JACOB. Yes, that shalt thou, Mido; right worthy thou art.
REBECCA. I come to see, if Jacob be gone a-field yet; A little slacking may all our purpose let. But now that he is gone, he will be here at once, Therefore I will call my maid Abra for the nonce, That all thing within may be in a readiness. Abra, where be ye, Abra?
REBECCA. Come forth: when, Abra? what, Abra, I say!
REBECCA. Must I call so oft? why come ye not by and by?
ABRA. I was washing my vessel forsooth, mistress, I.
REBECCA. And in very deed, look that all your vessels be clean.
ABRA. There is not one foul piece in all our tent, I ween.
REBECCA. Then make a great fire, and make ready your pot, And see there be plenty of water, cold and hot; And see the spit be scoured as clean as any pearl.
ABRA. If this be not quickly done, call me naughty girl.
REBECCA. Nay, soft, whither away? I have not yet all done.
ABRA. I thought ye would have had me as quick to be gone, As when ye call Abra, ye would have me to come.
REBECCA. Then see ye have made ready cloves, mace, and cinnamon: Pepper and saffron; then fet herbs for the pot;
ABRA. We will have the best that by me can be got.
REBECCA. And let no foul corner be about all the tent.
ABRA. If ye find any fault, hardly let me be shent. Is there anything else but that I may go now?
REBECCA. Nought but that, when I come, I find no fault in you.
ABRA. No, I warrant you, I will not let my matters sleep.
REBECCA. Any good wench will at her dame's bidding take keep. Now, God of Abraham, as I trust in thy grace, Send Jacob the blessing in Esau his place. As thou hast ordained, right so must all thing be: Perform thine own words, Lord, which thou spakest to me. Now will I go in to see, that mine old husband May of my secret working nothing understand. Or in case he smell what we have thus far begun, He may think it all for Esau to be done.
ABRA. He, that were now within, should find all thing, I ween, As trim as a trencher, as trick, as sweet, as clean. And seeing that my dame prepareth such a feast, I will not, I trow, be found such a sluttish beast, That there shall any filth about our tent be kept, But that both within and without it shall be swept.
[_Then let her sweep with a broom, and while she doth it, sing this song, and when she hath sung, let her say thus_:[271]