ACTUS QUINTI, SCAENA QUINTA.
RAGAN.
Where are we now become? marry, sir, here is array!
With Esau, my master, this is a black day.
I told you Esau one day would shit a rag, Have we not well hunted, of blessing to come lag?[280]
Nay, I thought ever it would come to such a pass, Since he sold his heritage like a very ass.
But, in faith, some of them, I dare jeopard a groat, If he may reach them, will have on the petticoat.[281]
ACTUS QUINTI, SCAENA SEXTA.
ESAU. RAGAN. ABRA. MIDO. DEBORAH.
ESAU. Come out, whores and thieves; come out, come out, I say!
RAGAN.[282] I told you, did I not, that there would be a fray? [_Aside_.
ESAU. Come out, little whoreson ape, come out of thy den.
MIDO. Take my life for a penny, whither shall I ren?[283]
ESAU. Come out, thou little fiend, come out, thou skittish gill.
ABRA. Out, alas, alas! Esau will us all kill.
ESAU. And come out, thou mother Mab;[284] out, old rotten witch!
As white as midnight's arsehole or virgin pitch.
Where be ye? come together in a cluster.
RAGAN. In faith, and these three will make a noble muster.
ESAU. Ere ye escape my fingers, ye shall all be taught, For these be they which have all this against me wrought.
MIDO. I wrought not a stroke this day, but led Isaac: If I wrought one stroke to-day, lay me on the jack.
ESAU. Hence then, get thee in, and do against me no more.
MIDO. I care as much for you now, as I did before. [_Aside_.
ESAU. What sayest thou, little thief? if I may thee catch.
MIDO. Ye shall run apace then, I ween, so God me snatch.
RAGAN. Now to go, Mido, ere thou art caught in a trip.
[_Exit_ MIDO.
ESAU. Nay, for his sake, Abra, ye shall drink of the whip.
ABRA. Nay, for God's love, good sweet master Esau, Hurt not me for Mido: speak for me, Ragan.
RAGAN. Sir, spare little Abra, she hath done none evil.
ESAU. A little fiend it is, and will be a right devil, And she is one of them that love not me a deal.
ABRA. If ye let me go, I will love you very well.
ESAU. And never any more ado against me make?
ABRA. Ragan shall be surety.
RAGAN. Sir, I undertake.
ESAU. Then hence, out of my sight at once, and get thee in.
ABRA. Adieu, I set not a straw by you nor a pin.
ESAU. What sayest thou, thou fib? once ye shall have a rap.
RAGAN. The best end of suretyship is to get a clap. [_Aside_.
ESAU. Now, come on, thou old hag, what shall I say to thee?
DEBORAH. Say what ye lust, so ye do not touch me.
ESAU. Yes, and make powder of thee, for I dare say thou Hast been the cause of all this feast to Esau.
DEBORAH. No, it was Jacob's feast that I did help to dress.
ESAU. Nay, I thought such a witch would do such business.
DEBORAH.[285] But, by my truth, if I should die incontinent, I knew not of the purpose, wherefore it was meant.
ESAU. But wilt thou tell me truth, if I do forgive thee?
DEBORAH. Yea, if I can, Master Esau, believe me.
ESAU. Is it true that, when I and my brother were first born, And I by God's ordinance came forth him beforne, Jacob came forthwith, holding me fast by the heel?
DEBORAH. It is true; I was there, and saw it very well.
ESAU. Is it true? well, Jacob, I pray God I be dead, But for my heel's sake, I will have thee by the head.