Page:Joseph and His Brethren A Pageant Play.djvu/54



SIMEON: [Dolefully.] I said that I was an innocent babe—!

HERU: Say thou hast made me a free gift!

SIMEON: 'Twere all but the truth. [He sees the slaves at the well and hurries to the brethren.] What now?

DAN: [Indicating the well.] Look! Joseph is alive!

SIMEON: [Furious.] Hath he seven lives?

GAD: Watch, Simeon!

SIMEON: [To GAD and ASHER; handing them some bags full of money.] Ye—bear these to Shechem! Run swiftly! Away!

[GAD and ASHER run off at the right towards the front with the bags.]

HERU: [Who has been to the well, turns to SIMEON as JOSEPH is brought to the edge.] Thou, what is this?

SIMEON: Brethren, rejoice! This is our brother, whom we mourned as dead!—O Joseph, is all truly well with thee?

JOSEPH: Away, false Simeon, that would'st have slain me!

SIMEON: [To HERU.] Hearken not unto him! He is a dreamer!

HERU: Silence! [To JOSEPH.] Thou, tell thy tale.

JOSEPH: Nay! Shall I tell the tales against the sons of my father?

ZULEIKA'S VOICE: Have ye drawn him forth?

HERU: Ay, lady.

ZULEIKHA'S VOICE: He mocketh at my gods. Strip him and slay him!

HERU: Well said! At least we shall have sport for our money.

JUDAH: [Angrily.] Ye cannot slay the lad!