“Have done, you men and women all,
Hye you, lest this watter fall
To worche [work] this shippe chamber and hall
As God hath bidden us doe,”
he said.
For the first time now, Noah’s wife came in, and her appearance was greeted by a roar of laughter from the crowd in the market-place and at the windows. The people understood that she was meant to be a very bad-tempered lady, and both her dress and her face were meant to make them laugh. The part was of course acted by a man (no woman ever acted in those days), and the player was a good actor whom every one knew.
At first the wife did not speak, though all the time her behaviour was amusing. Meanwhile the sons declared themselves ready to help with the ark.
“Father” (said Shem), “I am already bowne [prepared],
An axe I have, by my croune!
As sharp as any in all this toun