A Select Collection of Old English Plays Volume Ii Part 44

ACTUS QUINTI, SCAENA QUINTA.

RAGAN.

Where are we now become? marry, sir, here is array!

With Esau, my master, this is a black day.

I told you Esau one day would s.h.i.t a rag, Have we not well hunted, of blessing to come lag?[280]

Nay, I thought ever it would come to such a pa.s.s, Since he sold his heritage like a very a.s.s.

But, in faith, some of them, I dare jeopard a groat, If he may reach them, will have on the petticoat.[281]

ACTUS QUINTI, SCAENA s.e.xTA.

ESAU. RAGAN. ABRA. MIDO. DEBORAH.

ESAU. Come out, wh.o.r.es and thieves; come out, come out, I say!

RAGAN.[282] I told you, did I not, that there would be a fray? [_Aside_.

ESAU. Come out, little wh.o.r.eson ape, come out of thy den.

MIDO. Take my life for a penny, whither shall I ren?[283]

ESAU. Come out, thou little fiend, come out, thou skittish gill.

ABRA. Out, alas, alas! Esau will us all kill.

ESAU. And come out, thou mother Mab;[284] out, old rotten witch!

As white as midnight's a.r.s.ehole or virgin pitch.

Where be ye? come together in a cl.u.s.ter.

RAGAN. In faith, and these three will make a n.o.ble muster.

ESAU. Ere ye escape my fingers, ye shall all be taught, For these be they which have 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 jack.

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

MIDO. I care as much for you now, as I did before. [_Aside_.

ESAU. What sayest thou, little thief? if I may thee catch.

MIDO. Ye shall run apace then, I ween, so G.o.d me s.n.a.t.c.h.

RAGAN. Now to go, Mido, ere thou art caught in a trip.

[_Exit_ MIDO.

ESAU. Nay, for his sake, Abra, ye shall drink of the whip.

ABRA. Nay, for G.o.d's love, good sweet master Esau, Hurt not me for Mido: speak for me, Ragan.

RAGAN. Sir, spare little Abra, she hath done none evil.

ESAU. A little fiend it is, and will be a right devil, And she is one of them that love not me a deal.

ABRA. If ye let me go, I will love you very well.

ESAU. And never any more ado against me make?

ABRA. Ragan shall be surety.

RAGAN. Sir, I undertake.

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

ABRA. Adieu, I set not a straw by you nor a pin.

ESAU. What sayest thou, thou fib? once ye shall have a rap.

RAGAN. The best end of suretyship is to get a clap. [_Aside_.

ESAU. Now, come on, thou old hag, what shall I say to thee?

DEBORAH. Say what ye l.u.s.t, so ye do not touch me.

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

DEBORAH. No, it was Jacob's feast that I did help to dress.

ESAU. Nay, I thought such a witch would do such business.

DEBORAH.[285] But, by my truth, if I should die incontinent, I knew not of the purpose, wherefore it was meant.

ESAU. But wilt thou tell me truth, if I do forgive thee?

DEBORAH. Yea, if I can, Master Esau, believe me.

ESAU. Is it true that, when I and my brother were first born, And I by G.o.d's ordinance came forth him beforne, Jacob came forthwith, holding me fast by the heel?

DEBORAH. It is true; I was there, and saw it very well.

ESAU. Is it true? well, Jacob, I pray G.o.d I be dead, But for my heel's sake, I will have thee by the head.