There was altogether a good deal of excitement about the two following plays, and much conversation concerning them went on amongst the guests assembled at Master Harpham’s.
“They are not our plays—the York plays—at all, are they?” asked a pretty young girl who sat near Margery.
“No,” returned a neighbour; “I hear they are both borrowed from Chester, because they are better than our own pageants.”
“’Tis very fitting that Noah’s ark should be performed by the Shipwrights and Mariners!” said Master Gyseburn. “If they don’t understand seafaring business, who should?”
“Here it comes!” shouted Colin, and every one gazed eagerly at the approaching pageant, which was drawn by the Shipwrights’ apprentices.
V
Noah’s Ark
It paused, as usual, just beneath Master Harpham’s window.
“Why, there’s no ark!” exclaimed Margery, in a disappointed tone.
“Wait a bit!” Colin warned her. “It’s behind those curtains at the back, I expect. Noah has first to be told to build it, you see.”
Colin was right, for the play began with God’s announcement to Noah that the Deluge was approaching, and His command that a ship should be built.