University of Virginia Library

Iacob
Twelue sonnes I haue, where of ten be to mans estate now come,
to wit, Ruben, Simeon, Leui, Iuda, Isachar, & Zabulon,
who were of Lia borne: And two of Bala, Dan, & Nepthali:
And two of Zelpha, Gad & Aser: The other children bee,
The elder Ioseph cal'd, & Beniamin the yonger lad,
both wc h two sonnes by Rachel now in myne old age I had.
& for that cause I them affect more then any of the rest
But yet of all the sonnes I haue I do loue Ioseph best.
And though he be but sixtene yeares of age, & yet a childe
I often sende hym wt h his brothers to keepe sheepe in the fielde
clad in a coate of sundry colours: But Beniamin I stay
beinge yong'st of all at home wt h me to dryue the tyme away.
But who ys this that cometh here? Ioseph yt seemes to bee:
Yt's hee in deede. How do thy brothers? and are all things well wt h thee?

Ioseph
Not so well father as I wish: for to be playne my brothers
grow scandalous to many, beinge become licentious lyuers
where wt h I (father) you acquaynt, not for to haue them punished
but hopeinge by your graue aduise, their lyues will be amended.

Iacob
And Ioseph as I loue not tayles but vpon iust occasion
so I'l them heare when there's iust cause beinge tempered wt h discreation
& syth thou hast complayn'd to me, who thou thinkes able ys
t'amend (because I am their father) all thinges in them amisse
be thou assurde I will not spare, but them admonish fatherly
as thou for their amendment hast complayned on them brotherly.
But lest they should more malice thee, as they will yf they know
that thou complaynd, before they hither come thou shalt hence go

Ioseph
In this & all thinges I'l euer be at your commandment

Iacob
I thinke no lesse, & therefore sonne be thou hence gone incontinent.
Now after hym I'l go my self, & that wt h out delay
& let them know my mynde, when I haue heard what they can say

Simeon
Brothers yt seemes the pratlinge boy complayn'd hath to our father
of our behauiour: but perhaps his silence had bene better
for yf occasion serue, be sure we'l euen wt h hym bee

Leui
Els were wee fooles, for none but such will shut vp such an iniury
but here the tell tayle comes. Syrrha hast thou spitt out all thy poyson
agaynst vs, or yet some reseru'd, till thou take new occasion

Ioseph
What I haue sayd, was for your good: for euill lyfe my breethren
Ys odious both to god & man, & shuts the gate of heauen
agaynst them that vse yt, & drawes them headlonge downe to hell
wherefore t'amend that fault in you my father I dyd tell
syth my persuation could not moue you for to lyue more vertuously
for your bad lyfe I do confesse dyd trouble me exceedingly

Isachar
Alas kynde foole, who would haue thought t'had bene so tender harted
as for to greeue on our behalfe? th'art much to be commended,
though not of vs, who know thy words were vttred in mere knauery
to pyke a thanke thy self, & make vs to be thought on hardly.

Ioseph
I sory am my fathers loue to me procures your hate
& makes you thus vnpeaceably to speake to me of late
& yet I'l take all in good part that you shall do or say
hopeinge my patience will at length your hatred take away.
And yf I may wt h out offence I'l tell you what I dreamed

Simeon
What s'euer yt be let's heare 't, though dreames be seldome to be trusted

Ioseph
I dream'd we bound sheaues in the field, & that my sheafe vp started
& that your sheaues stoode round about my sheafe, & yt adored

Simeon
What shalt thou be our kinge, & we subiect to thy dominion?

Ioseph
I also had an other dreame, & that a very strange one
But here I see my father cominge, to tell yt I'l forbeare

Iacob
Nay sonne not so, what s'euer yt be, I pray thee lett me heare.

Ioseph
In my dreame I persuaded was that verely I did see
as 'twere the Sunne & moone & eleauen starres adore mee

Iacob.
What meanes this dreame sonne thou hast seene? that both thy mother & I
& thy eleauen brethren shall vpon the earth adore thee?
Such dreames as these thou must not tell: & yet I can not choose
but wt h my self there of consider, & at yt deepely muse

Isachar
This dreame perhaps geues hym content, but hath vs discontented
& yt may be that he will wish he had the same concealed,
or other wyse dream'd, although we thinke dreames but to be fond fancies

Iacob
Be silent sonnes: let not this dreame occasion be of malice
vpon my blessinge, but go about ech one your charge of sheepe
wc h I in Sichem lattely you appoynted for to keepe,
& after you I'l shortly sende to see how all things are

Ruben
At your command we'l go, & of our busines haue great care.
But father we your blessinge craue ere we go hence away

Iacob
Gods blessinge sonnes & myne vpon you light both night & day.
Ioseph thy brothers now are gone, let me & thee go in
there for to recreate our selues a while wt h litle Beniamin.
& after some few dayes are past I'l to thy Brethren sende thee
to bringe them newes from mee, & newes to me from them recary

Ruben
Brothers you see wee wysely dyd, when we our flockes remoued
from Sichem hither vnto Dothain, for they are much amended
since we their pastours chang'd, for here in Dothain's store of grasse
where as in Sichem's litle, & yt to rottinge subiect was
So that yf now our father sende to know how our sheepe prosper
good newes to hym we shall returne, that neuer they lyk't better

Simeon
And yf myne eyes deceiue me not, loe where the dreamer cometh

Leui
Yt's he in deede, come let's deuise how to put hym to death.

Simeon
we'l kill hym, & his corps shall be in an old cestern hurled
by vs, & we will say some naughty wild beast hym deuoured,
& then what profit he got by hys dreame yt shall appeare.

Ruben
Neyther take his lyfe, nor sheede his blood, but in this cestern here
wt h in the wildernes cast hym, & so your hands keepe harmlesse
for to his father I would hym saffe deliuer I do confesse.

Leui
Of thy syde coate of diuers colours dreamer thou shalt be stripped

Ioseph
Alas deare Brothers what's the matter that thus I must be vsed?
In kyndnes hither, to see you brothers I was sent by my father

Zabulon
And for thy paynes we'l put thee in this cestern voyd of water

Ruben
Yt's better thus then in his blood your hands to haue imbrewed
Let's now go looke our sheepe agayne lest any away be strayed

Isachar
This busines had almost made vs our flockes to haue forgotten
But go & we'l you follow so soone as wee this bread haue eaten.

Gad
What men are these that here do come? They passengers seeme to bee
I musen whence they are, & whither they intend their iourney

Aser.
Th'are Ismalits from Galaad come, & in to Ægypt trauellinge
wt h rosen, spice, & myrh to sell, for that's their vsuall tradinge

Iuda
What would yt vs avayle, yf that we should our brother murder
& then his blood conceale? yt is in my opinion better
that he to th'Ismaelits be sould, our hands beinge vnpolluted
for he's our brother & our flesh of our father descended
where fore out of this cestern come, let vs take hym agayne

Simeon
Agree'd, & then we'l try yf that we can wt h these men bargayne
freends will you buy this boy whose price ys thirty syluer peeces
& cary hym alonge wt h you amongst your other marchandyse

Glaucus
Wee are content, deliuer hym to vs, & here's your money

Iuda
Lo there he is: fare well, & good speede haue you in your iourney.

Balbo
My frendes adew. come pritty youth & go wt h vs alonge,
& be no whit dismayd, for thou of vs shalt haue no wronge.

Leui
Now the Lad's gone, Let's see what th'effect of his dreames will bee

Isachar
Euen this: To free vs from complaynts, & purchace vs more liberty
for now there's none, who will discouer our doinges to our father
wherefore let's merely go vnto our Sheepe after our brother.
& send his coate dipt in kyds blood by some body to his father
who shall to hym in this wyse say: This we haue found, see whether
Yt be thy sonnes or no: & doubtlesse then he'l be persuaded
when he his sonnes coate sees, that some wild beast hath hym deuoured
& neuer vs suspect to haue bereau'd hym of his sonne

Leui
We lyke well your deuise, & to effect yt let's be gone.

