A Select Collection of Old English Plays Volume Ii Part 34

RAGAN. Why, how did he sup it? I pray thee, tell me, how?

MIDO. Marry, even thus, as thou shalt see me do now.

[_Here he counterfeiteth supping out of the pot_.

O, I thank you, Jacob: with all my heart, Jacob.

Gently done, Jacob: a friendly part, Jacob!

I can sup so, Jacob!

Yea, then will I sup too, Jacob.

Here is good meat, Jacob!

RAGAN. As ere was eat, Jacob!

MIDO. As e'er I saw, Jacob!

RAGAN. Esau a daw, Jacob!

MIDO. Sweet rice pottage, Jacob!

RAGAN. By Esau's dotage, Jacob.

MIDO. Jolly good cheer, Jacob!

RAGAN. But bought full dear, Jacob!

MIDO. I was hungry, Jacob.

RAGAN. I was an unthrift, Jacob.

MIDO. Ye will none now, Jacob.

RAGAN. I cannot for you, Jacob.

MIDO. I will eat all, Jacob.

RAGAN. The devil go with all, Jacob.

MIDO. Thou art a good son, Jacob.

RAGAN. And would he never have done, Jacob?

MIDO. No, but still coggl'd[264] in, like Jackdaw that cries _ka bob_!

That to be kill'd I could not laughing forbear: And therefore I came out, I durst not abide there.

RAGAN. Is there any pottage left for me, that thou wot?

MIDO. No, I left Esau about to lick the pot.

RAGAN. Lick, quod thou? now a shame take him that can all lick.

MIDO. The pot shall need no washing, he will it so lick; And by this he is sitting down to bread and drink.

RAGAN. And shall I have no part with him, dost thou think?

MIDO. No, for he pray'd Jacob, ere he did begin, To shut the tent fast, that no mo guests come in.

RAGAN. And made he no mention of me his servant?

MIDO. He said thou were a knave, and bad thee hence avaunt: Go shift, where thou couldest, thou gottest nothing there.

RAGAN. G.o.d yield you, Esau, with all my stomach cheer![265]

MIDO. I must in again, lest perhaps I be shent, For I asked n.o.boby licence, when I went. [_Exeat_.

RAGAN. Nay, it is his nature, do what ye can for him, No thank at his hand; but choose you, sink or swim.

Then reason it with him in a meet time and place, And he shall be ready to flee straight in your face.

This proverb in Esau may be understand: Claw a churl by the tail, and he will file[266] your hand.

Well i-wis, Esau, ye did know well enou', That I had as much need to be meated as you.

Have I trotted and trudged all night and all day, And now leave me without door, and so go your way?

Have I spent so much labour for you to provide, And you nothing regard what of me may betide?

Have I run with you while I was able to go, And now you purchase food for yourself and no mo?

Have I taken so long pain you truly to serve, And can ye be content, that I famish and starve?

I must lacquey and come lugging greyhound and hound, And carry the weight, I dare say, of twenty pound, And to help his hunger purchase grace and favour, And now to be shut out fasting for my labour!

By my faith, I may say I serve a good master, Nay, nay, I serve an ill husband and a waster.

That neither profit regardeth nor honesty, What marvel I then, if he pa.s.s so light on me?

But, Esau, now that ye have sold your birthright, I commend me to you, and G.o.d give you good night.

And let a friend tell him his fau't at any time, Ye shall hear him chafe beyond all reason or rhyme.

Except it were a friend or a very h.e.l.l-hound, Ye never saw the match of him in any ground.

When I shew him of good-will, what others do say, He will fall out with me, and offer me a fray.

And what can there be a worser condition, Than to do ill, and refuse admonition?

Can such a one prosper, or come to a good end?

Then I care not how many children G.o.d me send.

Once Esau shall not beguile me, I can tell: Except he shall fortune to amend, or do well.

Therefore why do I about him waste thus much talk, Whom no man can induce ordinately to walk?

But some man perchance doth not a little wonder, How I, who but right now did roar out for hunger, Have now so much vacant and void time of leisure, To walk and to talk, and discourse all of pleasure.

I told you at the first, I would provide for one: My mother taught me that lesson a good while agone.

When I came to Jacob, his friendship to require, I drew near and near till I came to the fire: There hard beside me stood the pottage-pot, Even as G.o.d would have it, neither cold nor hot; Good simple Jacob could not turn his back so thick, But I at the ladle got a gulp or a lick; So that, ere I went, I made a very good meal, And din'd better cheap than Esau a good deal.

But here cometh now master Esau forth.

ACTUS SECUNDI, SCAENA QUARTA.

ESAU _and_ RAGAN.

RAGAN. Ah, sir, when one is hungry, good meat is much worth.

And well fare a good brother yet in time of need,

[_Esau cometh forth, wiping his mouth_.