remember that we were told His kingdom was to last forever, that He
would reign in it himself forever and would never die? Alas! I have
lost the old power of the magician's art. I can summon no star to
guide me to the place where I shall find this kingdom and its king."

[Sidenote: If Only Balthazar Were Here]

"Truly, Gaspard," answered Melchoir, "the story of your wanderings is
but the repetition of my own; and even now was I drawn to this
mountain summit on the self-same errand that brought you here,--to see
if I could not discover in the direction of yonder land, where
Bethlehem was, some star which might prove to be His star, and which
might guide me in the new quest. If only our old companion, Balthazar,
were with us now, he might give us the clew to our search, for not
only was he more skilful in the magician's art, but he was braver and
more courageous, and withal more serene in spirit."

[Sidenote: A Song in the Air]

Now, even while Melchoir was speaking, a voice was heard a little way
down the mountain. Gaspard and Melchoir stopped to listen. The voice
was singing, and the words of the song floated up to them distinctly:

If the sun has hid its light,
If the day has turned to night,
If the heavens are not benign,
If the stars refuse to shine--

Heart of man lose not thy hope;
Door, there's none that shall not ope;