JOSEPH AND HIS BRETHREN
Simeon: What is this robe of manhood and authority?
Issachar: Not one of us hath it.
Naphtali: Over whom hath he authority?
Dan: Not over me, for one.
Levi: Our father will make him his heir.
Asher: [To Reuben.] First-born of his heart! Reuben, did'st thou hear?
Reuben: [Soothingly.] Peace! Peace!
Joseph: O Father—Mother—O my brothers! Ye have wrapped me about with love. Yea, and the blessing wherewith ye blessed me is already granted by God.
Simeon: What now?
Joseph: For lo, the dream I told my father at dawn is fulfilled. Sun, moon, and stars—you, my beloved— have bowed to me.
Simeon: Ha!
[An angry movement among the Brothers.]
Jacob: [Gravely.] My son.
Joseph. Not as to a greater than yourselves. What am I, O Israel, in thy presence? Or who am I among these mighty sons of a mighty father?—Nay, but as the sun boweth to the earth to make her fruitful; as the moon boweth to shine on the young lambs; as the stars bow to gladden the waters; so have ye bowed to me with blessings and the gift of your love.
Simeon. Cunningly twisted!
Gad. True son of his father!
Simeon. But he shall not win my birthright for a mess of soft words.
Jacob: Now the day's labor summoneth us. What new thing is there, Reuben?
Reuben: Asher telleth of a strange woman from
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