LOVEW. That's a great way off, _Truman_; I had rather you would come nearer Home, and confine your discourse to Old _England_.
TRUM. So I intend. The same has been done here in _England_; for otherwise how comes it to be prohibited in the _88th_ Canon, among those past in Convocation, 1603. Certain it is that our ancient Plays were of Religious Subjects, and had for their Actors, (if not Priests) yet Men relating to the Church.
TRUM. Nothing clearer. _Stow_ in his Survey of _London_, has one Chapter _of the Sports and Pastimes of old time used in this City_; and there he tells us, That in the Year 1391 (which was 15 _R._ 2.) a Stage-Play was play'd by the Parish-Clerks of _London_, at the _Skinner's-well_ beside _Smithfield_, which Play continued, three Days together, the King, Queen, and Nobles of the Realm being present. And another was play'd in the Year 1409, (11 _H._ 4.) which lasted eight Days, and was of Matter from the Creation of the World; whereat was present most part of the Nobility and Gentry of _England_. Sir _William Dugdale_, in his Antiquities of _Warwickshire_, p. 116, speaking of the _Gray-friers_ (or _Franciscans_) at _Coventry_, says, Before the suppression of the Monasteries, this City was very famous for the Pageants that were play'd therein upon _Corpus-Christi_ Day; which Pageants being acted with mighty State and Reverence by the Friers of this House, had Theatres for the several Scenes very large and high, plac'd upon Wheels, and drawn to all the eminent Parts of the City, for the better advantage of the Spectators; and contain'd the Story of the New Testament, composed in old English Rhime. An ancient Manuscript of the same is now to be seen in the _Cottonian_ Library, _Sub Effig. Vespat. D._ 8. Since the Reformation, in Queen _Elizabeth's_ time, Plays were frequently acted by Quiristers and Singing Boys; and several of our old Comedies have printed in the Title Page, _Acted by the Children of_ Paul's, (not the School, but the Church) others, _By the Children of Her Majesty's Chappel_; in particular, _Cinthias Revels_, and the _Poetaster_ were play'd by them; who were at that time famous for good Action. Among _Ben. Johnson_'s Epigrams you may find _An Epitaph on S. P._