Page:Joseph and His Brethren A Pageant Play.djvu/35

 God increase thee.

God prosper thee.

God reward thee.

God uphold thee.

[Reproachfully] Simeon

[Between his teeth] I cannot; nor I will not.

Our father watcheth.

[Advancing against his will.] Joseph. ..

[Who has been anxiously watching, sinks back with a sigh of relief] All is well!

[Smiling.] Ay, Brother Simeon?

Our brothers have left me no blessing to give thee.

Yet bless me.

[Without unfolding his arms] God—judge thee.

[To ] Come! [ rises; comes to him, and he is about to kneel] Nay, today I bow to thee. He that goeth down boweth to him that cometh up. [The two handmaidens bring a cloak of camel's hair which they allow to fall open. takes it from them] Now upon thy young shoulders I lay the Robe of Manhood and authority. Lo, here, the coat of many colors; and each color shall be for a sign: azure for wisdom, scarlet for courage, green for prayer, and white for purity. I clasp thee to me, flesh of my flesh; thy young heart against my old heart, whose first-born thou art; I raise my hand towards the throne of God, and I cry: God bless thee!