The Maccabaean

BACK in the thirteenth, fourteenth and fifteenth centuries it was common in Europe to present religious subjects in dramatic forms. The stories of the Bible were dramatized, and elaborated for the instruction and entertainment of the people. The subjects chosen were often such as we should at the present day consider hardly adapted to theatrical treatment. They were "The Creation," "The Deluge," "The Descent into Hell," "The Day of Judgment," "Pharao," as well as more modest topics like, "Abraham, Melchisedech, and Lot;" "Moses, Balak, and Balaam;" "The Three Kings;" "Ezekiel," etc.

“Pharao” is presented in the form of dialogue, without division into scenes or acts, and without stage scenery excepting such appliances as were required for the actors in doing the necessary business, like swords, spears, maces, gallows, and appropriate dresses, so we read ın a bill of expenses for a performance of the crucifixion in 1490, such items as “2 spears,” “A Staff for the Demon,” “Four Gowns and Four Hoods for the Tormentors,” Girdle for God,” “God’s Coat of \Vhite Leather,” “Sceptres for Herod and His Son;” and in the account of payment to the actors, such entries as “To God, II Shillings; To Herod, III S. IV D. To the devil and to Judas, XVIII D,” and so on. No irreverence was, of course, meant in impersonating God on the stage any more than it was by the old painters when they pictured him as a benign old man

looking down from a mass of clouds.

"Pharao" makes interesting reading in these Haggadic days. As the language is a little too archaic for most people, we have modernized it so far as was necessary to make it intelligible, sometimes, it is true, at the expense of a rhyme. A few unnecessarily prolix passages have been omitted.

The play opens with King Pharao seated on his throne, apparently, and speaking proudly to the effect that he is monarch of all he surveys.

PHARAO.

Peacc! Beware that no man pass, But keep the course that I command, And take good heed of him that has Your health all wholly in his hand. AI Egypt ıs my own To lead after my law, I would my might were known And honored as it ought. ' Full low he shall be thrown That hearkens not my saw, Hanged high and drawn, — See that no boast ye blow! Attehd to me, your sovereign sire, That may your comfort most increase, And to my will.bow life and Iyre.

FIRST SOLDIER.

My Lord, if any were hereThat would not work your will,If we might come them near,Full soon we should them kill.