Page:Joseph and His Brethren A Pageant Play.djvu/34

JOSEPH AND HIS BRETHREN

Joseph. Thy blessing, Mother.

Jacob. [Brethren murmuring with backs turned] There shall be peace in the house of Jacob. Ye murmur against Joseph, saying my heart goeth out to him more than to you. Ye are vain talkers. I love him, not better, but otherwise. Oh, hard of heart! can ye not see and understand what my love is towards the lad? It is the love I bore to his mother in the years past. It is the love-song I whispered into her ear as she stood by the well. It is the toil I gave to win her. It is the hope long deferred. It is the sunshine of youth, bursting through the shadow of age. You, sons of Leah, sons of Bilhah, and sons of Zilpah, have been the joy of my life; but he—but Joseph—is a joy above joys:—the Added Joy!

Simeon. Yet——

Reuben [Stepping forward] O Father Jacob, great Israel, we know thy heart and thy mind, and we will cherish Joseph, even as thou dost.

Joseph. [Coming to Reuben] Reuben, my brother!

Jacob. In token thereof give him the kiss of love. Rachel, begin!

[First Rachel and then each of the Brothers comes forward, places both their hands on Joseph's shoulders, speaks his blessing and kisses Joseph on the cheek. Then they pass back to their groups]

Rachel. God shield thee, Joseph.

Reuben. God strengthen thee.

Levi. God keep thee.

Judah. God succor thee.

Dan. God enlighten thee.

Naphthali. God lengthen thy days.

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