ANNA, MARTHA, SALOME, MARY, _of Jerusalem._ MIRIAM, LEAH, _of
Bethlehem._
_Mary (coming with Salome to Martha)._ Martha, I have been seeking,
and am glad that I have found you; but why do you weep?
_Martha._ We may do nothing else now, and the meeting with others
seems to be the signal for fresh floods of tears.
_Salome._ I may not ask the cause of your grief; for my own soul
replies it is the common grief,--our nation's bondage.
_Martha._ Yes, we are slaves; that only thought haunts me; the chosen
people of Jehovah in subjection to the idolatrous Roman.
_Salome._ Where now is the might of David? where the glory of Solomon?
Surely Miriam's song may be turned upon ourselves; for the enemy "hath
triumphed gloriously," and we are laid in the dust.
_Mary._ Let us not, however, despond too much. Jehovah will not always
chide. The Roman sway shall have an end.
_Martha._ I know that Messiah cometh, and he will restore all things;
but when?
_Salome._ Yes, _when_? Long have we waited, and bitter has been our
bondage; and even our own Herod has been more cruel than our foes.
_Mary._ Nevertheless, let us hope. In the fulness of time the promised
one will come. (_Miriam and Leah approach._) But, see! two more
friends join us.
_Martha._ Rather say, two more slaves.
_Salome._ Yes; two more to weep with us.
_Miriam._ Not so, not so, unless we weep for joy. The cloud that has
so long hung over us in blackness is beginning to break. We have
experienced more of gladness this day than has been ours since the
last report that the Messiah had come was proved false.
_Leah._ Yes, we have heard strange things since the morning service;
joyful news have we for you.
_Martha._ Another false prophet, no doubt, claiming to be Israel's
deliverer, and proving a thousand times her foe.
_Salome._ Let us not cheat ourselves with any more fanatical dreams.
_Miriam._ No dream this; no fanatic's voice; no prophet's word, but a
message direct from Heaven.
_Martha._ A message from Heaven!
_Leah._ 'Tis even so. Listen while I tell you. At Bethlehem, last
night, the shepherds were watching their flocks as usual; at midnight
they were startled by the sudden appearance of an angel of the Lord,
and the shining round about them of an exceeding bright light; and the
angel spoke to them. "Fear not," said he, "for, behold! I bring you
good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all the people; for unto
you is born this day, in the city of David, a _Saviour_, even the
Messiah."
_Martha._ Can this be true?
_Salome._ But how shall he be known?
_Anna._ In Bethlehem, did you say? But there is no palace in
Bethlehem, where a prince should be born.
_Leah._ Wait a little: I have not told you all. "This," said the angel
to the shepherds, "shall be a sign to you. Ye shall find the babe
wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger." And, when he had
thus said, there suddenly joined him a multitude of the heavenly host;
and presently they burst forth into this song,--"Glory to God in the
highest; on earth peace and good will towards men!" And with this song
they departed.
_Anna._ This is indeed wonderful!
_Salome._ But have the shepherds seen the babe?
_Martha._ Oh! tell us that. Have they seen the babe? and are all
things as they have declared?
_Miriam._ Yes. We met them on their return. They were, with full
hearts, praising God for the new hope of a glorious deliverance given
to the nation.
_Leah._ All hearts warmed as they spoke; and, catching their gladness,
we come to you.
_Mary._ Then shall we indeed hope! O my people! my people Israel!
shall we see you again in your former glory?
_Martha._ Surely, this news inspires my own soul. Once more shall the
Roman be driven forth by the Lord of hosts; once more "shall Jehovah
triumph, and his people be free."
_Salome._ Yes; and Messiah shall bring all nations into subjection to
_us_, as we are now to the Romans.
_Anna._ Well may we wait a little longer, and bear the yoke with
patience.
_Mary._ I knew the Lord would not always chide, nor keep his anger for
ever. Now may we rejoice and glory in the God of our salvation.
_Martha._ Once more shall the name of _a Jew_ be somewhat more than a
byword. When our King shall ride forth in his majesty, conquering and
to conquer, then shall the Jews be terrible to their enemies, honored
by their friends, and known everywhere as the people of the whole
earth whom the Lord delighteth to honor.
_Leah._ Let us tarry no longer here, feasting on these good things
alone; but away; and, in every closet and from every house-top, let us
spread the good news.
_Mary._ Let us first, however, sing to Jehovah a song of triumph, and
then to our work.
_Miriam._ Even so let it be.