ISAAC. Ye have oft in covert words been right earnest To have me grant unto you a boon and request: But ye never told me yet plainly what it was; Therefore I have ever yet let the matter pass. And now of late, by oft being from me absent, I have half suspected you to be scarce content. But, wife Rebecca, I would not have you to mourn, As though I did your honest petition scorn.[260] For I never meant to deny in all my life Any lawful or honest request to my wife. But in case it be a thing unreasonable, Then must I needs be to you untractable. Now therefore say on, and tell me what is your case. REBECCA. I would, if I were sure in your heart to find grace; Else, sir, I would be loth. ISAAC. To speak do not refrain, And if it be reasonable, ye shall obtain: Otherwise, ye must pardon me, gentle sweet wife. REBECCA. Sir, ye know your son Esau, and see his life, How loose it is, and how stiff he is and stubborn, How retchlessly he doth himself misgovern: He giveth himself to hunting out of reason, And serveth the Lord and us at no time or season. These conditions cannot 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 liveth here quietly at home in the tent, There is no man nor child but is with him content. ISAAC. O wife, I perceive ye speak of affection; To Jacob ye bear love, and to his brother none. REBECCA. Indeed, sir, I cannot 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 whe'r I have a son of him or not. He goeth abroad so early before daylight, And retumeth home again so late in the night; And unneth 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 and cry. Some see him so seldom, they ask if he be sick: Sometimes some demand, whether he be dead or quick. But, to make short tale, such his conditions be, That I wish of God he had ne'er been born of me. ISAAC. Well, wife, I love Esau, and must for causes twain. REBECCA. Surely your love is bestowed on him in vain? ISAAC. First, active he is, as any young man can be, And many a good morsel he bringeth home to me. Then he is mine eldest and first-begotten son. REBECCA. If God were so pleased, I would that were foredone. [_Aside_. ISAAC. And the eldest son is called the father's might. REBECCA. If yours rest in Esau, God give us good night! ISAAC. A prerogative he hath in every thing. REBECCA. More pity he should have it without deserving. ISAAC. Of all the goods his portion is greater. REBECCA. That the worthy should have it, I think much better. ISAAC. Among his brethren he hath the pre-eminence. REBECCA. Where Esau is chief, there is a gay presence! ISAAC. Over his brethren he is sovereign and lord.