Joseph and His Brethren: A Pageant Play/Act IV
ACT IV
THE DELIVERER
Genesis XLII; XLIII; XLIV; XLIX
SCENE I
THE TENTS OF SHECHEM
PERSONS
Jacob Gad
Reuben Asher
Levi Zebulun
Judah Benjamin
Dan Issachar
Naphtali Serah
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ACT IV
Scene 1—The Interior of Jacob's Tent as in the Last Scene of Act I
R. C. there is a seat, formed of cushions, in which Jacob, now 106 years old, is reclining. He gazes straight before him with unseeing eyes. Judah is bent humbly before him, but Jacob takes no notice of him. The other Brothers are in a group, L. front. Judah rises and comes to them.
Judah. Father Jacob!—He will not hear. He will not speak. [Down R.]
Levi. Woe! Woe!
Reuben. The food we brought out of Egypt is all spent.
Asher [Enters] My children, and my children's children clamor for bread.
Reuben. It is the curse of God for the evil we did unto Joseph.
Levi. Now we must go down to Egypt a second time.
Reuben [Bitterly] Ay, we, princes in Israel, on our knees, begging for food!
Gad. Needs must, when hunger drives.
Dan. Not hunger only; we must redeem Simeon.
Zebulun. Simeon, that was hottest for selling Joseph a slave, is now a slave himself
Asher. And we are starving
Judah. God is righteous.
Dan. I dread the man—the governor—him they call the Revealer of Secrets.
Levi. Nay, he is our friend. Did he not restore to each man his money in his sack?
Naphtali [To Reuben's Slave] I dread a trick. What if he say we stole the money, and slay Simeon?
Reuben. Yet to him we must go. In all the world there is no corn, but only in Egypt.
Issachar. Our father will not let us go.
Reuben. We must persuade him.
Issachar. Remember the man's words—Except ye bring Benjamin, ye shall not see my face.
Zebulun [Pointing off L.] Lo! Benjamin.
Levi. Oh, latest-born of Rachel, Benjamin, whom our father loveth, plead for us.
Benjamin. What would'st thou, Son of Leah?
Levi. Plead with Jacob for us, that we may go down into Egypt once more.
Benjamin. That will I, gladly.
Serah. Father, my child crieth for food! Father! Father! My first-born!
All [Veiling their faces.] Woe upon us all!
Asher. Child, our father's heart is turned to stone.
Serah. I will entreat him
Asher [Pointing to Jacob] Lo! he looketh neither to the left nor to the right; his eyeballs have grown white with weeping. Yet, Serah, take thy harp; sing to him—sing our grief—sing the death of our children
Serah. Alas! How shall I sing, with a breaking heart?
Asher. Put the heart-break into thy song.
Serah. Give me my harp—I will sing.
Serah. [Sings]—
I sit alone in the wilderness,
My children are perishing around me
Mother, mother, they cry,
We hunger, we are a-thirst.
Cry not to me, O children,
Cry to the Captain of Israel!
As for me, I am drièd up;
My heart-strings are rent asunder,
Even as I rend the strings of my harp!
Jacob. Who singeth? Is it thou, Serah, daughter of Asher?
Serah. Father, it is I! My child is dying!
Jacob. Joseph, my beloved, is dead; and Simeon is a captive in a strange land.
Serah. But we, the living, are an-hungered.
Reuben. All the seed of Israel will surely perish.
Jacob. Go again; buy us a little food.
Judah. The man did solemnly protest unto us, saying, Ye shall not see my face, except your brother, Benjamin, be with you.
Jacob.. Me have ye bereaved of my children; Joseph is not, and Simeon is not, and ye will take away Benjamin, whom his mother died in bearing: all these things are against me.
Reuben. Slay my two sons, if I bring him not to thee.
Jacob. Wherefore dealt ye so ill with me, as to tell the man whether ye had yet a brother?
Levi. The man asked us straitly of our state, and of our kindred, saying, Is your father yet alive? Have ye another brother?
Issachar. Could we certainly know that he would say, Bring your brother down?
Gad. The man knew all things: for though the city hath ten gates; and we went in, each of us by a separate gate, yet he knew all our going and coming.
Zebulun. He is called the Revealer of Secrets.
Judah. Send the lad with me, and we will arise and go; that we may live, and not die, both we and thou, and our little ones.
Serah. Israel! Israel!
