Louis N. Parker

“ Is love casting a veil over my soul's sight? What mist is this betwixt me and my beloved? I see him, but he is shrouded from me. Who was with him? There was one with him who set his soul in a storm, so that I saw his image blurred, as in troubled waters. Or is it the storm in my soul that sets the crystal a-quiver? Ay! I am taken in mine own springes! I have laughed at love, and watched, laughing, the death of lovers, and now a vulture is tearing at my heart. [She sinks back in the chair] Tomorrow, the rough warrior returneth, flushed with victory. Joseph is free, and I am a slave. ”

“ Yet thou seest them not!
Joseph. [Eagerly] I see the fairest.
Asenath. [Demurely] The Shepherd of Dothan is soft of speech.
Joseph. [Starting back] The Shepherd of Dothan—! Alas! I had forgotten.
Asenath. [Coming towards him anxiously] What had Joseph forgotten?
Joseph. I had forgotten I am a bondman to Potiphar; a stranger in Egypt; a slave; a straw, blown by the wind; a leaf floating on the water. Mine eyes are the eyes of a slave, and must see nought; my tongue is a slave's tongue, and must utter no sound [Passionately] though here—here—a man's heart be beating. ”

“ To-morrow night, when Pharaoh is feasting Potiphar. Come.
[Exeunt]
Asenath. A plot against Pharaoh! It is too horrible!
Joseph. Nay—the horrible thing shall not be done. We will outwit them.
Asenath [Passionately] Swear I shall never be the murderer's wife!
Joseph. That will I readily swear! Get thee within! Gather courage for to-morrow.
Asenath. [Mastering herself] To-morrow—Lover, shall we ever meet again?
Joseph. Ay, shall we! I kiss sleep into thine eyes, and a smile into thy lips, and courage into thy heart. [He sees Wakara] Away! ”

“ Menthu. Peace dwell in the land forever, that nought may drag thee from Zuleika's arms.
Potiphar. Great priest of Neith, the lover give thee thanks, though the soldier must upbraid thee.
Menthu. [At the door] The bride! The bride!
[Distant music coming nearer. All form up, to greet the Bride. Potiphar and Joseph are left alone.]
Potiphar [To Joseph] Thy shoulder, boy. Her beauty turneth my heart to water. I am afraid of too great joy.
Joseph. May the joy last forever, my lord.
Potiphar. Thou art too young—thou knowest not love. ”

“ Zuleika. Were they with Joseph?
Wakara. No. They saw him not. They were deep in their plot. Where he stood he must have heard every word.
Zuleika. The plot against the Pharaoh? Ha! Now I hold him!
[Enter the six Maidens huddling through the doorway. They are half awake and frightened to death]
Mehtu. Wakara! What is it?
Anset. I am half clad!
Arilennu. I am half-awake!
Taherer. I am afeared!
Nesta. What ails thee?
Tamai. Why are we summoned?
Zuleika. [Dazed] You!—Did I summon you?—Ay! Wait! [To Wakara] Thou, seek him again. Say I command him hither by his troth to Potiphar. ”

“ To-night, then, or never! [She leans forward again to gaze into the crystal] Why doth Wakara tarry? Will he not come? Is he coming? Clouds and night! A curse upon the useless toy! [She rises] At least, when he cometh, his heart shall flame as mine flameth now! ”

“ Tamai gives a great cry, and she sinks sobbing to her knees. Joseph stands quite passive. Zuleika watches with a smile] Potiphar. Away with the cur! Lest I defile my hands!
[Joseph is hurried out; the men in the crowd spit on him as he passes] Potiphar. [To Zuleika, but without looking at her; in a voice of horrible anticipation] Thou—thou—is there more?
Zuleika [With a magnificent gesture, displaying the dagger in her hand] Should I be on life?
Potiphar. [With a great cry of joy] Zuleika! ”

“ Potiphar. Typho seize him!—Arouse the household. Have him hither with all homage.
[Exit Joseph. Wakara kindles the hanging lamps] Potiphar. [To Zuleika, indicating the door at the back] A plague on the marplot! Yet it were well if thou—
Zuleika. Oh, let me bide; I, too, would hear the news.
Potiphar. 'Tis nought. [Anxiously] The gods grant it be nought.
[Meanwhile the hall has filled with Potiphar's household. A trumpet sounds. Enter soldiers as the guard of honor. Joseph appears at the door] Joseph. The Lord Imhotep, Lord Chief Butler of the Pharaoh, the King of Kings! ”

