JOSEPH AND HIS BRETHREN
Reuben. [To Asher, sternly] Son of Zilpah, what is thy news?
Simeon [Obsequiously, to Reuben] I will tell thee, apart.
Asher. Ay, him; but not Joseph.
Levi [To the Brothers generally] We will share with you all, if we needs must; but the dreamer shall have no part.
All. Ay! Ay! No part for the dreamer!
Reuben. I know not what new thing ye are banded in against Joseph; but I bid you beware. Our father loveth him as the apple of his eye. Today, are we go to our flocks, he is to endue him with the robe of manhood. To-night, when our labor is done, there is to be great feasting. Bring no sorrow into our father's house to-day. Moreover, Joseph hath dreamed a dream
Gad [With a mocking laugh] That is no new thing!
Reuben [Sternly] Bridle thy tongue—for when did Joseph's dreams not come true? And now he dreamed we were binding corn in the fields, and, lo, his sheaf arose and stood upright, and, behold, our sheaves stood round about, and made obeisance to his sheaf.
Simeon [Surlily] What is the interpretation thereof?
Judah [Hotly] Shall he reign over us?
Dan. Shall he, indeed, have authority over us?
Gad. [To brothers] Why are ye affrighted by a dream?
Reuben. And he dreamed again, and, behold, the sun and the moon, and the eleven stars made obeisance to him.
Levi. Enough! Enough! How long shall we suffer him to prate of his dreams?
Naphthali. He hath stolen our father's love with his visions!
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