Judah. I will be surety for him; of my hand shalt thou require him. If I bring him not unto thee, and set him before thee, then let me bear the blame forever. For except we had lingered, surely now we had returned this second time.
Benjamin. Father, let me go. I have no fear of the man.
Jacob. Can'st thou leave me, Benjamin?
Benjamin. For my brothers' sakes, and for the sake of their children.
[Pause]
Jacob. [To Judah] If evil befall him, thou shalt bring down my grey hairs with sorrow to the grave. Yet, if it must be so—[Movement of joy amongst the Brothers; Zebulun slips out at back] now do this: Take of the best fruits of the land in your vessels, and carry down the man a present, a little balm, a little honey, spices and myrrh, nuts and almonds: and take double money in your hand; and the money that was brought again in the mouths of your sacks, carry it again in your hand; peradventure it was an oversight: take also your brother, and arise, go again unto the man. [He clasps Benjamin in his arms]
Judah. Now, God be praised, who hath moved thy heart! We will make all speed, and it shall not be many days ere we return with food.
Reuben. Thy blessing, O Israel!
Jacob. God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may send away your brother, and Benjamin. If I be bereaved, I am bereaved.
The Scene Changes
SCENE II
JOSEPH'S HOUSE
PERSONS
| Joseph | Dedefre | |
| Simeon | Enenkhet | |
| Tehuti | Zuleikha | |
| Sebni | Asenath | |
| Atha | Wakara | |
| Tamai | ||
| Slaves |
Scene 2—An Open Space outside Joseph's House
Trees on the right, and in the background. Through a break in the latter there is a view of the Nile, with, on the opposite shore, the Pyramids and the temples attached to them. The entrance to the house is L.
Enter Joseph and Asenath, R., attended by Slaves, leading Ephraim and Manasseh (children), who, at a signal from Joseph, pass on into the house.
Asenath. Is my lord happy?
Joseph. Ah! Am I happy!
Asenath. Are the sheep-folds in Dothan forgotten?
Joseph. Nay, for then I were less happy.
Asenath. Rede me that riddle.
Joseph. I am of a race which never forgets. With us the ties of blood are stronger than death.
Asenath. Stronger than love?
Joseph [Smiling] Is there no such tie between us? Art thou not the mother of my children? Art thou happy, Asenath?
Asenath. Ay—save when I remember Zuleika.
Joseph. What is Zuleika to us?
Asenath. I fear her. They say she fareth every night yonder [Pointing to the Pyramids] to Cheops' tomb; and there she weaveth spells and breweth philters. They say many men have come to a miserable end by her craft. Oh, remember how she hateth thee, and beware!
Joseph. Be comforted. She shall hurt neither thee nor me. [To Enenkhet, who enters L.] What now?
Enenkhet. Great lord, here be certain nobles of the land, humbly crave speech of thee.
Joseph. [To Asenath, leading her towards the entrance of the house] Go in, beloved, and be of good cheer. Drink courage in the eyes of our sons, Manasseh and Ephraim.
Asenath. I have drunk courage in thine. But beware!
Joseph. [To the Steward] Well—have the nobles hither. Wait. How fareth our guest: Simeon, the son of Jacob?
Enenkhet. He hath his freedom, to go and come, as my lord bade.
Joseph. How doth he use that freedom?
Enenkhet. Seeking his brother.
Joseph. [Smiling] Joseph?
Enenkhet. [With a twinkle] I think that is the name, my lord.
Joseph. Bid him attend me.
Tehuti. Revealer of Secrets, O Prince of Life, live forever!
Joseph. What is it ye seek?
Tehuti. Behold, there is no bread in all the land; for the famine is very sore, so that the land of Egypt fainteth by reason of the famine.
Joseph. I warned you of this: it is according to Pharaoh's dream.
Sebni. But thou, lord, hast gathered up all the money that was found in the land of Egypt for the corn which we bought.
Joseph. [Gravely] I have brought the money into the Pharaoh's house.
Dedefre. And when money failed, and we said, Give us bread, for why should we die in thy presence
Joseph. [Blandly] Then said I, Give your cattle; and I gave you bread in return for your cattle.
Atha. And now we come again entreating thy help.
Dedefre. We will not hide from my lord that our money is spent
Atha. My lord hath also our herds of cattle.
Tehuti. [Bitterly] There is not aught left in the sight of my lord but our bodies and our lands.
Atha. [With increasing violence] Wherefore shall we die before thine eyes, both we and our land!
Dedefre. Buy us and our land for bread, and we and our land will be the servants unto the Pharaoh!
