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Pope, Alexander, 1688-1744

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

MIDO. REBECCA. JACOB.

ISAAC. Where be ye, good wife?
MIDO. My dame Rebecca is here.
REBECCA. I am glad, sweet husband, that I see you appear,
For[287] I have a word or two unto you to say.
ISAAC. Whatsoever it be, tell it me, I you pray.
REBECCA. Sir, ye know that now our life-days are but short,
And we had never so great need of comfort.
Now Esau his wives being Hittites both,
Ye know, to please us are much unwilling and both.
That if Jacob eke would take any Hittite to wife,
Small joy should we both have or comfort of our life.
ISAAC. Wife, ye speak this well, and I will provide therefore,
Call Jacob quickly, that he appear me before.
MIDO. I can run apace for him, if ye bid me go.
REBECCA. Go, hie thee at once then, like a good son, Mido.
[_Exit Mido, but returns directly with Jacob_.
ISAAC. O Lord, save thou my son from mis-carrying.
MIDO. Come, master Jacob, ye must make no tarrying,
For I it is that shall be shent, if you be slack,
Here is your son Jacob now, master Isaac.
ISAAC. Son Jacob, make thee ready, as fast [as] thou can,
And in all haste possible get thee unto Laban.
He is thine own uncle, and a right godly man,
Marry of his daughters, and not of Canaan.
In Mesopotamia shalt thou lead thy life.
The Lord prosper thee here without debate or strife;
And the God of Abraham prosper thee in peace;
He multiply thy seed, and make it to increase!
Now kiss me, dear son Jacob, and so go thy way.


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