REBECCA, the mother. JACOB, the son.
REBECCA. Come forth, son Jacob, why tarriest thou behind?
JACOB. Forsooth, mother, I thought ye had said all your mind.
REBECCA. Nay, come, I have yet a word or two more to say.
JACOB. Whatsoever pleaseth you, speak to me ye may.
REBECCA. Seeing thy brother Esau is such an one,
Why rebukest thou him not, when ye are alone?
Why dost thou not give him some good sad wise counsel?
JACOB. He lacketh not that, mother, if it would avail.
But when I do him any thing of his fault tell,
He calleth me foolish proud boy, with him to mell.
He will sometime demand, by what authority
I presume to teach them which mine elders be?
He will sometime ask, if I learn of my mother
To take on me teaching of mine elder brother?
Sometime, when I tell him of his lewd behaviour,
He will lend me a mock or twain for my labour:
And sometime for anger he will out with his purse,
And call me, as please him, and swear he will do worse.
REBECCA. O Lord, that to bear such a son it was my chance.
JACOB. Mother, we must be content with God's ordinance.
REBECCA. Or, if I should need have Esau to my son,
Would God thou, Jacob, haddest the eldership won.