MESSENGER: Noah, list ye God, his will: To obey is better still Than sacrifice; and thou hast God obeyed. God doth promise now through me, Never again a flood shall be. Thou hast done in all things as he said. My bow between you and me In the firmament shall be; By this token you shall see That man and woman shall nevermore Be wasted with water as hath been before. (_Here let a rainbow appear in the sky._) Now when falleth fast the rain, I will bring the sun again; And this bow shall plain be seen As token that my wrath and spleen Shall never wakened be. The bow-string is turned towards you; And toward me is bent the bow. That such weather shall be no mo'e, I promise thee. God's blessing, Noah, I give thee here (_Blesses him; all kneel_), For vengeance shall no more appear. And now farewell, my darling dear. (MESSENGER _goes._) _Song_: Music; "GAUDEAMUS" [Song: Lord God, in ma-jes-ty, Prais-es we will raise to thee. Thou hast sav-ed man and beast, From the great-est to the least. Let thy bow for-ev-er be ... Sign of love 'tween us and thee! Lord God, in ma-jes-ty, Prais-es we will raise to thee. ] (NOAH, _his_ WIFE, _his_ SONS _and_ SONS' WIVES _move slowly off. The_ ANIMALS _form a circle and dance._) [Illustration: ABRAHAM] THE PROVING OF ABRAHAM THE PEOPLE PROLOGUE AND EPILOGUE. ABRAHAM. ISAAC, HIS SON. THE MESSENGER OR ANGEL OF GOD. ONE OR TWO SERVANTS. THE PLACE SCENE I _is outside the tent of Abraham._ SCENE II _is Mount Moriah._ The Prologue takes the place of scenery or program. THE PROPERTIES A chair or bench. A bundle of wood. A knife. THE PROVING OF ABRAHAM (_The_ PROLOGUE, _or the_ SERVANT _of_ ABRAHAM (_acting as_ PROLOGUE), _enters and bows low; then, drawing himself erect, points to imaginary scenery._) PROLOGUE: This is the tent of Abraham, the father of his people, where he lives with Sarai, his wife, and his son, Isaac, whom he loves above all else. I am the servant of Abraham. Lo, Abraham enters now with Isaac. (_The_ PROLOGUE _goes._) (ABRAHAM _enters, leaning on_ ISAAC.) ISAAC (_pointing_): My father, behold the lambs yonder! ABRAHAM: Aye, my son, they are for the sacrifice. I offer them up to God for a thank-offering that he hath given thee to me, O my son. (_Seats himself._) ISAAC (_clinging close to him_): Dost thou love me more than the little lambs? ABRAHAM (_embracing him_): I love thee more than all that is in heaven or earth. ISAAC (_struggling_): My father, let me go; I would go play with the lambs. ABRAHAM (_releasing him_): Then go, my son. (ISAAC _runs out._ ABRAHAM _remains seated; then suddenly he starts, rises, and stands with arms uplifted in prayer._)