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228 . THE MIRACLES OF ANTICHRIST
woman after the other entering their theater and see
what was being played for them. It had been
entirely impossible to see the whole street full of old
distaff spinners leisurely wending their way towards
the theater. And so they had rushed in.
But hardly had these young people taken their
places, before they noticed that they were in the
presence of a disciplinarian. Ah ! " The Ancient
Martyrdom," " The Ancient Martyrdom ! "
It was not given as in Aci and in Castelbuoco. It
was not played as at the opera in Palermo, it was
only played by wretched marionettes with
immovable faces and stiff bodies, yet the ancient play had
not lost its power.
Donna Micaela noticed it in the second act, during
the Lord’s Supper. The boys began to hate Judas.
They showered threats and abuse upon him.
As the tale of suffering continued, they removed
their hats and folded their hands. They sat
perfectly still, their beautiful brown eyes turned towards
the stage. Now and then a few tears fell. Now
and then a hand was clenched in indignation.
Don Antonio spoke with tears in his voice,
Donna Emilia was on her knees in the doorway. Don
Matteo gazed with a gentle smile at the little dolls,
and recalled the glorious representation in Palermo,
which had made him a priest.
But when Jesus was taken prisoner and tortured,
the young felt ashamed of themselves. They, too,
had been capable of hate and persecution. They
were like those Pharisees and those Romans. It was
a shame to think of it. They hoped Don Antonio
would forgive them.
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