The chancellor of Egypt; a dramatization of the Bible story of Joseph and his brethren, in four acts

Front matter

^be (Tbancellor of l8o^pt

BEALE

THE CHANCELLOR OF EGYPT

Act II

Scene First. Roo)n of the captain of the guard, in a fortress in Heliopolis, showing grating door, center, opening into the prison. Joseph and Captain discovered as curtain rises.

Captain. Well, Joseph, all is well, I dare say, with the prisoners this morning?

Joseph. All is well, my lord. The fortress was quiet through the night. There was no attempt at tumult, and all the prisoners seem content, save one.

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Capt. Thou answerest as I had expected of thee. "All is well." Joseph, I like thee; I deny it not. A hundred times now have I come and gone, and thou art always here, and always ready with thy answer, "All is well." And so I find it. And now I make no doubt thou sayest truly, "All save one." Who is this one whom thou exceptest, when thou sayest "All save one"?

Jos. Malus, the Lybian, in the inner ward.

Capt. Malus? He who made the assault upon me in the court-yard not long since?

Jos. The same, my lord.

Capt. A most pestilent fellow. And no wonder he is illcontent, for news hath come to him that he must hang before the moon again fulls twice. I am sorry for it ; but there is no remedy. The man not only is a murderer, but he hath it in his heart to kill again. I have not forgotten, Joseph, that but for thy loyalty and courage my blood should have stained his hands, as the intent to take a life that never did him anything but kindness now stains his heart.

Right glad I am, however, that all save one seem full content ; for we are to have distinguished visitors to-day. Potiphera, the great priest and prophet of the Sun, comes down from the temple to make his visit to our fortress, and prince Omrah does the honors for the royal household. {Trumpet.) There ! they are now passing the guard, and will be with us directly. Keep thou here, Joseph, thou art quite welcome to remain. The good priest always asks to speak with thee, and the prince hath already heard of thy wisdom and thine honorable conduct.

Enter Potiphera, Omrah and Asenath, preceded and followed by soldiers.

OfRcer of the Guard. Captain, the reverend father, Potiphera, Priest of On ; our illustrious Prince Omrah, and Asenath, the Daughter of the Temple.

Capt. Thrice welcome, Prophet of the Sun. Thy presence here has always proved a benediction. Most noble prince, the fortress is thine own, and thou art always welcome. Daughter of the Temple, thou doest us great honor to bring the sunlight of thy presence to so dark a habitation. It is not often that so gentle a visitor doth gladden the eyes of our men of war and cheer the heart of the prisoner.

Asenath. I thank thee, Captain.

Potiphera. Thou art a good son, Captain, and may Ra bless thee. And thou hast still here thy trusted monitor. Joseph, again I greet thee, and hope thou art in good health and spirits.

Jos. I am well, my lord, and most glad I am to share thy greeting. I worship not thy gods, but from my heart I honor thee.

Potiphera. So thou art still the servant of Jehovah, and must have me know thou doest reverence to me and not my gods. Come, come, explain no more ; I will not misunderstand thee. If the worship of Jehovah makes men such as thou, I would that we had in Egypt more to worship him. Captain, is there a Lybian here, condemned to die?

Capt. There is, my father, and he is very sullen.

Pot. By your leave, I would speak with him, and Prince Omrah will pass the gate with me.

Capt. Most willingly. Officer of the Guard, wait thou without and be at ease until I call for thee.

(Oifieer fakes his guard outside.)

Pot. Abide thou here, my daughter; the Prince and I must needs go through the prison, and to scenes thou wilt

i8 not care to witness. Joseph, my daughter, Asenath. She will abide with thee till I return.

Jos. Thou doest me great honor. Sit thou, my lady.

(Asenath is seated. Captain of the guard opens the gate, and the three pass out into the prison, leaving Joseph a)ui Asenath alone.)

Asenath. Sit thou, Joseph, I would speak with thee !

Jos. Knowest thou that I am a prisoner, my lady?

As. Yes. I know that thou art a prisoner ; and I also know thou shouldst not be.

Jos. How knowest thou, my lady?

As. My father hath told me of thee. He believes thee an honest man, and falsely accused ; and thy former master, Potipher, my father's cousin, hath confessed that in his heart he holds thee guiltless of offence, else would thy punishment have been far greater.

