But this is a rare exception.  The general treatment confines the group to Joseph, the mother, and the Child.  To Joseph was granted, in those hours of distress and danger, the high privilege of providing for the safety of the Holy Infant—­a circumstance much enlarged upon in the old legends, and to express this more vividly, he is sometimes represented in early Greek art as carrying the Child in his arms, or on his shoulder, while Mary follows on the ass.  He is so figured on the sculptured doors of the cathedral of Beneventum, and in the cathedral of Monreale, both executed by Greek artists.[1] But we are not to suppose that the Holy Family was left defenceless on the long journey.  The angels who had charge concerning them were sent to guide them by day, to watch over them by night, to pitch their tent before them, and to refresh them with celestial fruit and flowers.  By the introduction of these heavenly ministers the group is beautifully varied.

[Footnote 1:  11th century.  Also at Citta di Castello; same date.]

Joseph, says the Gospel story, “arose by night;” hence there is both meaning and propriety in those pictures which represent the Flight as a night-scene, illuminated by the moon and stars, though I believe this has been done more to exhibit the painter’s mastery over effects of dubious light, than as a matter of biblical accuracy.  Sometimes an angel goes before, carrying a torch or lantern, to light them on the way; sometimes it is Joseph who carries the lantern.

In a picture by Nicolo Poussin, Mary walks before, carrying the Infant; Joseph follows, leading the ass; and an angel guides them.

The journey did not, however, comprise one night only.  There is, indeed, an antique tradition, that space and time were, on this occasion, miraculously shortened to secure a life of so much importance; still, we are allowed to believe that the journey extended over many days and nights; consequently it lay within the choice of the artist to exhibit the scene of the Flight either by night or by day.

In many representations of the Flight into Egypt, we find in the background men sowing or cutting corn.  This is in allusion to the following legend:—­

When it was discovered that the Holy Family had fled from Bethlehem, Herod sent his officers in pursuit of them.  And it happened that when the Holy Family had travelled some distance, they came to a field where a man was sowing wheat.  And the Virgin said to the husbandman, “If any shall ask you whether we have passed this way, ye shall answer, ‘Such persons passed this way when I was sowing this corn.’” For the holy Virgin was too wise and too good to save her Son by instructing the man to tell a falsehood.  But behold, a miracle!  For by the power of the Infant Saviour, in the space of a single night, the seed sprung up into stalk, blade, and ear, fit for the sickle.  And next morning the officers of Herod came up, and inquired of the husbandman, saying, “Have you seen an old man with a woman and a Child travelling this way?” And the man, who was reaping his wheat, in great wonder and admiration, replied “Yes.”  And they asked again, “How long is it since?” And he answered.  “When I was sowing this wheat.”  Then the officers of Herod turned back, and left off pursuing the Holy Family.