Page:Joseph and His Brethren A Pageant Play.djvu/124



JOSEPH: [Gravely.] This is the interpretation thereof: The three baskets are three days. Yet within three days shall the Pharaoh lift up thine head from off thee, and he shall hang thee on a tree; and the birds shall eat thy flesh from off thee.

SERSERU: [Furious, foaming at the mouth, tries to strike JOSEPH with his manacles.] Base Hebrew, thou liest!

ENENKHET: [Seizing him.] Hold! Hold!

JOSEPH: Let be!—He knoweth well I speak truth.

SERSERU: [With a wild laugh.] Why should I heed his idle talk? What knoweth he, more than I know?

JOSEPH: [Sternly.] Is not that enough?

SERSERU: We shall see!—We shall see! [With his fists close to JOSEPH'S face.] And when I am restored to my place, it is thou shalt hang!

[A trumpet sounds without, at the right side.]

ENENKHET: Hark—!

[The door at the right side opens. Enter the SOLDIERS, led by an OFFICER, who brings a clay letter which he hands to ENENKHET.]

OFFICER: From the King of Kings!

ENENKHET: [Saluting.] May the King live forever. [He glances at the letter and points to IMHOTEP and SERSERU.] These must be the twain.

IMHOTEP:Captain, what is't?

ENENKHET: Ye go to the King's palace for your trial.

IMHOTEP: [With joy.] At last! The truth shall shine forth! SERSERU: [Wildly.] I will not go! I will die here!— I will die! [He rushes into his cell and tries to close the door.]