Thy brother Jacob came to me by subtlety,
And brought me venison, and so prevented[277] thee.
I ate with him, ere thou cam'st, and with my good-will
Blessed him I have, and blessed he shall be still.
ESAU. Ah Jacob, Jacob, well may he be called so:
For he hath undermined me times two.
For first mine heritage he took away me fro,
And see, now hath he away my blessing also.
Ah father, father, though Jacob hath done this thing:
Yet let me Esau also have thy blessing.
Shall all my good huntings for thee be in vain?
ISAAC. That is done and passed, cannot be called again.
Mine act must now stand in force of necessity.
ESAU. And hast thou never a blessing then left for me?
ISAAC. Behold, I have made thy brother Jacob thy lord.
ESAU. A most poignant sword unto my heart is that word.
ISAAC. All his mother's children his servants have I made.
ESAU. That word is to me sharper than a razor's blade.
ISAAC. I have also 'stablished him with wine and corn.
ESAU. Woe be the day and hour that ever I was born!
ISAAC. What am I able to do for thee, my son?
ESAU. Ah Jacob, Jacob, that thou hast me thus undone!
O unhappy hap: O misfortune! well away!
That ever I should live to see this woful day.
But hast thou one blessing and no mo, my father?
Let me also have some blessing, good sweet father.
ISAAC. Well, nature pricketh me some remorse on thee to have.
Behold, thy dwelling-place the earth's fatness shall have,
And the dew of heaven, which down from above shall fall:
And with dint of sword thy living get thou shall,
And to thy brother Jacob thou shalt be servant.
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