REBECCA

COme forth son Jacob, why tarriest thou behind? Nay, come I have yet a word or two more to say. Sing thy brother Esau is such and one, Why rebukest thou him not when you are alone? Why dost thou not gyve him some good sad wise counsel? O Lord, that to bear such a son it was my chance. Or, if I should needs have Esau to my soon, Would God thou Jacob hadst the Eldership woonne. Why did it not please God, that thou shouldst as wele Tread upon his crown, as hold him fast by the he'll? Well, some strange thing therein of God intended was, I remember when I had you both conceived, A voice thus saying from the Lord I received: Rebecca, in thy womb are now two nations, Of unlike nature's and contrary fashions. The one shall be a mightier people elect: And the elder to the younger shall be subject. I know this voice came not to me of nothing: Therefore thou shalt follow my counsel in oh thing. I fear the lord eke, who is merciful and joust: And loath would I be, his majesty to offend, But by me (I doubt not to work he does intend, Assay if thou canst, at some one time or other, To buy the right of eldership from thy brother: Do thou buy the birthright that to him does belong, So mayest thou have the blessing, and do him no wrong. What thou hast once bought, is thine own of endue right. God, who by his word and almightifull decree, Hath appointed Thee Esau his lord to been, Hath appointed some way to have it brought about. And that is this way, my sprite does not doubt. Thou shalt do no wrong son Jacob, on my peril. Then farewell dear son, Gods blessing & mine with Thee. Ah my sweet son Jacob, good fortune God Thee send. The most gentle young man alive, as God me mend. And the most natural to father and mother: Oh that such a meek spirit were in thy brother, Or thy sire loved Thee as thou hast merited, And then should Esau soon be disherited. Now Oh Lord of heaven, the fountain of all grate, If it be thy good will that my will shall take place: Send success to Jacob, according to thy word, That his elder brother may serve him as his lord. Lord, thou knowest Jacob to be thy servant true, And Esau all forward thy ways to ensue.. Here my lord, at hand. Can not but be the best, no such thing can be ill. So should it be, and I thank my lord Isaac, Such daily lessons at your hand I do not lack. Yea sir boy, will you play any such childish knack? As to counterfeit your blind master Isaac: That is but to mock him for his impediment. Nay it is to tempt God before thou have need: Whereby thou mayest provoke him in very deed, With some great misfortune or plague to punish Thee. What say my lord Isaac to his handemayde now? I would, if I were sure in your heart to find grace: Else sir I would be loath. Sir, you know your son Esau, and see his life, How lose it is, and how stiff he is and stubborn, How retchelesly he does him self misgovern: He giveth himself to hunting out of reason, And serveth the Lord and us at no time or season. These conditions can not be acceptable In the sight of God, nor to men allowable. Now his brother Jacob your younger son and mine, Doth more apply his heart to seek the ways divine. He lives here quietly at home in the Tent, There is no man nor child but is with him content. I deed sir, I can not love Esau so well As I do Jacob, the plain truth to you to tell. For I have no comfort of Esau God wot: I scarce know where I have a son of him or not. He goes abroad so early before day light, And returns home again so late in the night, And uneth I set eye on him in the whole week: No sometime not in twain, though I do for him seek. And all the neighbours see him as seldom as I. But when they would take rest, they hear him blow & cry. Some see him so seldom, they ask if he be sick: Sometimes some demand whither he be dead or quick. But to make short tale, such his conditions be, That I wish of God he had never be born of me. Surely your love is bestowed on him in vain. If God were so pleased, I would that were fordone. If yours rest in Esau, God give us good night. More pity he should have it without deserving. That the worthy should have it, I think much better. Where Esau is chief, there is a gay presence. Such dignity in Esau does ill accord. I would Esau had lost that possession. Wisdom would in Esau change that ordinance. That should be Jacob's, if I might have my wishing. Which will thrive well in Esau his governance. And that would I remove to Jacob if I might. That were more fit for Jacob his younger brother. Well given goods to him that the Lord does hate. I say true, if he proceed as he hath begun. Because that in my spirit verily I know, God 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 spoke 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. Now would God, I could persuade my lord Isaac, Jacob to prefer, and Esau to put back. Set a good long day then, or else we shall come short. You must needs continued ̄ mend him being your might & stre ̄ gth No, it is my office as long as I am by. And I would all wives, as the world this day is, Would unto their husbands likewise do their office. What thou foolish lad, no such thing was in my mind. Son how goes the matter? let me understand. Hast thou bought it in deed, and he therewith content? Is the bargain through? hast thou paid him his price? Son Jacob, forasmuch as thou hast so well sped, With and himne or psalm let the Lord be praised. Sing we all together, and give thanks to the Lord, Whose promise and performance do so well accord. Yea the very same. Now doubt not Jacob, but God hath appointed Thee As the eldest son unto Isaac to been: And now have no doubt, but thou art sure elected, And that unthrift Esau of God rejected. And to fell Thee his birthright since he was so mad, I warrant thee the blessing that he should have had. Yes, yes, let me alone. Ones good old Isaac is blind, and can not see, So that by policy he may beguiled been. I shall devise how, for no ill intent, ne thought, But to bring to pass that I know God will have wrought And I charge you twain, Abram, and little Mido. I charge you both that what ever hath hene spoken, You do not to any living body open. No more words, but hence we altogether now, exca ̄ to omnes. This talk of Isaac in secret have I herd. And what end it should come to my Heart is afeard. Near had I so much ado to forbear to speak. But the Lord (I trust) will Isaac's purpose bre ke. Here she kne leth down and prayeth. Oh God of Abraham, make it of none effect: Let Jacob have the blessing whom thou hast elect. I for my part shall work what may be wrought, That it may to Jacob from Esau be brought, And in will I go to see what I can devise, That Isaac's intent may fail in any wise. Son Jacob even now is come the very hour, That if thou have any grace or heart or power, To play thy part well, and stick unto it throughout, Esau his blessing will be thine without doubt. I have it contrived how all thing shall be done, Do thou as I shall bid Thee, and it will be won. Then Harken very well unto this my sentence. I heard old Isaac in a long solemn talk, Bid thy brother Esau to the field to walk, And there with his bow to kill him some venison, Which brought and dressed, he to have his benison. For I am aged (said Isaac) truly: And would bless Thee dear son before that I die. Now is Esau gone to do it even so. But while he his away, I would have Thee to go, Abroad unto the flock, and fetched me kids twain. Of which I shall with a trice make such meat certain, As shall say come eat me, and make old Isaac Lick his lips thereat, so toothsome shall it smack. I shall make him thereof such as he does love, Which in thy brother's steed to bliss thee shall him move. be thy curse my son, let it light on me. Only fetched thou the kids hither, as I bid Thee. Do thou thy true devoir, and let God work therein. He shall come by and by, for so I shall him bid. Now lord, & if thou please, that this thing shall take place, Further this our enterprise, helping with thy grace. I Come to see if Jacob be gone a field yet, A little slacking may all our purpose let. But now that he is gone, he will be here at once. Therefore I will call my maid Abram for the nonce, That all thing within may be in a readiness. Abram, where be you Abram? Come forth: when? Abram, what Abram I say. Must I call so oft? why come you not by and by? And in very deed, look that all your vessel be clean. Then make a great fire, and make ready your pot And see there be plenty of water cold and hot. And see the spit be scoured as clean as any pearl. Nay, soft, whither away? I have not yet all done. Than see you have made ready cloaues, mace, and sinamom Peper and sasfron, then set herbs for the pot, And let no foul corner be about all the tent. Nought, but that when I come I find no faut in you. Any good wench will at his dams bidding take keep. Now God of Abraham, as I trust in thy grace, Send Jacob the blissing in Esau his place. As thou hast ordained right so must all thing be. Perform thine own words lord which thou spokest to me. Now will I go in to see that mine old husband, May of my secret working nothing understand. Or in case he smell what we have thus far begun, He may think it all for Esau to be done. Oh Lord, me thinketh long son Jacob since thou went Give me thy kid my son, and now leat me alone, Bring thou in thine Mido, and see thou been a stone. I meant thou shouldst nothing say.. Well let me go in, and venison hereof make: Where is my son Jacob? I do him now espy. Come apace Deborra, I pray Thee let us hie, That all thing were dispatched somewhat to my mind. Gear that I have prepared to serve our purpose. And because that Esau is so rough with hear: I have brought sleves of kid next to thy skin to wear. They be made glouelike, and for eke finger a stall: So that thy father's feeling soon beguile they shall. Then have I brought a collar of rough kids hear, Fast