University of Virginia Library

Actus quinti

scæna prima.

Ragau.
Ragau
bringeth venison at his backe.
Nay , now at last we haue well sped I warrant you:
Good lucke is not euermore against Esau.
He coursed and coursed again with his dogges here:
But they could at no time take either hare or dere.
At last he killed this with his bowe as God wold.
And to say that it is fatte venison be bolde.
But dressed it must be at once in all the haste,
That olde father Isaac may haue his repast.
Then without delay Esau shall blessed be,
Then faith cock on houpe, al is ours, then who but he?
But I must in that it may be drest in time likely,
And I trow ye shall see it made ready quickly.

scæna secunda.

Mido.
Mido.
Nay now olde maister Isaac (I warrant you)
Hath blessed Iacob in the place of Esau.
At home here with vs it is iudged no small change
But a case wonderfull, and also very strange.
The yonger brother is made elder, and againe,
The elder must nowe serue the yonger as his swayne.
And from hensforth we must all make curtesie and bow,
Unto maister Iacob, and not to Esau now:
And Esau him selfe must vnder Iacob bee,
At his commaundement euen as well as we.
But I care not I warrant you: for our householde
Loue Iacob better than Esau twenty folde.
None loueth Esau but for his fathers sake:
But all good folkes are glad Iacobs parte to take.
And now by Esau no man wyll sette a pinne,
But yonder he commeth nowe, I will gette me in.

scæna tertia.

Esau.
Esau.
I trow I haue now wonne my spurres for euer,
For once better venison killed I neuer.
And though it wer somwhat longer I coulde it take,
Yet the goodnesse therof dooth some recompence make.
My father Isaac shall therof haue suche meate,
As in all his life he hath not the better eate.
Whervpon I doubt not, after tender kyssing,
To be streight endowed with his godly blyssing.
As his full and true heire in his place to succeede,
And t'enioye the promise that God made to his seede,
And when I am once in my place of succession,
And haue all maner thinges in full possession:
I shall wring all loutes and make them stoupe (I trowe)
I shall make the slaues couche as lowe as dog to bow.
I shall ruffle among them of an other sort,
Than Isaac hath done, and with an other port.
But nowe will I go see what hast within they make
That part of my hunting my olde father may take.

scæna quarta.

Isaac. Mido. Esau.
Isaac.
Mido , come Mido, where art thou litle Mido?

Mido.
Here redy maister Isaac, what shall I do?

Isaac.
Come leade me to mine old place, that I may sit doune

Mido.
That can I as well as any boy in this towne.

Isaac.
O Lorde my God, how deepe and vnsercheable
Are all thy iudgements, and how immutable?
Of thy iustice, whom it pleaseth thee, thou doest reiect,
Of thy mercy, whome pleaseth thee, thou doest electe.
In my two sonnes O Lord, thou hast wrought thy will,
And as thy pleasure hath wrought, so shall it stand still.
Sence thou hast set Iacob in Esau his place:
I committe him to the gouernaunce of thy grace.

Esau.
Now where is Isaac that he may come and eate?
Lo where he is sitting abroade vpon his seate.
Deare father Isaac, the Lord thy God thee saue.

Isaac.
Who art thou my son? & what thing woldest thou haue?

Esau.
I am your eldest sonne Esau by my name,
Newe come home from hunting, where I had ioyly game,
I haue made meate therof for your owne appetite,
Meate for your owne tooth, wherin ye will much delite.
Come eate your part, dere father, that when ye haue don,
Your soule may blesse me as your heire and eldest son.

Isaac.
Ah Esau, Esau, thou commest to late,
An other to thy blessing was predestinate,
And cleane gone it is from thee Esau.

Esau.
Alas,
Then am I the vnhappiest that euer was,
I would the saluage beastes had my body torne.

Isaac.
The blessing that thou sholdest haue had, an other hath

Esau.
Alas, what wretched villaine hath done me such scath?

