University of Virginia Library

Scene III.

—A Prison.
Simeon, Reuben, Issachar, Dan, Judah, Zebulun, Naphtali, Levi, Gad, and Asher.—Joseph unperceived.
Simeon.
Three days we've been in ward.

Issachar.
Were it the best
That we had died of famine in our tents,
Or that we wait upon this danger here?
I'm much at odds.

Reuben.
We are unfortunate;
Surely some mischief will befall us here!

Dan.
Alas! how cruel and unjust were we,
Even when we saw the anguish of his soul,
To sell our brother forth to dangerous hands.

Judah.
It was a hateful crime, and I do loathe
Myself whene'er I think on't; so I will
Bear all mischance that may accrue to me,
As 'twere my just desert for that foul sin.

Levi.
Where'er he is, great God! have eyes on him.

Issachar.
It was an evil thing, and I repent.

Simeon.
So, Issachar, do I.

Reuben.
I told you so—
Would you had listen'd then to my complaint.
Said I not, ‘Sin not ye against the child?’
But ye were deaf and stubborn,—would not hear,—
Wherefore behold his blood is on our heads;
For Heaven hath a memory for these things.

Issachar.
Ah! since I have had children of my own
My brother liveth much within my mind.

Judah.
Yea, what a coward it doth make a man!
For he who had the most to do in it
Would think him best if he had had the least.

Joseph.
Oh! let me find some shade wherein to weep,
For all my sorrows seem but as a day.
A little penitence doth quite absorb
An age of suffering—sweet penitence!
That as a holy flame doth burn away
The stubborn cord that ties us to ourselves.

[Exit.
Dan.
How mean a man becomes in his own eye
When anguish binds him fast to penitence!
To pity those on whom he trod before
And drove to the same anguish.

Judah.
Yea, 'tis true:
It is the way of men and hunters both.
(For human hunters differ but in this,—
One preys for the hide, the other for man's heart),
To stand and shoot their random shafts abroad:
Sometimes they hit and kill—more often wound,
And the poor maim'd doth languish in its pain:
So do men war on men with words or blows
More merciless than tigers of the cave.—
Ah! misery to seek our brother's blood!

Re-enter Joseph, with Officers, Attendants, &c.
Joseph.
Albeit, men, I do suspect you spies,
Be wise: this do, and live; for I fear God.—
One of you shall be bound and kept in ward,
And you, the rest, shall lade your beasts with corn,
And travel to your home and give them food;
And when you bring your other brother back
I will release the bound, and you shall live.
And by the bringing of the youngest son
You shall be prov'd; for I do fear you much.—
Bind me this man.

[Simeon is bound.
Simeon.
Remember, brethren, that you leave me here.
Unless you bring my brother to this land
My blood will sure be spilt.

[Exit.
Reuben.
We shall remember.

Judah.
Thy servants bow them even to the earth,
And beg my lord will deal with them as they
Shall prove to him.

[Exeunt.
Joseph.
Come hither, officer:
Brim all their sacks, and give them of the best:
Send them provisions, and supply their wants;
And each man's money put thou in the mouth
Of each man's sack; and see them safely forth;
[Exit Officer.
For it were strange that I, who scarce have found
My dearest kindred, my own proper flesh,
Should deal less proudly with them. Yet awhile,
And they will be return'd, and Jacob soon
(If God be willing), and his goodly tribe,
Enrich my anxious sight.—I long till then.

[Exit.