s. Thus the Christmas drama of each nation has its own
special flavour.

If we turn to France, we find a remarkable fifteenth-century cycle that
belongs purely to the winter festival, and shows the strictly Christmas
drama at its fullest development. This great mystery of the "Incarnacion
et nativite de nostre saulveur et redempteur Jesuchrist" was performed
out-of-doors at Rouen in 1474, an exceptional event for a northern city
in winter-time. The twenty-four _establies_ or "mansions" set up for the
various scenes reached across the market-place from the "Axe and Crown"
Inn to the "Angel."

|139| After a prologue briefly explaining its purpose, the mystery
begins, like the old liturgical plays, with the witness of the prophets;
then follows a scene in Limbo where Adam is shown lamenting his fate, and
another in Heaven where the Redemption of mankind is discussed and the
Incarnation decided upon. With the Annunciation and the Visitation of the
Virgin the first day closed. The second day opened with the ordering by
Octavian of the world-census. The edict is addressed:--

"A tous roys, marquis, ducs et contes,
Connestables, bailifs, vicomtes
Et tous autres generalment
Qui sont desoubz le firmament."

Joseph, in order to fulfil the command of Cyrenius, governor of Syria,
leaves Nazareth for Bethlehem. A comic shepherds' scene follows, with a
rustic song:--

"Joyeusement, la garenlo,
Chantons en venant a la veille,
Puisque nous avons la bouteille
Nous y berons jusques a bo."

When Joseph and Mary reach the stable where the Nativity is to take
place, there is a charming dialogue. Joseph laments over the meanness of
the stable, Mary accepts it with calm resignation.

_Joseph._

"Las! vecy bien povre merrien
Pour edifier un hostel
Et logis a ung seigneur tel.
Il naistra en bien povre place.

_Marie._

Il plait a Dieu qu'ainsy se face.

* * * * *

_Joseph._

Ou sont ces chambres tant fournies
De Sarges, de Tapiceries |140|
Batus d'or, ou luyt mainte pierre,
Et nates mises sur la terre,
Affin que le froit ne mefface?

_Marie._

Il plait a Dieu qu'ainsy se face.

* * * * *

_Joseph._

Helas! cy gerra povrement
Le createur du firmament
Celui qui fait le soleil luire,
Qui fait la terre fruis produire,
Qui t