(_All work busily. The_ WIVES _enter carrying pitchers and platters of fruits._ NOAH'S WIFE _enters leisurely, carrying a distaff, or a plate of fruit._) NOAH'S WIFE: Noah, my husband, dost thou then believe That the good God would so his children grieve, And drown them all? Thou dost thyself deceive. NOAH: I do believe it. NOAH'S WIFE: Nay, how comes it, when The world is drowned that _we_ be sav-ed then, That we alone be saved of living men? NOAH: Because to no false gods we've bowed the knee, Therefore God hath said to me: "Thou and thy family shall sav-ed be." NOAH'S WIFE: And must our friends and all our kindred die? I cannot save myself and hear their cry. If they cannot be saved, no more will I. NOAH: Peace, woman, go within. (_Points sternly._) NOAH'S WIFE: I will not go. NOAH: Then stand without and watch the waters flow. Thou wilt be glad to enter soon, I know. (_She seats herself beside ark and munches apple or plies distaff._) Hark, what was that? HAM (_sullenly_): 'Tis the idolaters; they make them merry With worship of false gods--and all contrary To the true God's command. NOAH: How long, O Lord, how long must we Listen to this mockery? O let the flood appear on sea and land! (_Music. Enter the_ IDOLATERS _carrying an idol of gold. They sing and dance about it._) UNISON. CHORUS _"Soldiers' Chorus" from Faust_ [Song: Pour out the wine to the gods of old; Praise be to gods that are fair and bold! Glo-ry to gods that our eyes be-hold! Hail to the gods! The earth-lov-ing gods! The gods of gold! ] Arrangement Copyright, 1911, by The Cable Company (_One_ IDOLATER _pours out a libation of wine._ NOAH _strides forward and knocks over idol. The_ IDOLATERS _huddle back._) NOAH: Cursed be the man that maketh any graven or molten image, an abomination to the Lord! IDOLATERS: Sacrilege! NOAH: Cursed shalt thou be in the city, and cursed shalt thou be in the stall! Cursed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and cursed shalt thou be when thou goest out! SONS (_loudly_): Amen! IDOLATERS: Woe! Woe! Woe! (_They surge forward._) FIRST IDOLATER: Upon them! SECOND IDOLATER: Scatter them! THIRD IDOLATER: Destroy them! FOURTH IDOLATER: No! (_He pushes others back._) It is the old ark-builder. Very sad! Cursing of other men hath made him mad. [Illustration: WIFE OF NOAH'S SON] A MAIDEN (_holding out her hand to_ JAPHETH): Come, join in the dance; Be glad and sing. For the juice of the grape Is a pleasant thing, And hath sweet fragrance. Be glad and sing. (_The_ IDOLATERS _start out_, JAPHETH _following._) NOAH'S WIFE: My son, and dost thou leave me? NOAH: Go thy ways. Thou shalt repent thee before many days.