University of Virginia Library

1. PART I.

SCENE I.

SCENE, a PRISON.
Joseph
reclining in a melancholy Posture.
AIR.
Be firm, my Soul, nor faint beneath
Affliction's galling Chains;
When crown'd with conscious Virtue's wreath,
The shackled Captive reigns.

[Starting up.
Recitative accompany'd.
Jos.
But wherefore thus? Whence Heav'n these bitter Bonds?
Are these the just Rewards of stubborn Virtue?
Is this contagious Cell the due Abode
Of too much Innocence?—Down, down, proud Heart,
Nor blindly question the Behest of Heaven!
These Chastisements are just—for some wise End
Are all the partial Ills allotted Man.
AIR repeated.

SCENE II.

To Joseph, Phanor.
Phan.
Joseph, thy Fame has reach'd great Pharaoh's Ear;
Who late in Dreams perturb'd, and taught by me
The wond'rous Power of thy experienc'd Art,
Demands thy instant Presence to unfold
Their mystick Purport.

Jos.
Blest Vicissitude!
Jehovah, whom I serve, bears witness to me;
And from the Horrors of the Pit, once more,
Will deign Deliverance to his Servant's Soul.
AIR.

Phan.
Pardon that I so long forgot thee, Joseph;
My Heart upbraids me with Ingratitude.

Jos.
Pardon thyself—Ingratitude's a Vice
That bears its Scorpions with it—The dire Mildew
Which makes a Desert of the human Mind,
And merits more of Pity than Resentment—
But instant I'll with duteous Step attend
My Lord the King, and bow myself before him.
[Exit Jos.

SCENE III.

Phanor.
Fell Monster! base Ingratitude! avaunt;
No longer in this Breast I'll give thee Harbour.
AIR.

SCENE IV.

A Room of State in Pharaoh's Palace.
Pharaoh, High-Priest of On; Asenath, Chorus of Egyptians, &c.
Phar.
Thus, Stranger! I have laid my troubled Thoughts,
The midnight Visions of my Bed before thee,
Which all the Skill of Egypt can't unfold—
Come then, interpret to the King his Dreams.

Jos.
O mighty Pharaoh, it is not in me;
Interpretation does belong to Heav'n;
And may the Lord Jehovah give the King
A gracious Answer!
[Invocation.]

Chorus of Egyptians.
O God of Joseph, gracious, shed
Thy spirit on thy Servant's Head;
That to the King he may reveal
The Truths his Mystick Dreams conceal.

Recitative accompany'd.
Jos.
Pharaoh, thy Dreams are one—the Lord Jehovah
In Vision shews what he's about to do.
The Seven fat Cattle, and full Ears of Corn,
Denote Seven Years of Plenty—The like Seven
Of meagre Kine, and unreplenish'd Grain,
Mark the same Years of Famine to succeed.
Embrace this Warning, and with studious Search
Look out a Man of Providence and Wisdom,
To garner up in the redundant Years,
A Store for Comfort in the Days of Dearth.

Phar.
Divine Interpreter! What Oracle
Could thus have solv'd my Doubts?—Where can we find
A Man like thee, in whom God's Spirit dwells?
Be this Day Ruler o'er my House and People,
And by thy Word let all the Land be govern'd;
But only in the Throne will I be greater.

Jos.
These are thy Workings, Infinite Jehovah!

AIR.
Asen.
[Aside.]
O lovely Youth, with Wisdom crown'd,
Where ev'ry Charm has Place!
What Breast so firm was ever found,
As could resist such Grace?
If thou hast stoln my Virgin Heart,
To me in change thy own impart.

[Pharaoh putting his Ring on Joseph's Finger.]
Phar.
Wear, worthy Man! this Royal Signet wear,
Pledge of thy boundless Dignity and Power;
Whilst in our Second Chariot thou shalt ride,
And Heralds cry before thee, Bow the Knee:
Then henceforth, as the Saviour of the World,
Let Zaphnath-Paaneah be thy Name.

CHORUS.
Joyful sounds! melodious Strains!
Health to Egypt is the Theme!
Zaphnath rules, and Pharaoh reigns—
Happy Nation! Bliss supreme!

[Exunt.

SCENE V.

Asenath
alone.
Whence this unwonted Ardour in my Breast?
These new-born Sighs—'Tis true that he is Wise—
Majestick—graceful—Ah! I fear this Stranger
Has trespass'd on my unsuspecting Bosom.
AIR.

SCENE VI.

To Asenath, Joseph.
Jos.
Struck, beauteous Damsel, with thy modest Charms,
I've ask'd thee of thy Father and the King,
To help allay the anxious Toils of Grandeur,
And smooth the rugged Brow of Publick Care.
Yet, authoris'd by both, I dread my Fate,
'Till thy own Voice has fix'd my Destiny.

SCENE VII.

To them Pharaoh and Potiphera.
Phar.
Zaphnath, I grant thy Suit—Behold thy Bride!

Potiph.
Approach, my Asenath—Behold thy Husband!

DUET.
Jos.
O! canst thou, Fair Perfection! say?
O! canst thou bless me with thy Love?

Asen.
My Father's Will I must obey;
My Monarch's Pleasure must approve.

Jos.
Celestial Virgin!

Asen.
—Godlike Youth!

Both.
Renown'd for Innocence and Truth;
Propitious Heav'n has thus in Thee
Compleated my Felicity.

Jos.
“O Pharaoh! all the Dignity and Splendor,
“Which thou hast deign'd to robe thy Servant in,
“Are nothing to the Gift of this fair Jewel.

Phar.
“Long mayst thou live to wear her at thy Heart.
Now, Potiphera, instant to the Temple
In joyous Pomp, and whilst the Rite's perform'd,
Let our loud Clarions tell it to the Skies.

[Exeunt.
A Grand March during the Procession.

SCENE VIII.

A TEMPLE.
The High-Priest joining the Hands of Joseph and Asenath at the Altar, Pharaoh, Attendants, and Chorus of Egyptians.
High-Priest.
'Tis done—the sacred Knot is ty'd,
Which Death alone can e'er divide.

CHORUS.
Immortal Pleasures crown the Pair,
Who thus by Heav'n high-favour'd are,
Joys ever round them wait;
May these below, like those above,
Contend who most and longest love,
And be as Blest, as Great.

Phar.
Glorious and happy is thy Lot, O Zaphnath,
Join'd to such Sweetness, Dignity, and Virtue.
AIR.

CHORUS.
Swift our Numbers, swiftly roll,
Waft the News from Pole to Pole;
Asenath with Zaphnath's join'd,
Joy and Peace to all Mankind!