The Sonnets of Christopher Whitby
		Through a Glass Darkly
		A Nativity Triptych
The Fourth Magus Another star? And why should that mean more than the last, recorded in the books we all have read? Our peoples being sore afraid, did the world mend its ways or looks, or (may he rest in peace) to borrow my old tutor's hat, what evidence is there that men improved, grew good, that God on high brought peace on earth or changed things anywhere? You'll go? In curiosity or trust? No matter, you will see what you will see and reach your own conclusions as you must. The wonder will be if you all agree. Yet bring me word. If you do not, well, so; for if God's kingdom comes, shall we not know?		Joseph Caught between God and Caesar, that's me, not to mention Herod, and our Liz who's also had a boy, as like to his father as any little angel ought to be. I know what people think. But it's a fact that Liz is past the age, and who would swear that Mary lies? Still, it's safer here where only sheep and oxen talk behind our back. The son I've always wanted, eh? May be. but will he carry on the trade and take good care of us when we are old and make us proud and be our boy? These strange guests see something else. Well, in time he'll find his voice, but if this is God's child, we have no choice.		The Shepherd Find my sheep, he said, find my lost lambs. Well now, I says to him, that's easier said than done. You know how many wolves there are? And how they'll lie in wait for hours for just one kill? Forgive them too, he says, they know not what they do. Oh yes they bloody do, I say, or him as made them does. Forgive? You show us how. He stopped, quite still, and then just turned away. Now when he was a babe, the magic rolled all over us. We heard the angels sing. We thought the time had come, you know, as told - God's peace, wrongs righted, all that sort of thing. It didn't happen. Something did. But planned? Well you tell me. I still don't understand.
This triptych of sonnets can be performed, broadcast or printed by anyone without breach of copyright providing three simple conditions are met: 1) the words are not altered; 2) the poems are not used in conjunction with any illegal, pornographic or otherwise exploitative material; 3) Christopher Whitby's authorship is acknowledged at the time of use.