Ruben
I haue my brothers lefte amongst their sheepe, & am come hither
vnknowne to them, Ioseph out of this cestern to deliuer.
Ioseph come forth: be not afrayd, here's no body but I here
oh Brothers o! whither shall I go? The boy doth not appeare.
wt h sorrow I will go vnto my Brothers back agayne,
for fully I persuaded am, they haue my brother slayne.

Iacob
I mervell much of all this while that Ioseph's not returned
syth the day of his cominge home prefix't is now expyred

Doilus
ffather Iacob well mett: as I did through the desert go
I did this fynde: See whether yt bee your sonnes coate or no
& so fare well, for at this tyme I can no longer stay.

Iacob
Here's some thinge for thy paynes, although thy news do much astonish mee
what a syde coate? of diuers colours? & all wt h blood besprinkled?
doubtlesse yt ys my sonnes. Some naughty beast hath hym deuoured.
Alas some beast hath Ioseph eaten. woe's mee that I was borne
Griefe makes me rent my cloathes, & I'l forhym in sackcloth mourne.

Ruben
Alas deare father what's the cause that you so sore lament?

Iacob
Here's Iosephs coate all blood: I feare he ys in peeces rent
by some wild beast, for I hym sent to you a while agone
& tydings of hym synce that tyme as yet I do heare none
sauinge that his coate by a stranger was to me deliuered
who sayd he found the same wt h blood as you may see imbrued
so that I thinke some sauage beast hath hym in peeces torne

Ruben
Doubtlesse then father he is well, where fore no longer mourne
but rather ioy there at, & your will vnto gods resigne
who takes them first, whom he loues best, as often hath bene seene.

Iudas
Good father Rubens counsell follow, & let your sorrow slake
syth yt can not fetch hym agayne, but your tyme shorter make

Levi & reliqui fratres.
The same aduise all we your sonnes father vnto you geue

Iacob
You may as well be sylent sonnes, for I'l no longer lyue
syth Ioseph's dead, but mourninge to my sonne to hell descende:
so let's go hence, for your persuations can not my griefe ende.

putiphar
Glaucus & Balbo I perceiue that you both Ismaelits are
& to this land of Ægypt come here for to sell your ware
where of I will buy part, yf of the price we can agree

Glaucus
Both wee (my Lord) & all our wares at your command shall bee
take what you will, leaue what you list, the price shal be but reasonable
& yf you haue a lykeinge of this youth, he's also vendible.

putiphar
I am right glad there of, & money for hym you shall haue
for I his countenance lyke, yt is so sober, sage, & graue.
Tell me what you do value hym at, & I will pay yt presently.

Balbo
There's no such hast (my Lord) but syth to hym you haue a fancy
here take hym to your seruice now, & when our other marchandize
we to your Lordship bringe, of all together we'l sett the price.

putiphar
That me contents: fare well till then: come youth, wilt yu go wt h mee?

Ioseph
Wt h thanks my lord, for I am bound there to by loue & duty.
adew my frends wt h many thanks for your kynd vsage towards mee.

Glaucus
Ioseph fare well, a seruant thou wilt proue discreete & trusty.
Balbo let's now go hence vnto the court of my lord putiphar
kinge pharaos Eunuche, & prince of his army, there of our ware
sale for to make, & money receiue, as he hath vs appoynted

Balbo
Yt is our best, where fore begone, that we may get dispached

putiphar.
In happy tyme I entertayned Ioseph in my seruice
syth all things prosper in his hands, for the lord wt h hym ys
& since his cominge to my house much bettered ys my case:
my land's encreast, my wealth's farre more, then here to fore yt was.
all wc h I for his sake acknowledge to haue hapt vnto mee.
& therefore steward of my house I haue made hym to bee.
& difference none betwixt vs put but the bread that I e[ate].
for except that, both wee feede of the self same kynd of meate
so that in my sight he both hath, & doth, & shall fynde grace
& now to hym I will go backe agayne into my palace.

Demetria
Ioseph you see wee two are here to gether all alone
& to discouer what we shall say or do, here ys not one
wherefore the secrets of my heart to you I will vnfold
beinge glad to see you whom myne eyes desyre for to behold.
The matter's this: yf you be pleas'd let vs two sleepe to gether.
why speake you not? fayne would I heare a comfortable answeare.
I ready am in all I can to satisfy your will,
for the great loue I beare to you, wc h shall continue still.

Ioseph.
Behould my maister hath vnto my hands all things deliuered
& knoweth not what's in his house to his owne selfe appropriated.
but only you who ys his wyfe, & the bread that he eateth:
Why then should I committ thys synne, that god so much offendeth,
& that agaynst my worthy lord, who loueth me so well?
yt ys not fitt: where fore good lady those thoughts from you expell.

Demetria.
Let me then kisse your sugred lips resemblinge the vermilion.
yf not so much, your cheeke, wc h ys of such a cleare complexion:
at least embrace you in myne armes, or take you by the hand.
Few men but you a Ladies suite so longe tyme would wt h stande
what do you still your backsyde turne, as though you me disdayned?
no cause you haue so for to do, yf all things were considered
My face ys fayre, my breath ys sweete, as softe as downe my hand
& my skynne is as whit as any Ladyes in this land
my midle's smale, my feete are pritty, my legs of good proportion
& all parts of my body else worthy of your affection
wc h, yf you will me loue, shall euer be at your command
as longe as I do lyue, & there vpon here is my hand.

Ioseph.
O Lady god forbyd I should defyle my maisters orchard
wc h synne I in my heart abhorre, not only in regard
of humane lawes (seuere enough agaynst so great offenders)
as gods, who wt h hell fyre for ay rewards such malefactors
where fore in moueinge me there to (lady) your labours wayst
for neuer will I geue consent as longe as lyfe doth last.

Demetria
Are all my hopes to haue enioy'd your loue then come to this?
thou had as good (beleue me saucy boy) dealt otherwyse.
Helpe, helpe, some body help, help, help I humbly craue
else will this rude & lewd companion of me his pleasure haue.

patauinus
who's that, that so exclaimes? Lady ys't you? what is the matter?

Demetria
The Hebrew would haue me abus'd, go streight & call thy maister.
my lord the Hebrew seruant whom you to our house dyd bringe
vnto me came to haue deluded me, but preuayld nothinge
& when he heard me cry, he left his cloake, wc h I did hold.
& ranne away for very shame, wt h all the speede he could.
Lo here's his cloake yet in my hands, wc h I dyd from hym take

putiphar.
Hath he abus'd you thus, & I so much of hym dyd make?

Demetria
Vpon my knees my louinge lord wt h weepinge eyes I craue
for his so foule, & great abuse that iustice I may haue.

putiphar.
Lady you shall wt h all my heart, wherefore let vs be gone
& so soone as wee meete I'l clapp hym vp in ye kings prison.

fernesus
Ioseph the ruler of prince putiphars house is now committed
to the kings prison where of I the keeper am apoynted
& he so well behaues hym self, that I haue made hym keeper
of all the prisoners in the gaole, & to hym did deliuer
the keys when that I hither came wt h charge to looke vnto
the prisoners as I my self before was wonte to do
especially two' Eunuchs, th'one where of was ye chiefe cupbearer
vnto the kinge my soueraigne lord, the other his chiefe Baker
who are committed vnto prison, there for to be detayned
till the offence layd to their charge hath throughly bene examined
In the meane while they lykly are in prison to remayne
for so the kinge commandment gaue, whither now I l go agayne

Syphax
Brabantio we to Ioseph are exceedinge much behouldinge
who geues vs leaue to walke abroad & take th'ayre not wt h standinge
that we close prisoners should be kept, a fauour extraordinary
though vsuall wt h hym he ys a man so full of pitty

Brabantio.
Syphax yt's true, where fore we'l his true prisoners remayne
& at the tyme by hym assignd returne to hym agayne.