Sebni. Give us seed, that we may live and not die!
Atha. That the land be not desolate!
Tehuti. Lo! We will sell our ancient freedom for food, so that our little ones may live.
Joseph [Gravely] It shall be as you say. Yourselves and your lands ye shall bind to Pharaoh, and food shall be given you, and seed to sow your land. Go within. Let each man write out his account.
Tehuti. My lord is very merciful!
Sebni. He holdeth us in the hollow of his hand!
Atha. What care I? Shall I see my children starve?
Joseph. Well, Simeon, my—guest—what thinkest thou of what thou seest in Egypt?
Simeon [With sincere admiration] I thought I was a hard man at bartering, but in thy presence!
Joseph. I grieve to hear thy search for thy brother hath been fruitless.
Simeon [Startled] How knewest thou?
Joseph [Smiling] Am I not the Revealer of Secrets? [Blandly] How was thy brother lost?
Simeon [Sullenly] If my lord knoweth all things, he knoweth that also.
Tehuti. My lord, the deeds are written. Will it please thee to sign?
Joseph. I come.
Joseph. [To Simeon] I would willingly have heard thee tell the tale. But the lords wait. [As he goes in, with a slight tinge of mockery] Seek again, Simeon!
Simeon. [Looking after Joseph] Was the man mocking me? Doth he know I sold Joseph into slavery? Since he knoweth all things—was he mocking me?
Zuleika. Who was mocking thee, Hebrew?
Simeon. Lady [He is about to pass her, when he recognizes her and starts back in amazement]
Zuleika. Why does thou marvel so?
Simeon. Where have I seen thee—? Where? Where?
Zuleika. [Recognizing him] Thou—! Ay—! The years have not taken the greed out of thine eyes! Thou art one of those who would have slain Joseph!
Simeon. And thou art she who bought him! Ah! Thank God! Now I shall find my brother again!
Zuleika. Art thou mad?
Simeon. Nay, deny me not. Thou art she! Time hath not touched thy beauty! Joseph, my brother, is he alive? Where is he?
Wakara. [In amazement, indicating the house] Why
Zuleika. [Sharply] Silence! [To Simeon, watching him closely] Knowest thou in whose house thou art?
Simeon. In the house of the Overlord of Egypt. I came with my brethren to buy food; and the man called us spies and held me for hostage until my brethren bring our youngest brother, Benjamin
Zuleika [Insistently] Nay, but the man; knowest thou who the man is?
Simeon. I know nought, save that from him proceedeth life and death. If thou knowest aught of my brother, tell me. For the curse is upon me for his sake.
Zuleika. Thy brother liveth.
Simeon [With a cry] What! Where? Where?
Joseph [At the entrance] And so, farewell, my lords.
Tehuti. Farewell, dispenser of mercies.
Zuleika [To Simeon] Come at midnight [Pointing to the Pyramids] to Cheops' tomb.
Joseph [Calling] Simeon!
The Scene Changes
SCENE III
THE PYRAMIDS
PERSONS:
Potiphar Ani
Simeon Zuleikha
Heru Wakara
Tamai
Slaves
Scene 3—At the Foot of an Angle of the Pyramid.
The Pyramid projects diagonally from L. front to R. C. and soars out of sight, giving the impression that the small portion seen of it is life-size. On the R. are a few palms. In the distance the solemn bulk of another Pyramid looms against the sky. It is night; the moon has not yet risen. The sky is of a deep purple, studded with countless stars. None of the details of the Pyramid can be seen—it is merely an overwhelming black angle.
Enter, R. Potiphar, Heru, Ani and Tamai, followed by a few Ethiopian Slaves, one of whom carries the burning coals in a cage-like vessel, while another bears the iron pincers.
Tamai. This is the place.
Potiphar. It is sacred.
Heru My lord Potiphar, bid us not abide here; here the gods move.
Ani. The girl led us hither to a trap.
Potiphar [To Tamai] What is thy reward if thou liest?
Tamai. Death.
Potiphar. Lingering and terrible.
Tamai. I lie not.
Potiphar. Get ye behind the tomb. Heat the blinding-irons; red-hot—red-hot. I will lie among the palms. When I come forth, come forth also. Begone.
Potiphar [Strides agitatedly to and fro. Then he stops before Tamai] I know thou liest. Why should she seek the lord Joseph's death?
