It varies much, however, from its prototype, is very
laughable, and severely satirical upon the defects of the law and the
dishonesty of advocates.
Its popularity is evinced by the numerous editions; and, as the
commentary was intended for the instruction of youth in the niceties of
the Latin language, it was used as a school-book; the copies shared the
fate of such books, and hence its rarity. It is perhaps the earliest
comic drama of the German stage, having been performed before Dalberg,
Bishop of Worms (at Heidelberg in 1497), to whom it is also inscribed by
Reuchlin. It seems to have given the good bishop great pleasure, and he
requited each of the performers with a gold ring and some gold coin.
Their names are recorded at the end of the drama.
Melchior Adam gives the following account:--
"Ibi Comoediam scripsit, _Capitis Caput_ plenam nigri salis &
acerbitatis adversus Monachum, qui ejus vitae insidiatus erat.
Ibi & alteram Comoediam edidit _fabulam Gallicam_, plenam
candidi salis; in qua forensia sophismata praecipue taxat. Hanc
narrabat hac occasione scriptam & actam esse. Cum alteram de
Monacho scipsisset, fama sparsa est de agenda Comoedia, quod
illo tempore inusitatum erat. Dalburgius lecta, illius Monachi
insectatione, dissuasit editionem & actionem, quod eodem tempore
& apud Philipum Palatinum Franciscanus erat _Capellus_, propter
potentiam & malas artes invisus nobilibus & sapientibus viris in
aula.
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