Jos. Thy father is generous and kind ; and thou art generous and kind, my lady, that thou believest him.

As. Thou surely dost not deny that his good opinion of thee is well deserved.

Jos. Daughter of the Temple, I have a God, infinite and eternal, who knoweth the secrets of all hearts, before whom none can dissemble, and before whose bar of judgment all must some day come. I have no means to prove my innocence; but by this infinite Jehovah, whom my fathers worship, I swear to thee, my lady Asenath, that I am guiltless of anything in thought or word or deed that should have brought me to this prison.

As. Joseph, I pray thee protest no more. Before thou didst protest thy innocence, I told thee thou shouldst not have been a prisoner. But had I not, I should believe thee now.

Jos. I thank thee, lady Asenath. Thou hast somewhat to say to me?

As. My father hath told me of thy curious faith — curious it seemed to him. And ever since he told me I have had a great desire to hear it from thy lips. My father worships at the shrine of the great Ra, the Spirit of the Sun. From my earliest years I have been a child of the Temple, and so sincere has been my worship, that my father's people call me "Daughter of the Sun." But often in my devotions, when my heart was pouring itself out before the altar, I have caught a vision of a greater God than Ra — one higher and more potent than the sun ; and yet, withal, so like ourselves, and easy of approach, that I have almost forgotten for the time that Ra was the great lord and patron of the temple, and have turned to worship at the feet of Him whose presence seemed to fill my soul with mingled awe and adoration. Thou art a Hebrew, Joseph?

Jos. Yes, my lady.

As. And is this Jehovah of whom thou speakest the God of thy native country and thy father's people, as Ra is of mine?

Jos. He is the God of my fathers and of my people ; but we have no country, as thou hast. Our country is yet to be ; but wheresoe'er we go, in all the earth, he follows and protects us.

As. Hath thy God no temple, Joseph, and no priest to serve him?

Jos. Jehovah dwelleth not in temples made with hands, my lady Asenath. He hath set his glory far above the heavens, and his presence filleth the whole earth. All things were made by him. The very sun thy fathers worship is but a part of his beneficent creation — the medium by which he giveth light and warmth to nature, even as the out-shining of his Spirit maketh wise the human mind, filleth the soul of man with all pleasant things, and giveth strength to will and do his pleasure.

As. But tell me, Joseph, hast thou seen Jehovah? Or have thy fathers seen him?

Jos. No man can see his face and live; or, I had better said, no living man can see his face ; but the Angel of His Presence hath often appeared to my fathers, making known to them Jehovah's will.

As. My father hath told me thou camest from a far country, and not of thine own choice.

Jos. Thou sayest right, my lady.

As. Whence camest thou, Joseph? and where are thy people?

Jos. I have told thee, lady Asenath, that as yet we have no country; but a promised land. My father's people came from Chaldea, beyond the great river, at the call of Jehovah. They dwell in Canaan, which the Lord hath promised they shall some day hold in full possession.

As. And doth thy father live?

Jos. God knoweth, my lady. I came away when hardly yet a man; and such hath been my fortune among thy people, that I could not go to seek my father, nor hath any tidings of my people come to me.

As. I hope my questioning doth not trouble thee, Joseph. I ask not from idle curiosity. Thy honest speech hath made me bold to talk with thee, and my desire to learn about thy God hath led me also to seek a knowledge of thy people. Wouldst thou care to tell me thy father's name?

Jos. I like thy questioning, my lady. I should be a poor servant of Jehovah if I did not gladly satisfy thy desire for knowledge of him ; and I should be unworthy of my fathers if I were ashamed to tell thee of them. My father's father called him Jacob, but once, in an hour of great trial, the angel of Jehovah met him on a journey and changed his name to Israel, which in the language of my people, means a Prince of God. A prince of God, then, my father liveth if he live ; or, if he doth no longer live on earth, a prince of God he liveth still in paradise.

As. But tell me, Joseph, doth Jehovah hear thee when thou prayest to him in a strange land ; and shalt thou not return to inherit in the country he hath promised to thy people?

