Winchester Dialogues

Winchester Dialogues refers to two works of Early English Drama found in Winchester College MS 33, first published by Norman Davis in 1979. Occupation and Idleness is a mid-fifteenth century interlude or play, although it is referred to as a "dialogue". Lucidus and Dubius is better described as a semi-dramatic dialogue rather than a play.

Lucidus and Dubius
The following two stanzas (Lines 440 - 449) serve to provide a general description of Lucidus and Dubius.
 * LUCIDUS: A, douteful Dubius, doubtful Dubius!
 * The cause there-of is this.
 * The first maide that ever was
 * was Eve, Adamys wyf.
 * Sche wrou3t the first trespas
 * and made al oure wo and stryf;
 * and as thurgh a mayde deth come in
 * and al men were lore,
 * Crist so wolde be Mary Virgyn
 * alle the world restore.

Modern English translation

 * LUCIDUS: Ah, doubtful Dubius, doubtful Dubius!
 * The cause of that is this.
 * The first virgin that ever lived
 * was Eve, Adam's wife.
 * She initiated the first trespass
 * And caused all our anguish and strife
 * and because of this virgin death will occur
 * and all men were taught,
 * so by the Virgin Mary Christ would
 * cleanse the entire world.

Occupation and Idleness
The following two stanzas (Lines 430 - 438) serve to provide a general description of Occupation and Idleness.
 * OCCUPACION: Ydelnes is nat ferre, as thynkith me,
 * And so Y tolde one ryght now.
 * DOCTRINE: Ydelnes, where is he?
 * OCCUPACION: Yonder, syr, as ye may se,
 * And scorneth both me and yow.
 * DOCTRINE: Ydelnes, come nere
 * And lerne of me som curtesie.
 * YDELNES: Y shrew me and Y come ther
 * While thou art so angry.

Modern English translation

 * OCCUPACION: It seems to me that Idleness is not far [away]
 * And so I told you right now.
 * DOCTRINE: Idleness, where is he?
 * OCCUPACION: Over there, sir, as you will see,
 * And scorns both you and I.
 * DOCTRINE: Idleness, come here
 * And learn some courtesy from me
 * YDELNES: I curse myself if I [will] come to you
 * While you are so angry.