Again, the stage directions for some of these old plays are so vague that the precise manner of their presentment must be left to individual imagination and common sense. In a story there is no room for tentative speculations, nor for suggested alternative treatments; and this being the case, I trust I may be forgiven if occasionally I handle my material over-confidently. This explanation is offered to older students, to whom, simple as it is, my little summary, compiled from the recognized authorities on the subject of miracle plays, may yet be of some value. In writing it I found most helpful and delightful Mr. Sidney W. Clarke’s book, _The Miracle Play in England_, and, written by Mr. Ernest Rhys, the preface to _Everyman_, in Everyman’s Library. To both these gentlemen my thanks are specially due. N. S. CONTENTS CHAP. PAGE I. Introduction 1 II. How Colin and Margery kept the Feast of Corpus Christi 17 III. The Creation of the Angels, and the Fall of Lucifer 23 IV. The Making of Sun, Moon and Stars: of Birds, Beasts, and Fishes: of Man and Woman. The Garden of Eden 35 V. Noah’s Ark 44 VI. The Story of Abraham and of Isaac 56 VII. The Shepherds’ Play 67 VIII. King Herod, the Wise Men, and the Massacre of the Innocents 77 IX. At the End of the Day 91 X. Everyman 99 THE OLD MIRACLE PLAYS OF ENGLAND I INTRODUCTION Of all the delightful games which children play in the nursery or in the schoolroom, perhaps the favourite one is dressing-up, and acting. And of all the Christmas treats, perhaps the best is going to the theatre—either to the pantomime or to one of the fairy plays which fortunate children can now enjoy. There are grown-up people too who never get tired of dressing-up and acting, nor of going to the theatre to see other people act. It is a taste which is shared by children and grown-up people alike. And it has always been so. Long, long ago, when all the people in the world were savage, there is no doubt that little naked children picked up their fathers’ spears, and bows and arrows (or made smaller ones in imitation of them), and “acted” the hunting of animals or the killing of enemies, while their parents looked on, pleased and interested by the performance.