Overcoming the devil

In the opening scenes of Ordo virtutum (The Play of the Virtues), the Virtues appear and attempt to guide a struggling Soul. As the play continues, the Virtues each introduce themselves to the Devil (and the audience), then receive the penitent Soul who has sinned, and finally announce the defeat of the Devil through Christ’s Incarnation. 

PATRIARCHS AND PROPHETS 

Who are these, who seem like clouds? 

VIRTUES 

O ancient holy ones, what about us makes you marvel? 

The word of God gleams forth in human form, and therefore we shine clear with him, building up the parts of his beautiful body. 

PATRIARCHS AND PROPHETS 

We are the roots, and you are the branches: you are the fruit of the living eye, and we were his shadow. 

The lament of embodied SOULS 

Oh, we are pilgrims! 

What have we done, wandering into sins?! 

We were destined to be the king’s daughters, but we have fallen into the shadow of sins. 

O living sun, carry us on your shoulders to the righteous heritage which we lost through Adam! 

O king of kings, we are fighting in your battle. 

A happy SOUL 

O sweet divinity, O pleasant life, in which I will wear a brilliant robe, receiving what I lost in my first manifestation, I sigh in longing for
you and invoke all the Virtues. 

VIRTUES 

O happy Soul, sweet creation of God, built up in the deep height of God’s wisdom, you love abundantly. 

The happy SOUL 

Oh, let me come to you gladly so
that you may offer me a kiss from
your heart. 

VIRTUES 

Our duty is to fight together with you, O daughter of the king. 

But the troubled SOUL laments 

O what hard labor, O what a heavy weight I have in this robe of life, because it is so difficult for me to fight against the flesh. 

VIRTUES to the Soul 

O Soul, created by God’s will, O happy instrument,  why are you so tearful over the problem God solved with the virgin birth? 

Your duty is to overcome the Devil through us. 

The SOUL 

Hasten to help me, that I might
stand firm! 

KNOWLEDGE OF GOD to the Soul 

Behold the raiment you are wearing, daughter of salvation; if you are steadfast, you will never fall. 

The SOUL, unhappily 

Oh, I do not know what to do or where to flee! 

Woe is me! I cannot fit into this garment  in which I have been clothed. 

Indeed, I want to take it off. 

VIRTUES 

O unhappy thought, O miserable Soul, Why do you hide your face before
your Creator? 

KNOWLEDGE OF GOD 

You neither know, nor see, nor understand the one who created you.

The SOUL 

God created the world: I do him no harm, but I want to enjoy it. 

The DEVIL, shouting to the Soul 

Fool!  Fool!  What do you gain from your labor? 

Look to the World,  and it will embrace you with great honor. 

VIRTUES 

Oh, this wailing voice of utmost sorrow! 

Ah, ah, a miraculous victory had arisen through her marvelous desire for God, but, in this desire, love of the flesh had hidden itself—alas, alas—there where the will knew no guilt and where the desire fled human lewdness. 

Mourn, mourn for this, Innocence, who, in lovely purity, have not lost your righteousness, and who have not devoured the avarice of the ancient serpent’s throat.