Aye, let them mock, for God hath said to me:
"Thy house shall live; the rest shall swallowed be
E'en in the mighty belly of the sea."
Japheth: But, father, art thou sure?
Noah (sternly): Well? Sure of what?
Japheth (hastily): Nay, nay, I see I'm wrong; I question not.
Noah:
Doubt not, for God hath given a sign.
Now let your wives bring food and wine,
Water and fodder for the kine,
And work right busily.
(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.