MOSES IN THE BULRUSHES
(The Prologue advances. She unfolds the curtain of reeds as she speaks.)
Prologue: This is Egypt. The wicked Pharaoh holds the children of Israel in bondage; but they are grown so many that he fears them. Therefore he has commanded that all boy babies be taken from their mothers' arms and put to death.
But the mothers seek to hide their babies.
Look and behold the marshy waters of the River Nile; tall reeds grow here; it is the hiding place one mother has chosen. See, she and the sister of the babe come now to hide him from the soldiers of Pharaoh. (She raises the curtain of reeds above her head, or passes out.)
(Enter the little Sister bearing the ark of bulrushes. She looks this way and that way; then she calls softly.)
Sister: Mother, this way! The wicked soldiers will not find him here.
(The Mother enters bearing the Baby.)
Mother: Is there no one in sight? (She looks anxiously about.)
Sister: No one!
Mother (embracing the child): O my son, the cruel Pharaoh would slay thee, but the Lord is gracious; he will save.
Sister: Here is the ark of bulrushes; I have daubed it well with pitch. Shall I lay it among the flags at the river's brink?
(The Mother nods. The Sister arranges the coverings in the basket. The Mother hugs the child.)
Mother: O my baby! (She places child in basket.)
Sister (peering into distance): Mother, sh-h-h! I see the daughter of Pharaoh in the distance; she cometh to bathe in the river. Oh—if she should discover us!
Mother (looking up anxiously): God's will be done!
Sister (still peering out): One of her maidens is a child of Israel, but the other is a proud Egyptian. See, now they stop to bathe.
Mother (rising from her knees): I must return lest I be missed at home when the soldiers make the daily search for children; but do thou watch beside the child, and in the nighttime I will return with food.
Sister: That will I, mother. I will hide in the tall reeds yonder. (The Mother moves away; Sister runs after her.) But, mother, if they discover the babe, what must I do?
Mother (earnestly): Surely God will teach thee. Pray. (She goes.)
Sister (crouching beside ark): O God, let no one hurt my little brother! O God, I pray thee. (She sings a lullaby.)
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Lullaby, "Coventry Carol"
(The Sister looks up, startled, then flees behind the reeds as the Daughter of Pharaoh approaches, followed by Slaves bearing fans.)
Daughter of Pharaoh: Come, maidens, we will rest by the river's brink, where the flag flowers grow. (She approaches nearer.) But what is that, floating upon the water?
Egyptian Slave: Lady, it is a babe.
Daughter of Pharaoh: Go fetch it, girl. No doubt it is one of the Hebrew children.
Egyptian Slave: A Hebrew brat? I will not touch it, I!
(The Daughter of Pharaoh raises her hand and strikes the saucy maid, as the other slave, the Maid of Israel, brings the babe.) (Or kneels beside it.)
Slave of Israel: O lady, see how beautiful!
Egyptian Slave: Let it die, even as Pharaoh commanded.
THE DAUGHTER OF PHARAOH NAMES MOSES
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Slave of Israel: O lady, let it live! Think how the mother loved it. See how cunningly the ark is daubed with pitch and hidden here, 'midst the flag-flowers.
Egyptian Slave: If you let it live, you let live one more enemy to Pharaoh.
Daughter of Pharaoh: Hold thy tongue, girl. (She looks doubtfully at child.)
Egyptian Slave (exultingly): Here come the guard of Pharaoh; they will see the babe and slay it. (She points to distance. All look.)
Daughter of Pharaoh: What to do? Think, girl, use thy wits. (To Slave of Israel.)
(The little Sister rushes from reeds and kneels.)
Sister: O lady, lady, shall I go and call a nurse of the Hebrew women, that she may nurse the child for thee?
Daughter of Pharaoh: Go—go quickly. (She looks apprehensively about.)
Egyptian Slave: The soldiers cross the river.
(The little Sister returns, followed by the Mother.)
Sister (panting): Lady, I have brought a nurse.
Daughter of Pharaoh: Woman, take thou this child and nurse it for me, and I will give thee wages. (Gives a piece of gold.)
Mother (taking child): Daughter of Pharaoh, may the God of Israel bless thee.
Daughter of Pharaoh (turning to go): Fare thee well.
Egyptian Slave (cries): The soldiers!
Daughter of Pharaoh (turning back): Fear ye not.
(All huddle behind her. She faces the Soldiers as they enter and salute.)
First Soldier: Daughter of Pharaoh, we make search for Hebrew children. One hath escaped us.
Daughter of Pharaoh (haughtily): Who art thou to question me? Pass on.
Second Soldier: But—the babe yonder? (Points.)
Daughter of Pharaoh: Is the adopted son of Pharaoh's daughter. Pass ye by. (She waves them away. They salute and go. She takes the child in her arms and embraces him.) I love the child. (She gives the Child to his Mother and turns to go; then she turns back.) Call the child "Moses," for that means, "Drawn up out of the water," and remember he is dear to me for that I have saved him. (She goes out followed by her maids.)
(The Mother and Sister kneel with the Child.)
Mother (prays): O God of Israel, bless thou this child, and as thou hast drawn him up out of the water, grant that he may be the means, through thee, to lift his people out of slavery. (They rise and go.)
(The Epilogue folds curtain, advances to front of stage, and holds up hand.)
Epilogue:
O give thanks unto the Lord, call upon his name:
Make known his doings among the peoples.
He sent Moses his servant,
And Aaron whom he had chosen.
And he brought forth his people with joy,
And his chosen with singing.
(The Epilogue goes.)
A PAGE OF PHARAOH
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