Description
“Dhywgh lavarav, ow dyskyblon,
pysewgh tooth da, oll keskolon,
Duw dres puptra eus a-ughon,
dhywgh y’n bys ma y ras dannvon,
y’n diwedh may fewgh selwys.”
Passio Christi (The Passion of Christ) is day two of the Ordinalia, three medieval mystery plays from the late 14th century. Together, they are Britain’s oldest drama. The plays were written in Middle Cornish, with Latin stage directions. The rest of the Ordinalia consists of Origo Mundi and Resurrexio Domini.
The play is written in 3,242 lines of verse, arranged in seven- and four-syllabled lines. The play represents the Temptation of Christ in the desert, and the events from the entry into Jerusalem to the Crucifixion, including the Passion. This goes on without interruption into the third play.
Passio Christi contains the full play in the Standard Written Form of modern Cornish, an English translation and a guide to staging all of the three Ordinalia plays with fifteen actors. There is also a Student Edition with a transcription of the original manuscript and extensive notes
The book is essential reading for all Cornish speakers and students of the language.
