Joseph and his brethren; a pageant play

Front matter

ANDHISBRETHREN

Copyright l^"*.

COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT.

Scene 1 — The Tents of Shechem

A pleasant grove in a wide valley, with snowcapped mountains in the distance.

The scene is on elevated ground, so that the whole expanse of the valley is disclosed between palm trees and other foliage.

Indications of a large tent on the right. In the valley, dimly seen, are groups of tents, from which, when the sun has risen, thin threads of smoke rise straight into the air.

It is the moment just before dawn. The snowy caps of the distant mountains glow with a rosy light which slowly creeps down their sides until the whole landscape is baking in the glare of the sun. The scene remains in cool shade.

Before the rise of the curtain a long, melodious horncall has sounded. As the curtain rises a Slave standing near the tent L. is seen blowing on a ram's horn. Gradually the scene comes to life. Slaves move hither and thither upon household duties, fetching water in skins from the well which is seen on the left. Women pass, with water in jars balanced on their heads. Camels, very small asses and sheep are driven to pasturage at the back of the scene, etc., etc,

2d Slave [Levi's Slave] [To him who has just blown the signal] Out on thee, slave of Simeon, wilt thou shatter the dawn?

1st Slave [Simeon's Slave] Thinkest thou the dawn will wait for thee, wretched bondman of a starveling lord?

2d Slave. My Lord Levi hath thrice more flocks than thy Simeon.

[2d Slave comes down]

3d Slave [Dan's Slave] Who speaketh of Levi and Simeon? Dan is mightier than both.

1st Slave [Contemptuously] The handmaid's son, forsooth! — Get thee to thy stinking camels.

[Enter Judah and Dan. They are superb figures; their costume suggests at once the shepherd and warrior combined. Judah is the elder]

Judah [Sternly] What is this wrangling, slaves?

1st Slave [With a deep obeisance] We are but praising our lords

2d Slave. And the hands that feed us.

Judah [Haughtily] Get ye to your labour and your toil. The sons of Jacob need no praise from lips of slaves.

[Exeunt the Slaves, but the movement of the Servants and Women continuesi throughout the scene]

Dan [Laughing] The sun hath not risen in a happy hour for thee to-day!

[Enter Gad. He is of lighter, more youthful build than his brothers. Each of the Sons of Jacob, as he enters, is accompanied by his own Retinue of three or four Men]

Gad. Yet 'tis a day of rejoicing!

JuDAH. What day is it. Gad?

Gad [Laughing] Nay, if thou know not, I'll not tell thee.

JuDAH [Angrily] Wilt thou mock thine elders, boy?

Gad. Oh, my elders, my elders ! What worth is thine elderhood? When thou art hidden in the grave I shall be in the flower of my days.

Judah [Furious] Accursed seed of a handmaid

Gad [Laughing] Let not Dan hear thee.

Judah. The tents of Shechem are overrun with a base-born brood!

[Enter Simeon. He is thin, wizened, with a crafty face and a furtive eye. His dress is not so rich as that of any of his brothers]

Simeon. Whither lead ye your flocks to-day? Dan. What matter to thee, Simeon ? Simeon. Lest we all seek the same pasture. Dan. Or to tell thee where the best is. Gad. Whether we seek toward sunrise or sunset, Simeon's flocks have left no blade.

[Enter Naphtali]

Naphtali. To that I, Naphtali, bear witness. Simeon is as the grasshopper; who cometh after him starveth.

[Enter Issachar]

IssACHAR. He setteth spies among us — when we hear of new pasture, he is told, and stealeth it.

Simeon. Issachar! Issachar! How much more of this insolence shall I suffer!

[Enter Levi]

Levi. These youths wax turbulent. Our father Jacob shall have a word for them !

Gad [With a mock bow] The solemn Levi! Brothers,, doff your sandals !

[Enter Zebulun]

[The sons of Leah: Simeon, Levi and Judah are together on one side of the stage with their retinues, the other brothers face them]

Zebulun. Why have our elders such frowning faces ? Gad. Hush, Zebulun! Oh, hush! Levi is about to speak !

Levi. And a blow shall follow the word !

[An angry roar from both sides. The Attendants on either side make ready their weapons; spears, slings and stones, bows and arrows]

[Asher comes hurriedly down the centre] AsHER. Brothers! Great news!

