The World’s Tragedy

III THE BLUE DWARF SCENE, a stable containing three stalls. In the first, an ox ; in the second, the girl Miriam ; in the third, the ass Zakariah. The first is chewing the cud peaceable ; the second, stretched naked on the straw, holds her sides and groans ; the third lifts up his voice ever and anon in a formidable bray. The stable is lighted by two torches held respectively by an old and withered hag, her two remai- ning teeth — long yellow fangs — exposed in a grin ; and by a blue faced baboon, who revels in his corner in the filth. THE HAG, addressing the baboon. Ho ! her time is not yet come ; We may dance together, dear. Say, how beautiful art thou With thy shining shame protruding ! Darling, apeling, why so glum ? Turn away that rosy sphere ; Show me the delicious brow Ever brooding, ever brooding