A Select Collection of Old English Plays Volume Ii Part 27

What is the practice of a conscience pure?

To love and fear G.o.d, and other allure, And for his sake to help his neighbour: Then may he well be merry.

What shall we have, that can and will do this?

After this life everlasting bliss, Yet not by desert, but by gift, i-wis: There G.o.d make us all merry!_

FINIS.[256]

THE HISTORY OF JACOB AND ESAU.

EDITION.

_A newe mery and wittie Comedie or Enterlude, newely imprinted, treating upon the Historie of Iacob and Esau, taken out of the xxvij.

Chap. of the first booke of Moses ent.i.tuled Genesis. Imprinted at London by Henrie Bynneman, dwelling in Knight-rider Streate, at the signe of the Mermayde. Anno Domini. 1568. 4to_.

This piece is placed earlier in the series than the mere date of publication given above would warrant, because the interlude was licensed in 1557-8, and probably published in pursuance of its registration at Stationers' Hall. The 4to of 1568 is, however, the only impression hitherto recovered, and it is of the greatest rarity. An account of this dramatic curiosity will be found in Collier's "History of English Dramatic Poetry," 1831. It is now for the first time reprinted.

THE PARTS AND NAMES OF THE PLAYERS WHO ARE TO BE CONSIDERED TO BE HEBREWS, AND SO SHOULD BE APPARELLED WITH ATTIRE.

1. THE PROLOGUE, _a Poet_.

2. ISAAC, _an old man, father to Jacob and Esau_.

3. REBECCA, _an old woman, wife to Isaac_.

4. ESAU, _a young man and a hunter_.

5. JACOB, _a young man of G.o.dly conversation_.

6. ZETHAR, _a neighbour_.

7. HANAN, _a neighbour to Isaac also_.

8. RAGAN, _servant unto Esau_.

9. MIDO, _a little boy, leading Isaac_.

10. DEBORAH, _the nurse of Isaac's tent_.

11. ABRA, _a little wench, servant to Rebecca_.

PROLOGUE OF THE PLAY.

In the book of Genesis it is expressed, That when G.o.d to Abraham made sure promise, That in his seed all nations should be blessed: To send him a son by Sarah he did not miss.

Then to Isaac (as there recorded it is) By Rebecca his wife, who had long time been barren, When pleased him, at one birth he sent sons twain.

But before Jacob and Esau yet born were, Or had either done good, or ill perpetrate: As the prophet Malachi and Paul witness bear, Jacob was chosen, and Esau reprobate: Jacob I love (saith G.o.d) and Esau I hate.

For it is not (saith Paul) in man's renewing or will, But in G.o.d's mercy, who chooseth whom he will.

But now for our coming we shall exhibit here, Of Jacob and Esau how the story was; Whereby G.o.d's adoption may plainly appear: And also that, whatever G.o.d's ordinance was, Nothing might defeat, but that it must come to pa.s.s.

That, if this story may your eyes or ears delight, We pray you of patience, while we it recite.

THE HISTORY OF JACOB AND ESAU.

ACTUS PRIMA. SCAENA PRIMA.

RAGAN, _the servant_.

ESAU, _a young man, his master_.

[_Ragan entereth with his horn at his back and his hunting staff in his hand, and leadeth three greyhounds, or one, as may be gotten_.

Now let me see what time it is by the starlight?

G.o.d's for his grace, man, why it is not yet midnight!

We might have slept these four hours yet, I dare well say; But this is our good Esau his common play:

[_Here he counterfeiteth how his master calleth him up in the mornings, and of his answers_.

What the devil aileth him? now truly, I think plain, He hath either some worms or botts in his brain.

He scarcely sleepeth twelve good hours in two weeks.

I wot well his watching maketh me have lean cheeks, For there is none other life with him day by day, But, up, Ragan! up, drowsy hogshead! I say!

Why, when? up, will it not be? up. I come anon.

Up, or I shall raise you in faith, ye drowsy wh.o.r.eson.

Why, when? shall I fet you? I come, sir, by and by.

Up, with a wild wanion! how long wilt thou lie?

Up, I say, up, at once! up, up, let us go hence: It is time we were in the forest an hour since.

Now the devil stop that same yalling throat (think I) Somewhiles: for from the call[257] farewell all wink of eye!

Begin he once to call, I sleep no more that stound, Though half an hour's sleep were worth ten thousand pound.

Anon, when I come in, and bid him good morrow: Ah sir, up at last? the devil give thee sorrow!

Now the devil break thy neck (think I by and by), That hast no wit to sleep, nor in thy bed to lie.

Then come on at once; take my quiver and my bow, Fet Lovel my hound, and my horn to blow.

Then forth go we fasting an hour or two ere day, Before we may well see either our hands or way, And there range we the wild forest, no crumb of bread From morning to stark night coming within our head; Sometimes Esau's self will faint for drink and meat, So that he would be glad of a dead horse to eat.

Yet of fresh the next morrow forth he will again, And sometime not come home in a whole night or twain: Nor no delight he hath, no appet.i.te nor mind.

But to the wild forest, to hunt the hart or hind, The roebuck, the wild boar, the fallow-deer, or hare: But how poor Ragan shall dine, he hath no care.

Poor I must eat acorns or berries from the tree.

But if I be found slack in the suit following, Or if I do fail in blowing or hallooing; Or if I lack my staff or my horn by my side: He will be quick enough to fume, chafe, and chide.

Am I not well at ease such a master to serve, As must have such service, and yet will let me starve?

But, in faith, his fas.h.i.+ons displease mo than me, And will have but a mad end one day, we shall see.

He pa.s.seth nothing on Rebecca his mother, And much less pa.s.seth he on Jacob his brother.

But peace, mum, no more: I see master Esau.