NAPHTALI: [Bitterly.] Not he. Father Jacob is fondling him.
DAN: What gift hast thou ready for him, against tonight?
GAD: I?—A stone for his grave.
[Enter REUBEN, SIMEON, LEVI and JUDAH.]
GAD: Have ye not brought our dear Joseph?
SIMEON: Now, may thy tongue rot! The name hath spoiled the joy of the day.
GAD: [Looking off at the back.] Ho! What would'st thou say if he were here?
SIMEON: [Furious.] Say—! I would do!
GAD: Make ready to do, then; for hither he cometh.
SIMEON: The jester Gad! As if he dared come.
GAD: Look! Yonder the speck in the desert. Seest thou not the glorious coat? Azure for wisdom, green for prayer, white for purity, and scarlet for courage.
SIMEON: He needeth courage! 'Tis he indeed! He is sent to spy upon us. [Calling.] Levi! Judah!
GAD: [Quieting him.] Peace! What wilt thou do?
SIMEON: We shall know no peace till Joseph be at peace. We must take counsel—
GAD: [Slyly.] With Reuben?
SIMEON: Ah!—the marplot!—[A sudden thought strikes him] Which way are the strangers to come?
GAD: [Pointing off right at the back.] From yonder.
SIMEON: [Calling.] Ho! Reuben!
REUBEN: Ay, brother?
SIMEON: 'Twere well to do the strangers honor.
REUBEN: How can we honor them? Are they here to come?
SIMEON: Take the slaves — a great retinue — and go forth, thou, Jacob's eldest-born — to meet them.
