_Japhet._ 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, peacocks, have them before! Meat for this weather. _Japhet's Wife._ Here are cocks, 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 ship 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 God'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 ship 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. _Japhet._ Mother, we pray you altogether, For we are here, your children; Come into the ship 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! [_She goes._ _Noah._ Welcome, wife, into this boat! _Noah's Wife._ And have them that for thy note![37] [_Et dat alapam victa._[38]