University Missourian. [volume] (Columbia, Mo.) 1908-1916, 1909-04-19
DAY SPENT WITH
MEDIEVAL PLAYERS

THE dragon-jaws have emitted devils
who have leapt across the stage. and
are now playing tricks and executinc
pambols among the audience. Into
hell mouth. from which smoke and
flame continually arise. these demons
bristling with horsehair, and wearing
the ugliest beast heads possible, ara
dragging wich much mockery and show
of cruelty those souls whose black. rod
and yellow coats are suggestive of the
fire awaiting them. Here are souls des.
tined for Heaven in white coats and
white hose: angels, with plumes. re.
spendent in gold. The virgin and Mary
are crowned. 1crOd is gay in blue
satin gown. with his gilt and silyered
helmet. Plate wears Il green robe and
carries a leather club stuffed with wool
The tOrmentors of Christ wear Jackets
of black buckram, painted over with
nails and dice. The Lord wears a coat
OF white sheepskin, variously painted,
with red sandals and gilt beard. Judas
is easily distinguished by bis red beard
and yellow robe. And here comes the
Devil. who. shaggy and bea-tlike. black
horned. clawed. with cloven feet and
forked tail with pipes Of burning gum
powder in his ears, executes final
flourish. and the pageant i, over. leav-
ing behind it pale faces and quiverinc
nerves. faces dimly lighted by the dusk
OF evening.
Let Us take look behind the scenes.
There is lad. he who impcr~onated
Christ: he is quite overcome by his
feelings and has tainted: there is a
Young priest who has taken part in the
performance. The church has forbid.
den the clergy to have any part in the
representation. but his hi-trionic love
and his zeal for the part has led him to
run the risk OF discovery and excom-
mlnication. Beside him is a maid of
eighteen. Very unusual it is for a
woman to be among the number behind
the scenes. But she will not be there
long. Her Fiety. her virtue. her inno-
cence. the mastery way in which she
represented the life of the Virgin
so maSterfully that the audience con-
fused the actor with the role she plav-
ed all has been done 50 beautifully
hat naIl,p,,n L., -,
resolved to have her act ont the dram1
OF life in his own castle. She Is talking
with youth. whose face is Vet free
from beard.-a beautiful lad. with
voice ever soft. gentle and low. Hence
forth. he will play her part
The pageant master enters. He has
word Of praise for some. severe cen
sure for others. One man did not ap-
pear between the hours Of four and five
hat morning. another did not act his
'art in such a way as bettS the iicni-
Y Of the guild and the honor Of the
l'y. As he soundly berateS them. he
ii>pen>e> the silver. Id to the hanger of
Judas. Id To the cock Grower. IS. al. TO
he performer of God. 2ud. to the saved
nd damned souls. Sd. to worm OF ,
"n>cience. I'D. to Noah and his wife
to the man who has provided copies s
Il the text and who has prompted and s
eiped train the performers. Money
rmly in hand. the respective PLAYERS
tart home. How happy they would be
they only lived in the land of France.
here the actors on richly capari>on- q
II horses. clothed in ma.nificence of 8
atm. velvet and silk. ornamented with s
pearls and costly levels.
larch in proud array to the Hing who
uhllcly thanks them. The actors of
III England are not 80 fortunate But
here will be another year and another
nance for the work and the pleasure !.
MT the pay and above all. for the con- 3
'l"usne>> Of having done their duty TO s
od. " n