Page:Joseph and His Brethren A Pageant Play.djvu/50

 [Angrily] Are not the wells free to all wayfarers?

[Humbly] My lord, we be the sons of a poor man. We have won these wells with much toil and battle. The wells are not free.

Must we do battle for the wells?

[Haughtily] Let us drink, lest we slay you.

I am Heru-Netch-Tef, the servant of Potiphar, the Egyptian.

Were my lord Pharaoh himself, and slew us, or stole our water, my lord should surely perish.

[An Egyptian, to ] Better speak the rogue softly, my lord. These tribesmen are banded together. The wilderness hath many eyes, and what is done here is known yonder, the gods only wot how. Remember, we are the guardians of a priceless charge.

[To ] Thou—what price dost thou set on the water?

My lord shall drink, and let drink, for the chain that hangs about his neck.

Take it, rogue [To the slaves] Ho! Water the camels.