Jos. No land is strange to Jehovah, my lady Asenath ; and no one who pra3^eth to Him can really be a stranger in any land. He is King of kings and Lord of lords. Some day, I doubt not, the Lord shall deliver me from this prison and give me what is mine.

As. Thou speakest like a true son of thy God, — frankly and brave. But tell me again, Joseph, for thou hast said that he is Lord of all countries, could a daughter of the temple find favor with Jehovah?

Jos. Yes, my lady.

As. Then surely he will hear thee, Joseph, if thou sayest ought to him for me. Wilt thou not ask him to give me a place among those who serve him?

Jos. And if he hear me, wilt thou confess and serve him without fear or shame? I knozv thou wilt, my lady.

(Joseph raises his hand and Asenath sinks upon her knees.)

O, God of Israel, thou who hast in every land them that seek thee with a pure desire, open thou the understanding of this thy daughter, that she may behold thee more perfectly, and vouchsafe to her a place among the people thou hast chosen ; and may she and all her father's people know that thou art God of all Gods, and that Jehovah keepeth trust with them that fear him, until thou fill the whole earth with thy glory. Amen.

As. (Rising.) I thank thee, Joseph.

(Sound of marching, and return of party through the gate, bringing the chief butler and chief baker with them.)

Potiphera. (To captain of the guard.) I am sorry to leave him thus ; sullen and impenitent. But it is his own fault, and he alone must bear it. The hour is already late, and the offerings are waiting at the temple. Goest thou, also, Prince?

Prince. I will accompany thee outside the fortress. The guard, if thou wilt, Captain.

(Captain gives signal, and guard comes in when Omrah has said, "Permit me. Daughter of the Temple.")

Pot. Pardon, my daughter, I have kept thee long.

As. Say not, "my pardon," father. It hath not seemed long to wait, and thou but didst thy duty to the prisoners.

Pot. So? Thou hast not found it long? Thou speakest always like the sweet daughter that thou art. Sayest not so. Prince Omrah?

Prince. It is more fitting that thou sayest it, good father ; but since thou askest me, I will confess thou speakest as I think. Permit me. Daughter of the Temple. (Kissing her hand.)

Pot. Fare thee well, Joseph ; I thank thee for my daughter's keeping.

Jos. Fare thee well, good priest. Thy daughter hath not burdened me, I do assure thee. The Lord be with thee, and with my lady Asenath.

Asenath. And with thee, Joseph.

Prince. (To captain.) Comest thou not with us, captain?

Capt. If thou wilt tarry but a moment. Prince, I shall do myself the honor to see thee safely past the outer gate.

{To Joseph.) Joseph, I leave with thee these two men, who have each a matter of which they would speak with thee. They have pledged their honor to return to proper custody when they have finished with thee. I go for a little while, and thou art left in charge. Fare thee well.

{Ex. party t leaving Joseph with chief butler and chief baker.)

Jos. {To butler and baker.) A noble man, the good priest of On. I would he were a follower of Jehovah. Sarnak, thou hast a matter of which thou wouldst speak to me. And thou, too, Hophnes, thou lookest sad. I hope there hath no ill report come to thee.

Hophnes. {The butler.) Joseph, we have both come on the same errand. As thou knowest, we have both served the king ; Sarnak, as chief of his bakers ; I, his chief butler; but taking offence at what he thought misconduct, and being wroth with us, he put us in ward in this prison. Last night we each dreamed a dream. Our dreams seem to us to have a meaning, some portent of good or ill, but we have found no one who can interpret them. Thou hast repute for wisdom, and we have come to thee.

Jos. Interpretations belong to God, Hophnes ; tell me thy dream.

Hoph. In my dream, behold! a vine was before me; and in the vine were three branches : and it was as though it budded, and her blossoms shot forth ; and the clusters thereof brought forth ripe grapes. And Pharaoh's cup was ill my hand ; and I took the grapes, and pressed them into Pharaoh's cup, and I gave the cup into Pharaoh's hand.

Jos. The dream is good. The three branches are three days : within three days shall Pharaoh lift up thine head, and restore thee to thy place : and thou shalt deliver the cup into his hand, after the former manner when thou wast his butler.

Hoph. Thou explainest well, Joseph. I hope it may be as thou sayest.