Isaac.
Thy brother Iacob came to me by subtiltee,
And brought me venison, and so preuented thee.
I eate with him ere thou camst, and with my good will,
Blessed him I haue, and blessed he shall be still.

Esau.
Ah Iacob, Iacob, well may he be called so:
For he hath vndermined me times two.
For first mine heritage he toke away me fro,
And see, now hath he awaye my blessing also.
Ah father, father, though Iacob hath done this thing:
Yet let me Esau also haue thy blessing.
Shall all my good huntings for thee be in vaine?

Isaac.
That is done and past, can not be called againe.
Mine act must now stand in force of necessitie.

Esau.
And hast thou neuer a blessing then left for me?

Isaac.
Behold, I haue made thy brother Iacob thy Lord.

Esau.
A most poinant sworde vnto my heart is that word.

Isaac.
All his mothers children his seruantes haue I made.

Esau.
That worde is to me sharper than a rasers blade.

Isaac.
I haue also stablished him with wine and corne.

Esau.
Wo be the day and houre that euer I was borne.

Isaac.
What am I able to do for thee my sonne?

Esau.
Ah Iacob, Iacob, that thou hast me thus vndone.
Oh vnhappy happe: oh misfortune, well away,
That euer I should liue to see this wofull day.
But hast thou one blissing and no mo my father?
Let me also haue some blessing good sweete father.

Isaac.
Well, nature pricketh me some remorse on thee to haue.
Behold, thy dwelling place the earthes fatnesse shal haue,
And the dew of heauen whiche doune from aboue shall fall:
And with dinte of sworde thy liuing get thou shall.
And to thy brother Iacob thou shalt be seruant.

Esau.
Oh, to my yonger brother must I be seruant?
Oh, that euer a man should be so oppressed.

Isaac.
Thine owne fault it is that thou art dispossessed.

Esau.
Father, chaunge that piece of thy sentence & iudgement.

Isaac.
Things done can not be vndone, therfore be content,
Let me be in quiet, and trouble me no more.
Come Mido, in goddes name leade me in at the dore.

Esau.
Oh woulde not this chafe a man, and fret his guts out?
To liue as an vnderling vnder such a loute?
Ah hypocrite, ah hedgecreeper, ah sembling wretche:
I will be euen with thee for this subtill fetche.
O God of Abraham, what reason is herein,
That to slea ones enimy it should be made sinne?
Were not one as good his part of heauen forgoe,
As not to be reuenged on his deadly foe?
God was angry with Caim for killing Abell:
Els might I kill Iacob meruellously well.
I may fortune one day him to dispatche and ridde:
The Lord will not see all things, some thing may be hid.
But as for these misers within my fathers tent,
Which to the supplanting of me put their consent,
Not one, but I shal coyle them till they stinke for pain,
And then for their stinking, coyle them of freshe again.
I will take no daies, but while the matter is hotte,
Not one of them shall scape but they shall to the potte.

scæna quinta.

Ragau.
Where are we now become? marie syr here is araye,
With Esau my maister this is a blacke daye.
I told you, Esau one day woulde shite a ragge,
Haue not we well hunted, of blessing to come lagge?
Nay I thought euer it would come to suche a passe,
Since he solde his heritage like a very asse.
But in faith some of them I dare ieopard a grote,
If he may reache them, will haue on the peticote.

scæna sexta.

Esau. Ragau. Abra. Mido.
Esau.
Come out whores & theues, come out, come out I say.

Ragau.
I told you, did I not? that there would be a fray.

Esau.
Come out litle whoreson ape, come out of thy denne.

Mido.
Take my lyfe for a peny, whether shall I renne?

Esau.
Come out thou litle fende, come out thou skittish Gill.

Abra.
Out alas, alas, Esau will vs all kill.

Esau.
And come out thou mother Mab, out olde rotten witche,
As white as midnightes arsehole, or virgin pitche.
Where be ye? come together in a cluster.