unto the skin round about thy neck to wear. Here she does the sleves upon Jacob's arms. Come, let me do it on, and if Isaac feel, He shall therewith be beguiled wondrous wele. It shall serve anon I warrant you, take no thought. Now, thoroughly to ravish thy father Isaac, Thou shalt here incontinent put upon thy back, Esau his best apparel, whose fragrant flavour, Shall conjure Isaac to bear Thee his favour. You may now go in nurse, and leave looking on him. Well content thy self, and follow my mind this day. Now the meat by this time is ready I dare say. Before that with to much enough it be all spilled, Take thy time, and assail thy father when thou wilt. I warrant the matter all safe from uttering, I have stopped all mouths for once muttering. Therefore while the time serveth, I Thee warn, To slack when all things are ready may do harm. Now I beseech the Lord prosper Jacob my son, In our hardy enterprise which we have begun. Isaac is eating such meat as he does love, Which thing to bless Jacob I doubt not will him move: If he obtain the blessing as I trust he shall, Then shall my soul give to God laud perpetual. But I will in to harken how the thing does frame. Who is it that does me name? He shall not find me here in no wise if I may. Oh Lord, the God of Isaac and Abraham, Then she spea keth kneeling, and holding up her hands. I render thanks to Thee though a sinful woman, Because of thy word and promise true art thou, In sending Jacob the blessing of Esau. And for thus regarding a sinner as I am, I eftsoons thank Thee Oh Lord God of Abraham, Thy mercy and wisdom shall I sing evermore: And magnify thy name, for Gods there is no more. But I will to my husband Isaac, and see, That for this matter he take no grief at me. But by my truth if I should die incontinent, I knew not of the purpose wherefore it was meant. Deborra, what dost thou tarrying here so long? I came full ill afeard least some thing had been wrong For Mido and Abram told me of Esau. Call Jacob hither, that I may show him my mind. Send him hither quickly, and tarry you behind. That he give place awhile, it is expedient, And how he may be sure, I will the way invent. Yea and the cause is this, thou must go somwhither, To hide Thee from thy brother Esau a space. He lies in await, to slay Thee if he can. Thou shalt therefore by my rede flee hence to Haran, And lie with my brother Laban a man aged, Till Esa's wrath be somewhat assuaged. When all things are forgotten, and his fury passed, I shall send for Thee again in all goodly haste. Thou shalt see me win him thereto incontinent. And here he comes happily, Jacob hear me, Make a sign to Mido, that he do not name Thee, Then get Thee in privily Till I do Thee call. I am glad sweet husband that I see you appear, Sir you know, that now our life days are but short And we had never so great need of comfort, Now Esau his wives being Hethites both, You know to please us are much unwilling and loath. That if Jacob eke would take any Hethite to wife, Small joy should we both have or comfort of our life. Go hie thee at once then Like a good son Mido. Kiss me also sweet son, and hence without delay. As pleases God and you, but I will here remain. Son Esau, afore God thou art much to blame, And to do as I hear of Thee, is a foul shame. That thou dost thy brother Jacob deadly hate. Fie upon Thee to speak so Like a lewd caitiff. But the same to do were not thy self content? There is no man to blame for it but thine own self. Both on thy father's blessing and mine I charge Thee, That thy soul intend never such iniquity, Beware by the example of Caym I Thee rede, That thou bring not the Lords curse upon thy head. Forgive, and the Lord shall prosper Thee on the land. My son Esau hear me, I am thy mother: For my sake let pass this grudge against thy brother. I thank Thee my son, that thou dost it for my sake And shall I call thy father to be as record? Then will I go call him hither incontinent. And where he doth already love Thee very well, This will make him to love Thee better a great deal. He hath at my word remitted all his quarele. As you think best dear husband I agree thereto. Then for the Queens majesty let us pray, Unto God to keep her in health and wealth night and day, And that of his mere mercy and great benignity, He will defend and maintain his estate and dignity, That she being grieved with any outward hostility, May against her enemies, alway have victory. I Come to see if Jacob do not return yet, I can not marvel enough what should be his let, And greatly wonder he is away thus long. I fear much of his absence, lest some thing be wrong. As well as heart can wish all thing is ready here. And now to me eke moment seemeth a whole year. But hark, me thinketh I here a young kid blée It is so in deed, I see Jacob, well is Me. I leave you here Jacob, and heartily you pray, That when need shall require, you be not far away. Who is that calls? Isaac my good man?