University of Virginia Library

SCENE II.

To them, Joseph.
Asen.
Whence so disturb'd, my Lord—Let not the Crime
Of others be inflicted on thyself.

Jos.
My Sorrows have a deeper, deadlier Root.

Asen.
Why dost thou hide them then from me?—O Zaphnath,
This Diffidence does wrong to faithful Love.
Wherefore that Look? Those Sighs?—Much, much I fear
That Asenath's the Source of this Disquiet—
Why from her else conceal'd—Dire Jealousy,
That baneful Viper, rankles in thy Breast.
AIR.

Jos.
O wrong me not, thy Zaphnath never harbour'd
A Thought that way—Each Hour I gaze upon thee
I view some new Perfections in thy Soul,
And find with Transport something more to love.
One Moment longer, and I'll lay before thee
This only Secret of my anxious Bosom.
At present know, my dear old Father lives,
Still lives, but inconsolable and wretched.

Asen.
Whence springs his Misery?

Jos.
From this cruel Famine,
E'en griping Penury, my Love, has seiz'd him;
No Succour left—Whilst, for his dire Affliction,
I only shed unprofitable Tears.

Asen.
But why, my Lord, hast thou not Egypt's Stores,
The Wealth of Nations?—

Jos.
Pharaoh made me not
Dispenser, only Keeper of his Treasures;
Nor should Corruption cleave unto these Hands,
Or would I touch what's sacred to the Publick,
To save myself and Race from instant Ruin.

Asen.
Then call them into Egypt!—Whence, my Lord,
This criminal Delay?

Jos.
I fear the King—
Fear Egypt too.

Asen.
Such Fears are but ungen'rous;
You've all the Hearts of Pharaoh and his People.

AIR.
Jos.
The People's Favour, and the Smiles of Pow'r,
Are no more than the Sun-shine of an Hour;
There Envy, with her Snakes, assails,
Here cank'ring Slander still prevails,
'Till Love begins to wain;
Oblivion then invelopes all,
Our Merits past, and straight our Fall
Is stil'd the Publick Gain.
[Da Capo.

Asen.
Art thou not Zaphnath? Is not Egypt sav'd
All thy own Work? And won't her Sons with Transport
Give a new Life to him who gave thee Life?

Jos.
“How could his pious Zeal endure in Egypt
“The impious Adoration paid to Idols,
“And ev'ry Monster bred beneath the Sky?
“When all this fair and ample Universe
“Has one sole Cause, sole Mover, and sole Good,
“The Source of Truth, Felicity, and Virtue,
“Worthy alone to be ador'd and lov'd.

Asen.
“That awful Being, with whose sacred Praises
“I've heard thy grateful Lips so oft' resound,
“I likewise sing!—Here then, secure with us,
“Thy pious Sire may mingle in the Concert,
“Nor hear of Egypt's visionary Gods—
I'll instant to the King, and supplicate
With Laud for Bounties past, this farther Boon.
AIR.
[Exit Asen.

Jos.
“Now for these Brethren—Will their smother'd Envy
“Break out anew on the peculiar Favours
“I deign'd the Youth?—Will they, with brutal Gripe,
“Seize on his seeming Guilt to work his Ruin?
“Perfidious Men! I'll prove ye ere I trust ye.
“This Cup shall, like the gen'rous Juice it serves,
“Lay ope' the Mark, and Bias of your Hearts.—
They come—and Indignation in their Looks—
My Bosom beats with an unusual Pulse.