The wonders of the night, the great star and song in the heavens, the glowing cave, the mysterious child and mother had wrought upon him.

Were they omens of death?
"Apollo save me!" he whispered, turning to go.
David rose and approached Manius, and spoke with lifted hand.
"Apollo cannot save you," said he.

"Kneel! kneel before the sacred mother and put all evil out of your hearts!" Vergilius knelt, and then his enemy.

Manius began to weep.
"O God! who hast softened the heart of the world, give us peace!" said David.
Again they heard that voice which had greeted their ears in Jerusalem.
It spoke now at the entrance of the cave, saying again: "Where is he that is born king of the Jews ?" David, going to the door of the cave, answered: "Here, within." "Tis he--the new king!" the tribune whispered.

"I thought kings were born in palaces, and here are they so near the beasts of the field." Soon came David, and behind him, following in single file, three men, a God-sent majesty in step and countenance.