JOSEPH AND HIS BRETHREN
Gad. God increase thee.
Asher. God prosper thee.
Issachar. God reward thee.
Zebulun. God uphold thee.
Reuben [Reproachfully] Simeon
Simeon [Between his teeth] I cannot; nor I will not.
Reuben. Our father watcheth.
Simeon [Advancing against his will.] Joseph . . .
Jacob [Who has been anxiously watching, sinks back with a sigh of relief] All is well!
Joseph. [Smiling.] Ay, Brother Simeon?
Simeon. Our brothers have left me no blessing to give thee.
Joseph. Yet bless me.
Simeon [Without unfolding his arms] God—judge thee.
Jacob. [To Joseph] Come! [Jacob rises; Joseph comes to him, and he is about to kneel] Nay, today I bow to thee. He that goeth down boweth to him that cometh up. [The two handmaidens bring a cloak of camel's hair which they allow to fall open. Jacob takes it from them] Now upon thy young shoulders I lay the Robe of Manhood and authority. Lo, here, the coat of many colors; and each color shall be for a sign: azure for wisdom, scarlet for courage, green for prayer, and white for purity. I clasp thee to me, flesh of my flesh; thy young heart against my old heart, whose first-born thou art; I raise my hand towards the throne of God, and I cry: God bless thee!
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