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Pope, Alexander, 1688-1744

"A Select Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 2"


RAGAN. Nay, I speak of your neighbours, being men honest,
That labour all the day, and would fain be at rest:
Whom with blowing your horn ye disease all-abouts.
ESAU. What care I for waking a sort of clubbish louts?
RAGAN. And I speak of Rebecca your mother, our dame.
ESAU. Tut, I pass not, whether she do me praise or blame.
RAGAN. And I speak of your good father, old Isaac.
ESAU. Peace, foolish knave: as for my father Isaac,
In case he be asleep, I do him not disease,
And if he be waking, I know I do him please,
For he loveth me well from mine nativity,
[_Here Esau bloweth his horn again_.
And never so as now for mine activity.
Therefore have at it: once more will I blow my horn
To give my neighbour louts an hail-peal in a morn.
[_Here he speaketh to his dogs_.
Now, my master Lightfoot, how say you to this gear,
Will you do your duty to red or fallow deer?
And, Swan, mine own good cur, I do think in my mind
The game shall run apace, if thou come far behind:
And ha, Takepart, come, Takepart, here: how say you, child,
Wilt not thou do thy part? yes, else I am beguil'd.
But I shrew your cheeks, they have had too much meat.
RAGAN. I blame not dogs to take it, if they may it get:
But as for my part, they could have, parde,
A small remnant of that that ye give me.
They may run light enough for ought of me they got,
I had not a good meal's-meat this week, that I wot.


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