ISAAC

How Sirs, I pray you tarry. Will You leave me so behind you still? And do you think I would, Go with you though I could, Before I knew my father's mind? I will not fail it (if I may) To die therefore: but will you stay A while until I run and know My father's will? My fellows: God hath showed himself to us, So good, so loving and so gracious, That I can never any thing yet crave Ne small ne great, but that I much more have, Than I desire. I would have gone with you (As you do know) to see full fain: but now Behold my father comes here at hand. Good mother eke adieu. Good mother, if it should not trouble you, I would desire you one thing ere I went. I humbly do you pray To put this grief away. These tears of yours refreyne, I shall return again (I hope) in better plight, Than now I am in sight: And therefore stay this grief and woe. Good mother God you guide. My father. Sir here is wood, with fire, and knife ready: But as for sheep or lamb I see none here. For you to offer. Good father go: but yet I pray you show Me whereupon this grief of yours does grow, Which does (I see) so greatly you appall. It is good reason that I should so do. And therewithal I will each thing address, That first this wood may be in readiness. This billet first shall gin the order here: Then this, then that shall close together near. Thus all these things are ready now and pressed. My father shall provide for all the rest. And now Oh God I will aside retire, To pray to thee, as reason does require. What pleases you good father. Father, me thinks that fear hath you dismayed. Sir if it may you pleaze, Be bold to tell me what does you diseaze. Alas my father deer, Upon my knees I humbly pray you here, My youthful years to pity, if you may. Alas my father, mercy I kry you. Alas alas I want both tongue and hand, Against you in mine own defence to stand. But see, but see my tears for nature's sake, None other fence I can or will now make Against you. I am Isaac, none other But Isaac, your only by my mother. I am your son that through your self hath life And will you let it be bereft with knife? Howbeit, if you do't to 'hey the Lord, Then on my knees I humbly do accord, To suffer all that ever God and you, Shall think expedient for too do as now. But yet what deeds, what deeds of mine deserve This death Oh God, my God my life preserve. Alas poor mother mine How many death's shall my death give to thee? But tell me yet, my killer who shall be? Oh father mine. Sir I am ready. Now then my father, well I see in deed That I must die. Lord help me at my need. My God, my God, now strengthen thou my mind And at thy hand such favour let me find, That of my self I may the upper hand Obtain, against this sudden death to stand. Now bind me, kill me, burn me, I am pressed To suffer all, sith God so thinks it best. Thou Lord hast made me and created me, Thou Lord upon the earth hast lodged me, Thou hast me given y e grace to knowledge thee: Yet have I not so well obeyed thee My Lord and God as duty does require: Which me to pardon loud I thee desire. And whereas I to you my Lord and father Have not always such honour yielded rather, As your great kindness did deserve to have: Therefore forgiveness humbly I do crave. My mother: she is now a great way hence, Wherefore my God vowtsafe his thy defence, And so preserve his through thy special grace, As she no whit be trubbled at my case. Alas, I go to deep and darksome night: Farewell as now for ay all worldly light. But sure I am I shall at Gods hand find Far better things than these I leave behind. Good father, I am ready at your will. With right good will and hearty thanks. What do I here? Alas my father deer! I am at your will. Am I now well? your pleasure then fulfil. Away with all this fear of yours I pray. Will you from God yet longer time me stay? Oh God.