JOSEPH: [Gravely.] This is the interpretation thereof: The three baskets are three days. Yet within three days shall the Pharaoh lift up thine head from off thee, and he shall hang thee on a tree; and the birds shall eat thy flesh from off thee.
SERSERU: [Furious, foaming at the mouth, tries to strike JOSEPH with his manacles.] Base Hebrew, thou liest!
ENENKHET: [Seizing him.] Hold! Hold!
JOSEPH: Let be!—He knoweth well I speak truth.
SERSERU: [With a wild laugh.] Why should I heed his idle talk? What knoweth he, more than I know?
JOSEPH: [Sternly.] Is not that enough?
SERSERU: We shall see!—We shall see! [With his fists close to JOSEPH'S face.] And when I am restored to my place, it is thou shalt hang!
[A trumpet sounds without, at the right side.]
ENENKHET: Hark—!
[The door at the right side opens. Enter the SOLDIERS, led by an OFFICER, who brings a clay letter which he hands to ENENKHET.]
OFFICER: From the King of Kings!
ENENKHET: [Saluting.] May the King live forever. [He glances at the letter and points to IMHOTEP and SERSERU.] These must be the twain.
IMHOTEP:Captain, what is't?
ENENKHET: Ye go to the King's palace for your trial.
IMHOTEP: [With joy.] At last! The truth shall shine forth! SERSERU: [Wildly.] I will not go! I will die here!— I will die! [He rushes into his cell and tries to close the door.]