[The quarrel is arrested]

Levi. What news, son of Zilpah?

Gad. Whence runnest thou, Asher?

Asher. I come from the fringe of the desert. Thither came a swarthy runner, seeking a well. For far in his wake, he said, followed a mighty train

Simeon [Anxiously] Thou showd'st him no well!

Asher. Ay, but I did

[All give a cry of anger] 6

Simeon. Have we battled for pastures and wells, to give them to strangers ?

AsHER. Wait till my tale be told. In this runner's wake, then, journeyed a great host; and nightly he was sent ahead to seek a resting-place for the next morn. When this was found he ran back as he came and led the voyagers thither. ^

Simeon. And they defile the water and trample the young grass.

Levi. They kill our herds and seize our youno; maidens for a prey.

AsHER. I tell you, these come not in war or for rapine. They themselves are bearing a treasure of

great price down to Egypt

Simeon [Eagerly] What treasure .?»

AsHER. Nought for thy claws to clutch. They come

from Nineveh

Levi. From Nineveh }

AsHER. And they journey to Egypt. They bring a wife for one of Pharaoh's officers. JuDAH. Is she fair.^

AsHER. Thinkest thou the runner had seen her? Now, hearken. They seek food and raiment, for the way IS long. Also, wherever they pass they purchase gifts for their Lord and for Pharaoh— whatsoever is

richest in the land

Simeon. When will they pass.?*

AsHER. When the runner left them, they were hard by Tirzah.

Simeon [Moving off] I will go forth

JuDAH. And I with thee, Simeon.

Simeon [Angrili/] I have no need of thee.

Levi. Think you this is for one or for two.? I have

the finest woven stuffs, and cups of beaten gold

Dan. Have I naught? Have I no gems in which the sun is imprisoned?

Gad. Ij then ! Spices and sweet ointments !

IssACHAR [Aggressively] This is not for the sons of handmaids.

AsHER. Shall I bring you the news, and have no reward ?

JuDAH. Is it battle between us ? Have you forgotten how we slew the men of Shechem?

Simeon. So will we deal with you also !

Gad. We fought, while ye prated!

Levi. On your heads be it, then!

[Uproar. The two factions are just coming to blows when Reuben fights his way through them]

Reuben. Peace — peace, I say! — I, Reuben, the eldest-born, speak!

All [Falling apart, and with respect] Reuben!

Reuben [Sternly] Are ye the brood of Cain, that each would have his brother's blood, on the day our Father Jacob hath set apart as a day of rejoicing?

Judah. Twice have I heard the day named as a day of rejoicing. What is the day?

Reuben. Have ye forgotten? To-day Rachel's eldest-born cometh to manhood.

Judah. Joseph !

All. Joseph ! — The dreamer — The upstart !

Simeon. No day of rejoicing for us.

Dan. Rather a day of dust and ashes.

AsHER [Eagerly] Brothers ! No word of my news to Joseph!

IssACHAR. He would turn it to his own good. 8

Reuben [To Asher, sternly] Son of Zilpah^ what is thy news?

Simeon [Obsequiously, to Reuben] I will tell thee, apart.

AsHER. Ay, him; but not Joseph.

Levi [To the Brothers generally] We will share with you all, if we needs must; but the dreamer shall have no part.

All. Ay ! Ay ! No part for the dreamer !

Reuben. I know not what new thing ye are banded in against Joseph; but I bid you beware. Our father loveth him as the apple of his eye. To-day, ere we go to our flocks, he is to endue him with the robe of manhood. To-night, when our labour is done, there is to be great feasting. Bring no sorrow into our father's house to-day. Moreover, Joseph hath dreamed a dream

Gad [With a mocking laugh] That is no new thing!

Reuben [Sternly] Bridle thy tongue — for when did Joseph's dreams not come true.'' And now he dreamed we were binding corn in the fields, and, lo, his sheaf arose and stood upright, and, behold, our sheaves stood round about, and made obeisance to his sheaf.

Simeon [Surlily] What is the interpretation thereof?

JuDAH [Hotly] Shall he reign over us?

Dan. Shall he, indeed, have authority over us?

Gad [To brothers] Why are ye affrighted by a dream ?

Reuben. And he dreamed again, and, behold, the sun and the moon, and the eleven stars made obeisance to him.

