ike, but the
latter, according to its name and profession, less commonly. In 1548 a
curious example of the change of times and manners took place, owing in
all probability to the influence, direct or indirect, of the
Reformation. The Confraternity had its charter renewed, but it was
expressly forbidden to play the sacred dramas which it had been
originally constituted to perform. Thenceforward secular plays only were
lawful in Paris, but the older dramas continued for a long time to be
performed in the provinces, and in Britanny have been acted within the
last half century. The Confraternity became regular actors of ordinary
farces, and as time went on were known under the title of the Comedians
of the Hotel de Bourgogne, a name which brings us at once into the
presence of Moliere. In these last sentences we have a little
outstripped the mediaeval period proper, but in dramatic matters there
is no gap between the ancient and modern theatre until we arrive at the
Pleiade.

It is not very easy to illustrate the manner of the ancient French drama
by citations within ordinary compass; but the following passages, the
first from the Mystery of the _Passion_, the second from the original
form of _Pathelin_, may serve the purpose:--

_Ici deschargent Jesus de la croix._

_Simon._ or avant donc, puis que ainsi va.
je ferai vostre voulente;
mais il me poise en verite
de la honte que vous me faictes.
o Jesus, de tous les prophettes
le plus sainct et le plus begnin,
vous venes a piteuse fin,
veue vostre vie vertueeuse
quant vostre croix dure et honteuse
pour vostre mort fault que je porte.
se c'est a tort, je m'en rapporte
a ceulx qui vous ont forjuge.
_Ici charge la croix a Simon._

_Nembroth._ Messeigneurs, il est bien charge;
cheminons, depeschons la voie.

_Salmanazar._ j'ai grant desir que je le voie
fiche en ce hault tabernacle,
a scavoir s'il fera miracle,
quant il sera cloue dessus.

_Jeroboam._ seigneurs, hastes moi ce Jesus
et ces deux larrons aux coustes.
s'ilz ne vuellent, si les battez
si bien qu'il n'y ait que redire.

_Claquedent._ a cela ne tiendra pas, sire.
nos en ferons nostre povoir.

_Ici porte Simon une partie de la croix et
Jesus l'autre et le battent les sergens._

_Dieu le pere._ Pitie doit tout cueur esmouvoir
en lamen