Jos. Saidst I not that the interpretation is of God? I speak not mine own wisdom.

Hoph. (Taking Joseph's hand.) Joseph, may thy God bless thee. Thou heardst the captain say I had pledged mine honor to return to proper custody. I go now to redeem my pledge. A thousand times I thank thee. Fare thee well.

(Turns to go back to the inner prison.)

Jos. (Calling after him.) Hophnes !

Hoph. (Turning.) Yes, Joseph.

Jos. Think on me when it shall be well with thee, and show kindness, I pray thee, unto me, and make mention of me unto Pharaoh, and bring me out of this prison.

Hoph. Most gladly do I promise thee. Fare thee well.

Jos. Sarnak, thou also art disquieted. Let me hear thy dream.

Sarnak. I also was in my dream, and behold I had three white baskets on my head; and in the upper basket there was all manner of bake-meats for Pharaoh, and the birds did eat them out of the basket upon my head.

Jos. (After a little thought) Wilt thou know what thy dream doth signify?

Sarnak. Hoping thy wisdom might divine its meaning, I have come to thee.

Jos. Not my wisdom, Sarnak. Interpretations are of God. And unless this were of God, I would not tell it thee ; for it bodes thee ill.

Sarnak. Tell it me, Joseph.

Jos. The three baskets thou carriedst on thy head are three days ; yet within three days shall Pharaoh lift up thy head from off thee, and shall hang thee on a tree ; and the birds shall eat thy flesh from ofT thee.

Sarnak. Say not so, Joseph. Canst thou find no other meaning?

Jos. God hath told thee the meaning of thy dream. It is not in man to give thee any other.

Sarnak. Then thou must save me, Joseph.

Jos. Thou shouldst have saved thyself from thy evil deeds, which have brought this judgment upon thee. Yet even now most gladly would I help thee if I could.

Sarnak. Thou art master here.

Jos. At this moment, yes, until the Captain returns.

Sarnak. Open thou the door for me, Joseph. I will array myself in yonder garment and I make no doubt I shall pass the guards in safety. Come, Joseph, thou hast pity for me.

Jos. Thou sayest that I am sorry for thee. I have pity, but I also have honor. I have never yet betrayed my trust, and I cannot do it now. Keep thy pledge with the captain, Sarnak. Go back to thy place, repent thee heartily of thy faults, and though thou diest, thou shalt not die unforgiven.

Sarnak. (Angrily.) Joseph! I ask not thy advice. Thou hast the keys that open yonder doors. If thou art fearful to befriend a fellow prisoner I will demand it of thee. Give them to me instantly or I will take thy life.

Jos. Life or death thou shalt not have them.

Sarnak. Then die ! (Striking Joseph upon the head with a sand-bag drawn from his bosom. Joseph clutches Sarnak to save himself in falling and blows his whistle. Guards rush in, seise Sarnak. Prisoners crozvd around the grating. Captain of the guard rushes in.)

Capt. Officer of the guard, what is this uproar?

Officer. This prisoner hath committed murder and was trying to escape.

Capt. Take him to the dungeon. (As they take him out, he cries, Oh, my God! zvhat have I done?)

Capt. (Raises Joseph, zvho is in a swoon, but recovers.) Joseph, Joseph, tell me, dost thou live?

Jos. (Wildly.) Help ! help ! the guard ! Why do they not come. I tell thee, Sarnak, though thou kill me, thou shalt not have the keys.

Capt. Joseph ! It is not Sarnak that holdest thee. It is thy friend, the captain. The guard hath come, Joseph. Sarnak, the chief butler, is safe in the dungeon, and all is well.

(Joseph, coming to himself, looks at the captain, recognises him, throzvs his arms about his neck.)

Jos. Captain! Is the prison safe?

Capt. Yes, Joseph. It is safe, and thou art again among thy friends, Jos. (Raising his hand.) The Lord be praised !

Curtain.

Scene Second. Room in Pharaoh's Palace. Princess Ardah

lying on a sofa, a slave moving large feather fan. Attendant arranging lotus blossoms on the table.

Ardah. Are they not beautiful, Nedra? They are fresh from the lake of Menzaleh, beyond the temple of the Sun. They came by the runner who bore the message to Asenath, the Daughter of the Temple.

