4. An account of the plays, by Archdeacon Rogers, _c._ 1575; one version gives “Randall Higden” as the writer, and places the time in the mayoralty of Arneway, 1328; the other version gives “one Randoll a monke,” Arneway as Mayor, and the date 1339. 5. An endorsement or a Proclamation in the Harleian MSS., supposed to be written by one of the Holmes, _c._ 1628, stating “Hignet” was the writer. 6. A similar endorsement on a copy of the plays of about the same date. If the religious tendency of the Chester Plays was owing to a guiding hand from the monastery, that hand was, according to our earliest tradition, one Henry Francis, whose name occurs in deeds dated 1377-82. Higden was never mentioned until late in the sixteenth century. It is quite possible that Henry Francis and Ralph Higden may have translated and revised some of the plays, and rendered literary help in reducing the cycle to unity, and that is all we can say with safety.[17] And this theory is supported by the fact that the closer the plays are studied, the more certain appears the fact that they are not by one hand. [17] It seems to me sheer waste of time to try and synchronize Arneway and Higden as many writers do. I see no reason why we should not believe in the _earliest_ tradition that Arneway _devised the plays_. The writing of them would be a gradual process, covering many years and involving, probably, several authors. Wright and Collier have pointed out many passages which are identical with the French plays published in the _Mystère du Vieux Testament_. Certain plays may therefore have been translated from the French. The _Sacrifice of Isaac_ is probably derived from a play found at Broom Hall, Suffolk, or perhaps _both_ are from some other original. Miss Toulmin Smith says:-- “Lines 163-314 have a strong resemblance to corresponding 134 lines in Chester version. This resemblance, sometimes of phrase, sometimes only of meaning, is interrupted by occasional passages in the Brome MS., which have no equivalents in Chester. Apparently, both editors worked upon a common original, but the Chester poet compressed the more freely, and, in so doing, greatly heightened the effect and dialogue. But he showed poor tact in omitting the charming scene between the father and the son after their agony is over.... It is possible, however, that the Chester play has come down to us mutilated. It was plainly at one time a separate play, and when amalgamated with that of _Abraham and Lot_ may well have been cut down for greater convenience of performance.” The germ of the fine speech from the _Resurrection_, quoted later, may be found in the Wakefield play, where it begins as follows:-- “Earthly man that I have wroght, Wightly wake and slepe thou noght! With bitter bayll I have thee boght To make thee free; Into this dongeon depe I soght, And all for luf of thee.”