Ragau.
In faith and these three wil make a noble muster.

Esau.
Ere ye escape my fingers, ye shall all be tought.
For these be they which haue all this against me wrought.

Mido.
I wrought not a stroke this day but led Isaac.
If I wrought one stroke to day, lay me on the iacke.

Esau.
Hence then, get thee in, and do against me no more.

Mido.
I care as muche for you now, as I did before.

Esau.
What sayest thou litle theefe? if I may thee catche,

Mido.
Ye shall runne apace then I wene, so God me snatche.

Ragau.
Now to go Mido, or thou art caught in a trippe,

Esau.
Nay for his sake, Abra, ye shall drinke of the whippe.

Abra.
Nay for Gods loue good sweete maister Esau,
Hurt not me for Mido: speake for me Ragau.

Ragau.
Sir spare litle Abra, she hath done none euill.

Esau.
A litle fiende it is, and will be a right deuill,
And she is one of them that loue not me a deale.

Abra.
If ye let me go, I will loue you very wele.

Esau.
And neuer any more ado against me make?

Abra.
Ragau shalbe surety.

Ragau.
Sir I vndertake.

Esau.
Then hence out of my sight at once, and get thee in.

Abra.
Adew, I set not a strawe by you nor a pinne.

Esau.
What saiest thou thou Tib? once ye shal haue a rappe.

Ragau.
The best ende of suretiship is to get a clappe,

Esau.
Now come on thou olde heg, what shal I say to thee?

Deborra.
Say what ye lust, so ye do not touche me.

Esau.
Yes, and make powder of thee, for I dare say, thou,
Hast bene the cause of all this feast to Esau.

Deborra,
No it was Iacobs feast that I did helpe to dresse.

Esau.
Nay I thought such a witche would do such businesse.

Rebecca.
But by my truth if I should dye incontinent,
I knew not of the purpose wherfore it was ment.

Esau.
But wilt thou tell me truth if I do forgeue thee?

Deborra.
Yea if I can maister Esau, beleue me.

Esau.
Is it true that when I and my brother were first borne,
And I by Gods ordinaunce came forth him beforne,
Iacob came forthwith, holding me fast by the hele?

Deborra.
It is true, I was there, and saw it very wele.

Esau.
Is it true? well Iacob I pray God I be dead,
But for my heles sake, I will haue thee by the head.
What diuel was in me, that I had not the grace
With kicking backe my hele to marre his mopishe face?
But my father Isaac will not long liue nowe,
If he were gone, Iacob I would soone meete with you.
For my soule hateth Iacob euen to the death,
And I will nere but hate him while I shall haue breath.
I may well dissemble vntill I see a day:
But trust me Iacob, I will pay thee when I may.
But if euer I heare that thou speake worde of this,
This he speaketh to Deborra.
I shall cut out thy tongue, I will not mysse.
But come on Ragau with me, so mote I thriue,
I will get a good sworde, for therby must I liue.

Ragau.
Liue quod you? we are like to liue God knoweth how.

Esau.
What ye saucie merchaunt, are ye a prater now?

scæna septima.

Deborra. Rebecca.
Deborra.
I am glad that Esau is now gone certes.
For an euill disposed man he is doutlesse.
Yet am I no gladder of his departure hence,
Than I am that Rebecca is come in presence.

Rebecca.
Deborra, what doost thou tarying here so long?
I came full ill afeard least some thing had ben wrong
For Mido and Abra tolde me of Esau.

Deborra.
In dede here he was, and departed hence but nowe:
And one thing I tell you dame, let Iacob beware,
For Esau to mischiefe Iacob dothe prepare,

Rebecca.
Call Iacob hyther, that I may shew him my minde.
Sende him hyther quickly, and tary ye behinde.
That he geue place awhyle, it is expedient,
And howe he may be sure, I wyll the way inuent.

scæna octaua.