Tamai. Because she loveth him
Potiphar. Thou liest! Thou liest! He sought her love and she
Tamai. He sought not her love. She sought his love, and he scorned her. Therefore she seeketh his death.
Potiphar [Violently] Girl! I could put my hands about thy throat and press the life out of thee, for thou speakest my fear! Ha! I thank the gods that I shall know the truth tonight.
Tamai [At his feet] Oh, my lord, use her mercifully! I know how love has made her suffer. Save my lord Joseph, but use Zuleika mercifully.
Potiphar. Fool! Do I not suffer? Have I not loved her? She hath made a mock of me—unless thou lie! Woe to thee if thou lie! Woe to her and to me if thou speak truth!
Tamai. Come what may, for me there is nothing but woe!
Potiphar [Suddenly] With me! Into the darkness!
Zuleika. Set me down. [She emerges from the litter. She is dressed in white, over which she wears a black veil.]
Zuleika. When the moon is straight above the tomb, come and bear me away. Be-gone.
Zuleika. Thou, go spy whether Simeon cometh.
Wakara. Hast thou no dread? The ghosts of dead men are all about us.
Zuleika. I fear not the dead. Be-gone.
Zuleika. Art thou come, Simeon?
Simeon. At thy bidding.
Zuleika. Stand more in the dark.
Simeon. Who should see me here?
Zuleika. The Revealer watcheth. What seekest thou?
Simeon. Where is my brother hidden?
Zuleika. The Revealer hath him in hiding.
Simeon. Zaphenath Paneah!
Zuleika. Joseph is in his house.
Simeon. But he knoweth I seek him!
Zuleika. He mocketh thee. He cannot disclose Joseph, for whatever he hath, he hath from Joseph. His wisdom is Joseph's; his reading of dreams is Joseph's. Yea, he hath even wedded the woman Joseph loved. How can he disclose him?
Simeon. He knoweth me for Joseph's brother—why hath he not slain me? Why did he not slay us all when we were here?
Zuleika. Were ye all here?
Simeon. All, save Benjamin.
Zuleika. Why art thou a hostage?
Simeon. That Benjamin may be brought.
Zuleika. When Benjamin is brought, then shall ye all be slain, for then
Simeon. Then what?
Zuleika. Then no avenger can arise—unless
Simeon. Unless?
Zuleika. Wilt thou suffer the slayer to live?
Simeon. Woman!
Zuleika. Wilt thou not free thy brother?
Simeon. Egypt loveth the man—worshipeth him as a god—the Nobles—Pharaoh himself
Zuleika [Laughing] Thinkest thou the Pharaoh loveth him? Who is the king in Egypt? Not the Pharaoh, but this upstart. Do the Nobles love him, whose gold, whose cattle, whose lands and whose bodies he hath taken for a peck of corn? Strike! and Egypt shall call thee the Deliverer! [She throws off her veil]
Simeon. Woman! Thine eyes blaze through the night!
Zuleika. Strike! And thou shalt see them blaze with another flame!
Simeon. Woman! Woman! Thou pourest poison into my veins!
Zuleika. Set the Pharaoh free; redeem thy brother! Deliver Egypt; slay the man I hate
Simeon [Quickly] Why dost thou hatest him?
Zuleika [In a wild outburst of passion] Because I love him! Because he spurned me! Ah, gods! Shall I ever forget! Twice I destroyed him, and twice he sprang up refreshed! Ah! Slay him! Slay him! And ask what reward thou wilt!
Simeon. They have stripped me of my weapons.
Zuleika [Handing him a jeweled dagger] Here!—Here! Hide this under thy cloak. Beware! A scratch is death—'tis poisoned!
Simeon. I am alone—if I make to touch him, his servants will fall upon me
Zuleika. Oh, faint heart! Wait till thy brethren be at thy side
Simeon [Eagerly] And then—Zuleika?
Zuleika. Begone—swiftly! My bearers come.
Zuleika [Quite calm] Eavesdropping, my lord?
Potiphar [Cold and stern] Thy name shall be a byword of shame.
Zuleika. And thine a by-word of mockery.
Potiphar. No word of repentance?
Zuleika. Ay, I repent me that I have failed.
Potiphar. [More sternly] But—to me!
Zuleika [Mockingly] Oh, my lord, were I to speak to thee, in a moment I should win thy love again: which the gods forbid. I heed neither thy love nor thy hate. Farewell.
Zuleika. Death? A poor triumph, my lord. It is so easy to slay.
