[ 78 ] • 



no pofitive proof of the exiftence of a Stage amongft the early 

 IriJh. 



We will then proceed to that period in which Irifh hiftory firft 

 introduces the Dramatic mufe, mingling the waters of Jordan and 

 Helicon *. 



That the Irifli clergy, as well as their brethren in England, 

 occafionally exhibited Myfteries and Moralities previous to the 

 reign of Henry Villf, may be fafely inferred from the follow- 

 ing record preferved p.mongft the MSS. of Robert Ware. — 



" Thomas 



* Perhaps I fhould have commenced the hiftory of the Irifli Stage with the rife of 

 the Mummers in Ireland. " The Mummers, (fays Dodslev) as bad as they were, 

 feem to be the true original comedians of England." Colleci. of Old Plays, vol. i. 

 pref. But the ftage rather fprang from, than commenced with the Mummers. Here 

 I will take leave to obferve, that, at this day, the dialogue of the Irifli Mummers in 

 "eneral (for I have collefted it in different parts of the kingdom), bears a ftrl£l re- 

 femblance, in point of matter, with a fpecimen of the dialogue of the Englifli Mum- 

 mers in the reign of Edward III. which Mr. Ritson has happily refcued from 

 oblivion. See R^m. on ihe text, and lajl edit, of Shake/pear. It is alfo deferving of ob- 

 fervation, that our Mummers are always accompanied by a Buffoon, whofe drefs and 

 antic manners anfwer the defcription of the Vice of the old Englifli comedies, the 

 precurfor of the modern Punch. This charaaer likewife appears in the pageant 

 with which the Irifli ruflics celebrate the firft of May. 



f Although the claflical names of Comedy and Tragedy did not obtain in England 

 till the reign of Henry VIII. (fee Percy's Reliq. of Am. Kng. Poet. vol. i. p. 137.) 

 yet Sir James Ware, fpeaking of the rejoicings that followed the proclaiming Henry 



Kin£ 



