a king with his army, and the robbers shalltake flight._)
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