SCENE II

Place: Egypt. In Pharaoh's palace.

Characters: Pharaoh, Joseph, Wise Men, Chief Butler, Servants.

[Pharaoh is sitting on his throne; many wise men come in and bow down before him.]

Pharaoh: Arise, O wise men of Egypt! I have sent for you this day because of a dream which troubleth me.

[Men stand up.]

Wise Men: What is thy dream, O King?

King: I dreamed, and, behold, I stood by a river, and there came up out of the river seven fat cows, and they fed in a meadow. And, behold, seven other cows came up after them out of the river, ill-favored and lean. And the ill-favored and lean cows did eat up the seven well-favored and fat cows. Then did I awake, but the second time I slept and dreamed. And, behold, seven good ears of corn came up upon one stalk, and, behold, seven thin ears sprung up after them, and the seven thin ears devoured the seven full ears. And I awoke again, and, behold, it was a dream. Now, is there one among you who can tell me the meaning of these dreams, for my spirit is troubled because of them?

[The wise men in turn come out and bow before the king and say]:

First Wise Man: O my lord King, thy dream troubleth me, but I am not able to interpret it.

Second Wise Man: O King, also, I cannot tell thee the meaning of thy dream.

Third Wise Man: Most gracious King, I, also, am unable to interpret thy dream.

Fourth Wise Man: O great Pharaoh, I regret that I am unable to help thee.

Pharaoh [angrily]: Are ye called the wise men of Egypt, and yet are ye not able to interpret a dream?

[The chief butler comes forward and falls before the king.]

Butler: O great King, I am only thy chief butler, but I beg of thee allow me to speak.

King: Speak, butler, what wouldst thou say?

Butler: O King, I do remember my faults this day. When Pharaoh was wroth with his servants and put me in prison, both me and the chief baker, behold, we dreamed a dream in one night, and there was a young man, a Hebrew, and we told him, and he interpreted to us our dream. And it came to pass as he interpreted unto us, for I was restored unto mine office and the baker was hanged.

Pharaoh: Send for this young Hebrew; bring him into my presence. [Servant goes out for Joseph.] Butler, who is this boy that interpreted thy dream?

Butler: His name is Joseph, O King. He was brought down from Canaan by a caravan and was sold to Potiphar, the captain of Pharaoh's guard. But he displeased Potiphar, so he was thrown into prison at the time thy servants were there.

[Enter Joseph. He falls on his face before Pharaoh.]

Pharaoh: I have dreamed a dream, and there is none that can interpret it, and I have heard say of thee that thou canst understand a dream to interpret it.

[Joseph rises.]

Joseph: It is not in me; God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace.

Pharaoh: [Repeats his dream to Joseph.]

[Joseph comes nearer to Pharaoh.]

Joseph: What God is about to do he sheweth unto Pharaoh: Behold, there will come seven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Egypt. And there shall arise after them seven years of famine. And all the plenty shall be forgotten throughout Egypt, and the famine shall consume the land, and it shall be very grievous. Now therefore let Pharaoh look out a man discreet and wise and set him over the land of Egypt, and let him appoint officers over the land. And let them gather all the food of those good years that come, and lay up corn under the hand of Pharaoh. And let them keep food in the cities. And that food shall be stored against the seven years of famine, that the land may not perish through famine.

Pharaoh: This plan seemeth good unto me. Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the spirit of God is?

The Wise Men: Nay, O King, he is most wise.

Pharaoh: Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, thou shalt be over my house, and according to thy word shall all my people be ruled, only in the throne will I be greater than thou. See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt. [To his servants:] Bring a golden chain, and fine raiment for this man.

[He puts a ring on Joseph's hand. When the clothes are brought they are put around him, the chain on his neck, etc.]

Pharaoh: Thou shalt ride in the second chariot and all my people shall bow the knee unto thee. [All people in the room bow.] I am Pharaoh, and without thee shall no man lift up his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt.

Joseph: May the Lord God give me power to do his will.