continued in England up to a much later period than is usually believed: —
"By Her Majestie's permission. At Heatly's booth, over against the Cross Daggers, next to Mr. Miller's booth, during the time of Bartholomew-Fair, will be presented a little opera, called The old creation of the world, newly reviv'd, with the addition of the glorious battle obtained over the French and Spaniards by his Grace the Duke of Marlborough. The contents are these:—
1. The creation of Adam and Eve.
2. The intreagues of Lucifer in the garden of Eden.
3. Adam and Eve driven out of paradice.
4. Cain going to plow, Abel driving sheep.
5. Cain killeth his brother Abel.
6. Abraham offering his son Isaac.
7. Three wise men of the East guided by a star, who worship him.
8. Joseph and Mary flew away by night upon an ass.
9. King Herod's cruelty; his men's spears laden with children.
10. Rich Dives invites his friends, and orders his porter to keep the beggars from his gate.
11. Poor Lazarus comes a begging at rich Dives's gate, and the dogs lick his sores.
12. The good angel and death contend for Lazarus's life.
13. Rich Dives is taken sick and dieth. He is buried in great solemnity.
14. Rich Dives in hell, and Lazarus in Abraham's bosom, seen in a most glorious object, all in machines descending in a throne, guarded with multitudes of angels, with the breaking of the clouds, discovering the palace of the sun, in double and treble prospects, to the admiration of all spectators. Likewise several rich and large figures, with dances, jiggs, sarabrands, anticks, and country dances between every act: compleated with the merry humours of Sir John Spendall and Punchanello, with several other things never yet exposed. Perform'd by Mat. Heatly. Vivat Regina!"
In Braithwayte's "Strapado for the Devil," 8vo. Lond. 1615, p. 161, there is an allusion to the performance of Mysteries in London in ancient times:—
"Saint Bartlemews, where all the pagents showne,
And all those acts from Adam unto Noe
Us'd to be represent."
