Page:Joseph and His Brethren A Pageant Play.djvu/72

Tehuti. If my bride, being on a journey, bought so fair a slave, and set him over her household—

Sebni. Joseph hath no eyes, save for the Lady Asenath.

Tehuti. Ha! The high priest's daughter! The Canaanite will singe his wings.

Sebni. Silence!—Joseph!

[Enter Joseph at the back. He is clothed in the Egyptian manner. Several Slaves accompany him.]

Joseph. My lord and his wife come from the temple. Is all being ready here?

Sebni. All is ready, my good lord.

Joseph. Friend, friend, call me by my name; for I am Lord Potiphar's bondman, as thou art. [To the slaves.] Throw incense upon the coals.

[Sound of girls' voices singing off at the right side.]

Tehuti. I hear the girls' voices. [He looks off R.] The lady Zuleika's handmaidens draw near.

Sebni. And with them the virgin Asenath.

Joseph. [With joy.] Asenath—!

Tehuti. Joseph—hast thou also heard rumors of war?

Joseph. [Thinking of Asenath] I, friend—? [Laughing.] Talk not of war! Hither cometh spring on the tripping feet, and laughter, and peace, and love.

[Enter Asenath, a radiantly beautiful young girl, followed by the six Egyptian Girls, namely: Mehtu, Anset, Arilennu, Taherer, Nesta and Tamai. They are all laden with flowers. They come in laughing and chatting merrily. Joseph advances to meet them]