Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1910-12-23
vosEeH AND Iz4Ry A9RINE y AEIzk7zzW ~ ~.

the crashing of stones in the thunder barrel and
the shrielng of pipes calculated to instil into
the most obdurate heart wholesome fear or what
the hereafter might have in store for the unre-
pentent.
The final spectacle of the stage the carpenters
were erecting paradise. High placed above
everything else, it dominated all the scene It's
occupants, God the Father, God the Son and the
blessed angels, hoisted up into it by mechan-
ical lifts and when the angels wished to descend,
as for instance the night OF the nativity, over
the fields near Bethlehem they did so suspended
on ropes It was hard being God angel, for
there was little chance to get down and stretch
ones legs. With these heavenly characters abode
four others-Peace Mercy Justice and Truth in
imitation of Aristotle's four cardinal virtues.
Such were, in the MAN, the mansions and
the characters for which the carpenters had to
provide and the eight days succeeding the mon
sire" or grand parade were especially busy ones
for these artisans.
Early on the morning of December "a the long
awaited representation began. The vast market
place thronged. Every box filed with the
gentry; the roped-in space in 'front.' out to within
some yards of the stage front had been covered
thickly with straw, and here the ground sat thou
sands, while the open stretch Immediately in front
Of and rather below the level Of the stage
filed with crowds parading back and forth. Alto
gether it glorious and eager gathering
The learned doctor whose midnight toll had
prepared the doggerel, and whose weeks of labor
had rehearSed the players IN their parts appeared
first in short prologue. After exhorting his
listeners to silence he described for them briefly
the substance of what about to be presented
the stage, and admonished them to take to
heart the lessons of the mystery. AS he retired
to a convenient angle of the wall Of Herods house.
whence he might advantageously be in position for
prompting the actors, deep lamentation broke
out within hell 1t was Adam greving over the sad
and fallen state Of
Thus the play goes for two days, passing
to limbo, whence the prophets issue to foretel
to mankind the coming salvation, to Nazareth to
Bethlehem and throughout the whole cycle Of the
nativity. When Christ is born in Bethlehem, hell
redoubles its efforts and Lucifer rolls about the
stage in mighty orgy of blind fury. The images
of the idols in the temple at Rome fall crashing
from their pedestals, and, high above ALL the
gels in paradise, or lowering their ropes above
the fields Of Palestine, chant majesticaly the
praises Of the Creator and proclaim the PAX in
ferris"
Curious Is the final scene. It Is placed in Rome,
in the chamber of Augustus. The emperor, dressed
like French duke, is seated on fancy chair
loaned by the mayor Of Rouen. Evidently he is Ill
at ease. He is reading a scroll Of the Skyline
writings, wherein he finds distinct prophecy to
the effect that Messiah is to be born in Palestine
in Bethlehem of Judea. More and more disturbed
he becomes, and he PAGES the floor of his cham
Der he recites his woes In doggerel French, ac-
companied by wealth of gesticulations. The
is already down beyond the gables to the west of
the market place his monologue comes to an
end With sudden inspiration, he falls to his
knees and worships figure of the virgin that mi
raculously appears the wall Satan and his
give final salVo and the crowd rises stif1y
to its feet and wends its way back to the homes
and taverns of the city, much moved by the spec
tacle it has been witness of for two whole days.