We may see what these primitive stages were like in _Don Quixote_ (part ii. chap. 11), the hero of which encountered upon the highway one of these perambulating theatres: “He who guided the mules and served for carter was a frightful demon. The cart was uncovered and opened to the sky, without awning or wicker sides. “The first figure that presented itself to Don Quixote’s eyes was that of Death itself with a human visage. Close by him sat an angel with painted wings. On one side stood an emperor, with a crown, seemingly of gold, on his head. “At Death’s feet sat the god called Cupid, not blindfolded, but with his bow, quiver, and arrows. “There was also a knight completely armed, excepting only that he had no morion or casque, but a hat with a large plume of feathers of divers colors. “With these came other persons, differing both in habits and countenances.” To Don Quixote’s question as to who they were the carter replied: “Sir, we are strollers belonging to Angulo el Malo’s company. This morning, which is the octave of Corpus Christi, we have been performing, in a village on the other side of yon hill, a piece representing the Cortes or Parliament of Death, and this evening we are to play it again in that village just before us; which being so near, to save ourselves the trouble of dressing and undressing, we come in the clothes we are to act our parts in.” The character of the _autos_ changed with the improvements in their representation; from mere dialogues they developed into short farces, the object of which was to amuse while instructing. Like the secular plays, they opened with a prologue, called the _loa_ (from _loar_, to praise), in which the object of the play was shadowed forth and the indulgence of the spectators demanded. The _loa_ was originally spoken by one person, and was also called _argumento_ or _introito_, and was in the same metre as the _auto_; although it consisted sometimes of a few lines in prose, as in the _auto_ of _The Gifts which Adam sent to Our Lady by S. Lazarus_: “LOA.--Here is recited an _auto_ which treats of a letter and gifts which our father Adam sent by S. Lazarus to the illustrious Virgin, Our Lady, supplicating her to consent to the Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ. “In order that the _auto_ may be easily heard, the accustomed silence is requested.” Still later the _loa_ was extended into a short, independent play, sometimes with no reference to the _auto_ it preceded, and frequently by another author. During Lope de Vega’s reign over the Spanish stage an _entremes_ or farce was inserted between the _loa_ and _auto_.