ABRA. I was washing my vessel forsooth, mistress, I. REBECCA. And in very deed, look that all your vessels be clean. ABRA. There is not one foul piece in all our tent, I ween. REBECCA. Then make a great fire, and make ready your pot, And see there be plenty of water, cold and hot; And see the spit be scoured as clean as any pearl. ABRA. If this be not quickly done, call me naughty girl. REBECCA. Nay, soft, whither away? I have not yet all done. ABRA. I thought ye would have had me as quick to be gone, As when ye call Abra, ye would have me to come. REBECCA. Then see ye have made ready cloves, mace, and cinnamon: Pepper and saffron; then fet herbs for the pot; ABRA. We will have the best that by me can be got. REBECCA. And let no foul corner be about all the tent. ABRA. If ye find any fault, hardly let me be shent. Is there anything else but that I may go now? REBECCA. Nought but that, when I come, I find no fault in you. ABRA. No, I warrant you, I will not let my matters sleep. REBECCA. Any good wench will at her dame's bidding take keep. Now, God of Abraham, as I trust in thy grace, Send Jacob the blessing in Esau his place. As thou hast ordained, right so must all thing be: Perform thine own words, Lord, which thou spakest to me. Now will I go in to see, that mine old husband May of my secret working nothing understand. Or in case he smell what we have thus far begun, He may think it all for Esau to be done. ACTUS QUARTI, SCAENA QUARTA. ABRA, _the maid_, DEBORAH, _the nurse_. ABRA. He, that were now within, should find all thing, I ween, As trim as a trencher, as trick, as sweet, as clean. And seeing that my dame prepareth such a feast, I will not, I trow, be found such a sluttish beast, That there shall any filth about our tent be kept, But that both within and without it shall be swept. [_Then let her sweep with a broom, and while she doth it, sing this song, and when she hath sung, let her say thus_:[271] THE SECOND SONG. _It hath been a proverb, before I was born, Young doth it prick, that will be a thorn. Who will be evil, or who will be good; Who given to truth, or who to falsehood. Each body's youth showeth a great likelihood. For young doth it prick, that will be a thorn. Who so in youth will no goodness embrace, But follow pleasure, and not virtue's trace, Great marvel it is, if such come to grace. For young doth it prick, that will be a thorn. Such as in youth will refuse to be taught, Or will be slack to work, as he ought, When they come to age, their proof will be nought. For young doth it prick, that will be a thorn. If a child have been given to any vice, Except he be guided by such as be wise, He will thereof all his life have a spice. For young doth it prick, that will be a thorn. It hath been a proverb, &c_.