Page:Joseph and His Brethren A Pageant Play.djvu/177



TEHUTI: [Condescendingly; to JUDAH.] Are ye here also to sell your bodies for food?

JUDAH: [Haughtily.] Not so! Our God is good, and we have money.

[The door on the left side is being thrown open.]

STEWARD: Behold! Zaphenath Paneah, the Revealer of Secrets, the lord of life, and the Deliverer, draweth nigh.

[Enter JOSEPH, ASENATH, MANASSEH and EPHRAIM'', dressed in the robes of state. The two latter very young boys. All prostrate themselves. ASENATH and the two BOYS go behind the tables prepared for them. JOSEPH comes to the front of the platform.]''

JOSEPH: [Gently.] Rise, friends. [A pause] Welcome, ye Hebrew Brethren! Is all well with you?

REUBEN: [Standing forward.] All is well with us, my lord. [He crosses and kneels at the foot of the platform.] Lo, we have brought an humble gift for my lord. Honey and spices, myrrh, nuts and almonds. It is not worth my lord's notice.

JOSEPH: The spirit of the gift is all. Is your father well? The old man of whom ye spoke? Is he yet alive?

REUBEN: Thy servant, our father, is in good health; he is yet alive.

JOSEPH: [He sees BENJAMIN; speaks with an effort.] Is this your younger brother of whom ye spoke unto me? [REUBEN retires. JUDAH brings BENJAMIN forward.]

JUDAH: This is he, my lord; Benjamin, the son of Rachel.