Show NATIVITY PLAYS 1 they anfor for the th tim time at of it sto nativity interludes and play plays existed I 1 before the time of bt IA franci francis the first extant regular drama performed at christmas belongs to the precious manuscript of the abbey ot of saint be nolt sur loire and it ia in one of the earliest specimens of a modern drama as a distinguished from men mero dialogues which we possess ixer the contemporary review imitation imitations of terence alone precede prece deJ it the saint benoit play la Is called he I 1 rode the thep shepherds herds rather neglected in earlle earlie art and literature now make their formal appearance and describe det catbe how they have found the th dabe ube lying between two dumb animals the three kinga kings follow with their offerings fe which they present albort in the words of the greek christian poet Synes synellus lus 0 0 king take this gold cold gold ie Is the symbol of kings take the myrrh myrrh Is the symbol of tombs take the incense for thou art truly god the infant jesus Is in brought out to them not by the virgin hut but by two nurses the non appearance appe tp pea pe arance ranee of the madonna Is to perhaps to be attributed to a scruple ec ruple soon to dis di appear as to showing her in the crit erst moments of her motherhood |