(_d_) In those dayes Ihon the baptyser cam and preached in the wyldernes of Iury, saynge, Repent, the kyngedom of heven ys at hond. Thys ys he of whom it ys spoken be the prophet Isay, whych sayth; the voice of a cryer in wyldernes, prepaire ye the lordes waye, and make hys pathes strayght. Thys Ihon had hys garment of camelles heere, and a gyrdyll of a skynne about hys loynes. Hys meate was locustes and wyldhe ony. TYNDALE, 1526 (_e_) In those dayes Ihon the Baptyst came and preached in the wildernes of Jury, saynge: Amende youre selues, the kyngdome of heuen is at honde. This is he, of whom it is spoken by the prophet Esay, which sayeth: The voyce of a cryer in the wyldernes, prepare the Lordes waye, and make his pathes straight. This Ihon had his garment of camels heer, and a lethren gerdell aboute his loynes. Hys meate was locustes and wylde hony. COVERDALE, 1536 (_f_) In those dayes came Iohn the Baptyst, preaching in the wyldernes of Iewry, saying, Repent of the life that is past, for the kyngdome of heauen is at hande, For thys is he, of whom the prophet Esay, spake, which sayeth, the voyce of a cryer in the wyldernes, prepare ye the waye of the lorde: make hys pathes strayght. This Iohn had hys garment of camels heer and a gyrdell of a skynne aboute hys loynes. His meate was locustes and wylde hony. _The Great Bible_, 1539 4. In the following series of extracts from the early plays comment upon the general standard of style, and point out any development that is apparent. Pay particular attention to the meter. (1) (_From the Chester play-cycle, dating probably from the fourteenth century._) _Ham’s Wife._ And I will go to gather slich[81] The ship for to clean and pitch; Anointed it must be, every stitch, Board, tree, and pin. _Japhet’s Wife._ And I will gather chips here, To make a fire for you, in fear, And for to dight[82] your dinner, Against you come in. [_Here they make signs as though they were working with divers instruments._ _Noah._ Now in the name of God I will begin, To make the ship that we shall in, That we be ready for to swim, At the coming of the flood, These boards I join together, To keep us safe from the weather, That we may roam both hither and thither, And safe be from this flood.... _God._ Noah, take thou thy company, And in the ship hie that you be, For none so righteous man to me Is now on earth living. _The Deluge_