cold weather has a softening effect on the poor bulls and makes them
less ferocious, so unless the season proves unusually warm that
favorite entertainment has to be abandoned for a time. Meanwhile in
the streets and homes one may often see a father on all fours enacting
the infuriated bull for his little sons to attack; in this way he
teaches them the envied art of bull-fighting. The Yule-tide
festivities end at Twelfth Day,--Epiphany,--when crowds of young
folks go from gate to gate in the cities to meet the Magi, and after
much merriment they come to the conclusion that the Magi will not
appear until the following year.

NIGHT OF MARVELS

In such a marvelous night; so fair
And full of wonder, strange and new,
Ye shepherds of the vale, declare--
Who saw the greatest wonder?
Who?

(_First Shepherd_)

I saw the trembling fire look wan;

(_Second Shepherd_)

I saw the sun shed tears of blood;

(_Third Shepherd_)

I saw a God become a man;