Syphax
Else were yt pitty of our lyues, the while I will declare
to you a troublesome dreame I had, wc h filles me full of care

Brabantio.
When you haue done I'l tell to you an other that I had
wc h doth as strange vnto me seeme & makes me toto sadd.
But st our keeper Ioseph comes, let's heare what he will say.

Ioseph
How now my maisters what's the matter you are more sad today
then you were wonte? Tell me th cause why yt ys wt h you thus.

Syphax
We had strange dreames, & here's no body them to interpret to vs

Ioseph
Why doth not the interpretation belonge to god alone?
Yet not wt h standinge there of make to me a short relation.
But yours cupbearer first I am desyrous for to heare

Syphax
I verely thought I saw a vine, where in three branches were
wc h first did budd, then blossom'd, & lastly the grape rype waxed
wc h I wronge into pharaos cup, & yt to hym deliuered

Ioseph
The Dreame ys thus interpreted: Those same three branches signify
that after three days thou vnto thy place restor'd shall bee,
& geue vnto the kinge his cup, as thou was vs'd to do:
only remember then that mercy thou vnto me show,
when that yt shall be well wt h thee, & put pharao in mynde
me to deliuer out of prison: Let me that frendship fynde,
because I was taken by stealth out of the Hebrews country
& to this prison afterwards committed for myne innocency.
Now maister Baker vnto me let your dreame be related.

Brabantio.
Wt h all my heart syth you so well my fellows haue interpreted
Me thought three Baskets full of meale vpon my head I caryed
& in the high'st all kynd of meates were that could be deuysed
by th'arte of Bakinge, & that byrds out of the same dyd eate

Ioseph.
Well, listen to my wordes, for thus the dreame I do interprett:
Those same three Baskets, iust three day yet for to come do signify
after whose expiration pharao will thy head take from thee
& hange the on the crose: & thy flesh shall foules of th'ayre teare
The truth of wc h interpretations by th'euent shall appeare.
In the meane while thinke as you list. So let's go back agayne
as fellow prisoners at kings pleasure in prison to remayne.

Syphax.
Euen iust as Ioseph dyd foretell our dreames are come to passe
for when that three days were expyr'd, the Baker hanged was
& I admitted to the place, where in before I serued
& at feast on the kings byrth day his cup to hym deliuered
And since that tyme the kinge hym self two seuerall dreames hath had
wc h so perplext hym that all the Interpreters he bade
& wyse men in his land should be sent for, but none was found
that could interpret them, wc h to their shame did much redound
But at the length (for I'l confesse my synne) I dyd remember
(though after two yeares space) the Hebrew that was fellow prisoner
wt h me, & wt h the baker, who to vs our dreames interpreted
most truly, as by the euent was playnly after proued
& I haue made the kinge acquainted wt h this yonge mans cunninge
in th'expoundinge of dreames, by whose commaundment I am goinge
hym out of prison for to fetch, & bringe hym to his maiesty
in th'expositions of hys dreames his cunninge for to try
& I doubt not but by this act both the kinge to content
& also for to gett this man relea'st of his imprisonment
wc h yf I do, no man a lyue shall gladder be then I
& now in hope there of I will go fetch hym to his maiesty
My liege th'Interpreter of dreames ys now in presence here

Kinge Pharao.
I am no litle glad there of. My pritty youth come neere.
Ioseph I had two seuerall dreames, & not one can be found
wt h in this land of Ægypt that's able them to expound.
But I informed am that thou canst them interpret wysely

Ioseph
Wt h out me god shall answeare prosperous things to pharaos maiesty

Kinge pharao
I verely thought that I did stand on the banke of a Riuer
& out of yt came vp seauen fayre fatt kyne one after other
wc h in greene marish places fedd. & after these there followed
other seauen kyne, wc h were both leane & passinge euill fauoured
Lyke vnto wc h I in the Land of Ægypt had seene neuer
& they the former did deuour, & yet were neuer fuller.
but very leane & toto foule, & looked passinge heauely:
wt h wc h I wak't, but slept agayne: And then thought I did see
seauen eares of corne very fayre & full vpon one stalke to grow.
other seauen thinne, & blasted wt h adustian then I saw
springe also of the self same stalke, wc h did deuour the former.
Of these two dreames I shall be glad to fynd a true interpreter

Ioseph
These two do but one thinge import, for god hath shew'd to pharao
what by his speciall prouidence he intendeth for to do.
The seauen fatt kyne, & seauen eares of corne so fayre & full
vndoubtedly betoken seauen yeares that shall be plentifull.
And the seauen leane kyne & the seauen thynne & blasted eares
of corne, that came vp after th'other, betoken seauen yeares
of famyne yet to come, & that in this ensuinge order
as these two dreames do signify, importinge both one matter.
First in the land of Ægypt shall seauen yeares be of fertility
after the wc h shall follow other seauen yeares of great sterility
So that the plenty of the former years shall be forgotten
before th'ende of the seauen future yeares that shall be barren
for the sterility shall destroy the greatnes of the plenty
so that a generall famyne there shall be through all the country.
And syth that both your dreames were to the self same thinge pertayninge
yt argues that vndoubtedly to passe god will yt bringe.
Now therefore let the kinge some wyse industrious man provide
that will & can the land of Ægypt rule, gouerne, & guyde
that ouer seers he may appoynt ouer all the whole country
fifth part of the fruits of the earth into their barnes to cary
while the seauen yeares of plenty last, wc h forthwt h are ensuinge
& there to store yt vp vnder the hands of pharao kinge
agaynst the seauen yeares that after shall ensue of scarcity
by that meanes Ægypt shall wt h famyne not consumed bee.

Kinge pharao
Thy counsell Ioseph's tooto good, & pleaseth me right well

multitude of the Ægyptians
And so yt doth vs all both great & smale, the truth to tell.

Kinge pharao
can we fynd such another man that's wt h gods spirit replenished
Ioseph syth god all yt thou spoken hast, to thee hath shewed
Thou shalt be ruler of my house, & euery one shall bee
at thy command: But only in the throne I'l be before thee.
And I do make the ouer seer of all th'Ægyptian land
& from myne owne hand take this ringe, & gyue yt to thy hand.
& thee adorne wt h this silke robe, & put this chayne of gold
about thy necke. & yt my pleasure ys that ech one should
bowe downe their knees to thee, & knoledge take that I haue made
the gouernour of the land of Ægypt, as before I sayd.
I pharao am, & no man in all the Ægyptian land
wt h outen thy commandment shall moue eyther foote or hand
Saphnath pahanaach shall thy name here after called bee
wc h in th'Ægyptian tongue the sauiour of the world doth signify
But a secret & hidden thinge in hebrew yt importeth,
& by the Rabins ys expund'd, one that secrets reuealeth.
And in my second chariot thou shalt ryde duringe thy lyfe
And Asseneth more ouer I will geue the to thy wyfe,
who daughter ys to putiphar priest & prince of Heliopolis

Ioseph
None more my liege then I vnto your grace behouldinge ys
& for these honours wc h you haue, & will of me bestow
my seruice shall at your commandment be most worthy pharao.
And syth the yeares of plenty now are cominge on a pase
I'l go about the charge I haue, yf yt shall please your grace

Kinge pharao
What lyketh thee shall me content, so great thy wisdome ys
Now let's be gone, & in all things I'l keepe wt h thee my promyse

[Chorus]
You must imagin now that vnto Aseneth Ioseph's maryed
& that he perfectly the land of Ægypt hath surueyed
& all the barnes fild full of corne in these seaue years of plenty
wc h are already come & gone, where in was such fertility.
that all the Barns could not contayne the grayne yt was preserued
but euery Towne, & euery citty there wt h was also filled.
& there was such great store of wheate as could not measured bee,
but numberlesse lyke the sea sand yt euerywhere dyd lye.
And in this tyme two sonnes were borne to Ioseph: th'one Manasses
Th'other Ephraim cald. And now this seauen years beinge gone of fruitfulnes
other seauen yeares of scarcity began, as Ioseph sayd
So that through the whole world both a great dearth & famyne's made
saueinge that in the land of Ægypt there's of corne great plenty:
& when the people hunger staru'd of pharao call & cry
desyringe foode, forth wt h he byds them vnto Ioseph go,
& do in all respects as he shall them aduyse to do.
And dayly more, & more the famyne through all the land encreaseth
So that he hath open'd all the Barnes, & to th'Ægyptians selleth:
for them also the famyne hath opprest: & all other countries
to Ægypt come for to buy corne for to relyue their miseries.
But what effect this famyne will cause, at length yt will be knowne
wherefore a whyle attentyue be, & so I will be gone.

