JOSEPH AND HIS BRETHREN
water, surrounded by the aquatic plants. The vegetation on the stage is luxuriant, excepting near the center, where there is, as it were, a blighted spot. There are indications of a deep hole, and the plants around it are dried up, withered and broken.
Tinkling of the small bells such as are hung around the necks of beasts of burden is heard off at the right, and presently enter Asher, in advance of Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Issachar and Zebulun. Behind them are the donkeys, as we saw them start in the previous scene. But the Slaves keep them half out of sight under the palms on the right. The Slaves fetch water from the pool in the shallow vessels, and give the animals to drink.
Asher: These are the wells of Dothan; and hither I bade the runner lead his lords.
Naphtali: A fair garden in a waste land.
Dan: Where lag our elders?
Gad: With Reuben. The true sons of Jacob, they call themselves, and cling together.
Naphtali: [Examining the hole in the center.] This well is dry.
Asher: [Pointing to the pool.] But this is full of sweet water.
Naphtali: [With horror.] Look! Look, how smooth the sides are! I scarce see the bottom. Yetay! Creeping things, with their eyes gleaming, shine in the darkness.
Gad: [Who has joined him.] Poisonous serpents, lizards and toads—and the oozing walls! Ugh! Whoso slipped into that would never crawl out.
Asher: [Looking off R.] Here come the proud brothers.
Issachar: Is Joseph with them?
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