English drama -- Early modern and Elizabethan, 1500-1600 -- History and criticism; English drama -- To 1500 -- History and criticism
A Paradise is to be made in a raised spot, with curtains and cloths
of silk hung round it at such a height that persons in the Paradise
may be visible from the shoulders upwards. Fragrant flowers and
leaves are to be set round about, and divers trees put therein with
hanging fruit, so as to give the likeness of a most delicate spot.
Then must come the Saviour, clothed in a dalmatic, and Adam and Eve
be brought before him. Adam is to wear a red tunic and Eve a
woman's robe of white, with a white silk cloak; and they are both
to stand before the Figure (_God_), Adam the nearer with composed
countenance, while Eve appears somewhat more modest. And the Adam
must be well trained when to reply and to be neither too quick nor
too slow in his replies. And not only he, but all the personages
must be trained to speak composedly, and to fit convenient gesture
to the matter of their speech. Nor must they foist in a syllable or
clip one of the verse, but must enounce firmly and repeat what is
set down for them in due order. Whosoever names Paradise is to look
and point towards it.[1]
Glancing through the story we find that Adam and Eve are led into
Paradise, God first giving them counsel as to what they shall and shall
not do, and then retiring into the church. The happy couple are allowed
a brief time in which to demonstrate their joy in the Garden. Then Satan
approaches from Hell and draws Adam into conversation over the barrier.
His attempt to lure Adam to his Fall is vain, nor is he more successful
the first time with Eve. But as a serpent he over-persuades her to eat
of the forbidden fruit, and she gives it to Adam, with the well-known
result. In his guilt Adam now withdraws out of sight, changes his red
tunic for a costume contrived out of leaves, and reappears in great
grief. God enters from the church and, after delivering his judgment
upon the crime, drives Adam and Eve out of Eden. With spade and hoe they
pass under the curse of labour on the second stage, toiling there with
most disappointing results (Satan sows tares in their field) until the
end comes. Let the manuscript speak for itself again:
Then shall come the Devil and three or four devils with him,
carrying in their hands chains and iron fetters, which they shall
put on the necks of Adam and Eve. And some shall push and others
pull them to hell: and hard by hell shall be other devils ready to
meet them, who shall hold high revel at their fall. And certain
other devils shall point them out as they come, and shall snatch
them up and carry them into hell; and there shall they make a great
smoke arise, and call aloud to each other with glee in their hell,
and clash their pots and kettles, that they may be heard without.
And after a little delay the devils shall come out and run about
the stage; but some shall remain in hell.[2]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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