Iacob
You see sonnes that here in chanaan of corne there ys great scarcity
& in the land of Ægypt as you heare there ys greate plenty.
Why then neglect you tyme, & do not to that country go
some kynde of grayne to buy, as others of your neighbours do?
Will you both famish't be yourselues, & suffer me to dye
for want of foode? Sonnes do not so, but thither make a iourney
all ten to gether, & you shall haue of me both gold & syluer
to buy corne wt h, & horses also to bringe yt from thence hither.
And Beniamin till your returne wt h me at home shall stay
lest he perhaps beinge yonge & weake should take harme by the way.

Ruben
Father we will at your command that iourney vnder take

Iacob.
Then forthwt h let's be gone all thinges in readynes to make.

Ruben
Now are we vnto Ægypt come, & nigh to the kings palace
we haue our lodginges taken vp in a convenient place
where we our sackes & horses lefte & come to seeke the Ruler
of this land, who sels all the corne: & lo he's now cominge hither
God saue your honour worthy Syr, we prostrate here do craue
that some corne for our money yt would please you to let vs haue

Ioseph
I know these are my Brethren, yet I will speake somewhat roughly
to them as though I knew them not, syth none of them do know mee.
What country men are you that come in such a troupe together?

Simeon
We of chanaan are, & for to buy corne be come hither.

Ioseph
Nay you are spyes, & come to vewe the weake parts of the country

Leui
Not so my lord, but we thy seruants are come grayne to buy
We are the sonnes all of one man, & come as men of peace
& wish no hurt vnto this land, but pray god yt to blesse.

Ioseph
No you come th'vndefenced parts of this land to consider

Iuda
We were twelue Breethren all the sonnes of one man, & our father
in the land of chanaan dwells, wt h whom the yong'st ys lyuinge,
an other's dead, & we ten are the rest that be remayninge

Ioseph
T'ys yt that made me call you spyes: & now the truth Il try
for by the health of pharao you shall not depart from mee
vntill your yongest brother come, but here remayne in prison
all saueinge one who shall hym fetch, let therefore one be gone
els by the health of pharao I shal thinke that spyes you bee
But ere that one go you all shall three dayes in prison lye.
Wherefore content your selues, & now to prison wt h me go.

Isachar
My lord we are at your command syth that yt must needes be so.

Ioseph
Now haue you three days prisoners bene, do as I haue you bydden
& you shall lyue, for I feare god. Let but one of your Brethren
(Yf you be men of peace) be bound in prison, & all the other go
& cary the corne that you shall buy (as you thought for to do)
vnto your houses, & then bringe your yongest Brother to mee
that I may proue your speeches to be true, lest that you dye.

Ruben
Wt h all our hearts we are content: take wc h of vs you will
& wt h you keepe hym for a pawne till wee your mynd fullfill

Ioseph
Then Simeon shall be the man that shall your suerty bee
Here Doilus bynd hym fast: So now cary hym to prison presently

Iuda
Now worthely these things we suffer because that we haue synned
agaynst our Brother, who pitti'd hym not, when as he vs intreated
& for this cause vpon vs ys this tribulation fallen

Ruben
why were not you to synne agaynst the boy by me forbydden
& to my wordes you gaue no eare. of vs his bloodes required

Ioseph
They thinke I vnderstand them not: but much they are deceiued
& for to heare their dolefull mone yt pittieth me no litle,
& maketh salt teares from myne eyes lyke hayle stones for to tricle.
Though from ther sight I them do hyde by turninge of my backe
So now I'l go & let them haue as much corne as they lacke.
Now at your pleasure go good fellows, & make your Asses ready
& sacks, & to my barnes repayre, & take what you thinke necessary
for your reliefe, after the rate, that other men do pay

omnes fratres.
Wee thanke your honour, & take our leaue of you for whom we'l pray

[Ioseph]
Arbastus see their sacks fild full of wheate, & ech mans money
agayne in their owne sacks see that thou put wt h out their priuity
& besyds that them some thinge geue for to eate by the way

Arbastus.
My lord this your commandment shall be doone wt h out delay

Ioseph
Wt h heauy hearts, & troubled mynds now are my brothers gone
I know right well, yet I yt suffer to bringe them to contrition
wt h out the wc h though iniuries by men may be remitted
yet the offenders neuer can before god be absolued
wherefore out of my loue to them, (though I their synne detest)
this I haue done, thereby to breede repentance in their brest
wc h before absolution of our synnes must euer go
wc h to procure I was to them thus sharpe in outward show:
for no cause else, as god (who sees the secrett of my heart)
can tell. But now I must uppon occasion hence depart.

Iacob
Sonnes I am glad you are come home & that wt h full fild sacks
of excellent wheate, but one thinge yet me much amazed makes
& that ys this, that all your money was in your sacke topps found
as I perceiu'd when you pour'd out your wheate vpon the ground
But much more I astonyed am, & troubled in my mynde
that you are all come home agayne, & lefte Simeon behynd
& that in prison, yea & fast bound in chaynes, for so you say,
& (wc h doth greeue most) will now take Beniamin away.
& (as you know) Ioseph is dead, so that yf you hould on
the course you haue begun, children shortly I shall haue none.
woe's me what shall I do, when all these euills are fallen on mee!

Ruben
Kill my two sonnes yf Beniamin I bringe not backe in safty
vnto you father yf you will hym to my hands committ.

Iacob
No Ruben, no, content thy self, in no case I will do yt.
His brother Ioseph's dead, & he remayninge ys alone
yf in the way yll hym befall, (as surety there ys none
you shall bringe downe my hoary heyres wt h sorrow vnto hell
come let's away: of my sonnes goinge no more I will heare tell.
My sonnes you see that all the grayne you brought ys almost spent
wherefore to Ægypt go agayne to buy some more incontinent.

Iuda
The ouer seer of the land of whom you heard before
protested wt h an oath, that we his fayth should see no more
vnlesse that we did wt h vs bringe to hym our yongest brother
wherefore wt h vs yf you'l hym send, we will agayne go thither
& buy what you do lack: but yf you will not, we'l not go
for he'l not on vs looke, except he see our brother also

Iacob
you haue done this t'augment my griefe. In that you did hym tell
you had an other brother, assure your selues you dyd not well

Leui
The man did aske vs of our progeny: first yf our father lyued,
then what children he had: vnto wc h we directly answeared
could we beforehand father tell that he would vs command
our brother for to bringe? Knew we that he would this demand?
Sende the boy wt h me that vpon our iourney we may go,
& lyue, lest that we & our litle ones dye. Good father do so.
I'l take vpon me his protection: require hym at my hand.
vnlesse I bringe hym saffe agayne to you from Ægypt land
I'l guilty be of synne for euermore agaynst you father.
But for delay the second tyme ere now we had come hither

Iacob.
Yf yt must needs be so, do as you lyst: I am content
but cary to the man to whom you go, from me a present
of all the best fruits of this land, a curtesy of hony
Rosen, Incense, Almonds, Terebynth, & myrrh, & double money
that you may haue enough, both for to pay for the new corne
you buy, & the money that was in your sacks backe to returne.
Lest peraduenture yt was done, through ouersight or errour.
And wt h you also take litle Beniamin your yonger brother
& go vnto the man: And my god that's almighty make
hym vpon you, both pitty & compassion for to take.
& to send backe wt h you your brother whom he doth keepe in prison
& Beniamin. How desolate shall I be here lefte alone?