Potiphar. Not death. [To the Slaves] Take her.
Potiphar. The eyes that offended have atoned.
The Scene Changes
SCENE IV
IN JOSEPH'S HOUSE
PERSONS:
Joseph Jacob
Benjamin Reuben
Manasseh Simeon
Ephraim Levi
Tehuti Judah
Sebni Dan
Atha Naphtali
Dedefre Gad
Enenkhet Asher
Asenath Issachar
Tamai Zebulun
Nobles, Ladies, Minstrels, Dancing Girls, Slaves, People
Scene IV—The Hall in Joseph's House
It is of light and graceful architecture. On the left is a raised platform running along the entire wall, on which, presently, Joseph's table will be set. The two doors, L., opening on to this platform. Through the one near the footlights Joseph and Asenath enter. Through the further one, there are some who are called the Servitors. The back is practically entirely open to the garden, but all the openings can be closed by rolling mats. They are closed at the rise of the curtain. The right wall also has two doors. Beyond the hall and garden there is a view of Memphis, with huge temples and still more enormous storehouses and granaries.
At the rise of the curtain, a female Slave brings on Tamai, leaves her in the center of the hall, and with an obeisance, she goes off at the left side. Immediately enter Asenath.
Asenath. What would'st thou with me, maiden?
Tamai. Bid thy lord beware of Simeon the hostage.
Asenath [Frightened] What of him?
Tamai. He hath sworn to slay thy lord.
Asenath. He is unarmed.
Tamai. Zuleikha hath given him a poisoned knife.
Asenath. Alas! Is her hatred so ruthless!
Tamai [Sadly] She can never do any hurt again.
Asenath. What?! Is she dead?
Tamai. She is—blind.
Asenath. Oh, unhappy wretch! [To Joseph, who enters] My lord, hear what this maiden saith concerning Simeon.
Joseph. All she can say I know.
Asenath. The knife?
Joseph. I know; I know. Go in—make ready for the banquet.
Asenath. With a heavy heart. Come with me, maiden.
Tamai. Nay, lady; I must follow another road.
Asenath. What is that?
Tamai. To wait upon the blind Zuleika
Asenath [To Joseph] My lord [She whispers to him]
Joseph [Coming to Tamai] Go in peace, sister; and fulfill thine errand of mercy. [He takes her head in his hand, and kisses her. She goes out smiling, C., shaken with sobs]
Joseph. Well?
Enenkhet. The ten brethren have entered the gates, my lord.
Joseph [Eagerly] Ten—! Art thou sure?
Enenkhet. Ay, my good lord.
Joseph. [With a cry of joy] Then Benjamin, whom I have never seen, is here!—Almighty God, I thank Thee! [He goes to the door and turns to speak from the platform to Enenkhet, who is in the centre of the hall] Bring these men hither and slay and make ready; for these men shall dine with me at noon. [Exit]
Enenkhet [At the entrance] Come hither, friends! Nay, but come within boldly.
Reuben [Entering suspiciously, with Levi] Because of the money that was returned in our sacks at the first time are we brought in.
Levi. Ay—that he may seek occasion against us, and fall upon us, and take us for bondmen.
Judah [With Benjamin, outside] Go not within, till we know my lord's mind.
Reuben [To the Steward] Oh sir, we came indeed down at the first time to buy food, and when we opened our sacks, behold, every man's money in full weight! And we have brought it again in our hand.
Levi. And other money have we brought to buy food.
Judah [Who has entered with Benjamin—eagerly] We cannot tell who put the money in our sacks.
Enenkhet. Peace be to you, fear not; your God, and the God of your fathers hath given you treasure in your sacks; I had your money.
Enenkhet. [To the Servants] Bring forth their brother that is an hostage. [To the Brethren] Ye are to dine with my lord.
Issachar. The man doth us too much honor.
Dan. I fear him.
Zebulun. Ay—we will move warily
Judah [To Benjamin, who is wandering off, admiring the hall] Thou, bide at my side!
Benjamin. [Laughing.] Fear not me, brother!
Reuben. Lo! Simeon!
All [Subdued] Simeon!
Gad. How is it with thee? Art thou whole?
Simeon. It is well with me.
Asher. Behold: our brother has taken no hurt; the man is an honorable man.
Enenkhet [To them.] Hither, my lords! [He ushers them in with great ceremony. They eye the Brethren askance.]
Simeon [In a quick whisper—to Reuben.] Be silent! Be watchful!
