Page:Joseph and His Brethren A Pageant Play.djvu/178



JOSEPH: [Instinctively makes to step down and embrace BENJAMIN'', but restrains himself. He stretches out his arms over the youth.]'' God be gracious unto thee, my son. [To ENENKHET.] Set on the bread. [He turns away, covering his face with his cloak, and gets to his seat beside ASENATH.]

[Under ENENKHET'S direction, the SERVANTS bring in the banquet, which they set on the tables. The GUESTS are still standing.]

ASENATH: [To JOSEPH.] Why is my lord so deeply stirred?

JOSEPH: My bowels yearn for Benjamin!

ASENATH: Who are the men, my lord?

JOSEPH: Wait a little while. [To ENENKHET.] Come hither. [He whispers to him, indicating the BRETHREN, and pointing to his silver cup. ENENKHET shows surprise; then laughs; finally bows in assent.]

ENENKHET: Thy guests are waiting, my lord.

JOSEPH: Sit, I pray you. [The EGYPTIANS sit at once. The BRETHREN are in some confusion.] Reuben, the first-born, according to his birthright, and Simeon, Levi and Judah, the sons of Leah, together; the sons of Bilhah, Dan and Naphtali; Gad and Asher, the sons of Zilpah; the later-born sons of Leah, Issachar and Zebulun—and the youngest according to his youth; Benjamin, the son of Rachel. Set their messes before them, but let Benjamin's mess be five times so much as theirs.

REUBEN: [Amazed.] He knoweth our names and our degrees, and the names of our mothers!

SIMEON: It is black wizardry.

JOSEPH: Ye marvel one to another whence cometh my knowledge! [He holds his silver cup on high.] Is not this my cup in which I drink and [With an intention.]