1 From the Digby MS., which contains four (one a fragment) late fifteenth-century plays. I have based the text on F. J. Furnivall's The Digby Mysteries, 1882 (F.), and have availed myself of certain valuable emendations by Manly (M.). I have also adopted the stanzaic form employed by Manly, since Furnivall gives no indication of the metrical scheme. The play was probably written by an East Midland author. The method of performance shows that it was designed for presentation in a small village. Three "stations" were used, and the audience, as well as the actors, moved in a body from one station to another. The reader should compare the play with the liturgical Conversio Beati Pauli Apostoli printed on page 51. The Festival of the Conversion of St. Paul came on January 25, and we may suppose that both these plays were designed for performance on that day. By the god Bellyall, I schall make progresse Vnto the princes, both Caypha and Anna, Wher I schall aske of them, in suernes, To persue thorow all Dammask and Liba; And thus we schall soone after than Bryng them that so do lyff in-to Ierusalem, Both man and child, that I fynd of them. 35 Her cummyth Sale to Caypha and Anna, prestes of the tempyll. Nobyll prelates and princes of regalyte, Desyryng and askyng of your benyngne wurthynes Your letters and epystolys of most souerente I. MILES. Vnto your commaundment I do obeysaunce. I wyll not gaynsay nor make delacion,? But with good mynd and harty plesaunce I shall yow succede and make perambulacion Thorow-oute Damaske with all delectacion; And all thoo [who] rebell and make resystens, For to oppres I wyll do my delygens. 70 II. MILES. And in me shalbe no neclygens, But to thys precept my-self I shall applye, To do your behest 3 with all conuenyens, With-owt eny frowardnes or eny obsty Agree. • Advance. 7 Bundle. With all your delygens this generall proces- Nay, that shall nott be butt layd a-part! syon." The prynces haue gouyn me full potestacion." 1 MS. Finis istius stacionis, et altera sequitur. Again the audience is gathered about an open space, or platea. Within the platea are constructed, it seems, a mansion" for Annanie, a mansyon (see lines 269-71) for Saul, and Heaven. 3 Diligence. 4 Build. Become impaired. Supplied by Kittredge, in M. • Given. 7 Power. |