Dramatis Personae:

Eros...............................Love, the god awarding the prize

Plutus............................Wealth

}^{Divinities exchanging services with each other, and testing mortal candidates for the prize}

Cratos............................Power

Pheme............................Fame

Lethe..............................Oblivion, deity of the lower realms

Chorus of Muses and Graces

Plutus:

This man courted me no more than enough, although mortals are notorious for having a blind spot with regard to "enough".

Cratos:

When this man rarely sought my assistance, he was Just. He never abused: he was Just!

Pheme:

I repeat what I've said at the four corners of the world: "He was Good!"
Four times: "He was Good!"

Chorus:

(Commenting among themselves with great wonder)

Oh! This mortal knows the meaning of "enough"!
...And he's Just!
...And he's Good!
What a marvel! Therefore he wins the Prize of Love!

(Singing apart)

Love the tender, Love the healer,
Love forgiving, Love fulfiller:

Golden is Love's pleasant chain,
And immortal is the gain
That a mortal may attain
If he lives in Love's domain.

Neither Wealth, Power nor Fame
Overshadow Love's bright flame:

The old man feels like a child,
For at age Love's eyes have smiled...
And Love makes the beast most wild
Friendly, calm, tame, gentle, mild...

So whoever lives in shame
Just himself he has to blame.

Love with care calms every fight,
And with courage chases fright.
The most evil, at Love's sight,
Good become beneath his light.

Love brings marvel and delight,
The whole world he puts aright!
No existing single plight
Can resist Love's will and might!

Follows the proclamation of the god of love:

Eros:

To this worthy mortal then I award this year's Midwinter Prize, revered in all Heaven.
And the winner is ... and remains unknown on Earth...
For he needs no other fame than that of Goodness,
No other power than that of Justice,
And no more wealth than enough.
But he will hear the violet-eyed Muses sing,
Live in the company of beauty,
And be free from toil and grief.

The Graces and the Daughters of Memory rejoice and fill the Aether with music, singing:

Chorus:

(To Eros)

Sweetest of all divinities:

You are a marvel and a delight,
Ruler of tenderness, elegance, and grace;
You are the ornament of all creatures!

Those who are with you, they treasure you;
And those who are not with you, they covet you.

We who found inspiration and wisdom with you
Wish no part with those who neglect you.
We who know the labours of your mysteries and rites
Wish no part with those who ignore them.

(To all mortals)

Merry Christmas to all mortals except the wicked!
Merry Christmas to all mortals except the unjust!
Merry Christmas to all mortals except the greedy!
Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas!

The representative of the Hall of Hades endorses the works of Heaven:

Lethe:

Let all mortals be reassured:

Upon those who seduce and betray their brothers and sisters,
Upon the wicked, the unjust and the greedy—all which are the violent—
Neither human vengeance nor human forgiveness could ever descend—
I am the sole vengeance and the sole forgiveness!

Eros:

And let them know this too:

That whereas no one catches me, I may catch anyone;
And that he who opposes me incurs the wrath of Heaven!

I declare this year's Midwinter ceremony closed!

Carlos Parada
Christmas 2004