Act 3 — SCENE I
Reading edition
Place: Pharaoh's palace.
Characters: King Pharaoh, Princess, Maids, Soldiers, Wise Men, Mother of Moses, Moses, Miriam, Aaron.
[King sits on his throne, wise men and soldiers around. Enter messenger.]
Messenger: O King, the Princess awaits without and would have speech with thee.
King: Bid her enter.
[Enter Princess and a few attendants.]
Princess: O gracious King and father, I have a request, and I beg that you grant it.
King: Speak, my Princess; do I not always grant what you ask?
Princess: Yes, father, and I know that you will grant me this. Several years ago I adopted a son and I ask that you allow him to be educated in your palace.
King: Adopted a son! What can be the meaning of this? I never heard of this! Where did you get the boy?
Princess: I found him, a little baby, hidden among the rushes by the river bank.
King: Why was he hidden? That is strange!
Princess: He is a Hebrew boy, O father.
King: A Hebrew boy! Did I not command that every Hebrew boy should be killed?
Princess: I must take the blame; I had his life spared. Will you not let him be brought here?
King: No, I will not! No Hebrew boy shall be brought here!
Princess: If you would only see him, he is so beautiful, you would love him as I do. He is without; permit me to show him to you.
King: Bring him in.
[Maid goes to get Moses. Moses enters with his mother, Miriam, and Aaron. Princess leads him to the King.]
Princess: This is my son. Is he not a wonderful boy?
King: He is fair to look upon, but yet he is a Hebrew.
Princess: O my father, forget that he is a Hebrew and remember only that he is my son.
King: O my Princess, for your sake, I accept this boy. I leave his training to you. May he grow up to be a prince worthy of the house of Pharaoh.
End