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Pope, Alexander, 1688-1744

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


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.


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