(_If so be that any child shall cry or whimper when he heareth the lion roar, then shall the lion remove his mask and say_, "Good child, be not afraid.") NOAH: Now all are in, I plainly see The ark can nowise fuller be, Save should my son return to me. (JAPHETH _enters running._) JAPHETH (_kneeling_): Lo, I have sin-ned against thee; I pray forgiveness heartily, And do repent me sore. NOAH (_embracing him_): Haste ye, haste ye, son-ne dear! The sky grows dark; the flood is near; And waters 'gin to roar. (_The waters begin to rise. This may be shown by a painted curtain, by folds of green tarlatan or in any way the wisdom of the producer may suggest._ NOAH'S WIFE _begins to look uneasy and regards the sky._) NOAH: Good wife, wilt thou enter now? NOAH'S WIFE (_hastily_): Yes, good Noah, yes, I trow! (_She runs up gang-plank._) NOAH (_to sons_): Draw the plank; make all fast. The flood cometh quick at last. [Illustration: WIFE OF NOAH'S SON] (_They draw up plank; then_ SHEM _points to distance. Two_ TORTOISES _enter, panting. With grins, the sons shove out the plank and_ TORTOISES _enter ark. They close the door and window. Enter a_ WOMAN _of the_ IDOLATERS. _carrying a baby. She enters between the flood-curtain and the ark._) WOMAN (_cries_): Good Noah, I repent me of my sin! O ope the door, good man, and take me in! O ope the door! NOAH (_looking out of window_): Call on your gods to lift you from the wave. Are your gods helpless that they cannot save? WOMAN (_holding up baby_): Yet save my child! NOAH'S WIFE (_at the window_): Yea, save the child we must; For God is merciful as well as just. NOAH: Cry to the gods of gold to give release. I am forbid to save you; go in peace. (_He closes the window; she sinks with her child behind the waves. The water rises; those within the ark chant a psalm._) NOAH (_chanting_): The floods have lifted up, O Lord, The floods have lifted up their voice; The floods lift up their waves; ALL (_chanting_): Above the noise of many waters, And mighty breakers of the sea, The Lord on high is mighty. SCENE II Enter the MESSENGER. (_If the play is given in-doors, this may be omitted._) MESSENGER: Although yon sky be peaceful and serene, I pray you that the son-ne be not seen, And that instead, ye hear the thunder's roar, And lightning's flash, as ne'er ye've seen before, And rains descend as ye shall see no more. (MESSENGER _goes._) (NOAH _opens window; there is a loud roaring._)