Iacob. Rebecca.
Iacob.
Mother Rebecca, did ye sende for me hyther?

Rebecca.
Yea and the cause is this, thou must go somwhither,
To hyde thee from thy brother Esau a space.

Iacob.
In dede to mens malice we must somtime geue place.

Rebecca.
He lieth in awayte, to slea thee if he can.
Thou shalt therfore by my rede flee hence to Haran,
And lye with my brother Laban a man aged,
Tyll Esaus wrath be somwhat asswaged.
When all thinges are forgotten, and his fury past,
I shall sende for thee again in all goodly haste.

Iacob.
Yea, but howe wyll my father herewith be content?

Rebecca.
Thou shalt see me wynne hym thereto incontinent.
And here he commeth happily, Iacob heare me,
Make a signe to Mido, that he do not name thee,
Then gette thee in priuely tyl I do thee call.

Iacob.
As ye commaunde me mother Rebecca, I shall.

scæna nona.

Isaac. Mido. Rebecca. Iacob.
Isaac.
Where be ye good wyfe?

Mido.
My dame Rebecca is here.

Rebecca.
I am glad sweete husband that I see you appere,
For I haue a worde or two vnto you to say.

Isaac.
Whatsoeuer it be, tell it me I you pray.

Rebecca.
Sir ye know, that now our life daies are but short
And we had neuer so great neede of comfort,
Now Esau his wiues being Hethites both,
Ye know to please vs are much vnwilling and loth.
That if Iacob eke would take any Hethite to wife,
Small ioy should we both haue or comforte of our life.

Isaac.
Wife ye speake this well, and I will prouide therfore,
Call Iacob quickly, that he appeare me before.

Mido.
I can runne apace for him if ye bidde me go.

Rebecca.
Go hye thee at once then like a good sonne Mido.

Isaac.
O Lorde saue thou my sonne from miscarying.

Mido.
Come maister Iacob, ye must make no tarying,
For I it is that shall be shent if you be slacke,
Here is your sonne Iacob now, maister Isaac.

Isaac.
Sonne Iacob, make thee ready as fast thou can,
And in all hast possible get thee vnto Laban.
He is thine owne vncle, and a right godly man,
Marry of his daughters, and not of Canan.
In Mesopotamia shalt thou leade thy life.
The lorde prosper thee there, without debate or strife.
And the God of Abraham prosper thee in peace,
He multiply thy seede, and make it to encrease,
Nowe kisse me deare sonne Iacob, and so go thy way.

Rebecca.
Kisse me also sweete sonne, and hence without delay.

Iacob.
Now most tender parents, as wel with heart and word,
I bid you well to fare, and leaue you to the Lord.

Mido.
Nay maister Iacob, let me haue an hande also.

Iacob.
Euen with all my heart farewell litle Mido.

Isaac.
Now will I departe hence into the tent againe.

Rebecca.
As pleaseth God and you, but I will here remaine.

scæna decima.

Esau. Ragau. Rebecca. Isaac. Mido.

And is he gone in deede to mine vncle Laban,
In Mesopotamia at the toune of Haran?
And is Iacob gone to the house of Bethuel?
The whirlewynd with him, and flyngyng fende of hel.
But I shall mete with him yet one daye well enough.
And who is this? my mother, whom I see here now?

Ragau.
She stoode here al this while sir, did ye not her see?

Esau.
Didst thou see her stand here, & wouldest not warne me?

Rebecca.
Sonne Esau, afore God thou art much to blame,
And to do as I heare of thee, is a foule shame.

Esau.
Mother what is it ye heard of me of late?

Rebecca.
That thou doest thy brother Iacob deadly hate.

Esau.
Hate Iacob? I hate him and will do till I dye.
For he hath done me both great wrong and vilanny.
And that shal he well know if the Lord geue me lyfe.

Rebecca.
Fye vpon thee to speake so like a lewde caytife.

