Wisdom. No mortal, but a God made man,
Can ever carry out this plan,
Achieving what none other can,
  Salvation unto all!

  God. Go, then, O my beloved Son;
It can by thee alone be done;
By thee the victory shall be won
  O’er Satan and the Fall!

(Here the ANGEL GABRIEL shall leave Paradise and fly toward the earth; the jaws of Hell open below, and the Devils walk about, making a great noise.)

* * * * *

II.  MARY AT THE WELL.

  Mary. Along the garden walk, and thence
Through the wicket in the garden fence,
  I steal with quiet pace,
My pitcher at the well to fill,
That lies so deep and cool and still
  In this sequestered place. 
These sycamores keep guard around;
I see no face, I hear no sound,
  Save babblings of the spring,
And my companions, who within
The threads of gold and scarlet spin,
  And at their labor sing.

  The Angel Gabriel. Hail, Virgin Mary, full of grace!

(Here MARY looketh around her, trembling, and then saith:)

Mary. Who is it speaketh in this place, With such a gentle voice?

  Gabriel. The Lord of heaven is with thee now! 
Blessed among all women thou,
  Who art his holy choice!

  Mary (setting down the pitcher).  What can this mean? 
No one is near, And yet, such sacred words I hear,
  I almost fear to stay.

          (Here the ANGEL, appearing to her, shall say:)

  Gabriel. Fear not, O Mary! but believe! 
For thou, a Virgin, shalt conceive
  A child this very day.

Fear not, O Mary! from the sky
The majesty of the Most High
  Shall overshadow thee!

Mary. Behold the handmaid of the Lord! 
According to thy holy word,
So be it unto me!

(Here the Devils shall again make a great noise,
under the stage.)

III.  THE ANGELS OF THE SEVEN PLANETS, bearing the Star of Bethlehem.

The Angels. The Angels of the Planets Seven
Across the shining fields of heaven
The natal star we bring! 
Dropping our sevenfold virtues down,
As priceless jewels in the crown
Of Christ, our new-born King.

  Raphael. I am the Angel of the Sun,
Whose flaming wheels began to run
  When God’s almighty breath
Said to the darkness and the Night,
Let there be light! and there was light! 
  I bring the gift of Faith.

  Gabriel. I am the Angel of the Moon,
Darkened, to be rekindled soon
  Beneath the azure cope! 
Nearest to earth, it is my ray
That best illumes the midnight way. 
  I bring the gift of Hope!

  Anael. The Angel of the Star of Love,
The Evening Star, that shines above
  The place where lovers be,
Above all happy hearths and homes,
On roofs of thatch, or golden domes,
  I give him Charity!