Reuben [Startled into speaking out loud.] Is there danger?
Simeon [Viciously.] I said, Be silent!
TEHUTI: [Condescendingly; to JUDAH.] Are ye here also to sell your bodies for food?
JUDAH: [Haughtily.] Not so! Our God is good, and we have money.
[The door on the left side is being thrown open.]
STEWARD: Behold! Zaphenath Paneah, the Revealer of Secrets, the lord of life, and the Deliverer, draweth nigh.
[Enter JOSEPH, ASENATH, MANASSEH and EPHRAIM, dressed in the robes of state. The two latter very young boys. All prostrate themselves. ASENATH and the two BOYS go behind the tables prepared for them. JOSEPH comes to the front of the platform.]
JOSEPH: [Gently.] Rise, friends. [A pause] Welcome, ye Hebrew Brethren! Is all well with you?
REUBEN: [Standing forward.] All is well with us, my lord. [He crosses and kneels at the foot of the platform.] Lo, we have brought an humble gift for my lord. Honey and spices, myrrh, nuts and almonds. It is not worth my lord's notice.
JOSEPH: The spirit of the gift is all. Is your father well? The old man of whom ye spoke? Is he yet alive?
REUBEN: Thy servant, our father, is in good health; he is yet alive.
JOSEPH: [He sees BENJAMIN; speaks with an effort.] Is this your younger brother of whom ye spoke unto me?
[REUBEN retires. JUDAH brings BENJAMIN forward.]
JUDAH: This is he, my lord; Benjamin, the son of Rachel.
JOSEPH: [Instinctively makes to step down and embrace BENJAMIN, but restrains himself. He stretches out his arms over the youth.] God be gracious unto thee, my son. [To ENENKHET.] Set on the bread. [He turns away, covering his face with his cloak, and gets to his seat beside ASENATH.]
[Under ENENKHET'S direction, the SERVANTS bring in the banquet, which they set on the tables. The GUESTS are still standing.]
ASENATH: [To JOSEPH.] Why is my lord so deeply stirred?
JOSEPH: My bowels yearn for Benjamin!
ASENATH: Who are the men, my lord?
JOSEPH: Wait a little while. [To ENENKHET.] Come hither. [He whispers to him, indicating the BRETHREN, and pointing to his silver cup. ENENKHET shows surprise; then laughs; finally bows in assent.]
ENENKHET: Thy guests are waiting, my lord.
JOSEPH: Sit, I pray you. [The EGYPTIANS sit at once. The BRETHREN are in some confusion.] Reuben, the first-born, according to his birthright, and Simeon, Levi and Judah, the sons of Leah, together; the sons of Bilhah, Dan and Naphtali; Gad and Asher, the sons of Zilpah; the later-born sons of Leah, Issachar and Zebulun—and the youngest according to his youth; Benjamin, the son of Rachel. Set their messes before them, but let Benjamin's mess be five times so much as theirs.
REUBEN: [Amazed.] He knoweth our names and our degrees, and the names of our mothers!
SIMEON: It is black wizardry.
JOSEPH: Ye marvel one to another whence cometh my knowledge! [He holds his silver cup on high.] Is not this my cup in which I drink and [With an intention.] whereby indeed I divine? Now, drink with me, friends, and be merry.
[All fall to with merry talk. Only the EGYPTIANS are silent and gloomy. In the gardens at the back are MINSTRELS and DANCING GIRLS. The MINSTRELS play very softly, and the DANCING GIRLS dance silently]
[The Hebrews are keenly interested. The EGYPTIANS take no notice of the dancers. Presently ENENKHET takes the cup JOSEPH has drunk from, goes out at door, L. 2., and is seen carrying the cup outside across the garden from the L. to R. Then he returns. Meanwhile, the dialogue continue]
JOSEPH: [To the EGYPTIANS] Nay, but ye, the lords of the land, ye drink not, and your faces are dark.
TEHUTI: Our souls are heavy, my lord, for we are bondmen.
SEBNI: [Violently.] Lo! We have given our money, our cattle, our lands, and our bodies to the Pharaoh.
ATHA: There is nothing left but death!
DEDEFRE: How, then, can we be merry?
SEBNI: Shall a man laugh by his own graveside?
[Angry murmur and gestures among the EGYPTIANS. The HEBREWS are interested. ASENATH anxious]
JOSEPH: Ye mourn too soon. Behold, I have bought you and your land for the Pharaoh
[The EGYPTIANS leap to their feet with an angry roar]
TEHUTI: Wilt thou make a boast of it? [Confusion. JOSEPH stands calm.]
