Butler: O King, I do remember my faults this day. When Pharaoh was wroth with his servants and put me in prison, both me and the chief baker, behold, we dreamed a dream in one night, and there was a young man, a Hebrew, and we told him, and he interpreted to us our dream. And it came to pass as he interpreted unto us, for I was restored unto mine office and the baker was hanged.

Pharaoh: Send for this young Hebrew; bring him into my presence. [Servant goes out for JOSEPH.] Butler, who is this boy that interpreted thy dream?

Butler: His name is Joseph, O King. He was brought down from Canaan by a caravan and was sold to Potiphar, the captain of Pharaoh's guard. But he displeased Potiphar, so he was thrown into prison at the time thy servants were there.

[Enter JOSEPH. He falls on his face before PHARAOH.]

Pharaoh: I have dreamed a dream, and there is none that can interpret it, and I have heard say of thee that thou canst understand a dream to interpret it.

[JOSEPH rises.]

Joseph: It is not in me; God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace.

Pharaoh: [Repeats his dream to JOSEPH.]

[JOSEPH comes nearer to PHARAOH.]

Joseph: What God is about to do he sheweth unto Pharaoh: Behold, there will come seven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Egypt. And there shall arise after them seven years of famine. And all the plenty shall be forgotten throughout Egypt, and the famine shall consume the land, and it shall be very grievous. Now therefore let Pharaoh look out a man discreet and wise and set him over the land of Egypt, and let him appoint officers over the land. And let them gather all the food of those

good years that come, and lay up corn under the hand of Pharaoh. And let them keep food in the cities. And that food shall be stored against the seven years of famine, that the land may not perish through famine.

Can we

Pharaoh: This plan seemeth good unto me. find such a one as this is, a man in whom the spirit of God is? The Wise Men: Nay, O King, he is most wise.

Pharaoh: Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, thou shalt be over my house, and according to thy word shall all my people be ruled, only in the throne will I be greater than thou. See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt. [To his servants:] Bring a golden chain, and fine raiment for this man.

[He puts a ring on JOSEPH's hand. When the clothes are brought they are put around him, the

Pharaoh:

chain on his neck, etc.]

Thou shalt ride in the second chariot and all my people shall bow the knee unto thee. [All people in the room bow.] I am Pharaoh, and without thee shall no man lift up his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt.

Joseph: May the Lord God give me power to do his will.

SCENE III

PLACE: Pharaoh's palace.

CHARACTERS: Joseph, His Eleven Brothers, Servants, Pharaoh.

[JOSEPH is seated on his high seat. A servant comes in.] Servant: Master, the men that came down from Canaan to buy food of thee have returned and would have a word with thee.

Joseph: Bring them in. [To another servant]: Go see that a feast is prepared for these men.

[The brothers enter bringing BENJAMIN. They all fall on their faces.]

Joseph: Arise! And have you returned bringing with you your youngest brother?

Reuben: O sir, we have brought our youngest brother; he is here.

[BENJAMIN is led forward. JOSEPH goes near and puts his hand on BENJAMIN.]

Joseph: And is this your younger brother of whom ye spake unto me? God be gracious unto thee, my son! [To the brothers:] Is your father well, the old man of whom ye spake ? Is he yet alive?

Levi: Thy servant, our father [all bow heads], is in good health; he is yet alive.

[JOSEPH turns away and begins to weep; he leaves them abruptly and walks to the other side of the room.]

Joseph [to the servants]: Cause every man to go out from me! [All begin to leave the room, brothers included.] [To the brothers. He walks quickly after them and holds his arms out toward them.] Stay! I am Joseph; doth my father yet live? Come near to me, I pray you. [They come somewhat nearer and fall to the ground.] I am Joseph, your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt. Now, therefore, be not grieved nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me thither, for God did send me before you to preserve life. For these two years hath the famine been in the land; and yet there are five years more. God hath sent me before you to save your lives. Haste ye, and go up to my father, and say unto him, "Thus saith thy son Joseph, God hath made me lord of all Egypt. Come down unto me, and tarry not. And thou shalt be near unto me, thou and thy children, and thy flocks, and thy herds and all thou hast." Oh, do you not see that I am Joseph that speak unto you? [He weeps again and turns away.]

Brothers: Joseph, our brother Joseph! Can he forgive us?

[PHARAOH enters here.]

Joseph: O King, these are my brethren, and from my father's tent.

Pharaoh: Say unto thy brethren: "This do ye: Go back unto the land of Canaan and take your father and your household goods, and come unto me. And I will give you the good of the land of Egypt, and ye shall eat of the fat of the land. Now ye are commanded: This do ye: Take ye wagons out of Egypt for your little ones, and for your wives, and bring your father, and come, for the good of the land shall be yours."

One Brother: We thank thee, O great Pharaoh, and our brother Joseph. This is greater than we deserve. We will bring our father down straightway.

Joseph: Praise be to God who has done this good thing!

END