Levi. Enough ! Enough ! How long shall we suffer him to prate of his dreams?

Naphtali. He hath stolen our father's love with his visions I

Reuben. Not so. Jacob rebuked him, and said. What is this dream that thou hast dreamed? Shall I and thy mother and thy brethren indeed come to bow down ourselves to thee to the earth.'* [Up to tent]

AsHER. Ay, he rebuked him; but did he punish him?

IssACHAR. Not so: — he observes Joseph's saying.

Simeon. Ay — he feareth him. Wherefore we must humble the lad overselves.

Reuben [Sternly] Silence! — Our father!

[Enter Servants bringing a seat; others with sJcins which they spread in front of the seat; then, supported by two young slaves, Jacob. He is eighty-six years old. A magnificent venerable figure. He is followed by Rachel — Behind Rachel comes Bilhah, and lastly Zilpah. The Brothers all make deep obeisance to Jacob, who sits in the chair which has been placed for him. Dan and Naphtali go to Bilhah; similarly Gad and Asher join Zilpah]

Jacob [Standing] God set His face towards you, O my sons, this day and all days.

Brothers [i?z>e] And towards thee, O father.

Jacob. God hath been very merciful towards me, and hath given me length of days; I have prospered in the land; I am at peace with Esau, my brother; all my sons are with me, and to-day, Joseph [He takes Rachel's hand], Rachel's first-born, fruit of who knows what love and what prayer, hath come to man's estate

Simeon. It had been more fitting had Joseph stood here with us.

Rachel. Simeon, Simeon, thy brother Joseph was with thy father long ere the sun rose.

From a Drawing by Dorothy Parker

Jacob. Ay, for he was troubled with visions God had sent him in the morning watch.

IssACHAR [Hotly] So are we_, troubled with his visions !

Jacob. Know ye what he dreamed?

Gad. Ay. Reuben made haste to tell us.

Levi. Is the boy to be set above us?

JuDAH [Kneels] My lord, we have toiled for thee, watching thy flocks by day and by night, warding off ravening beasts, and tending the young lambs. Moreover, when thy herds grew more in number than the sands of the sea, we fought for new pastures and would have laid down our lives for thee. The men of Shechem can tell of the weight of our blows. What hath Joseph done, that thou lovest him more than us?

Simeon. We have bought and sold for thee, not thinking of our own gain, but ever to strengthen thy hands. What hath Joseph done?

Gad. Set thy face towards us, as it is towards Joseph.

Dan. We weary of Joseph's name !

Rachel [To Jacob] My lord, shall the son of my handmaid speak scornfully of my first-born?

BiLHAH. Dan is the elder, my lord !

Rachel [To her] Out on thee!

Jacob [To Benjamin] Bid Joseph come. [Benjamin runs out] Woe upon you all, that ye speak evil of your brother in his absence. [He sees Joseph] My son, come hither.

[Enter Joseph]

Joseph [Making obeisance — not kneeling — to Jacob] Here I am, my lord.

Rachel. Joseph! My beloved!

II

Joseph. Thy blessing, mother.

Jacob [Brethren murmuring with backs turned^ There shall be peace in the house of Jacob. Ye murmur against Joseph, saying my heart goeth out to him more than to you. Ye are vain talkers. I love him, not better, but otherwise. Oh, hard of heart! can ye not see and understand what my love is towards the lad? It is the love I bore to his mother in the years past. It is the love-song I whispered into her ear as she stood by the well. It is the toil I gave to win her. It is the hope long deferred. It is the sunshine of youth, bursting through the shadow of age. You, sons of Leah, sons of Bilhah, sons of Zilpah, have been the joy of my life; but he — but Joseph — is a joy above joys: — the Added Joy!

Simeon. Yet

Reuben [Stepping forrvard] O Father Jacob, great Israel, we know thy heart and thy mind, and we wiU cherish Joseph, even as thou dost.

Joseph [Coming to Reuben] Reuben, my brother!

Jacob. In token thereof give him the kiss of love. Rachel, begin!

[First Rachel and then each of the Brothers comes forrvard, places both hands on Joseph's shoulders, speaks his blessing and kisses Joseph on the cheek. Then they pass back to their groups]

Rachel. God shield thee, Joseph.

Reuben. God strengthen thee.

