This short little mystery play was produced in (at least) the twelfth
(12th) century C.E. (AD).
This is a dramatization
of the Biblical parable of the wise and foolish
virgins. The foolish ones go to sleep and spill, or lose, or use up the
oil they need to keep their lamps lit, so that they can get into the
party when the
Bridegroom comes. He is coming. They try to borrow lamp
oil from the wise virgins, who send them to nearby
merchants; but the
merchants refuse to sell to them. The merchants refer them back to the
wise virgins. Although them beg in God's name, as sisters, they are
denied. They beg the Bridegroom to let them in anyway. He says he
doesn't recognize them, since they have no light. He condemns them to
Hades forever. The various Old Testament prophets appear and give their
prophecies of Jesus Christ's coming.