 | Iacob and Esau |  |
scæna tertia.
Rebecca. Abra.Rebecca.
I come to see if Iacob be gone a fielde yet,
A litle slacking may all our purpose let.
But now that he is gone, he will be here at once.
Therfore I will call my maide Abra for the nonce,
That all thing within may be in a redinesse.
Abra, where be ye Abra?
Abra.
Here within maistresse.
Rebecca.
Come forth: when? Abra, what Abra I say.
Anone.
Rebecca.
Must I call so oft? why come ye not by and by?
Abra.
I was washing my vessell forsooth maistresse I.
Rebecca.
And in very deede, looke that all your vessell be clene.
Abra.
There is not one foule peece in all our tent I wene,
Rebecca.
Then make a great fyre, and make redy your pot
And see there be plenty of water colde and hotte.
And see the spitte be scoured as cleane as any pearle.
Abra.
If this be not quickly done cal me noughtie gyrle.
Rebecca.
Nay, soft, whither away? I haue not yet all done.
Abra.
I thought ye would haue had me as quicke to be gone,
As when ye call Abra, ye would haue me to come.
Rebecca.
Than see ye haue made redy cloaues, mace, and sinamom
Peper and saffron, then set hearbes for the potte,
Abra.
We will haue the best that by me can be got.
Rebecca.
And let no foule corner be about all the tent.
Abra.
If ye find any fault, hardly let me be shent.
Is there any thing else but that I may go now?
Rebecca.
Nought, but that when I come I finde no faut in you.
Abra.
No I warrant you, I will not let my matters slepe.
Rebecca.
Any good wenche will at hir dames bidding take kepe.
Now God of Abraham, as I trust in thy grace,
Sende Iacob the blissing in Esau his place.
As thou hast ordeyned right so must all thing be.
Performe thine own wordes lord which thou spakest to me.
Now will I go in to see that mine olde husband,
May of my secrete working nothing vnderstand.
Or in case he smell what we haue thus farre begonne,
He may thinke it all for Esau to be done.
| Iacob and Esau | |