University of Virginia Library



The Prologue of the play.

In the Boke of Genesis it is expressed,
That whē God to Abrahā made sure promis
That in his seede al nations shold be blessed:
To send him a son by Sara he did not misse,
Then to Isaac (as there recorded it is)
By Rebecca his wife, who had lōg time bē barain
Whē pleased him, at one birth he sent sons twaine.
But before Iacob and Esau yet borne were,
Or had eyther done good, or yll perpetrate:
As the prophete Malachie and Paule witnesse beare,
Iacob was chosen, and Esau reprobate:
Iacob I loue (sayde God) and Esau I hate.
For it is not (sayth Paule) in mans renuing or will,
But in Gods mercy who choseth whome he will.
But now for our comming we shal exhibite here
Of Iacob and Esau howe the story was,
Wherby Gods adoption may plainly appeare:
And also, that what euer Gods ordinance was,
Nothing might defeate, but that it muste come to passe.
That if this storie may your eyes or eares delite,
We pray you of pacience, while we it recite.