MERCY. 
Have pity, Lord! let penitence
Atone for disobedience,
Nor let the fruit of man’s offence
  Be endless misery!

JUSTICE. 
What penitence proportionate
Can e’er be felt for sin so great? 
Of the forbidden fruit he ate,
  And damned must he be!

GOD. 
He shall be saved, if that within
The bounds of earth one free from sin
Be found, who for his kith and kin
  Will suffer martyrdom.

THE FOUR VIRTUES. 
Lord! we have searched the world around,
From centre to the utmost bound,
But no such mortal can be found;
  Despairing, back we come.

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 towards 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 bubblings 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.