Historic%20Yorkshire

38
MYSTERY PLAYSIN YORKSHIRE.
was to keep the streets as clear as possible, for the concourse
of people who would crowd from all parts to
witness the Mysteries must have been immense, and by
the observance of the above method good order was
generally preserved. One of the best known of the York
Mystery Plays was that of " Noah's Flood," from which
we give a few extracts to illustrate the curious nature of
the performances and the character of the " libretto."
The play openswith the entrance of an actor representing
God, who, after lamenting the universal wickedness of
the world,determines to destroyit and all the " folke that
are thereone." Noah next appears, and is told by the
other to construct an ark, by means of which to save
himself and family. Noah's sons enter, andtheyconverse,
and then prepare to construct the ark, Noah (the orthographyis
somewhatmodernised) saying —
O Lord,Ithank thee, loud and still,
That to me art in such will,
And spares me and my household to spill,
AsInow smoothly find.
Thy bidding, Lord,Ishall fulfil,
And never more thee grievenor grill (provoke),
That such gracehath sent me till
Amongst all mankind.
Have done, youmen and women all,
Go we work,but din (without noise),
AndIam ready bound.
After this the wife and sons of Noah say a few words
respecting their respective duties during the construction.
Noah commences the building of the " shippe," and the
play proceeds as follows: —
Noah:
Now in the nameof God,Ibegin
To make the ship that we shall in.
That we maybe ready for to swim
At the coming of the flood.
These boardshere pinItogether
To bear us safe from the weather,
That wemay row hither and thither
And safe be from the flood.