"Everyman," With Other Interludes, Including Eight Miracle Plays Part 11

_Abraham._ Lo, Lord, already here I am.

_G.o.d._ Take Isaac, thy son by name That thou lovest best of all And in sacrifice offer him to me Upon that hill, beside thee.

Abraham, I will that it so be For aught that may befall.

_Abraham._ My lord, to thee is my intent Ever to be obedient, That son that thou to me hast sent, Offer I will to thee.

And fulfil thy commandment With hearty will, as I am kent High G.o.d, Lord Omnipotent, Thy bidding done shall be.

My menye[72] and my children each one Lingers at home, both all and one, Save Isaac shall with me gone To a hill here beside.

[_Enter Isaac._

_Abraham._ Make thee ready, my darling, For we must do a little thing.

This wood upon thy back thou bring, We must not long abide.

A sword and fire I will take, For sacrifice I must make; G.o.d's bidding will I not forsake, But aye obedient be.

_Isaac._ Father, I am all ready To do your bidding meekly, To bear this wood full bound am I, As you command me.

_Abraham._ O Isaac, Isaac, my darling dear, My blessing now I give thee here.

Take up this f.a.ggot with good cheer, And on thy back it bring, And fire with me I will take.

_Isaac._ Your bidding I will not forsake, Father, I will never slake[73]

To fulfil your bidding.

[_Isaac takes the wood on his back, and they set out for the hill._

_Abraham._ Now Isaac, son, go we our way To yonder mountain, if that we may.

_Isaac._ My dear father, I will essay To follow you full fain.

_Abraham._ Oh! my heart will break in three, To hear thy words I have pity.

As thou wilt, Lord, so must it be: To thee I will be bane.

Lay down thy f.a.ggot my own son dear!

_Isaac._ All ready, father, lo, it is here.

But why make you so heavy cheer?

Are you anything adread?

Father, if it be your will, Where is the beast that we shall kill?

_Abraham._ There is none, son, upon this hill That I see here in this stead.

_Isaac._ Father, I am full sore afraid To see you bare this naked sword.

I hope for all middle-yard[74]

You will not slay your child.

_Abraham._ Dread thee not, my child, I read Our Lord will send of his G.o.dhead Some kind of beast in thy stead, Either tame or wild.

_Isaac._ Father, tell me, or I go, Whether I shall have harm or no.

_Abraham._ Ah, dear G.o.d, that me is woe!

Thou bursts my heart in sunder.

_Isaac._ Father, tell me of this case, Why you your drawn sword has, And bare it naked in this place; Thereof I have great wonder.

_Abraham._ Isaac, son, peace! I pray thee, Thou breaks my heart even in three.

_Isaac._ I pray you, father, leave nothing from me, But tell me what you think.

_Abraham._ O Isaac, Isaac, I must thee kill.

_Isaac._ Alas! father, is that your will, Your own child here for to spill, Upon this hill's brink?

If I have trespa.s.sed in any degree, With a rod you may beat me; Put up your sword, if your will be, For I am but a child.

_Abraham._ Oh, my son! I am sorry To do to thee this great annoy, G.o.d's commandment do must I, His works are aye full mild.

_Isaac._ Would G.o.d, my mother were here with me!

She would kneel upon her knee, Praying you, father, if it might be, For to save my life.

_Abraham._ Oh, comely creature, but I thee kill, I grieve my G.o.d, and that full ill: I may not work against his will But ever obedient be.

O Isaac, son, to thee I say: G.o.d has commanded me this day Sacrifice--this is no nay-- To make of thy body.

_Isaac._ Is it G.o.d's will I should be slain?

_Abraham._ Yea, son, it is not for to layne;[75]

To his bidding I will be bane,[76]

Ever to his pleasing.

But that I do this doleful deed, My Lord will not quit[77] me my meed.[78]

_Isaac._ Marry! father, G.o.d forbid But you do your off'ring.

Father, at home your sons you shall find That you must love by course of kind.

Be I once out of your mind, Your sorrow may soon cease, But you must do G.o.d's bidding.

Father, tell my mother of nothing.

_Abraham._ For sorrow I may my hands wring, Thy mother I cannot please.

O Isaac, blessed may'st thou be!

Almost my wit I lose for thee, The blood of thy body so free I feel full loth to shed.

_Isaac._ Father, since you must needs do so, Let it pa.s.s lightly and overgo; Kneeling on my knees two, Your blessing on me spread!

_Abraham._ My blessing, dear son, give I thee And thy mother's with heart so free; The blessing of the Trinity, My dear son, on thee light!

_Isaac._ Father, I pray you hide mine een That I see not your sword so keen; Your stroke, father, I would not seen, Lest I against it thrill.

_Abraham._ My dear son Isaac, speak no more, Thy words make my heart full sore.

_Isaac._ O dear father, wherefore, wherefore?

Since I must needs be dead, One thing I would you pray: Since I must die the death this day, As few strokes as you may, When you smite off my head.