A Select Collection of Old English Plays Volume Ii Part 31

ISAAC. Well, wife, I love Esau, and must for causes twain.

REBECCA. Surely your love is bestowed on him in vain?

ISAAC. First, active he is, as any young man can be, And many a good morsel he bringeth home to me.

Then he is mine eldest and first-begotten son.

REBECCA. If G.o.d were so pleased, I would that were foredone. [_Aside_.

ISAAC. And the eldest son is called the father's might.

REBECCA. If yours rest in Esau, G.o.d give us good night!

ISAAC. A prerogative he hath in every thing.

REBECCA. More pity he should have it without deserving.

ISAAC. Of all the goods his portion is greater.

REBECCA. That the worthy should have it, I think much better.

ISAAC. Among his brethren he hath the pre-eminence.

REBECCA. Where Esau is chief, there is a gay presence!

ISAAC. Over his brethren he is sovereign and lord.

REBECCA. Such dignity in Esau doth ill accord.

ISAAC. He is the head of the father's succession.

REBECCA, I would Esau had lost that possession.

ISAAC. And he hath the chief t.i.tle of inheritance.

REBECCA. Wisdom would in Esau change that ordinance.

ISAAC. To the eldest son is due the father's blessing.

REBECCA. That should be Jacob's, if I might have my wishing. [_Aside_.

ISAAC. And the chief endowment of the father's substance.

REBECCA. Which will thrive well in Esau his governance.

ISAAC. By t.i.tle of eldership he hath his birthright.

REBECCA. And that would I remove to Jacob, if I might. [_Aside_.

ISAAC. He must have double portion to another.

REBECCA. That were more fit for Jacob his younger brother.

ISAAC. In all manner of things divided by a rate.

REBECCA. Well given goods to him, that the Lord doth hate!

ISAAC. Why say ye so of Esau, mine eldest son?

REBECCA. I say true, if he proceed, as he hath begun.

ISAAC. Is he not your son too, as well as he is mine?

Wherefore do ye then against him thus sore repine?

REBECCA. Because that in my spirit verily I know, G.o.d will set up Jacob, and Esau down throw.

I have showed you many a time ere this day, What the Lord of them being in my womb did say.

I use not for to lie, and I believe certain, That the Lord spake not these words to me in vain.

And Jacob it is (I know), in whom the Lord will His promises to you made and to your seed fulfil.

ISAAC. I doubt not his promise made to me and my seed, Leaving to his conveyance how it shall proceed.

The Lord after his way may change th'inheritance; But I may not wittingly break our ordinance.

REBECCA. Now would G.o.d I could persuade my lord Isaac Jacob to prefer, and Esau to put back.

ISAAC. I may not do it, wife, I pray you be content: The t.i.tle of birthright, that cometh by descent, Or the place of eldership coming by due course, I may not change nor shift for better nor for worse.

Nature's law it is, the eldest son to knowledge, And in no wise to bar him of his heritage: And ye shall of Esau one day have comfort.

REBECCA. Set a good long day then, or else we shall come short.

ISAAC. I warrant you, he will do well enough at length.

REBECCA. You must needs commend him, being your might and strength.

ISAAC. Well, now go we hence; little Mido, where art thou?

MIDO. I have stood here all this while, list'ning, how you And my dame Rebecca have been laying the law; But she hath as quick answers as ever I saw.

Ye could not speak anything unto her so thick, But she had her answer as ready and as quick.

ISAAC. Yea, women's answers are but few times to seek.

MIDO. But I did not see Esau neither all this same week.

Nor do I love your son Esau so well, As I do love your son Jacob by a great deal.

ISAAC. No, doest thou, Mido? and tell me the cause why.

MIDO. Why? for I do not: And none other cause know I.

But everybody, as well one as other, Do wish that Jacob had been the elder brother.

ISAAC. Well, come on, let us go.