But here cometh now master Esau forth.
ACTUS SECUNDI, SCAENA QUARTA.
ESAU _and_ RAGAN.
RAGAN. Ah, sir, when one is hungry, good meat is much worth.
And well fare a good brother yet in time of need,
[_Esau cometh forth, wiping his mouth_.
The world is now meetly well amended indeed,
ESAU. By my truth, if I had bidden[267] from meat any longer,
I think my very maw would have fret asunder.
Then had I been dead and gone, I make God a vow.
RAGAN. Surely then the world had had a great loss of you;
For where should we have had your fellow in your place?
[_Aside_.
ESAU. What should I have done with my birthright in this case?
RAGAN. Kept it still, and you had not been a very ass. [_Aside_.
ESAU. But the best pottage it was yet, that ever was.
It were sin not to sell one's soul for such gear.
RAGAN. Ye have done no less in my conscience, I fear. [_Aside_.
ESAU. Who is this that standeth clattering at my back?
RAGAN. A poor man of yours, sir, that doth his dinner lack.
ESAU. Dinner, whoreson knave? dinner at this time a' day?
Nothing with thee but dinner and munching alway.
Why, thy whoreson villain slave, who is hungry now?
RAGAN. Indeed, sir (as seemeth by your words) not you.
ESAU. A man were better fill the bellies of some twelfe,
Than to fill the gut of one such whoreson elf;
That doth none other good but eat, and drink, and sleep.
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