390 THE GERMAN PASSION-PLA Y 



a procession consisting of the cross-bearer, four angels 

 carrying the three nails and the crown of thorns, four 

 angels with candles, Joseph and Nicodemus with two 

 servants bearing the body, four more angels with 

 candles, the Virgin with John, then the three Maries, 

 and lastly two servants with ointment. 1 Such a proces- 

 sion approaches in content those of the Easter rituals. 



From this epoch in the plays we have even a greater 

 fulness of incident and a wider range of material to 

 select from than before, since now the numerous Kesur- 

 rection-dramas and Easter-plays come to our assistance 

 with endless variety of detail. The main thread running 

 throughout them all, however, is the Church ritual as it 

 is developed in the Tours Mystery (p. 302). 



The Jews obtain Pilate's authority to set watchers 

 at the tomb, and the four " knights " set out on their 

 mission dancing and singing. The grotesque-comic of 

 their valiant language is really not so inappropriate as 

 it at first appears. If this man Jesus comes to life again 

 may their hair turn golden ; should the disciples come 

 near the grave they shall forfeit their lives ; the watchers 

 set no limit to . their own prowess, they will stand up 

 against hundreds till they wade in a very sea of blood. 

 Even their names Dietrich, Hildebrant, Isengrim, and 

 Laurein 2 are those of invincible Teutonic heroes. And 

 what happens when they come to the grave ? They fortify 



1 See B, vol. ii. p. 141. Mater Maria is distinguished from Maria Jacobi, 

 Maria Salome, and Maria Magdalena. The Sepulto Domino of the old scenic 

 ritual is also frequently sung (see S, p. 152, etc.) 



2 See especially the Ludus Judeorum circa Sepulchrum, I, p. 125 ; F, p. 280 ; 

 D, p. 78 ; K, p. 183 ; B, vol. ii. pp. 36-41, 339 ; L, vol. ii. p. 301 ; and 

 La Resurrection du Sauveur, Jubinal, Paris, 1834 ; Townley Mysteries, p. 259 ; 

 also the X/Hords irfoxw, 1. 1900. 