Iudas
So soone as he hath seene this boy (father) he'l let's returne
wt h hym, Simeon, & corne: wherefore I pray you do not mourne.

Iacob
God graunt my sonne yt fall out so. But now let's hence be gone
of all things needfull for your iourney for to make preparation.

[Ioseph]
I see the men that lately went to the land of chanaan
are wt h their yongest brother come to buy more corne agayne
Arbastus go & fetch them to my house, & victimes kill
& make a feast, for haue them dyne wt h me at Noone I will.
In the meane tyme I'l go about such busines as I haue

Arbastus
Wt h care my Lord all shall be done, as you commandment gaue.
My frends yt's my lords will that you into his house shall go
why stand you there lyke men amaz'd? come, come, yt must be so.

Ruben.
Oh Brothers we must in be brought I feare about the money
wc h we at our first cominge hither backe in our sackes dyd cary
that a false accusation hee agaynst vs there might lay
that he may vs in bondage keepe, & all our Asses stay.

Iudas.
Good maister steward we humbly beseech you vs to heare.
Once before this to buy prouision we in this country were
& comminge home, in our sack topps we found iust so much money
as our corne cost, wc h we haue brought agayne, beinge no way priuy
who put yt there: & besyds that more money wt h vs bringe
to pay for that we take, for we would you offend in nothinge

Arbastus
Peace be wt h you: feare not: your god, & the god of your father
gaue you that treasure in your sacks: wherefore let that thinge neuer
dismay you frends: for I acknowledge that I was truly payed
for all the corne that then you bought: wherefore be not dismayed
but come in to the house, & I will bringe your brother Simeon
vnto you thither, whom you at your departure lefte in prison
and for your feete you shall haue water & for your asses prouender

omnes fratres.
We thanke you maister steward, & kyndly do accept your offer.

Ruben.
My lord (yf we might be so bold) to you we would present
the token wc h your honour sawe, from our old father sent.

Ioseph
I kyndly yt accept, & vnto hym am much behouldinge.
ys the old man your father in good health? ys he yet lyuinge?

Ruben
your seruant our old father ys in health, & lyueth still.
& his yong'st sonne by vs hath sent, accordinge to your will

Ioseph
Ys this same your yonge brother of whome to me you made relation?

Iuda
Yt ys (my lord)

Ios[eph].
God vnto the be mercifull my sonne.
From weepinge I can not refrayne to see this myne owne brother
yonge Beniamin, who wt h me had one & the selfsame mother,
so great ioy ouerwhelmes my heart. wherefore I'l take occasion
for to retyre my self till I haue dryue away this passion.
Arbastus bringe them after me to eate wt h me to day

Arbastus.
I will my lord. come wt h me frends: you heare what he dyd say.
my lord hath caused all these men to sitt wt h hym at dynner
where they accordinge to their age were placed all in order
but by hym self my lord dyd sitt: These men apart were placed
from hym: & so th Ægyptians also were that wt h them dyned
for for th'Ægyptians yt's vnlawfull & prophane to eate
wt h th'Hebrews: & my lord at dynner a portion gaue of meate
to euery one: But Beniamins by fyue parts was the best
because (as yt should seeme) he lou'd hym farre aboue the reste
When dynner was done forthwt h my lord commandment gaue I should
fill all the strangers sacks wt h corne as much as they could hould
& in the top of ech mans sacke to put agayne their money
& in the yongest brothers sack he also dyd command mee
to put his syluer cupp where in to drynke he vsed was
all wc h I dyd vnknowne to them, & they away did passe.
But now my lord comes here yt seems yt he would some thinge wt h me

Ioseph
Arbastus go, pursue the men that are vpon their iourney
& when thou ouertak'st them say: why haue you euill rendred
for good? The cup wc h you haue stollen, vnto my Lord belonged
& ys that where in he doth drinke, & where in he doth vse
for to diuine. You ill haue done hym thus for to abuse.
And there vpon search all theyr sacks begininge wt h the eldest
& so proceede from on t'another till thou come to the yongest
where fyndinge yt, bringe them all backe agayne forthwt h vnto mee

Arbastus
Euen as your Lordship hath comand'd all shall performed bee

Ioseph
Well then make hast. All this I do to make them better know
them selues: & now till their returne agayne I will in go.

Arbastus
How now good fellows, well ouertaken. Why haue you euill rendred
for good? The cup, wc h you haue stollen vnto my lord belonged,
& ys that where in he doth drynke, & where in he doth vse
for to diuine: you ill haue done hym thus for to abuse.

Ruben
Why doth our lord speake to vs so? as though thy seruants had
some heynous & enormious fault agaynst your honour made
The money that before we found in our sacke topps, agayne
we to your Lordship dyd recary from the Land of chanaan
How should we then haue stollen out of thy lords house gold & syluer?
Search vs, & all our sacks, & let them dye wt h whom so euer
that shall be found, & to our Lord we will all bound men bee.

Arbastus.
Be yt euen so: Let hym wt h whom yt shall be found, be guylty
& my bound men, guyltlesse the rest. So let's go serch your sacks.

omnes fratres.
We come my lord: & vs our innocency so forward makes

Arbastus.
you see fellows I the cup haue found in your yongst brothers sack
where fore you must vnto my lord wt h me agayne turne back

Simeon
Alas that euer we were borne! now are we cast away.

Arbastus.
stay: Here me thinkes my Lord doth come: Lets heare what he doth say

Ioseph
What ys my cup amongst them found? Why haue you done this thinge?
Knew you not that none's lyke to me in the art of diuininge?

Iuda.
What answeare shall we make my lord? or what shall we be able
for an excuse for to pretend syth god hath found vs culpable?
Lo we are bound men to my lord ech one, both he, & wee
wt h whom the cupp was found, & yeelde ourselues vnto your mercy

Ioseph
Nay god forbyd I should so do. He only that's th'offender
shall be my bound man, & the rest may go vnto theyr father.

Iuda
I humbly you beseech my Lord, let me but speake one worde
wt h out offence syth that you after pharao are my lord:
At first tyme you vs askt: Haue you a father or a brother?
& we dyd answeare make vnto my lord: we haue a father,
Who aged ys, & a yonge brother in his old age begot,
Whose brother by the mother ys dead, & any mo sonnes she hath not
& that yonge sonne ys tenderly beloued of hys father.
And you vnto your seruants sayd: Bringe hym vnto me hither
that I may sett myne eyes on hym. we to my lord suggested
yf that the boy his father leaue, he quickly will be dead.
And you vnto your seruants sayd: vnlesse your yongest brother
you vnto me do bringe, my face agayne you shall see neuer.
All wc h we to our father told: who bad vs agayne go
when all the corne we bought was spent. where to we answeared, No
except the boy he sent wt h vs: & told hym the cause why
where to he answeare made: you know that my wyfe two sonnes bare me
where of the one went forth, & you dyd say he was deuoured
by some wild beast: & to this day he neuer yet appeared:
yf this you also take, & ought do hym befall but well
you shall bringe downe my hoary heyres wt h sorrow vnto hell.
Wherefore yf that vnto your seruant our father I shall go
wt h out the boy, on whose lyfe his lyfe hangs, he'l dye for wo
Let me there fore your boundman be, who tooke hym to my custody
eyther to bringe hym saffe agayne, or of synne to be guylty.
agaynst my father. I therefore thy seruant will here stay
yf that your honour will permitt the child to go his way.
now wt h my Brothers, for I dare not go vnto my father
wt h out the boy, lest that he dye, when he sees not my brother.

Ioseph
No longee I can teares refraynr to see them thus perplexed
syth they my brothers are, whom as my self I euer loued.
And yet I'l not be knowne to them whyle others are here present
but send them hence, & to my brethren then be knowne incontinent
All but these strangers hence depart & leaue vs here alone.
for here priuy conference wt h them I'l haue when you are gone.
I Ioseph am.

Rub[en].
What sayth my Lord?

Ios[eph].
ys my father yet lyuinge?

