JOSEPH MAKES HIMSELF KNOWN TO HIS BRETHEREN.
The steward's words put them into a fright,
They wonder'd at his speech, as well they might
Why does my Lord this charge against us bring;
For God forbid we e'er should do this thing:
The money that within our sacks we found,
We brought from Canaan; then what ground
Have you to think, or to suppose that we
Of such a crime as this should guilty be.
With whatsoever man this cup is found,
Both let him die, and we'll be also bound
As slaves unto my Lord. Let it so be,
Reply'd the steward, we shall quickly see
Whether it is so or not; then down they took[*]
And when the steward he had search'd them round,
Within the sack of Benjamin the cup was found.
To Joseph therefore they straitway repair,
To whom he said as soon as they came there,
How durst you take this silver cup of mine
Did you not think that I could well divine?
To whom Judah said, My Lord we've nought to say
But at your feet as slaves ourselves we lay.
No, no, said Joseph, there's for that no ground,
He is my slave with whom the cup is found.
Then Judah unto Joseph drew more near,
And said, O let my Lord and Master hear:
If we without the lad should back return,
Our father would for ever grieve and mourn,
And his grey hairs with sorrows we should bring
Unto the grave, if we should do this thing;
For when your servants father would at home
Have kept the lad, I begg'd that he might come,
And said, If I return him not to thee,
Then let the blame for ever lay on me.
Now therefore let him back return again,
And in his stead thy servant will remain,
And how shall I that piercing sight endure,
Which will I know my father's death procure.
This speech of Judah touch'd good Joseph so,
That he bid all his servants out to go.
He and his brethren being all alone,
He unto them himself did thus make known.
I am Joseph:—Is my father alive?
But to return an answer none did strive;
For at his presence they were troubled all,
Which made him thus unto his brethren call,
}I am your brother Joseph, him whom ye
To Egypt sold; but do not troubled be;
For what you did heaven did before decree.
Then he his brother Benjamin did kiss,
Wept on his neck, and so did he on his,
Then kist his bretheren, wept on them likewise,
So that among them there were no dry eyes.
[*] Here seems a line missing.