ABRA. Now have I done, and, as it should be for the nonce, My sweeping and my song are ended both at once. Now but for fetting mine herbs I might go play. Deborah, nurse Deborah, a word, I you pray. _Enter_ DEBORAH. DEBORAH. What is the matter? who calleth me Deborah? ABRA. Forsooth, gentle nurse, even I, little Abra, I pray you, sweet Deborah, take in this same broom, And look well to all thing, till I return home: I must to the garden as fast as I can trot, As I was commanded, to fet herbs for the pot. But, in the meantime, I pray you, nurse, look about, And see well to the fire, that it go not out; I will amble so fast, that I will soon be there, And here again, I trow, ere an horse lick his ear. [_Exit_. DEBORAH. There is not a prettier girl within this mile, Than this Abra will be within this little while. As true as any steel, ye may trust her with gold. Though it were a bushel, and not a penny told. As quick about her work, that must be quickly sped As any wench in twenty mile about her tread. As fine a piece it is, as I know but a few, Yet perchance her husband of her may have a shrew. Cat after kind (say'th the proverb) sweet milk will lap; If the mother be a shrew, the daughter cannot 'scape. One sure[272] mark she hath: I marvel, if she slip: For her nose is growing above her over lip. But it is time, that I into the tent be gone, Lest she come and chide me; she will come now anon. ACTUS QUARTI, SCAENA QUINTA. ABRA. ABRA. How say ye? have not I despatched me quickly? A straw for that wench that doth not somewhat likely, I have brought here good herbs, and of them plenty, To make both broth and farcing,[273] and that full dainty, I trust to make such broth that, when all things are in, God Almighty self may wet his finger therein. Here is thyme and parsley, spinach and rosemary. Endive, succory, lacture, violet, clary, Liverwort, marigold, sorrel, hart's-tongue, and sage: Pennyroyal, purslane, bugloss, and boràge, With many very good herbs, mo than I do name. But to tarry here thus long, I am much to blame. For if Jacob should come, I not in readiness, I must of covenant be shent of our mistress. And I would not for twenty pound, I tell ye, That any point of default should be found in me. [_Exit_. ACTUS QUARTI, SCAENA SEXTA. REBECCA. MIDO. JACOB. REBECCA. I come to see, if Jacob do not return yet, I cannot marvel enough what should be his let, And greatly wonder he is away thus long. I fear much of his absence, lest something be wrong. As well as heart can wish, all thing is ready here; And now to me each moment seemeth a whole year. But hark, methinketh I hear a young kid blea! It is so indeed; I see Jacob; well is me! MIDO. Hark, master Jacob, heard ye ever kid blea so? I ween she knoweth aforehand, whereto she shall go. JACOB. I would not my father Isaac should hear;