Ruben.
Brothers hear'd you what my lord sayd, or was I but a dreaminge?

Iuda
His words I heard, but strange they were, & make me much amazed.

Ioseph
Come nearer me, I Ioseph am your brother: stand not astonied

Ruben
The same sound rings still in myne eares. Good brothers listen better
yf that his honour speake agayne.

Ios[eph].
Feare not I am no other
but your owne brother Ioseph whom you vnto Ægypt sould

Simeon et ceteri
our eares say he vs brother calls, yf them beleeue we could.

Ioseph
Let yt not greue you brothers that you sould me to this country
for for your preseruation god before you hither sent mee
for two yeares are of famine past, & fyue yeares mo remayne,
where in they can neyther till, nor sow, nor reape any kynd of grayne.
& god me sent before you that you might preserued bee
vpon the earth, & victuals haue to lyue wt h outen penury
Not by the cause, but by the will of god, who sent me hither
& who hath made me as yt were vnto pharao a father
& lord of his whole house, & prince in all th Ægyptian land
Make hast, & to my father go, & let hym vnderstand
that god hath me his sonne Lord of all Ægypt land created
& that to haue hym hither come, wt h out delay I wished
And the place of his dwellinge shall be in the lande of Gessen
that nere to me he and you all may be, and all your children
that hym & you all I may feede (for fyue yeares yet remayne
of famyne) lest both he & you all dye for want of grayne.
And he shall haue foode for his flocks, & heards, & what so euer
he wt h hym brings. forth wt h be gone, & say thus to my father.
Behold your eyes, & th'eyes of Beniamyn my brother see
that yt's my mouth that speakes these things to you, & doth not lye.
Report vnto my father my whole glory, & what you haue
in Ægypt seene. make hast I say, as I commandment gaue.
But ere you go lett [me] my Brother Beniamin embrace
To see thee Brother I am the gladdest man that euer was.

Beniamin
And & so am I my Lord to see you rysen to this dignity
for ioy I can no longer speake, my lord I pray you pardon mee.

Ioseph
Else were I much to blame, syth my selfe can not teares refrayne
for ioy to see thee Brother: let me embrace the once agayne,
& kisse thee as thou speechlesse stands. Alas kynd boy I pitty thee.
Now Brothers let me kisse you to, whom I do loue entyrely.
Comfort your selues: I Ioseph am your kynd & louinge brother.
All that I haue's at your command; I pray you thinke no other
What s'euer you did to me I haue forgott & quit forgeue
& neuer a whit I'l loue you worse for yt while I do lyue.

Omnes fratres.
Most humble thankes my Lord vpon our knees thy seruants render

Ioseph
Aryse kynd Brothers for you shall there kneele to me no longer

Ruben
Your kyndnes doth encourage vs (my Lord) to speake more boldly
vnto your honour then erst we dyd, remembringe yet our duty.

Kinge pharao.
Ioseph I am informed that these here thy brethren are
& I & all my house are glad to heare & see their welfare
Welcome to me my frends for Iosephs sake to Ægypt land
& what so euer ys there in shall be at your command.
And Ioseph byd them loadinge take, & go vnto their father
& hym & all his kynne thence bringe, & come vnto thee hither
that all the good thinges in this land on them thou may bestow
that of the land of Ægypt they & theirs may eate the marrow.
Commandment also geue that waynes they also wt h them cary
for cariage of their litle ones, their wyues, & their whole family.
& byd them nothinge leaue behynd, but returne wt h all speede
& all the wealth of Ægypt's theirs to serue them yf they neede.
& so adew till your returne, wc h I wish should be shortly

Omnes fratres.
All happines renowned pharao attend your royall maiestye.

Ioseph
Well Brothers now you shall be gone, & as the kinge commanded
Waynes, corne, & victualls for the way for you I'l see prouided
Arbastus go & for ech one of them two robes make ready,
but fyue for Beniamin; and of the best see that they bee.
Three hundred peeces also geue to Beniamin of syluer.
& by them as much money & rayment send vnto my father:
& asses lett them also haue their ryches for to cary
& for to beare their wheate, & all their victualls for their iourney.
And Brothers by the way see that among'st you be no anger
but louingly agree, as Brothers ought one wt h an other
as I do hope you will. So let's be gone to make thinges ready

Omnes fratres
Vpon your honour we'l attend, as we are bound by duty

Iacob
I thinke ech day a yeare to be synce my sonnes hence departed
& musen much they do not come, for now the tyme's expyred
of their appoyntment to returne. God graunt they be in safty
& not detayn'd agaynst their wills, but haue their wonted liberty
to come & that at their owne tyme, where of I stand in feare
that all this whyle no tydings I at all do from them heare.
Here of I dream'd before they went, & therefore would haue stayed
my yonge sonne Beniamyn at home, because I was afray'd
lest I should neuer see hym more, yf he dyd wt h them go
& yet his Brethren me persua'd I had no cause to thinke so:
such was their found security. But ouer late I fynde
to my great griefe they were deceiu'd, & in their iudgment blinde.
Wt h the vntymely death of Ioseph they were not contented
vntill that mee of Beniamyn they also had bereaued.
who in myne old age might haue beene to me a help & stay
where as for want of him wt h sorrow I shall now pyne away.
for fully I persuaded am some euill's to them happened
or by all lyklyhood they neuer would thus longe haue stayed.
But I shall not depryued be only of my sonne Beniamyn
& them, But I & all their children shall also dye of famyne,
wc h grows so great in euery place, that victualls for no money
there's any where for to be bought saueinge in Ægypt only
where all my sonnes miscaried haue, & will no more returne.
No other course then can I take, but here sitt downe & mourne

Ruben
Rest you well (father) what's the cause that you sitt here so sadly?

Iacob
Molest me not, who s'euer you be, for I am full of misery

Iudas
Wee are your sonnes from Ægypt come, who craue your blessing father

Jacob
My sonnes are dead I know right well, wherefore mock me no longer

Beniamyn
Good father say not so, but speake to me your yong'st sonne Beniamyn.

Iacob
That voyce reuyues my spirits, & makes me to cast vp myne eyne
Wh'are you that neele before me here? My sonnes? I would you were.
but both myne eye sight & myne eares do me deceiue I feare.

omnes fratres.
we are your sonnes, & craue your blessinge, beinge glad to see you well.

Iacob.
Are you my sonnes all saffe come home? my ioy no tongue can tell.
God blesse you all. come Beniamin, & let me the embrace.
Kisse me my sonne. How doth my boy? for feare half dead I was
lest I should haue seene you no more. Blessed be god Almighty
who in your iourney was your guyd, & brought you saffe vnto mee

Ruben
For that we'l euer prayse his name: & let you understande
that Ioseph yet ys lyuinge, & rules all the Ægyptian land

Iacob
Me thinkes I as yt were out of a heauy sleepe am wakened.
Ioseph my sonne yet lyuinge? yt ys a thinge not to be credited
& much lesse that he ruler ys of all the land of Ægypt

Beniamyn.
Father the one as well as th'others true vpon my credit

Iacob.
That's neyther: for Ioseph was by some naughty beast deuored
longesynce. How can he then be lyuinge, or Ægypt by hym gouered?

Iudas
Father we saw hym wt h our eyes, & heard hym wt h our eares:
& he confirm'd the same, by sheedinge of whole floodes of teares
for ioy to see vs there: & asked kyndly how you dyd
& when we were to come away did vs command & bidd
to bringe you to hym wt h vs thither, wt h your whole house & family
& store of waynes hath wt h vs sent your substance for to cary,
& asses load wt h wheate, & money put into our purses
where wt h for to defray by the way all our costs & charges
& vpon vs two roabes a peece he also hath bestowed
but fyue on Beniamin for hym yt seemes he most affected
& vnto hym three hundred peeces he also gaue of syluer
& as many mo he sent to you by Beniamin our Brother
& rayment also for to weare to you he sent lyke wyse
all wc h may be sufficient proofe, that he our brother ys.
And to all this kinge pharao gaue consent, & did command
that we should go & yt relate vnto you out of hand

Iacob
Yf my sonne Ioseph yet be lyuinge, fully yt me suffyceth
& I resolued am to go & see hym ere my death
where fore let's go & ready make all things fitt for our iourney

Ruben
father we'l all attend on you as we are bound in duty.

