filius datus est nobis, &c. (Unto us a child is
born, unto us a son is given.)" The question and answer were no doubt
sung by different choirs.{2}

One can well imagine that this might develop into a regular little drama.
As a matter of fact, however, it was from an Easter trope in the same
manuscript, the "Quem quaeritis," a dialogue between the three Maries and
the angel at the sepulchre, that the liturgical drama sprang. The trope
became very popular, and was gradually elaborated into a short symbolic
drama, and its popularity led to the composition of similar pieces for
Christmas and Ascensiontide. Here is the Christmas trope from a St. Gall
manuscript:--

"_On the Nativity of the Lord at Mass let there be ready two deacons
having on dalmatics, behind the altar, saying_:

Quem quaeritis in praesepe, pastores, dicite? (Whom seek ye in the
manger, say, ye shepherds?) |124|

_Let two cantors in the choir answer_:

Salvatorem Christum Dominum, infantem pannis involutum, secundum
sermonem angelicum. (The Saviour, Christ the Lord, a child wrapped in
swaddling clothes, according to the angelic word.)

_And the deacons_:

Adest hic parvulus cum Maria, matre sua, de qua, vaticinando, Isaias
Propheta: ecce virgo concipiet et pariet filium; et nuntiantes dicite
quia natus est. (Present here is the little one with Mary, His
Mother, of whom Isaiah the prophet foretold: Behold, a virgin shall
conceive, and shall bring forth a son; and do ye say and announce
that He is born.)

_Then let the cantor lift up his voice and say_:

Alleluia, alleluia, jam vere scimus Christum natum in terris, de quo
canite, omnes, cum Propheta dicentes: Puer natus est! (Alleluia,
alleluia. Now we know indeed that Christ is born on earth, of whom
sing ye all, saying with the Prophet: Unto us a child is born.)"{3}

The dramatic character of this is very marked. A comparison with later
liturgical plays suggests that the two deacons in their broad vestments
were meant to represent the midwives mentioned in the apocryphal Gospel
of St. James, and the cantors the shepherds.

A development from this trope, apparently, was the "Office of the
Shepherds," which probably took shape in the eleventh century, though it
is first given in a Rouen manuscript of the thirteenth. It must have been
an impressive ceremony as performed in the great cathedral, dimly lit
with candles, a