Levi. God keep thee.

JuDAH. God succour thee.

Dan. God enlighten thee.

Naphtali. God lengthen thy days. 12

Gad. God increase thee.

AsHER. God prosper thee.

IssACHAR. God reward thee.

Zebulun. God uphold thee.

[Simeon has stood apart with folded arms and bent brorvs]

Reuben [Reproachfully] Simeon

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

Reuben. Our father watcheth.

Simeon [Advancing against his will] Joseph . . .

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

Joseph [Smiling] Ay, brother Simeon }

Simeon. Our brothers have left me no blessing to give thee.

Joseph. Yet bless me.

Simeon [Without unfolding his arms] God — ^judge thee.

[He turns away without kissing Joseph]

Jacob [To Joseph] Come! [Jacob rises; Joseph comes to him, and is about to kneel] Nay, to-day I bow to thee. He that goeth down boweth to him that cometh up. [Two handmaidens bring a cloak of camel's hair which they allow to fall open. Jacob takes it from them] Now upon thy young shoulders I lay the Robe of Manhood and authority. Lo, here, the coat of many colours ; and each colour 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 m.y 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!

[Long embrace. The Brothers mutter together] 13

Simeon. What is this robe of manhood and authority?

IssACHAR. Not one of us hath it.

Naphtali. Over whom hath he authority?

Dan. Not over me, for one.

Levi. Our father will make him his heir.

AsHER [To Reuben] First-born of his heart !

Reuben, did'st thou hear?

Reuben [Soothingly] Peace! Peace!

Joseph. O father — mother — O my brothers ! Ye have wrapped me about with love. Yea, and the blessing wherewith ye blessed me is already granted by God.

Simeon. What now?

Joseph. For lo, the dream I told my father at dawn is fulfilled. Sun, moon, and stars — you, my beloved — have bowed to me.

Simeon. Ha !

[Angry movement among the Brothers]

Jacob [Gravely] My son

Joseph. Not as to a greater than yourselves. What am I, O Israel, in thy presence? Or who am I among these mighty sons of a mighty father? — Nay, but as the sun boweth to the earth to make her fruitful; as the moon boweth to shine on the young lambs; as the stars bow to gladden the waters; so have ye bowed to me with blessings and the gift of your love.

Simeon. Cunningly twisted !

Gad. True son of his father!

Simeon. But he shall not win my birthright for a mess of soft words.

Jacob. Now the day's labour summoneth us. What new thing is there, Reuben?

Reuben. Asher telleth of a strange woman from 14

Nineveh, journeying with a great following into Egypt. They will reach our wells in Dothan anon.

Jacob. Go thither. Take fruits and rich woven stuffs and whatsoever the wayfarers need, and barter with them.

Gad [Laughing] The strangers are hard to deal with: Simeon shall do the bartering.

Jacob [With a smile] That will be to our increase. And to-night we will have feasting and song and merrymaking in Joseph's honour; and he shall come in among us to the sound of music; and I will place him in the high seat by my side, and show him to all my house, as my well-beloved son ; and ye shall all bring your gifts.

Reuben [To Servants] Make ready!

[Servants lead on asses. Others bring bales and packages rvhich they load on the backs of the asses. All this is done well at the back of the scene]

Simeon [To the others] Did you hear.^ We are to bring gifts !

Dan. Who feasted, or made merry for us.^ IssACHAR. Or who brought us gifts? Gad. This Joseph is as a nettle against our skin. Naphtali. As a viper in the young grass. Zebulun. Let us take counsel against him. AsHER. Ay; but let not Reuben hear us.

[With an obeisance to Jacob they all go out. The beasts are led off. The Slaves follow. The Women and Children go up to watch them off, Jacob^ Rachel and Joseph are alone]

Jacob. Joseph

Joseph. Ay, father.

Jacob. Gq^ I pray thee. Follow thy brothers. See whether it be well with them and with the flocks, and bring me word again.

Rachel [Ana:iously] My lord, I am afraid for my son; for the faces of his brothers are not towards him.

Jacob. Reuben is with them; no harm will come to the lad. Let him go.

Rachel [Embracing Joseph] Cling to Reuben. God be with thee, Joseph.

[Joseph takes his shepherd's crook, which was leaning against a tree, and exit. Rachel standi looking after him]

The Scene Changes.