Iacob
Now I am towards Ægypt goinge wt h my whole house & family
& by the well of th'oath I victims kild to god almig[h]ty
the god of myne owne father Isaac, & neere vnto that place
I leaft my company, & came hither to rest me here a space

God.
Iacob, Iacob?

Iac[ob].
Lo here I am.

God.
I am the god most mighty
of thy father, feare not, but downe to Ægypt go directly.
And there into a great & mighty nation I will make thee:
& I will go downe wt h thee thither, & thence returninge bringe thee.

Iacob.
It seemes I slept, & haue heard god speake to me in a vision
wherefore (as he me bade) I towards Ægypt will be gone
& will before me Iudas send to Ioseph for to signify
that I am cominge, & hym desyre in Gessen for to meete mee

Iudas.
Father this is the place, yf that I take my ayme aright
where Ioseph dyd appoynt to meete, & now hee's here in sight

Ioseph
Your blessinge father I desyre.

Iac[ob].
God's blessinge haue thou Ioseph
yf thou be lyuinge & in health my sonne yt mee sufficeth.
Now Ioseph will I dye wt h ioy syth I haue seene thy face.

Ioseph
Let me clipp you about the neck, & in myne armes embrace.
I can not choose but weepe for ioy when that I see you father

Iacob.
No more can I to see the soone, whom I haue loued euer

Ioseph
Father welcome: so be you Brothers. I'l go vnto the kinge
& hym acquaynt, wt h yours, my fathers, & his families cominge
& that you pastors are of sheepe, & flocks to feede's your trade
& that your heardes, & all you haue are come, as hym selfe bade.
And when he askes you, what's your trade, you shall geue hym these answears
Wee from our youth haue pastors bene, & so were our fore fathers:
that in the land of Gessen you may dwell, thus you must say
because wt h no pastors of sheepe th'Ægyptians can away.
Till my returne here stay, for wt h all speede I'l come agayne

Iacob.
Sonne thy directions wee'l obserue, & here the whyle remayne.
Sonnes see how god prouids for vs beyonde our expectation
by bringeinge vs in tyme of famyne vnto a fruitfull nation
where by he bynds vs more & more thankfull to hym to bee.
But 'st, the kinge ys here at hand: Let vs attend his maiesty

Kinge pharao.
Ioseph I am right glad your father's come & all his ch[i]ldren
& ys as you affirm aryu'd here in the land of Gessen

Ioseph
They are my liege: Loe where they be, as to your grace I sayde

Kinge pharao.
Welcome my frendes to Ægypt land. I pray you what's your trade

Iacob
Thy seruantes pastors are of sheepe, as our fore fathers were,
& come to soiourne in this land, by reason that we heare
there's plenty of corne in this country, & also store of grasse
where as in the land whence we came great want of both there was
where fore most humbly we beseech your grace to graunt vs liberty
here in the land of Gessen for to stay wt h all our company

Kinge pharao.
Ioseph thy father & thy Brethren are hither come vnto thee.
The Land of Ægypt's in thy sight, the best part of the country
see that thou place them in, & Gessen vnto them deliuer.
If any industrious men amongst them thou doest know come hither
appoynt them maisters of my cattle. But now thy father shew mee

Ioseph
This aged man (my Liege) whom here I bringe vnto your maiesty

Kinge pharao.
God blesse you (father) tell me what's the number of your yeares.

Iacob
One hundred thirty, few & euill, & reach not to my fathers

Kinge pharao
Yt's a fayre age. Now I'l be gone, & leaue you wt h your sonne.

Iacob
All happines attend your honour, & gods good benediction

Ioseph
Now father I'l go & deliuer vnto you out of hand
possession of the fruitfulst place, that's wt h in all this land:
& for provision of your house you shall haue store of grayne
& for your catle foode enough whyle the famyne doth remayne.

Iacob
Thankes my beloued sonne. I see thy dreame's now come to passe
& thankes to god I geue, who me conducted to this place.
where in this tyme of famyne I, & my whole house may haue
reliefe. No doubt but god thee hither sent our soules to saue.

Ioseph
Hee did in deede: for wc h let's prayse his name for euermore
& now be gone.

Iac[ob].
Sonne lead the way.

Ios[eph].
No you shall go before

Iac[ob].
That ys not seemely sonne.

Ios[eph].
perhaps as I am vnder pharao.
but as I am your sonne yt's fitt that you before should go.
Wherefore good father lead the way, & I wt h all my brethren
will follow you & be your guyde vnto the land of Gessen.

Arbastus.
My Lord the famyne ys so great through all the world encreased
though most in Ægypt & chanaan that they are almost famished.
And the Ægyptians still cry out for corne, but haue no money
to pay for yt: for as you know, yt's all in the kings treasury

Ioseph
Then let them to me bringe their catle, as horses sheepe, & oxen
for wc h they shall haue corne for to relieue them & their children.
And let them not thinke much there at, for I must be indifferent
betwixt the kinge & them, as I am bound by gods commandment
wherefore as I let them haue corne, wc h ys my lords the kinges,
Euen so must I receiue for yt eyther coyne, or other thinges
that's answearable there vnto: exceptinge when his maiesty
will yt gratis bestow on any, out of his liberality
And they at their owne seruantes hands will looke for ye lyke iustice:
wherefore they can not blame me yf I do the kinge lyke seruice.
But now vnto the common barns let's go corne to deliuer
for many Buyers longe ere this doubtlesse will be come thither.

Bletzo.
What Neighbour Turnsol shall we do, now all our money's gone
& all our catle chang'd for corne, & yet corne haue wee none?
& this ys our whole countries case, wherefore let's haue your counsell

Turnsol.
Oh Neighbour Bletzo lyfe ys sweete, wc h to preserue lets sell
our Lands vnto the kinge, & our selues his Boundslaues become
So may we lyue: all though our lyues will paynfull be & troublesome.

Bletzo
Your counsell's good, though somewhat sharpe: & yet all Ægypt land
are forc't before vs so to do, as I do vnnderstande

Turnsol
Then must we needes the same course take, syth yt we can not remedy
& wt h them be content to make a vertue of necessity
wherefore let vs repayre vnto the ruler of this land
& bargayne wt h hym for some corne: who now ys here at hand
God saue your honour noble lord. Your suppliants humbly craue
that corne for saue guard of their lyues at your hand they may haue.
in liew where of you for the kinge of our lands, may make seysure
& we our selues will bound men be also vnto his honour

Ioseph.
My lord the kinge ys mercifull & wisheth no mans ouerthrow
& looke what fauour other found the lyke he'l to you show
where fore you shall haue foode to eate, & may your land go till
& fetch here seede to sow yt wt h. & of th'encrease I will
haue you one fifth part for to geue only vnto his maiesty
& foure take to your selues for seede, & to relieue your family
& here wt h not you only but all Ægypt ys content
because you & your lands are now the kings by your consent

Bletzo
Our lyues are in your hands, & yf our lord to vs shew mercy
we will be ready for to serue the kinge & that most gladly

Ioseph
Well then Arbastus go, & let corne be to them deliuered
as vnto all the rest, so that these couenants be obserued.

Arbastus.
All shall my lord performed be as you commandment geue

Turnsol.
And we'l (my lord) acknowled you to be the cause we lyue.

Ioseph.
Now all the land of Ægypt but the priests (who are made free
from these conditions) to the kinge must one fifth part pay yearly
& thinke them selue well delt wt h all for they a sale dyd make
of all their lands, & yet the kinge one fifth part doth but take.
And but that they thus do, they would be starued all wt h hunger,
where-as now they may lyue. But now I'l go & see my father
who aged growes, & syckly to for so I am informed
by one who also sayd that he to see me much desyred

Iacob
Sonne Ioseph I do feele that the day of my death draws nigh
where fore yf I haue found grace in thy sight, vnder my thigh
put thy hand, & thou shalt vnto me do thys truth & mercy
not in the land of Ægypt, but wt h my forefathers bury me

Ioseph
Father assure your self I'l do euen as you haue commanded

Iacob.
Sweare then vnto me sonne.

