ialogue are throughout in song. The
following is one of the three verses in which the barbarian proclaims
his loss; the last two lines in the vernacular are the same for all.

Gravis sors et dura!
Hic reliqui plura,
Sed sub mala cura.
Des! quel dommage!
Qui pert la sue chose purque n'enrage.

A play of this sort, dealing with the wonder-working of a Saint, became
known as a Miracle Play, to differentiate it from the Mystery Plays
based on Bible stories.

_St. Nicholas_ would be performed in a church. But there is a probably
contemporaneous Norman Mystery Play, _Adam_, of unknown authorship,
which shows that the move from the church to the open air was already
being made. This play was performed just outside the church door, and
though the staging remains a matter of conjecture, it may be reasonably
assumed that the church represented Heaven, and that the three parts of
a projecting stage served respectively as Paradise (Eden), Earth, and
Hell (covered in, with side doors). The manuscript of the play (found at
Tours) supplies careful directions for staging and acting, as follows:

A Paradise is to be made in a raised spot, with curtains and cloths
of silk hung round it at such a height that persons in the Paradise
may be visible from the shoulders upwards. Fragrant flowers and
leaves are to be set round about, and divers trees put therein with
hanging fruit, so as to give the likeness of a most delicate spot.
Then must come the Saviour, clothed in a dalmatic, and Adam and Eve
be brought before him. Adam is to wear a red tunic and Eve a
woman's robe of white, with a white silk cloak; and they are both
to stand before the Figure (_God_), Adam the nearer with composed
countenance, while Eve appears somewhat more modest. And the Adam
must be well trained when to reply and to be neither too quick nor
too slow in his replies. And not only he, but all the personages
must be trained to speak composedly, and to fit convenient gesture
to the matter of their speech. Nor must they foist in a syllable or
clip one of the verse, but must enounce firmly and repeat what is
set down for them in due order. Whosoever names Paradise is to look
and point towards it.[1]

Glancing through the story we find that Adam and Eve are led into
Paradise, God first giving them counsel as to what they shall and shall
not do, and