Ragau.
My maister Esau is of nature much hote,
But he will be better than he saith, feare not.

Esau.
My birthright to sell did he not make me consent?

Rebecca.
But the same to do were not thy selfe content?
There is no man to blame for it but thine owne selfe.

Esau.
Yea mother, see that ye holde with that mopishe elfe.
It is your deinty dearlyng, your princkoxe, your golpoll,
He can neuer be praised enough of your soule,
He must euer be extolled aboue the Moone,
It is neuer amisse that he hath said or done.
I would he were rocked or dandled in your lappe:
Or I would with this fauchon I might geue him pap.
I meruail why ye should so loue him, and me not?
Ye groned as well for the one as thother I wotte.
But Iacob must be aduaunced in any wyse:
But I shall one day handle him of the new guise.

Rebecca.
Both on thy fathers blessyng and mine I charge thee,
That thy soule entend neuer such iniquitie,
Beware by the example of Caym I thee rede,
That thou bring not the Lordes curse vpon thy head.

Esau.
And what should I take all this wrong at Iacobs hande?

Rebecca.
Forgeue, and the Lorde shall prosper thee on the lande.
My sonne Esau heare me, I am thy mother:
For my sake let passe this grudge against thy brother.

Ragau.
Syr, your mothers request is but reasonable,
Which for you to graunt shal be muche commendable.

Esau.
Mother, though it be a great thing that ye require:
Yet must all malice passe at your desire.
And for your cause mother, this mine angre shall slake.

Rebecca.
I thanke thee my sonne, that thou doost it for my sake

Esau.
For your sake with Iacob I will be at accorde.

Rebecca.
And shall I call thy father to be as recorde?

Esau.
As pleaseth you mother, I can be well content.

Rebecca.
Then wyll I go call hym hyther incontinent.
And where he dooth already loue thee very well,
This wyll make hym to loue thee better a greate deale.

Ragau.
Truely syr, this is of you a right gentill part:
At least yf it come from the bottome of your harte.

Esau.
It must nowe be thus, but when I shall Iacob fynde,
I shall then do, as God shall put into my minde.

Rebecca.
He hath at my woorde remitted all his quarele.

Isaac.
Forsooth I loue him the better a great deale.
And if he be here, I woulde commende his doing.

Isaac.
All prest here father to tary on your comming.

Esau.
Sonne Esau, thou haste thy selfe well acquited.
That all quarell to Iacob thou haste remitted.
It was the Lordes pleasure that it should thus be,
Against whose ordinance to stande is not for thee:
But nowe to the entent it may please the Lorde,
To knitte your hartes one day in a perfect concorde,
We shall first in a song geue laude vnto his name,
And than with all gladnesse, within confirme the same.

Rebecca.
As ye thinke best dere husbande I agree therto.

Esau.
Mee ye may commaunde to what ye will haue me to do:
And so maye ye do also Ragau my man.

Isaac.
I see none, but praise we the Lorde the hest we can.
Cal foorth all our household that with one accord,
We may all with one voyce syng vnto the Lorde.

Ragau calleth al to syng.
This song must be song after the prayer.

Then entreth the Poete, and the rest stand still, til he haue done.
The Poet entreth.

All the rest of the actours aunswer Amen.
Then foloweth the prayer.
Isaac.
Now vnto God let vs pray for all the whole clergy,
To geue them grace to auaunce gods honor and glory.

Rebecca.
Then for the Quenes maiesty let vs pray,
Unto God to kepe her in helth and welth night and day,
And that of his mere mercy and great benignitie,
He will defend and maintaine hir estate and dignitie,
That she beeing greeued with any outward hostilitie,
May against her enimies, alwaye haue victorie.

Iacob.
God saue the Quenes counsailours most noble and true,
And with all godlinesse their noble heartes endue.

Esau.
Lord saue the nobilitie and preserue them all:
And prosper the Quenes subiects vniuersall.