Part 9 (2/2)

And, as fast as I may dight[43]

I will do thee honour.

And to thee offer sacrifice, Therefore comes in all wise, For of these beasts that be his Offer I will this stower.[44]

[_Then leaving the ark with his whole family, he shall take the animals and birds, make an offering of them, and set out on his way._

Lord G.o.d, in majesty, That such grace has granted me, When all was borne safe to be, Therefore now I am boune.[45]

My wife, my children, my company, With sacrifice to honour thee, With beasts, fowls, as thou may see, I offer here right soon.

_G.o.d._ Noah, to me thou art full able, And thy sacrifice acceptable, For I have found thee true and stable, On thee now must I myn.[46]

Curse earth will I no more That man's sin it grieves sore, For of youth man full of yore Has been inclined to sin.

You shall now grow and multiply And earth you edify, Each beast and fowl that may flie Shall be afraid for you.

And fish in sea that may flitt Shall sustain you--I you behite[47]

To eat of them you not lett[48]

That clean be you may know.

There as you have eaten before Gra.s.ses and roots, since you were born, Of clean beasts, less and more, I give you leave to eat.

Save blood and fish both in fear Of wrong dead carrion that is here, Eat not of that in no manner, For that aye you shall lett.[49]

Manslaughter also you shall flee, For that is not pleasant to me That sheds blood, he or she Ought where among mankind.

That sheds blood, his blood shall be And vengeance have, that men shall see; Therefore now beware now all ye You fall not in that sin.

And forward now with you I make And all thy seed, for thy sake, Of such vengeance for to slake, For now I have my will.

Here I promise thee a behest,[50]

That man, woman, fowl, nor beast With water while the world shall last, I will no more spill.

My bow between you and me In the firmament shall be, By very tokens, that you may see That such vengeance shall cease.

That man, nor woman, shall never more Be wasted by water, as is before, But for sin that grieveth sore, Therefore this vengeance was.

Where clouds in the welkin That each bow shall be seen, In token that my wrath or tene[51]

Should never this wroken be.

The string is turned toward you, And toward me bent is the bow, That such weather shall never show, And this do I grant to thee.

My blessing now I give thee here, To thee Noah, my servant dear; For vengeance shall no more appear; And now farewell, my darling dear!

THE CHESTER PAGEANT OF THE BARBERS AND WAX-CHANDLERS REPRESENTING ABRAHAM, MELCHISEDEC, AND ISAAC

CHARACTERS

G.o.d Abraham Lot Isaac Melchisedec A Knight Expositor A Messenger

THE CHESTER PAGEANT OF ABRAHAM, MELCHISEDEC, AND ISAAC

Abraham, _newly returned from the slaughter of the four kings, meets_ Melchisedec _riding_.

PRELUDE

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