Page:Ben-Hur a tale of the Christ.djvu/69

Rh majestically, on their upper side white as snow, in the shadow vari-tinted, like mother-of-pearl; when they were expanded many cubits beyond his stature, he arose lightly, and, without effort, floated out of view, taking the light up with him. Long after he was gone, down from the sky fell the refrain in measure mellowed by distance, &quot;Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good-will towards men.&quot;

When the shepherds came fully to their senses, they stared at each other stupidly, until one of them said, &quot;It was Gabriel, the Lord's messenger unto men.&quot;

None answered.

&quot;Christ the Lord is born; said he not so?&quot;

Then another recovered his voice, and replied, &quot;That is what he said.&quot;

&quot;And did he not also say, in the city of David, which is our Bethlehem yonder. And that we should find him a babe in swaddling-clothes?&quot;

&quot;And lying in a manger.&quot;

The first speaker gazed into the fire thoughtfully, but at length said, like one possessed of a sudden resolve, &quot;There is but one place in Bethlehem where there are mangers; but one, and that is in the cave near the old khan. Brethren, let us go see this thing which has come to pass. The priests and doctors have been a long time looking for the Christ. Now he is born, and the Lord has given us a sign by which to know him. Let us go up and worship him.&quot;

&quot;But the flocks!&quot;

&quot;The Lord will take care of them. Let us make haste.&quot;

Then they all arose and left the mârâh.

Around the mountain and through the town they passed, and came to the gate of the khan, where there was a man on watch.

&quot;What would you have?&quot; he asked.

&quot;We have seen and heard great things to-night,&quot; they replied.

&quot;Well, we, too, have seen great things, but heard nothing. What did you hear?&quot;

&quot;Let us go down to the cave in the enclosure, that we