Nedra. They are sweet and beautiful, my princess ; and of such delightful odor, — hast thou noticed it?

Ardah. Yes, Nedra. It is indeed delightful. {To slave.) Menelek, thou mayest retire ; the air is comfortable, and I do believe the motion of thy fan doth keep from me the fragrance of the lotus.

Exit slave.

Nedra. Dost like my arrangement, princess? Ardah. Yes, Nedra. Thou hast much skill and sense of beauty. {Bell rings.) See thou the cause of that alarm.

(Nedra goes to door, and returns.)

Nedra. It is Lady Asenath, my princess, the Daughter of the Temple.

Ardah. Asenath? Hath she already come? I would be alone with her, Nedra ; go thou, bid her come to me at once.

Enter Asenath.

Ardah. {Rising, and embracing her.) Oh, Asenath, I am so glad to see thee. How art thou here so soon?

As. I had been with my father to the fortress and was just returning when the runner overtook us with thy message, and my father bade me come at once. Art thou well, my princess?

Ardah. Say no more, "My princess," Asenath. We have been friends since childhood, and together grown to women. Thou hast always been to me sister, and so thou must continue. "Ardah" is enough. To thee I must be no more a princess.

As. I thank thee, Ardah.

Ardah. Sit thee, dear Asenath. I have a most important matter to talk with thee. It concerneth my brother, Prince Omrah. Knowest thou that thou art loved of him, my sister?

As, Thy brother hath been always kind to me.

Ardah. Asenath, Prince Omrah loves thee. And his love for thee hath troubled him of late, because thou seemest not to know the signs by which he would make thee aware of it. Thou seemest absent from thyself, and unresponsive. I have long known his love for thee, and have hoped that thou shouldst sometime be indeed my sister. Tell me, Asenath, dost thou not return the feeling my brother hath for thee?

As. I cannot be too grateful for all the kind attention the prince hath shown to me. But if thou speakest of more than truest friendship, it cannot be that thy brother thinketh it of me ; or, if it could be, Ardah, I have it not to give.

Ardah. Asenath, thou camest just now from the fortress?

As. Yes, Ardah.

Ardah. My brother hath spoken of a Hebrew prisoner there, charged by his master with a heinous crime, yet withal so perfect a dissembler that all the prison waits upon him.

As. Thou meanest Joseph?

Ardah. How well thou knowest his name, my sister. Nay, nay, look not so serious. I did but jest. My brother hath told me of thy visit to the fortress ; and because his passion for thee hath not met with such response as he could wish, imagines that this prisoner hath found favor in thine eyes. But when he mentioned it, I laughed him to scorn. As if my sister, the Daughter of the Temple, could so far forget her station, or be guilty of such indiscretion!

As. Hast thou seen him?

Ardah. This Joseph?

As. Yes, Ardah. Hast thou seen him?

Ardah. No. I have no desire to cultivate the friendship of a criminal, and I fear if I should see him, I should fall in love with him — as everybody does, I hear. (Laughing.)

As. Joseph is not a criminal, Ardah. He hath been falsely charged.

Ardah. So? Thou dost astonish me, my sister. Thou makest me almost believe thou hast fallen under the spell of this Canaanitish marvel.

As. He of whom thou speakest is not a Canaanite. He is a Hebrew, of most excellent family, delivered by treachery into bondage, and again by treachery made a prisoner. He hath cast no spell upon me, save that of truth and goodness.

Ardah. Thou forcest me to think thou carest for this Hebrew more than thou dost acknowledge even to thyself. Can it be my brother hath divined thy secret? Asenath, come to thyself. The course thou takest will disgrace thy father's house; and all the friends thou lovest will turn their backs upon thee. Cut short thy visits to the fortress and forget this prisoner. Be once more the laughing girl thou hast been, and let my brother see thou hast not lost both head and heart.

As. I have called thee my sister, princess, because thou badest me ; and no heart should know better than thine own how well I love thee. But if thou makest me to feel that I must choose between my duty and my friends, then I must find my friendships among those to whom, by reason of their harder lot, my duty calls me. (Draws away.)

