Page:Joseph and His Brethren A Pageant Play.djvu/87

JOSEPH AND HIS BRETHREN

Joseph [Innocently] As thou leavest her, my lord, so shalt thou find her.

Potiphar. As I leave her—! Zuleika, I dare scarce look on thee again, lest I forget the Pharaoh's word.

Zuleika [Putting her arm around his neck] Forget his word, my lord.

Potiphar [With a sort of suppressed roar] Woman! Woman! [Passionate embrace. He shakes himself loose. To Imhotep] Lead on!

[Trumpets sound. All go out R. Potiphar marches out with set face, without looking round. Zuleika stands rigid where Potiphar left her. Joseph waits at the door until all are gone; then closes it. Wakara comes soothingly to Zuleika]

Wakara. Be comforted, sweet lady.

Zuleika [With a note of mockery] Comforted—! [She breaks into a low, mocking laugh. Then, very tenderly] Joseph—

Joseph [Leaving the door] Ay, lady?

Zuleika. Did the Pharaoh truly write "tonight"?

Joseph [Amused] Of a surety!

Zuleika. Of a surety thou art very cunning.

Joseph. Lady, good-night.

Zuleika. Nay, come hither, and tell me of the old man, thy father, and of thy mother.

Joseph. I must keep watch and ward. Sleep soundly. I wake!

[He goes through the curtains into the garden. Zuleika watches him off]

Zuleika [To Wakara] Open the curtains, girl. [Wakara does so. In the distance the tops of the Pyramids are touched with gold] Ahah—! The blessed dawn!

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