A Select Collection of Old English Plays Volume Ii Part 37

I think, since I saw him, it is a whole week.

In faith, little Mido, I would thou wouldest him seek.

MIDO. Forsooth, Master Isaac, and I knew it where, It should not be very long ere I would be there.

But shall I at adventure go seek where he is?

ESAU. Seek no farther, Mido: already here he is.

ISAAC. Methinketh, I have Esau his voice perceived.

ESAU. Ye guess truly, father, ye are not deceived.

MIDO. Here he is come now invisible, by my soul: For I saw him not, till he spake hard at my poll!

ISAAC. Now, go thou in, Mido, let us two here alone.

MIDO. Sir, if ye command me, full quickly I am gone.

ISAAC. Yet, and if I call thee, see thou be not slack.

MIDO. I come at the first call, good Master Isaac.

ISAAC. Son Esau.

ESAU. Here, father.

ISAAC. Is none here but we?

ESAU. None to harken our talk, father, that I do see.

[_Rebecca entereth behind unseen, and listens_.

ISAAC. Son Esau, why hast thou been from me so long?

ESAU. I cry you mercy, father, if I have done wrong.

But I am both to trouble you, having nothing To present you withal, nor venison to bring.

ISAAC. Son Esau, thou knowest that I do thee love.

ESAU. I thank you for it, father, as doth me behove.

ISAAC. And now thou seest my days draw towards an end.

ESAU. That is to me great ruth, if I could it amend.

ISAAC. I must go the way of all mortal flesh, Therefore, while my memory and wit is yet fresh, I would thee endow mine heritage to succeed: And bless thee, as I ought, to multiply my seed.

The G.o.d of my father Abraham and of me Hath promised, that our seed as the sand shall be.

He is a G.o.d of truth, and in his words just.

Therefore in my working shall be no fault, I trust.

Now, therefore, son Esau, get thee forth to hunt, With thy bow and quiver, as erst thou hast been wont; [And] bring me of thy venison that is good.

ESAU. Ye shall have of the best that runneth in the wood.

ISAAC. When thou comest home, to dress it it shall behove, And to make for mine own tooth such meat as I love.

Thus do, mine own dear son, and then I shall thee kiss With the kiss of peace, and thee for ever bless.

ESAU. Your will t'accomplish, most dear father Isaac, With all good haste and speed I shall not be found slack.

ISAAC. Then help lead me home, in my tent that I were set, And then go, when thou wilt.

ESAU. I shall withouten let.

ACTUS TERTIJ, SCAENA SECUNDA.

REBECCA.

REBECCA. This talk of Isaac in secret have I heard, And what end it should come to, my heart is afeard, Ne'er had I so much ado to forbear to speak.

But the Lord, I trust, will Isaac's purpose break.

[_Here she kneeleth down, and prayeth_.

O G.o.d of Abraham, make it of none effect: Let Jacob have the blessing, whom thou hast elect.

I for my part shall work what may be wrought, That it may to Jacob from Esau be brought, And in will I go to see what I can devise, That Isaac's intent may fail in any wise.

ACTUS TERTIJ, SCAENA TERTIA.

RAGAN. ESAU.

RAGAN. Nay, we must on hunting go yet once more again,

[_Here he cometh forth with his hunting staff and other things, and a bag of victuals_.

And never come home now, except we speed certain, But I trow for hunger I have provided here: That whatever befal, I, Ragan, shall have cheer.

I have no time to tell what delicates here be, But (think this to be true) they're fit for better men than me.

And what? shall Esau hereof have any part?

Nay, I trust to convey it by such pretty art That, till the bag be clear, he shall it never see.

I shall, and if he faint, feed him as he fed me: I shall requite his shutting me out of the door That, if he bid me run to get him meat afore, I shall run as fast as my feet were made of lead, And tell him there is none, though I may well be sped.

I will be even with him for my fare last day, When he was with Jacob.

[_Esau enters suddenly behind him_.

ESAU. What is it that thou dost say?

RAGAN. Sir, on your behalf I earnestly wish and pray That, if like need chance, ye may fare as last day, When ye were with Jacob.

ESAU. Well, come on, let us go.