Page:Joseph and His Brethren A Pageant Play.djvu/45

JOSEPH AND HIS BRETHREN

Simeon. It is high time we spread out our wares.

Judah. Reuben having taken the slaves, we must unload the bales ourselves. To work!

[The brothers fetch the bales, etc., from where they are lying and spread the goods under the trees. Simeon places his half out of sight]

Asher. Behold my rich woven-stuffs of camel-hair.

Judah. My honey from Lebanon, in the coolest shade.

Naphthali. My skins of lions and tigers; my own arrows laid them low.

Dan. Glittering gems! Ho! the lady's eyes shall glitter as brightly when she beholdeth them.

Levi. Oil, fresh from the olives of Hermon.

Issachar. Milk and cheeses from my ewes.

Zebulun. I have nought but melons [Slices one melon into two] But look at that and be athirst!

Joseph. Surely, you will give the weary strangers the milk and the melons without price. Our father, Jacob——

Simeon. [Eagerly] Said I not he came as a spy?

Judah. But thou, Simeon, wherefore layest thou thy store where the strangers may not see it?

Simeon. [Laughing] Ho! Wilt thou teach me to barter? I tell thee, these will be first seen. And when the strangers say, what are these? I shall answer, These will be the gifts for my sweet brother, Joseph.

Joseph. [Laughing] Why, then, I'll take my gifts now; and thank thee!

Simeon. Fool! Thinkest thou I mean what I say?

Joseph. Can a man say one thing, and mean another?

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