TENTH ACTION (The Wounded Pedlar)

Carol 8. Trio and Solo. Ballad of the Kings and the Pedlar THE THREE KINGS Who are ye that come singing in darkness, Outcast in the desert so late? CLAUS O Kings, it is me, Claus the Pedlar, And these be my children and mate. THE THREE KINGS Who are those there, your comrades, beside you: Those shadows, say, who should they be? CLAUS They be Death, and his young brother, Sorrow, And his old brother, Poverty. THE THREE KINGS Nay, but who is that other amidst them, That lifteth her face: What is she? CLAUS That is Song, and she is their sister Who waiteth upon them, all three. (Claus, Ruth and the two Children have now joined the Three Kings.) CASPAR Goodman, why are the eyes of your woman So weary of look and so wild? CLAUS He hath broken our home, hath King Herod, And killed us our new-born child. Now tell us, ye Kings that be Wise Men, Now tell us, where darkly we roam: What right hath a king of a pedlar To rob him his child and his home? MELCHIOR A king hath the right of his power To raise high his glory and crown. CLAUS Then it’s Claus hath the right of a pedlar To pull his high glory adown. CASPAR A king hath his host and his captains To shatter the weak with his horde. CLAUS Then it’s Claus he will be his own captain To sharpen the edge of his sword. BELSHASAR Nay, a king hath the might of his lordship ’Tis death for his slave to defy. CLAUS Then it’s me hath the right of my manship To master his might or to die. For ’tis God is my King and not Herod, And God he keepeth no slave; And liever than live Herod’s henchman I’ll lie a free man in the grave. So I dared him his host and his captains, And struck for my babe a sword blow; And ’tis here they have broken my body; With Death now right soon must I go. CASPAR Nay, cheerly, Claus! Cheerly, goodwife and kiddies! Now you have wandered to a lucky place. Our Evergreen shall heal your hurt. Run, Elf, And fetch him balsam gum to balm his wounds. (Elf runs within.) CLAUS No balsam gum can heal us our lost babe. Ruth, wife, where lieth now his little body? RUTH Death holds him fast. Death holdeth him forever. MELCHIOR Herod is king. Ye should have awe of kings And bow before them. BELSHASAR We are kings and wise, And warn you what you owe to Herod. CLAUS Herod! I have paid back to Herod all I owe him— The red blade of this broken sword. CASPAR Brave said! Give me the hasp. See, we will hang it here On this green bough, to be your shining cross Of freedom and remembrance—yea, a sign For Herods, when they pass, to pause and think on. MELCHIOR (To Belshasar) He flouteth what we say! (Belshasar shrugs, but motions Melchior to listen. Elf returns.) CASPAR So, Pedlar Claus, Lay-by thy pack, and rest you here till morrow; Tend him, good Elf and Gnome. Now, mother, bravely! These beasties shall make hospitality And share their holy frost-cakes with your children, Wiping their eyes with love: And these war-weary, Glad of our Evergreen, shall take new hope From yon clear star. (He helps Claus to rise and supports him to the foot of the Tree, where he places his pack for Claus to recline. The stretcher is borne away. Far off, a long blast sounds.) BELSHASAR Hark, hark! What trumpet calls? MELCHIOR ’Tis Herod’s host. Take heed! RUTH God shield us now! (She turns toward Caspar, who comforts her and the Children.)