Part 8 (2/2)

Of clean beasts seven shall be; Of unclean two, this G.o.d bade me; This flood is nigh, well may we see, Therefore tarry you nought.

_Shem._ Sir, here are lions, leopards in, Horses, mares, oxen, and swine, Goats, calves, sheep, and kine, Here sitten[34] may you see.

_Ham._ Camels, a.s.ses, men may find; Buck, doe, hart and hind, And beasts of all manner kind.

Here be, as thinks me.

_j.a.phet._ Take here cats and dogs too, Otter, fox, fulmart also; Hares, hopping gaily, can ye Have kail here for to eat.

_Noah's Wife._ And here are bears, wolves set, Apes, owls, marmoset; Weasels, squirrels, and ferret Here they eat their meat.

_Shem's Wife._ Yet more beasts are in this house!

Here cats come in full crowse,[35]

Here a rat and here a mouse; They stand nigh together.

_Ham's Wife._ And here are fowls less and more, Herons, cranes and bittern; Swans, peac.o.c.ks, have them before!

Meat for this weather.

_j.a.phet's Wife._ Here are c.o.c.ks, kites, crows, Rooks, ravens, many rows; Cuckoos, curlews, whoso knows, Each one in his kind.

And here are doves, ducks, drakes, Redshanks, running through the lakes, And each fowl that language makes In this s.h.i.+p men may find.

[_In the stage direction the sons of Noah are enjoined to mention aloud the names of the animals which enter; a representation of which, painted on parchment, is to be carried by the actors._

_Noah._ Wife, come in, why standest thou there?

Thou art ever forward, that I dare swear: Come on G.o.d's half, time it were, For fear lest that we drown.

_Noah's Wife._ Yea, sir, set up your sail And row forth with evil heale, For, without any fail, I will not out of this town.

But I have my gossips every one, One foot further I will not go; They shall not drown, by St. John!

If I may save their life.

They loved me full well, by Christ!

But thou wilt let them in thy chest, Else row forth, Noah, whither thou list, And get thee a new wife.

_Noah._ Shem, some love thy mother, 'tis true; Forsooth, such another I do not know!

_Shem._ Father, I shall set her in, I trow, Without any fail.

Mother, my father after thee sends, And bids thee unto yonder s.h.i.+p wend,[36]

Look up and see the wind, For we be ready to sail.

_Noah's Wife._ Son, go again to him and say I will not come therein to-day!

_Noah._ Come in, wife, in twenty devils' way, Or else stand without.

_Ham._ Shall we all fetch her in?

_Noah._ Yea, sons, in Christ's blessing and mine, I would you hied you betime, For of this flood I am in doubt.

_j.a.phet._ Mother, we pray you altogether, For we are here, your children; Come into the s.h.i.+p for fear of the weather, For his love that you bought!

_Noah's Wife._ That I will not for your call, But if I have my gossips all.

_Gossip._ The flood comes in full fleeting fast, On every side it broadens in haste; For fear of drowning I am aghast: Good gossip, let me come in!

Or let us drink ere we depart, For oftentimes we have done so; For at a time thou drinkst a quart, And so will I ere that I go.

_Shem._ In faith, mother, yet you shall, Whether you will or not!

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