Page:Joseph and His Brethren A Pageant Play.djvu/50

JOSEPH AND HIS BRETHREN

Heru [Angrily] Are not the wells free to all wayfarers?

Simeon [Humbly] My lord, we be the sons of a poor man. We have won these wells with much toil and battle. The wells are not free.

Heru. Must we do battle for the wells?

[The warriors in the caravan are at attention, and make ready their weapons]

Heru [Haughtily] Let us drink, lest we slay you.

[The brothers are furious. Simeon appeases them with a movement of his hand. He continues, more humbly than ever, but with a veiled threat]

Heru. I am Heru-Netch-Tef, the servant of Potiphar, the Egyptian.

Simeon. Were my lord Pharaoh himself, and slew us, or stole our water, my lord should surely perish.

Ani. [An Egyptian, to Heru] Better speak the rogue softly, my lord. These tribesmen are banded together. The wilderness hath many eyes, and what is done here is known yonder, the gods only wot how. Remember, we are the guardians of a priceless charge.

Heru. [To Simeon] Thou—what price dost thou set on the water?

Simeon. My lord shall drink, and let drink, for the chain that hangs about his neck.

Heru. Take it, rogue [To the slaves] Ho! Water the camels.

[The slaves busy themselves carrying the water in shallow vessels to the beasts. The warriors dismount; wash in vessels brought by the slaves, and stretch themselves out in the shade. All of them at the back of the stage]

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