Isaac. Alas! father, is that your will,
Your own child here for to spill,
Upon this hill's brink?
If I have trespassed in any degree,
With a rod you may beat me;
Put up your sword, if your will be,
For I am but a child.
Abraham. Oh, my son! I am sorry
To do to thee this great annoy,
God's commandment do must I,
His works are aye full mild.
Isaac. Would God, my mother were here with me!
She would kneel upon her knee,
Praying you, father, if it might be,
For to save my life.
Abraham. Oh, comely creature, but I thee kill,
I grieve my God, and that full ill:
I may not work against his will
But ever obedient be.
O Isaac, son, to thee I say:
God has commanded me this day
Sacrifice--this is no nay--
To make of thy body.
Isaac. Is it God's will I should be slain?
Abraham. Yea, son, it is not for to layne;[75]
To his bidding I will be bane,[76]
Ever to his pleasing.
But that I do this doleful deed,
My Lord will not quit[77] me my meed.[78]
Isaac. Marry! father, God forbid
But you do your off'ring.
Father, at home your sons you shall find
That you must love by course of kind.
Be I once out of your mind,
Your sorrow may soon cease,
But you must do God's bidding.
Father, tell my mother of nothing.
Abraham. For sorrow I may my hands wring,
Thy mother I cannot please.
O Isaac, blessed may'st thou be!
Almost my wit I lose for thee,
The blood of thy body so free
I feel full loth to shed.
Isaac. Father, since you must needs do so,
Let it pass lightly and overgo;
Kneeling on my knees two,
Your blessing on me spread!
Abraham. My blessing, dear son, give I thee
And thy mother's with heart so free;
The blessing of the Trinity,
My dear son, on thee light!