ESAU. My birthright and whole title of mine eldership, Marry, sir, I pray God much good do it his maship, If I die to-morrow, what good would it do me? If he die to-morrow, what benefit hath he? And for a thing hanging on such casuality, Better a mess of pottage than nothing, pardy! If my father live long, when should I it enjoy? If my father die soon, then it is but a toy. For if the time were come, thinkest thou that Jacob Should find Esau such a lout or such a lob To suffer him to enjoy my birthright in rest? Nay, I will first toss him and trounce him of the best; I think to find it a matter of conscience, And Jacob first to have a fart, sir reverence. When my father Isaac shall the matter know, He will not let Jacob have my birthright, I trow. Or if he should keep it as his own, I pray you, Might not I live without it, and do well enou'? Do none but men's eldest sons prosper well? How live younger brethren then, I beseech you, tell? Once, if anything be by the sword to be got, This falchion and I will have part to our lot. But now come on, go we abroad awhile and walk, Let my birthright go, and of other matters talk. RAGAN. Who--I, walk? nay, I trow not, till I have better din'd. It is more time to seek, where I may some meat find. ESAU. What say'st thou, drawlatch? come forth, with a mischief! Wilt thou not go with me? on, forward, whoreson thief? Shall it be as pleaseth you, or as pleaseth me? RAGAN. Nay, as pleaseth you, sir, methink it must be. ESAU. And where be my dogs and my hound? be they all well? RAGAN. Better than your man, for they be in their kennel. ESAU. Then go see all be well in my part of the tent. RAGAN. With a right good will, sir, I go incontinent. ESAU. And I will to my field, the which I cleansed last, To see what hope there is, that it will yield fruit fast. ACTUS SECUNDI, SCAENA QUINTA. JACOB. MIDO. REBECCA. ABRA, _the handmaid_. JACOB. Thou knowest, little Mido, where my mother is. MIDO. I can go to her as straight as a thread, and not miss. JACOB. Go call her, and come again with her thine own self. MIDO. Yes, ye shall see me scud like a little elf. JACOB. Where I have, by the enticement of my mother, Bargained and bought the birthright of my brother. Turn it all to good, O Lord, if it be thy will: Thou knowest my heart, Lord, I did it for no ill. And whatever shall please thee to work or to do, Thou shalt find me prest and obedient thereto. But here is my mother Rebecca now in place. MIDO. How say you, master Jacob, ran not I apace? JACOB. Yes, and a good son to go quick on your errand. REBECCA. Son, how goeth the matter? let me understand. JACOB. Forsooth, mother, I did so, as ye me bad, Esau to sell me all his birthright persuade. REBECCA. Hast thou bought it indeed, and he therewith content? JACOB. Yea, and have his promise, that he will never repent. REBECCA. Is the bargain through? hast thou paid him his price?