Noah. Shem, some love thy mother, 'tis true;
Forsooth, such another I do not know!
Shem. Father, I shall set her in, I trow,
Without any fail.
Mother, my father after thee sends,
And bids thee unto yonder ship wend,[36]
Look up and see the wind,
For we be ready to sail.
Noah's Wife. Son, go again to him and say
I will not come therein to-day!
Noah. Come in, wife, in twenty devils' way,
Or else stand without.
Ham. Shall we all fetch her in?
Noah. Yea, sons, in Christ's blessing and mine,
I would you hied you betime,
For of this flood I am in doubt.
Japhet. Mother, we pray you altogether,
For we are here, your children;
Come into the ship for fear of the weather,
For his love that you bought!
Noah's Wife. That I will not for your call,
But if I have my gossips all.
Gossip. The flood comes in full fleeting fast,
On every side it broadens in haste;
For fear of drowning I am aghast:
Good gossip, let me come in!
Or let us drink ere we depart,
For oftentimes we have done so;
For at a time thou drinkst a quart,
And so will I ere that I go.
Shem. In faith, mother, yet you shall,
Whether you will or not!