[_Exeunt omnes_. ACTUS TERTIJ, SCAENA PRIMA. ESAU. ISAAC. MIDO. ESAU. Now, since I last saw mine old father Isaac, Both I do think it long, and he will judge me slack, But he cometh forth; I will here listen and see, Whether he shall chance to speak any word of me. [_Steps aside_. ISAAC. On, lead me forth, Mido, to the bench on this hand, That I may sit me down, for I cannot long stand. MIDO. Here, sir, this same way, and ye be at the bench now, Where ye may sit down in God's name, if please you. ISAAC. I marvel, where Esau my son doth become, That he doth now of days visit me so seldom. But it is oft seen, whom fathers do best favour, Of them they have least love again for their labour. I think, since I saw him, it is a whole week. In faith, little Mido, I would thou wouldest him seek. MIDO. Forsooth, Master Isaac, and I knew it where, It should not be very long ere I would be there. But shall I at adventure go seek where he is? ESAU. Seek no farther, Mido: already here he is. ISAAC. Methinketh, I have Esau his voice perceived. ESAU. Ye guess truly, father, ye are not deceived. MIDO. Here he is come now invisible, by my soul: For I saw him not, till he spake hard at my poll! ISAAC. Now, go thou in, Mido, let us two here alone. MIDO. Sir, if ye command me, full quickly I am gone. ISAAC. Yet, and if I call thee, see thou be not slack. MIDO. I come at the first call, good Master Isaac. ISAAC. Son Esau. ESAU. Here, father. ISAAC. Is none here but we? ESAU. None to harken our talk, father, that I do see. [_Rebecca entereth behind unseen, and listens_. ISAAC. Son Esau, why hast thou been from me so long? ESAU. I cry you mercy, father, if I have done wrong. But I am both to trouble you, having nothing To present you withal, nor venison to bring. ISAAC. Son Esau, thou knowest that I do thee love. ESAU. I thank you for it, father, as doth me behove. ISAAC. And now thou seest my days draw towards an end. ESAU. That is to me great ruth, if I could it amend. ISAAC. I must go the way of all mortal flesh, Therefore, while my memory and wit is yet fresh, I would thee endow mine heritage to succeed: And bless thee, as I ought, to multiply my seed. The God of my father Abraham and of me Hath promised, that our seed as the sand shall be. He is a God of truth, and in his words just. Therefore in my working shall be no fault, I trust. Now, therefore, son Esau, get thee forth to hunt, With thy bow and quiver, as erst thou hast been wont; [And] bring me of thy venison that is good. ESAU. Ye shall have of the best that runneth in the wood. ISAAC. When thou comest home, to dress it it shall behove, And to make for mine own tooth such meat as I love. Thus do, mine own dear son, and then I shall thee kiss With the kiss of peace, and thee for ever bless.