290 Charles Davidsoji — English Mystery Plays. 



a speech of Tertius Mag. and of Primus Mag. — each speech of four 

 verses — in favor of sen din g: Jesus awav. 



Secuudus Mag., in W of Co Tertius Mag., expresses the hope that 

 Jesus has come " to salf e oure sare." Here Ch agrees even in rime- 

 series, though with variation of wording. 



Jesus offers to give proof. — Tertius Mag., Primus Mag. in W of 

 Co, asks for the first commandment. This is omitted in Ch. 



Jesus replies that they have their books, and invites them to read. 

 Ch departs slighly from the model. 



Primus Mag., Secundus Mag. in W of Co, answers — 



I rede this is the flrste bidding. 



The remaining three lines agree closely in language. 



Jesus expounds the two commandments of love to God and love to 

 man, in eighteen verses in Y and W. These lines W of Co cuts 

 down to four verses. 



Primus Mag., Tertius Mag. in W of Co, asks him for the remain- 

 ing commandments. This interruption is omitted in Ch. 



Jesus gives the commandments, with interesting differences among 

 the plan's. — In Ch the version is free and not minute ; in Y literal 

 with omission of explanatory phrases ; in W some three verses are 

 generally added to the Y statement ; TT of Co stands between Y 

 and W, but nearer to W. Second Mag. in Y and W, Tertius in Ch, 

 Primus in W of Co, declares that Jesus speaks the truth. Tertius 

 Mag., and Primus Mag. in Y, W, and W of Co, are in favor of send- 

 ing Jesus away, lest he should rob them of their fame. These 

 speeches have been transferred in Cli to an earlier position in the 

 play. This is a proof that the order of the play in the other cycle 

 is older than that of Ch, an important point. 



Mary and Joseph lament because they cannot find their child.— In 

 this Y, W, and W of Co agree, but Ch omits this introduction of 

 their return. Mary discoA^ers Jesus sitting among the Doctors. In 

 Y, W, and W of Co Joseph exf)resses thankfulness ; in Ch there is 

 no interruption of Mary's remarks. Mar}'- requests Joseph to go to 

 Jesus. Here the Ch rime-series proves the derivation of the play 

 from Y. Joseph dares not meddle with men of might " in f urres 

 fyne." In this all plays agree. 



Mary tells Joseph that they will respect his age. Joseph responds 

 that he does not know how to address them. 



Mary offers to go with him. 



Joseph wishes Mary to go first — This little episode is omitted in 

 Ch, but appears to belong to the original plaj^ 



