O Kerstnacht, schoner dan de dagen

Following the example of Greek choral singing, van Vondel completed the act with spoken or sung lyrical reflections, which are detached from the actual action.

The third act ends with this song sung by nuns "Rey van Clarissen" (reydance of the Poor Clares).

It is not clear who was the composer of the melody and the polyphonic phrase, but they were alternately attributed to Cornelis Padbrué or Dirk Janszoon Sweelinck.

The text of the first three stanzas – here reproduced in the original spelling of Joost van den Vondels – are: O Kersnacht,[5] schooner dan de daegen!

Wie zal die droeve moeder troosten nu zy haer lieve kinders derft?

Nu zy die ziet in 't bloed versmooren, aleerze naulix zijn geboren, en zoo veel zwaerden rood geverft!