the interlude of this kind attains its climax. _The Marriage of Witte and Science_, which is a revision of Redford's play of similar name, must also be mentioned here, although it is a postliminious specimen of the type. Not licensed until 1569-70, and, according to Fleay, acted as _Wit and Will_, 1567-78,[69] it adds nothing vital to the plot or characters of its model. Still, in literary and dramatic handling, it is an example of the perfection to which the moral play could come. Collier, indeed, has said that it was the first play of its kind regularly divided into acts and scenes with indication of the same: but that is not true, for the _Respublica_ of 1553 has five acts and the proper arrangement in scenes; and so have other plays of 1553 or earlier, though of different kind, like the _Jacob and Esau_. If now we pass to the Youth plays, we shall find in the _Interlude of Youth_ (about 1554) the culmination of dramatic efforts to portray the sowing of wild oats,--efforts avowedly moral in purpose, but with a reminiscent smack of the lips and a fellow-feeling for the scapegrace. The _Interlude of Youth_ is characterized neither by the unbridled merriment of the _Miles Gloriosus_ type nor by the depth or pathos of dramas portraying solicitous parents and prodigal sons; but it paves the way for 'tragical' comedies of this latter class, and is infinitely more dramatic, because more human, than the pedagogical onslaughts upon idleness, irksomeness, ignorance, and the like of which we have just treated. It has, perhaps, not been noticed that the _Interlude of Youth_ holds about the same relation to _Hyckescorner_ in matter of motive and treatment that _Hyckescorner_ holds to the _Four Elements_ and _Mankynd_,--indeed, a closer relation, for in many details of character, device, situation, as well as by literal transference of language, it borrows from _Hyckescorner_. This as indicating the descent of the species is in itself interesting. But the present play generally improves upon all that it derives. In addition, the vivid conversation, shrewd and waggish wit, local colouring, atmosphere of taverns, dicing, cards, and worse iniquities, justify, I think, the statement that it is at once the most realistic, amusing, and graceful specimen of its kind. It is, at any rate, as artistic as a didactic interlude could permit itself to be.