A Select Collection of Old English Plays Volume Ii Part 33

So nipping, so tripping, so c.o.c.king, so crowing?

So knappish, so snappish, so elvish, so froward?

So crabbed, so wrabbed, so stiff, so untoward?

In play or in pastime so jocund, so merry?

In work or in labour so dead or so weary?

O, that I had his ear between my teeth now, I should shake him, even as a dog that lulleth a sow.

But in faith, if ever I recover myself, There was never none trounced, as I shall trounce that elf.

He and Jacob are agreed, I daresay, I, Not to come at all, but to suffer me here to die.

Which if they do, they shall find this same word true That, after I am dead, my soul shall them pursue.

I will be avenged on all foes, till I die: Yea, and take vengeance, when I am dead too, I.

For, I mistrust, against me agreed they have: For thone is but a fool, and thother a stark knave.

_Enter_ RAGAN _and_ JACOB _behind, conversing_.

RAGAN. I a.s.sure you, Jacob, the man is very weak.

ESAU. But hark once again, methink I hear them speak!

RAGAN. I promise you, I fear his life be already pa.s.s'd.

JACOB. May G.o.d forbid!

ESAU. Lo, now they come at last.

RAGAN. If ye believe not me, see yourself, where he is.

JACOB. Fie, brother Esau, what a folly is this?

About vain pastime to wander abroad and peak, Till with hunger you make yourself thus faint and weak.

ESAU. Brother Jacob, I pray you chide now no longer, But give me somewhat, wherewith to slake mine hunger.

JACOB. Alack, brother, I have in my little cottage Nothing but a mess of gross and homely pottage.

ESAU. Refresh me therewithall, and boldly ask of me The best thing that I have, whatsoever it be.

I were a very beast, when thou my life dost save, If I should stick with thee for the best thing I have.

JACOB. Can ye be content to sell your birthright to me?

ESAU. Hold, here is my hand, I do sell it here to thee.

With all the profits thereof henceforth to be thine, As free, as full, as large, as ever it was mine.

JACOB. Then swear thou hand in hand before the living Lord This bargain to fulfil, and to stand by thy word.

ESAU. Before the Lord I swear, to whom each heart is known, That my birthright that was from henceforth is thine own.

JACOB. Thou shalt also with me by this promise indent, With this bargain and sale to hold thyself content.

ESAU. If each penny thereof might be worth twenty pound, I willingly to thee surrender it this stound.

And if each cicle might be worth a whole talent, I promise with this sale to hold me content.

JACOB. Come, let us set him on foot, that he may go sup.

RAGAN. Nay, first I will know a thing, ere I help him up, Sirrah, will ye eat folk, when ye are long fasting?

ESAU. No, I pray thee help me up, and leave thy jesting.

RAGAN. No, trow, eat your brother Jacob now, if you l.u.s.t; For you shall not eat me, I tell you, that is just.

JACOB. Come, that with my pottage thou may'st refreshed be.

ESAU. There is no meat on earth, that so well liketh me.

RAGAN. Yet I may tell you, it is pottage dearly bought.

ESAU. No, not a whit, for my bargain take thou no thought.

I defy that birthright that should be of more price Than helping of one's self: I am not so unwise.

RAGAN. And how then, sir, shall poor Ragan have no meat?

ESAU. Yes, and if thou canst my brother Jacob intreat.

JACOB. G.o.d grant I have enough for Esau alone.

RAGAN. Why then I perceive poor Ragan shall have none.

[_Esau, entering into Jacob's tent, shaketh Ragan off_.

Well, much good do it you with your pottage of rice: I would fast and fare ill, ere I ate of that price.

Would I sell my birthright, being an eldest son?

Forsooth then were it a fair thread that I had spun.

And then to let it go for a mess of pottage!

What is that but both unthriftiness and dotage?

Alack, alack, good blessed father Isaac, That ever son of thine should play such a lewd knack!

And yet I do not think but G.o.d this thing hath wrought, For Jacob is as good, as Esau is nought.

But forth cometh Mido, as fast as he can trot: For a cicle, whether to call me in or not?

ACTUS SECUNDI, SCAENA TERTIA.

MIDO, _the boy_. RAGAN.

[_Mido cometh in clapping his hands and laughing_.

Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, Now who saw e'er such another as Esau?

By my truth, I will not lie to thee, Ragan, Since I was born, I never see any man So greedily eat rice out of a pot or pan.

He would not have a dish, but take the pot and sup.

Ye never saw hungry dog so stab[263] potage up.