The York Mystery Plays

Mike Poulton

• Publisher: Nick Hern Books
• Year: 2016
• eBook ISBN: 9781780017730
• Topic: Literature
• Subtopic: British Drama
• Index: Literature

The greatest story ever told...

... from the creation of Heaven and Earth to the Last Judgement. The story of good versus evil, of life and death, and of love, betrayal, loss and hope.

The York Mystery Plays are a dramatic cycle on a monumental scale, first performed over seven hundred years ago in the city of York.

This version of the plays by Mike Poulton was first performed in York Minster in 2016, with a vast community cast bringing the cycle to spectacular life once again.

PART ONE

1. Barkers

GOD.

Ego sum Alpha et Omega,

Vita, Via, Veritas,

Primus et Novissimus.

I am gracious and great – God without beginning

I am maker unmade – all might is within me –

I am Life – and the way unto world’s well-being

I am foremost and first –

As I bid it shall be.

ANGELS sing: ‘Te Deum’.

Here, far beneath me, an isle shall I name

Which isle shall be Earth! –

Into being I call

Earth, here… And Hell… And this highest is Heaven –

All truth in Creation shall dwell in this hall.

GOD creates Heaven, Earth, and Hell.

This I give you, mine angels,

Whiles yet ye stay faithful…

(To LUCIFER.) Nearest, and next in might after me,

I make thee as master – my mirror in might –

Blithest in bliss, my Arch-regent-to-be

And name thee now – Lucifer! – Bringer of Light.

ANGELS sing: ‘Sanctus, Sanctus, Dominus Deus Sabaoth’.

GABRIEL.

O merciful maker, full mickle thy might

Who this work, with a word, hath right worthily wrought –

Ever loved, love’s creator, and maker of light

All things out of darkness and chaos hast brought.

LUCIFER.

What’s that he says?

I am glorious and great, and figured full fit –

The fairest of features on my face are fixed.

All wisdom I wield here, all worship, all wit –

In glory, in brightness, and blissfulness mixed.

MICHAEL.

Lord, with love lasting, we love thee alone –

LUCIFER.

Speak for yourself –

MICHAEL.

All-maker of might that hath framed us and marks us,

And wrought us right worthy to wait at thy throne

Where no failing, nor filth may befoul us nor soil us.

LUCIFER.

What! That’s not right!

I’m most worthily made to be worshipped iwis

In glory I rise in my glittering gleams –

With fortitude framed my most might may not miss

I shall shine aye in bliss in my brightness of beams.

High in Heav’n I shall set me, full seemly to sight

Receiving due reverence through right of renown

I shall rise above Him that is highest on high

For I’m perfect, and noble –

LUCIFER and his ANGELS are cast out of Heaven by ARCHANGELS led by MICHAEL.

O no! It’s gone wrong!

Help, fellows! I’m falling! I’m going. I’m gone.

DEVILS (left).

We’re thrown down from Heaven! Cast out – all forlorn!

DEVILS (right).

Lucifer – lurdan!

LUCIFER.

My wings are all torn!

Oh hell! What am I going to do now?

I’ll go mad for woe! Now my wit is all went!

DEVILS (left).

Great gobfulls of filth – all our mirth shall be shent!

Out on thee, lumpkin, that lost us us light!

DEVILS (right).

We shone once in bliss now we’re blistered and brent!

LUCIFER.

Oh hell and damnation – I’ve a mouthful of… Yeughhgh!

DEVILS (left).

Out liar! Out sot! Tear him with our claws –

LUCIFER.

Welaway! Woe! Now all’s worse than it was.

Why pick on me? – I never did nowt –

DEVILS (right).

Oh yes you did – you brought us to nought!

DEVILS (all).

To woe hast thou worked us –

LUCIFER.

You lie! You lie, say I!

DEVILS (all).

Thou ’rt the liar, Lucifer, and for it shalt thou pay.

Here, lurdan! Have at you!

FIRST DEVIL.

Let’s scrag him, I say!

They beat up LUCIFER and drag him off. Back in Heaven:

2. Plasterers

GOD.

In Heaven are angels fair and bright –

Planets – stars wend their endless way

The Moon I move to serve the night

The Sun uprising lights the day.

On Earth all trees and grasses spring

Beasts and birds both great and small –

Fishes in flood – all living things

Thrive with my blessing, one and all.

Animals, birds, and fishes are created.

A thinking beast now...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title Page
• Contents
• Original Production
• Author’s Note
• The Mystery in the Minster
• Dedication
• List of Plays and Guilds Included
• Characters
• The York Mystery Plays
• Glossary
• About the Author
• Copyright and Performing Rights Information