This matter he abrevited into playes twenty-foure, And every playe of the matter gave but a taste, Leavinge for better learninge the scircumstance to accomplishe; For all his proceedinges maye appeare to be in haste, Yet all together unprofitable his labour he did not waste; For at this daye & ever he deserveth the fame Which all monkes deserves, professinge that name. These storyes of the Testamente at this tyme, you knowe, In a common Englishe tongue never read nor harde; Yet thereof in these pagentes to make open shewe, This moonke & moonke was nothing afreayde, With feare of hanginge, breninge, or cutting off heade, To sett out, that all maye disserne & see And parte good be lefte, beleeve you mee. As all that shall see them shall moste welcome be, Soe all that here them wee moste humble praye Not to compare this matter or storie With the age or tyme wherein we presentlye staye, But in the tyme of ignorance, wherein we did straye; Then doe I compare that this lande throughout Non had the like, nor the like dose sett out. . . . . . This worthy Knighte, Arnway, then mayor of this Citie, This order took, as declare to you I shall, That by twenty-fower occupations, artes, crafts, or misterie, These pagentes shoulde be played, after breeffe rehearsall; For everye pagente a cariage to be provyded withall; In which sorte we porpose, this Whitsontyde, Our pageantes into three partes to devyde. . . . . . But a much older and more valuable “Banes” has been found by Canon Morris amongst the Harleian MSS.[31] (not numbered or catalogued), and has been printed in his _Chester during the Plantagenet and Tudor Periods_.[32] [31] Collected by the Randle Holme family of Chester. [32] By his kind permission printed here. THE BANES OR PROCLAMATION OF THE PLAYES. The comen bannes to be proclaymed and Ryddon with the Stewardys of every occupacon:-- Lordings Royall and Reverentt Lovelie ladies that here be lentt Sovereigne Citizens hether am I sent A message for to say. I pray you all that be present That you will here with good intent And all your eares to be lent Hertfull I you pray. Our worshipfull mair of this Citie With all his royall cominaltie Solem pagens ordent hath he At the fest of Whitsonday tyde. How every craft in his decree Bryng forth their playes solemplie I shall declare you brefely Yf ye will a while abyde. The worshipfull tanners of this towne Bryng forth the heavenly manshon Th’ orders of angells and theire creation According done to the best. And when the angells be made so clere Then folowyth the falling of Lucifere To bring forth this play with good chere The tanners be full prest.