Volume Ii Part 27 (1/2)

What is the practice of a conscience pure?

To love and fear G.o.d, and other allure, And for his sake to help his neighbour: Then may he well be merry.

What shall we have, that can and will do this?

After this life everlasting bliss, Yet not by desert, but by gift, i-wis: There G.o.d make us all merry!_

FINIS.[256]

THE HISTORY OF JACOB AND ESAU.

EDITION.

_A newe mery and wittie Comedie or Enterlude, newely imprinted, treating upon the Historie of Iacob and Esau, taken out of the xxvij.

Chap. of the first booke of Moses ent.i.tuled Genesis. Imprinted at London by Henrie Bynneman, dwelling in Knight-rider Streate, at the signe of the Mermayde. Anno Domini. 1568. 4to_.

This piece is placed earlier in the series than the mere date of publication given above would warrant, because the interlude was licensed in 1557-8, and probably published in pursuance of its registration at Stationers' Hall. The 4to of 1568 is, however, the only impression hitherto recovered, and it is of the greatest rarity. An account of this dramatic curiosity will be found in Collier's ”History of English Dramatic Poetry,” 1831. It is now for the first time reprinted.

THE PARTS AND NAMES OF THE PLAYERS WHO ARE TO BE CONSIDERED TO BE HEBREWS, AND SO SHOULD BE APPARELLED WITH ATTIRE.

1. THE PROLOGUE, _a Poet_.

2. ISAAC, _an old man, father to Jacob and Esau_.

3. REBECCA, _an old woman, wife to Isaac_.

4. ESAU, _a young man and a hunter_.

5. JACOB, _a young man of G.o.dly conversation_.

6. ZETHAR, _a neighbour_.

7. HANAN, _a neighbour to Isaac also_.

8. RAGAN, _servant unto Esau_.

9. MIDO, _a little boy, leading Isaac_.

10. DEBORAH, _the nurse of Isaac's tent_.

11. ABRA, _a little wench, servant to Rebecca_.

PROLOGUE OF THE PLAY.

In the book of Genesis it is expressed, That when G.o.d to Abraham made sure promise, That in his seed all nations should be blessed: To send him a son by Sarah he did not miss.

Then to Isaac (as there recorded it is) By Rebecca his wife, who had long time been barren, When pleased him, at one birth he sent sons twain.

But before Jacob and Esau yet born were, Or had either done good, or ill perpetrate: As the prophet Malachi and Paul witness bear, Jacob was chosen, and Esau reprobate: Jacob I love (saith G.o.d) and Esau I hate.

For it is not (saith Paul) in man's renewing or will, But in G.o.d's mercy, who chooseth whom he will.

But now for our coming we shall exhibit here, Of Jacob and Esau how the story was; Whereby G.o.d's adoption may plainly appear: And also that, whatever G.o.d's ordinance was, Nothing might defeat, but that it must come to pa.s.s.

That, if this story may your eyes or ears delight, We pray you of patience, while we it recite.

THE HISTORY OF JACOB AND ESAU.

ACTUS PRIMA. SCAENA PRIMA.