A nevve mery and vvittie comedie or enterlude, newely imprinted, treating vpon the historie of Iacob and Esau taken out of the xxvij. chap. of the first booke of Moses entituled Genesis. The partes and names of the players who are to be consydered to be Hebrews and so should be apparailed with attire. 1 The Prologe, a poete. 2 Isaac, an olde man, father to Iacob [and] Esau ... 11 Abra, a little wench, serua[n]t to Rebecca.

scaena prima.

Esau. Isaac. Mido.

Esau.

NOw since I last saw mine olde father Isaac, Both I do thinke it long, and he will iudge me slack But he commeth forth, I will here listen and sée, Whether he shall chaunce to speake any worde of me.

Isaac.

On leade me forth Mido, to the benche on this hand, That I may sitte me downe, for I can not long stand.

Mido.

Here syr this same way, and ye be at the benche now, Where ye may sit doune in gods name if please you.

Isaac.

I maruel where Esau my sonne doth become, That he doth now of daies visite me so seldome. But it is oft sene whome fathers do best fauour, Of them they haue lest loue againe for their labour. I thinke since I saw him it is a whole wéeke. In faith litle Mido I would thou wouldest him séeke.

Mido.

Forsoth maister Isaac, and I knew it where, It should not be very long ere I would be there. But shall I at aduenture go séeke where he is?

Esau.

Séeke no farther Mido, already here he is.

Isaac.

Me thinketh I haue Esau his voice perceiued.

Esau.

Ye gesse truly father, ye are not deceiued.

Mido.

Here he is come now inuisible by my soule: For I saw him not till he spake harde at my poule,

Isaac▪

Now go thou in Mido, let vs twoo here alone.

Mido.

Sir if ye commaund me, full quickely I am gone.

Isaac.

Yet and if I call thée, sée thou be not slacke.

Mido,

I come at the first call, good maister Isaac.

Isaac.

Sonne Esau.

Esau.

Here father.

Isaac.

Is none here but we?

Esau.

None to herken our talke father, that I doo sée.

Isaac,

Sonne Esau, why hast thou bene from me so long?

Esau.

I cry you mercy father, if I haue done wrong▪

But I am loth to trouble you hauing nothing To present you withall, nor veneson to bring.

Isaac.

Sonne Esau, thou knowest that I do thée loue.

Esau.

I thancke you for it father as doth me behoue.

Isaac.

And now thou séest my dayes draw towardes an ende.

Esau.

That is to me great ruth if I coulde it amende.

Isaac.

I must go the way of all mortall fleshe. Therfore while my memory and witte is yet freshe, I woulde thée endow mine heritage to succéede: And blisse thée, (as I ought) to multiply my séede. The God of my father Abraham, and of me, Hath promised, that our séede as the sande shal be. He is a God of truth, and in his wordes iust. Therfore in my workyng shall be no faute I trust. Now therfore sonne Esau, get thée forth to hunte, With thy bowe and quiuer, as erst thou hast bene wont, Bring me of thy venison that is good.

Esau.

Ye shall haue of the best that runneth in the wood.

Isaac.

When thou commest home, to dresse it, it shall behoue: And to make for mine owne tooth such meate as I loue. Thus doo mine owne dere sonne, and then I shal thée kisse With the koosse of peace, and thée for euer blisse.

Esau.

Your will t'accomplishe moste dere father Isaac, Wits all good hast and spede, I shall not be found slack.

Isaac.

Then helpe lead me home, in my tente that I were set. And then go when thou wilt.

Esau.

I shall withouten lette.