Ardah. (Caressingly.) . Nay, nay, my sister. I have hurt thee. I was too quick to charge thee with folly. I will believe no more of it ; only listen to me, sister, and let not thy good be evil spoken of. This is to be an eventful day in the palace. My father hath been troubled with a dream he cannot understand. He hath told it to the wise men of the kingdom, and to-day he holds court that they may unfold to him its meaning. Thou must stay and hear them.

Enter Omrah during Ardah's speech.

Omrah. Good-morning, my sister. I hope my presence here doth not intrude. Asenath, thy pardon. I hope thou comest well. (Takes her hand and kisses it.) As. Quite well, Prince Omrah.

Ardah. (To Omrah.) Thou dost not intrude, my brother. Thou hast heard me tell Asenath that she must remain to grace our father's court. And now that thou hast come, I will leave her with thee for a little, for there are matters to which I should attend. Come thou to my apartment when thou wilt, my sister.

Omrah. I shall gladly do my best to fill thy place, my sister. Fare thee well. {Leads her to exit and returns to Asenath.) Sit thou, Asenath. The opportunity hath come which I have long desired ; that I might find thee alone and tell thee all that is in my heart. We have together played in childhood, Asenath, and have grown up together, and have been the best of friends. It hath lately come to me that we are no longer children. I am Prince Omrah, and thou art Lady Asenath, the Daughter of the Temple. I have always loved thee, Asenath, and have always, through childhood and through youth, looked forward to the time, when, having come of age, I should be permitted to frankly tell thee of my passion and take thee for my wife. Thou must have known I loved thee, Asenath, for I have gone in and out with thee and never had an eye for other than thyself. Say to me, Asenath, that thou returnest my love, that thou wilt be my wife, and thou shalt make me happier than all my father's kingdom.

As. Prince Omrah, as thou sayest, we have ever been the truest friends, and thou doest me great honor that thou thinkest of me thus. I would be thy friend, and do all I could to make thee happy. But thou askest of me what I have not to give.

Omrah. Thou sayest not, Asenath, that thou lovest another better?

As. I only say to thee, my prince, I cannot be thy wife.

Omrah. Thou sayest both in one. Tell me, Asenath, hast thou not become infatuated with the Hebrew prisoner at the fortress?

As. I honor him. Prince Omrah, as a most noble man.

Omrah. Thou doest more. As I have long suspected, since thou hast visited the fortress thou hast also fallen a prey to this artful Hebrew. Think what thou art doing, Asenath. The prince of Egypt layeth at thy feet the inheritance to Pharaoh's kingdom — wealth, honor, everything that could bring thee happiness — and thou art throwing it all away to give thy confidence to an alien, a slave, who loveth not thy people, and serveth not thy gods, and whose crime hath brought him to the fortress where the enemies of thy father's people come. And though thou feignest to believe him innocent, I tell thee, Asenath, that but for his inimitable hypocrisy, his oily speech, and bold effrontery, he should long ago have paid the penalty of his crimes upon the gallows. O, say to me, Asenath, thou wilt break this spell this prisoner hath woven about thee, and, coming to thyself, come also to thine own.

As. Thou doest Joseph wrong, Prince Omrah, though thou meanest it not. He hateth not our people, by whom he hath been most grievously wronged and robbed of his freedom; and though he serveth not thy father's gods, and thine, he hath a God whom he worshipeth with all his soul and serveth with all his strength, and in whom he trusteth for his final vindication.

Omrah. (Roughly.) Hath he a kingdom to lay at thy feet?

As. He hath the promise of a kingdom. But knowest thou not, Prince Omrah, that kingdoms have not wealth fo buy, nor power to command that moving of a heart without which the marriage thou seekest would be a hollow mockery? Pardon me, if I have hurt thee, Omrah. I only meant to be frank with thee.

Omrah. (Pushing her azvay.) I want not thy pity, Asenath. I came to ask thy heart, and in return to offer thee a kingdom. Fool that I am, I have confessed to thee my passion, and thou hast mocked me with thy plea for an imprisoned villain. For the love thou bearest a Canaanitish slave, a felon, who by his mask of gentleness hath robbed the gallows of its due, thou hast spurned the offer of the Prince of Egypt. Go thou, if thou wilt, and make thy bed with crime ; but spare thy pity for thy ill-found lover.