JOSEPH: Now, hearken—! It shall come to pass in the good years, that ye shall give the fifth part only unto the Pharaoh.
[The EGYPTIANS are attentive.]
SEBNI: What doth he say?
DEDEFRE: We arc redeemed!
[The EGYPTIANS interrupt him with wild shouts.]
ATHA: Thou hast saved our lives!
DEDEFRE: Hail, prince of life!
SEBNI: Thou hast delivered us from bondage!
TEHUTI: Hail, Deliverer!
[All the EGYPTIANS rushed to the platform with their extended arms. The HEBREWS also have risen, and join in the shout.]
[ENENKHET has re-crossed the garden, and re-entered.]
ALL: Deliverer!
STEWARD: [To JOSEPH.] It is done.
REUBEN. He is a righteous man.
LEVI. His God is with him.
JUDAH. He will do us no harm.
JOSEPH [To the HEBREWS] Behold, your asses are laden with food. Journey home and bring your little ones comfort.
REUBEN. [Advancing, and handing a leathern bag to the STEWARD.] My lord, here is the money.
[All the HEBREWS advance.]
JUDAH. Farewell, great prince!
[ALL make obeisance.] Joseph. I drink to your safe journey. My cup?
Enenkhet. The cup is lost, my lord!
All. [With horror.] Lost—!
Enenkhet. [To them] Wherefore have ye rewarded evil for good? Ye have stolen the cup!
Egyptians. [Furious] Ha! Dogs!
Asenath [Frightened] Husband|
Joseph. [Calmly] Let be.
Reuben [Stepping forward] Wherefore saith my lord these words? God forbid thy servants should do this thing!
Egyptians. Strike them down!
Levi. The money which we found in our sacks' mouths we brought again unto thee; how then should we steal out of thine house silver or gold?
Gad. Moreover, we have not moved.
Enenkhet. [Indicating the Egyptians] Ay! in the turmoil these lords made?
Egyptians. Slay them! Slay them!
Joseph. [Hotly] With whomsoever of thy servants it be found, both let him die, and we also will be my lord's bondmen!
Joseph. [Gravely] Let it be according unto your words. [To Enenkhet, who is at the entrance] Search.
Joseph. Begin with the eldest. He with whom it is found shall be my servant; and ye shall be blameless.
Simeon [Caressing his knife] She was right! It is the plot! Oh! That I could reach him!
All. The cup!
Enenkhet. In the sack of the youngest.
Brethren [With a cry of agony] Benjamin! [They cover their faces]
Levi. It is Joseph's blood crying for atonement.
Issachar. Therefore is this distress come together upon us!
Egyptians. Slay them! Slay them!
Joseph. [Very gravely] What deed is this that ye have done? [Sternly] Wot ye not that such a man as I am can certainly divine?
Reuben [His voice broken with sobs] What shall we say unto my lord? What shall we speak? Or how shall we clear ourselves? God hath found out the iniquity of thy servants: [Very humbly] behold, we are my lord's servants, both we, and he also with whom the cup is found.
Joseph. God forbid that I should do so; but the man in whose hand the cup is found, he shall be my servant
Brethren. [In a horrified whisper among themselves] Benjamin!
Joseph. And as for you—get ye up in peace unto your father
Brethren [As above] To Jacob—without Benjamin—!
Egyptians. Too merciful! Slay them all!
