The most ancient specimens of it which have come down to us are those collected under the title "Vierges sages et Vierges folles," preserved in MS.

1139 of the national library at Paris.

The manuscript contains two of these dramas and a fragment of a third.

The first is the "Three Maries." This is an office of the sepulcher, and has five personages: an angel, the guardian of the tomb and the three Maries.
The drama of the wise and foolish virgins, which was thoroughly examined by M.Magnin and by Coussemaker after him, is simple in construction.

It begins with a chorus in Latin, the theme of which is indicated by the first words: "Adest sponsus qui est Christus: vigilate, virgines." This chorus is set to a melody grave and plaintive.