“ Joseph. Too late?
Asenath. My father is the priest of the great goddess Neith.
Joseph. Alas, I know not thy strange gods.
Asenath. Thou shalt tell me of thine in happier days. My father is a stern man. There is one man at court, a great officer in the Pharaoh's household, who standeth next to him when he breaketh bread—
Joseph. [Laughing] Of monstrous girth: I know him well—
Asenath. He seeketh me to be his wife.
Joseph. He—! That ancient mountain—!
Asenath. My father loveth him. [The Girls come down] I plead I am too young; the Chief Baker pleadeth he waxeth too old. ”

“ Asenath. We come to welcome the bride; we come to deck her bower with the lily and the lotus; with the red pomegranate, and with the purple passion flower.
[The Girls divide. Some go to the inner chamber, L. Others hang their flowers round the pillars at the back, and over the door R. Sebni and Tehuti help the latter. Tamai is one of these, and she constantly interrupts her work to gaze at Joseph] Joseph. [Gazing at Asenath] Happy the bride, with such flowers to greet her. ”

“ She crosses to the tripod under the goddess. From a hook on it she takes a small golden vessel which she places on the burning incense. From another vessel, also hanging on the tripod, she takes incense which she throws into the burner. The smoke rises thicker and green flames shoot through it. Then she stands with her extended arms before the goddess] Astarte, protectress of hapless women who ache with unfulfilled love, hear me, be near me, guide my hand as I brew the draught— [She throws the ingredients into the vessel; it hisses and sends up a puffy cloud of fresh steam] thus!—and thus! ”

“ Tehuti. To judge by the time it takes, Sebni, my lord Potiphar and the lady Zuleika will be fast bound.
Sebni. Ah, Tehuti, I would not wed so near the edge of war.
Tehuti. Is war near?
Sebni. They say the savages of the south grow restless.
Tehuti. I'd wait for no savages, were Zuleika my bride.
Sebni. Curb thy tongue, lest Joseph hear thee—
Tehuti. [Pensively.] Ay—Joseph—! Slave, and overlord!—Some men are born fortunate—
Sebni. [Alarmed.] Silence!—Silence!
Tehuti. If my bride, being on a journey, bought so fair a slave, and set him over her household—
Sebni. ”

“ Several low tables on which are the curious implements of magic. The room is filled with the dim light from many-colored and shaded lamps hanging from the ceiling. Heavy tapestries conceal the doors. The whole scene conveys the impression that it is seen through a thin mist, like a scene in a dream. ”

“ If she be as Zuleika saith, I will importune the Pharaoh himself, and no bar shall hinder thee. [Leading his guests off] Farewell! Farewell!—
[All exeunt except Zuleika and Wakara] Zuleika [Darkly; looking after Joseph] Snatched from me? So? [To Wakara] Wakara—! Hither!— Knowest thou whom he loveth?
Wakara. Who, lady?
Zuleika [Impatiently] The slave . . . Joseph.
Wakara. Whom else can a man love when Zuleika is nigh?
Zuleika [An exclamation of triumph] Hah!— [She sees Potiphar turning to come to her] Peace—peace—fool!
Potiphar [Eagerly] Zuleika!— [He sees Wakara] Still attended! ”

“ Doors R. and L. At the back an opening through which only the deep sky and the wonderful stars are seen. The walls are painted with strange semi-human figures in the Assyrian manner, only vaguely discernible. In the centre, outlined against the opening, there is a mysterious gigantic figure of a goddess. Under it stands a tripod, from which the smoke of incense rises and hangs in purple clouds about the painted ceiling. There is a low couch covered with rich tapestries. Lilies, lotus-flowers, and other heavily scented flowers stand in costly jars. ”

“ Joseph. A bondman can breathe no names—
Potiphar [Embracing him] Ask what thou wilt—
Joseph [Eagerly] My lord—
Potiphar [Seeing the bridal procession] Nay!— Nay!—Away!—Zuleika!
[Enter Minstrels, playing upon their instruments, then Ladies, and, lastly, preceded by the six Girls, who strew flowers before her, Zuleika, with Asenath by her side, and with Wakara following her. Zuleika is in a magnificent bridal dress. She comes forward towards Potiphar, but her eyes are fixed on Joseph, who is standing behind his master] Potiphar [To the minstrels] Cease your minstrelsy! ”

“ Enter Asenath, a radiantly beautiful young girl, followed by the six Egyptian Girls, namely: Mehtu, Anset, Arilennu, Taherer, Nesta and Tamai. They are all laden with flowers. They come in laughing and chatting merrily. ”

“ The decorations of the walls, doors, pillars, etc., are all in very bright colours. There are several stands for incense. It is sunset.
Two Officers of Potiphar's household—Sebni and Tehuti—are discovered. Slaves come and go, busy on household matters. ”