[At a sign from Joseph the Egyptians leave the hall and the curtains are closed]
[Judah brings Benjamin forward. He begins very quietly, very humbly; but as he goes on, he is carried away by the pathos of his own words. Towards the middle of his speech, Joseph veils his face. Asenath weeps silently]
Judah. Oh, my lord, let thy servant, I pray thee, speak a word in my lord's ears, and let not thine anger burn against thy servant, for thou art even as the Pharaoh.—My lord asked his servant saying, Have ye a father, or a brother? And we said unto my lord, We have a father, an old man, and a child of his old age, and his brother is dead, and he alone is left of his mother, and his father loveth him. And thou said'st unto thy servants, Bring him down unto me, so that I may set mine eyes upon him. And we said, The lad cannot leave his father; for if he should leave his father his father would die. And thou said'st unto thy servant, Except thy younger brother come down with you, ye shall see my face no more. Also thou heldest Simeon as a hostage. And when we came up unto thy servant my father, we told him the words of my lord. And our father said, Go again, and buy a little food. And we said, We cannot go down; if our younger brother be with us, then will we go down; for we may not see the man's face except our youngest brother be with us. And thy servant my father said, Ye know that my wife bare me two sons: and the one went out from me, and I said, Surely he is torn in pieces; and I saw him not since. And if ye take this also from me, and mischief befall him, ye shall bring down my grey hairs with sorrow to the grave. Now, therefore, when I come to my father, and the lad be not with us; seeing that his life is bound up in the lad's life; it shall come to pass, when he seeth that the lad is not with us, that he will die: and thy servant shall bring down the grey hairs of thy servant my father with sorrow to the grave. For thy servant became surety for the lad unto my father, saying, If I bring him not unto thee, then shall I bear the blame to my father forever. Now, therefore, I pray thee, let thy servant abide instead of the lad a bondman to my lord: and let the lad go up with his brethren. [With an extreme agony] For how shall I go up to my father, and the lad be not with me? lest peradventure I see the evil that shall come to my father.
Simeon. Vengeance! Vengeance!
Brethren. [With horror] Simeon!
Joseph [On the step, removing his cloak from his face, which is now radiant, and speaking with the utmost simplicity] Peace!—I am Joseph!
BRETHREN. [Starting back and huddling together, amazed.] Joseph!
JOSEPH. [As above.] Doth my father yet live?
[The BRETHREN are stricken with terror. They can utter no sound.]
JOSEPH. Fear not. Shall I judge you? Am I in the place of God? [He throws open his robe. He is clad in a shepherd's dress similar to the one he wore in Acts I and II. The BRETHREN begin to recognize him, but they are all the more panic-stricken.]
JOSEPH. [Holding out his arms, affectionately.] Come near unto me. [They do not stir; he speaks with extreme yearning.] I pray you!—I am Joseph, your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt.
SIMEON. [With a cry of agony.] Joseph! Joseph! [He throws himself at JOSEPH'S feet.]
[The BRETHREN burst into wild cries, sobs, and hysterical laughter, as they surge towards JOSEPH and hurl themselves in a confused mass before him.]
JOSEPH. [Coming down amongst them, while they embraced his knees, kissed his garments and his feet, reached up to him and touched him.] Be not grieved or angry with yourselves that ye sold me hither; for God did send me before you to preserve life, and to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance. So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God. [He lifts BENJAMIN to his heart.] Oh Benjamin! My brother! My brother!
[With the cries of "JOSEPH!"—"Brother!" all the BRETHREN crowd round to embrace him. But SIMEON stands apart in despair—he is thinking of slaying himself with his own knife.] Joseph [Crossing to him] Simeon.
Simeon [Breaking into sobs] Thou knowest not!—Thou knowest not
Joseph [Putting his arm round his shoulder] I know. [Laughing] Did she not speak truth? Was I not holding Joseph in hiding?
Simeon [Falling into Joseph's arms] Oh! My brother!
Joseph. Summon all the people! Let them rejoice with me.
Joseph [To the Crown] Behold! These are my brethren from the Land of Canaan. Shew them like the honor as ye shew unto me!
[Exchange of greetings]
Reuben. Now must we hasten to Canaan to tell our father the great news.
Joseph. Nay, but ye shall abide here, and send for your wives and your little ones; for the good of all the land of Egypt is yours.
Judah. Our father yearneth for Benjamin—and for thee also he hath grieved all the years that thou wast lost.
Joseph. Throw wide the gates!
Joseph. Great Israel! Behold thy son! [He rushes to his father's arms]
Jacob. Now let me die, since I have seen thy face! [He rises, with his outstretched arms, inspired] Joseph is a fruitful bough by a well, whose branches run over the wall; the archers have sorely grieved him, and shot at him, and persecuted him; but his bough abode in strength and the arms of his hands were made strong, by the Hands of the Mighty One of Jacob, even by the God of thy father, who shall help thee, and by the Almighty, who shall bless thee with blessings of heaven above, blessings of the deep that coucheth beneath, blessings of the breast and of the womb. The blessings of thy father have prevailed above the blessings of my progenitors unto the utmost bound of the everlasting hills; they shall be on the head of Joseph, and on the crown of the head of him that was separate from his brethren.
Joseph. He raiseth the poor from the dust; from the depths He lifteth up the needy. Oh, Lord of Hosts, happy is the man who trusteth in Thee!
Curtain