Ios[eph].
As I lyue there you shall be buryed

Iacob.
In Luza wc h ys in chanaan god dyd appeare vnto mee
& blest me sayinge: I'l into multituds of peoples make thee
& geue to thee, & after thee, vnto thy seede this land.
but sonne tell me who those two be, that there by the do stand

Ioseph.
They are my sonns, & called be Manasses & Ephraim,
whom god vpon me hath bestowed since to this place I came.

Iacob
I knew them not my sight's so dimme. Good sonne bringe them vnto me,
that I my blessinge may on them bestow before I dye.
Welcome sweete sonnes: let me you kisse & in myne armes embrace
you shall reputed be to me as Simeon & Ruben was.
Sonne Ioseph of the sight of thee I haue not bene defrauded
& god almighty also hath thy seede vnto me shewed.

Ioseph
Father lett me take from your lapp my sonns that they may stand
to take your blessinge th'one on your left, the other on your right hand

Iacob
So do my sonne that I my hands vpon their heads may lay
God in whose sight my fathers Abraham & Isaac ay
did walke: God that me from my youth foode till this day hath geuen,
Th'Angell, that me deliuered hath from all ylls, blesse these children.
And be myne, & my fathers names vpon them called also,
& into a great multitude vpon th'earth let them grow

Ioseph
Vpon his right hand purposely I plac'd the elder Brother
Manasses, & vpon his lefte Ephraim, who ys the yonger
thinkeinge he would haue layd his hands vpon them as they stand.
but changeinge them he puts his lefte in place of his right hand
crosewyse, where at I musen much, & yt no litle greeues mee.
But he perhaps mistakes, wherefore his hands I'l remoue presently.
Father yt's not convenient so to bee, wherefore I pray
you on Manasses head, who's first begotten, your right hand lay.

Iacob.
No, no, I know (my sonne) I know: Manasses shall in deede
into a mighty people grow, & shall be multiplyed:
But yet his yonger Brother shall be greatter farre then hee,
& into Nations shall his seede encrease & multiply.
Nephewes) God blesse you both. In thee sonne shall Israel be blessed.
Ephraim stand there, for thou before Manasses shall be placed.
Ioseph my sonne behold I dye, & god wt h you will bee
& you agayne backe to the land of your forefathers cary.
And vnto thee aboue thy Brethren one portion geue I do
wc h from th'Amorrhean I did take wt h my sword & my bow.
But now thy Brethren cominge are. Sonnes stand there all together
that I may shew to you the things, that are to come here after.
Ruben my first begotten, my strength, & of my griefes beginner,
former in giftes, in Empyre greatter, thou art pour'd out as water,
Encrease thou not, because thou did'st ascend thy fathers bedd.
Simeon & Leui Brethren of the self same woman bredd
come not my soule vnto their counsell warringe vessells of iniquity,
nor in their congregation be my glory, syth in their fury
they slew a man, & a wall vndermyned in their wilfulnes
In Iacob I'l diuide them, & in Israel them disperse.
Iudas thy children shall the prayse: In the necke of thyne enemy
thy hand shall be, yea & thy fathers children shall adore thee.
To the pray sonne thou did'st ascend, a Lions whelp Iudas
takeinge thy rest thou as a Lyon lye, & as a Lyonesse.
who shall thee rayse? The scepter shall from Iudas not be taken:
A Duke out of his thigh, vntill he come & be vp rysen
that's to be sent, who th'Expectation of the Gentills shall bee
& his colt to the vinyard, & shee Asse to the vine shall tye:
& he shall wash his stole in wyne, & cloake in blood of grapes
Zabulon shall in the sea shoare dwell, & in the roade of shipps.
Isachar a stronge Asse shall at rest betweene the borders lye:
he saw that rest was good, & shoulder vnder put to cary.
Dan shall his people iudge, as an other tribe in Israel
be Dan a snake in the way, in the path a serpent fell
bytinge the horses hoofes that his ryder may backward fall
I'l thy saluation (lord) expect, wc h come here after shall.
Gad the girded shall before hym fight, & backward bee
girded hym self. Aser his bread ys fatt, & daynties hee
shall geue to kings. And Nepthali a hart let forth & geuinge
speeches of beauty. And Ioseph my sonne a child encreasinge,
encreasinge, & comly for to behold; The Daughters coursed
both to & fro vpon the wall: but the dart men hym enuyed,
his bow sate on the stronge, Band of his armes & hands were loosed
by the hands of the mighty of Iacob: from thence issued
a pastor, & the stone of Israel: God of thy father
shall be thy helper, & th'Almighty shall blesse thee more ouer
wt h heauenly blessings from aboue, & of the depth that ys
beneath, & wt h the blessinges of the papps & wombe lykewyse.
Blessings of thy father were wt h blessings of his fathers strengthned
vntill that the desyre of the eternall hills appeared.
vpon the head of Ioseph, & on the crowne of the Nazarit
amongst his brethren let all these same benedictions light.
And Beniamin a raueninge woolfe that in the morninge eate
his pray, & in th'eueninge deuid'd the spoyle that he did get.
Sonnes I am gather'd to my people, as I commandment gaue
see that you bury me wt h my fathers in the duble caue
wc h is in Hebron agaynst mambre in the land of chanaan
wc h Abraham bought, & where his & my parents corps remayn
Well now my sonnes for a fare well this my last counsell take:
Loue god wt h all your hearts, & hym th'ende of your actions make:
& when that I am dead I wish you all frendy to bee
one to an other, for yt's fitt that brothers should lyue brotherly.
Do yll to none, but good to all, & iniuryes forgeue
& so my sonnes adew, for now I can no longer lyue.

Ioseph
My father now plucks vp his feete vpon his bedd & dyeth
wc h from myne eyes enforceth teares, so much his death me greeueth
but syth yt's gods will so to bee, I'l myne conforme to his
& take of hym my last fare well now wt h a louinge kisse.
Good Brothers let his body be to the phisitions caryed
wt h out delay, that yt by them wt h spice may be enbaulmed
& when the tyme of mourning's past I will procure of pharao
leaue wt h my fathers corps into chanaan for to go
his exequies to celebrate, & in the duble caue
wc h Abraham bought I will yt bury, as he commandment gaue.

Ruben
Now ys the funerall of our father past wt h great solennity
& we Eleauen brethren are return'd wt h Ioseph safly
into Ægypt wt h all our trayne: But sore we stand in feare
lest that Ioseph remember still the wronge we hym dyd offer
& hym selfe do reuenge on vs now when our father's dead
where fore. let's go see yf by our submission he will be pacifyed

Iudas.
your counsell's good, & here he comes, preuent hym brother Ruben

Ruben
We you besech for to forgett the wicked act of your brethren
& the synne & the malice that agaynst you they committed
as in his name our father bade vs say before he dyed
to you, & we also desyre you to forgeue th'iniquity
vnto the seruants of your fathers god, of your mere mercy

Ioseph
Brothers lay all your feare asyde. Can we resist gods will?
you euill thought agaynst me but god turn'd to good that yll
that he might me exalt, as at this present you do see,
& that I might many peoples saue: wherefore all feare expell yee
for I'l you & your litle ones feede, & all thinges needefull geue you
& you, and all my fathers house here wt h me shall continue
whyle that I lyue. But god will visit you when my lyfe's ended
& make you go out of this land, vnto the lande he promised
& sware to Abraham, Isaac, & Iacob your fore fathers.
In the meane space we'l merely lyue together here as kynd brothers

Omnes fratres
Most humble thankes, & we'l your seruants be at your command

Ioseph
So let's be gone for great & waiyhty matters I haue in hand.