Charles Davidson — English Mystery Plays. 271 



Whether a cycle would close with the Descent of the Holy Spirit 

 is to my mind somewhat doubtful. The Italian short cycle already 

 cited ^ exhibits a play of this character, with the plays of Burial and 

 Resurrection as introductory. It is possible that it was considered 

 on theological grounds a fitting close, though most cycles passed 

 on to the Judgment Day. On the other hand, it would be nothing 

 surprising, if the Mercers had discarded their old play for a play of 

 the later fashion. The York play, ' The Judgment Day,' is a late 

 play, and will be examined in another chapter. 



These sixteen plays, then, can be segregated as an ancient cycle, 

 which stood as prototype for the craft cycles of Woodkirk and 

 Coventry, and, probabl}'^, of Beverly. There are reasons, however, 

 for believing that the demand for expansion came soon, and that 

 certain additions had already been made when the Woodkirk com- 

 piler looked to York for a part of his material. 



We will next consider the status of the plays of the parent cycle 

 in the other cycles, and then examine into the evidences for the 

 expansion of this cycle prior to the establishment of the Woodkirk 

 plays. 



XXII. 

 THE PARENT CYCLE IN THE WOODKIRK PLAYS. 



The following plays of the parent cycle are found, in whole or in 

 part, in the Woodkirk plays. Y XI = W ' Pharao ; ' Y XVII = W 

 * Oblacio Magorum,' one stanza only ; Y XX = W ' Pagina Docto- 

 rum ;' Y XXX YII — W 'Extractio Animarum.' 



The relation of W 'Pharao' to Y XI can be best shown by con- 

 trasting corresponding verses that shall be as nearly consecutive as 

 possible. I have chosen the first twenty -three lines of the York play; 

 the verse that seems to me the nearest to the original is given as the 

 second in each case, and the reason for my decision is suggested by 

 the word following. These comparisons can hardly be classed as 

 text emendations — any authoritative settlement of the questions 

 arising would lead me too far afield— but they will serve to illustrate 

 the relative purity of the texts. 



^ O pees, I bidde Jjat noman passe, Y, 1. 



Peas, of payn that no man pas, W. Alliteration, 



And take good hede of hjan that has, W. 



And takes gud heede to hym Jjat hasso, Y, 3. Cp. XXXVII, 1. 37. 



1 See p. i^\. 



