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Pope, Alexander, 1688-1744

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


REBECCA. That should be Jacob's, if I might have my wishing. [_Aside_.
ISAAC. And the chief endowment of the father's substance.
REBECCA. Which will thrive well in Esau his governance.
ISAAC. By title of eldership he hath his birthright.
REBECCA. And that would I remove to Jacob, if I might. [_Aside_.
ISAAC. He must have double portion to another.
REBECCA. That were more fit for Jacob his younger brother.
ISAAC. In all manner of things divided by a rate.
REBECCA. Well given goods to him, that the Lord doth hate!
ISAAC. Why say ye so of Esau, mine eldest son?
REBECCA. I say true, if he proceed, as he hath begun.
ISAAC. Is he not your son too, as well as he is mine?
Wherefore do ye then against him thus sore repine?
REBECCA. Because that in my spirit verily I know,
God will set up Jacob, and Esau down throw.
I have showed you many a time ere this day,
What the Lord of them being in my womb did say.
I use not for to lie, and I believe certain,
That the Lord spake not these words to me in vain.
And Jacob it is (I know), in whom the Lord will
His promises to you made and to your seed fulfil.
ISAAC. I doubt not his promise made to me and my seed,
Leaving to his conveyance how it shall proceed.
The Lord after his way may change th'inheritance;
But I may not wittingly break our ordinance.
REBECCA. Now would God I could persuade my lord Isaac
Jacob to prefer, and Esau to put back.


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