er all in flesh and
blood may be matter for uncertainty. Much more talkative, on the other
hand, are similar abstractions in _Scene 11_. Here, in the presence of
God, Contemplation and the Virtues having appealed for an extension of
mercy and forgiveness to man, Truth, Pity and Justice discuss the
question of Redemption from their particular points of view until God
interposes with his decision in its favour. Mention of this innovation
in the Miracle Play seems advisable at this point, though its bearing on
later drama will be more clearly seen in the next chapter.

Little need be said of the verse commonly used in Miracles, save to
point out the preference for stanzas and for triple and quadruple
rhymes. An examination of the verses quoted will reveal something as to
the variety of forms adopted. Those cited from _Scenes 1_, _4_, and _32_
illustrate three types, while another favourite of the Coventry author
takes the following structure (A), with a variant in lines of half the
length (B):

(A) _Angelus_.

Wendyth fforthe, ye women thre,
Into the strete of Galyle;
Your Savyour ther xul ye se
Walkynge in the waye.
Your ffleschely lorde now hath lyff,
That deyd on tre with strook and stryff;
Wende fforthe, thou wepynge wyff,
And seke hym, I the saye.
(_Scene 36._)

(B) _Senescallus_ (_to Herod_).

Sere kyng in trone,
Here comyth anone
By strete and stone
Kynges thre.
They bere present,--
What thei have ment.
Ne whedyr they arn bent,
I cannot se.
(_Scene 17._)

Reference to the quotation from the _Wakefield Play_ will discover in
the north country author an even greater propensity to rhyme.

There remains to be discussed the method of production of these plays.
Fortunately we have records to guide us in our suppositions. These date
from the time when the complete Miracle Play was a fully established
annual institution. It is of that period that we shall speak.

Plays had from the first been under official management. When,
therefore, the Church surrendered control it was only natural that
secular officialdom should extend its protection and guidance. Local
corporations, recognizing the commercial advantages of an attraction
which could annually draw crowds of country customers into the towns,
mad