THE PROVING OF ABRAHAM

(The Prologue, or the Servant of Abraham (acting as Prologue), enters and bows low; then, drawing himself erect, points to imaginary scenery.)

Prologue: This is the tent of Abraham, the father of his people, where he lives with Sarai, his wife, and his son, Isaac, whom he loves above all else.

I am the servant of Abraham.

Lo, Abraham enters now with Isaac. (The Prologue goes.)

(Abraham enters, leaning on Isaac.)

Isaac (pointing): My father, behold the lambs yonder!

Abraham: Aye, my son, they are for the sacrifice. I offer them up to God for a thank-offering that he hath given thee to me, O my son. (Seats himself.)

Isaac (clinging close to him): Dost thou love me more than the little lambs?

Abraham (embracing him): I love thee more than all that is in heaven or earth.

Isaac (struggling): My father, let me go; I would go play with the lambs.

Abraham (releasing him): Then go, my son.

(Isaac runs out. Abraham remains seated; then suddenly he starts, rises, and stands with arms uplifted in prayer.)

Abraham: Here am I, Lord. (He listens with strong emotion.) O Lord, Lord, what is this thou dost require of me? Must I give up Isaac to thee, Isaac the joy of mine old age? (There is a pause while he prays silently; then he speaks humbly.) Nevertheless, not my will, O Lord, but thine be done. (There is another pause; then he calls.) Isaac! Isaac!

(Isaac runs in.)

Isaac: Here am I, father.

Abraham: Get ye wood for a burnt-offering, and saddle ye the ass, for I will go up upon the mount to sacrifice.

Isaac: Aye, father, and shall I go with thee?

Abraham: Thou shalt indeed go with me, thou and the servant. Get thee gone. (Isaac runs out.) Not my will, O Lord, but thine! O Lord, I will trust in thee.

(Isaac enters, carrying a bundle of fagots.)

Isaac: My father, all is ready. The ass is saddled, and I have here wood for the burnt-offering.

Abraham (placing his arm about him): Come, my son. (They go slowly out.)

(The Prologue or Servant enters.)

Prologue: Behold, now Abraham and Isaac approach the mountains of Moriah. I, the servant, follow after. (He follows them.)

(Abraham and Isaac, having made the circuit of the room, approach.)

Abraham: This is the mountain on which I shall sacrifice. (To servant.) Abide thou yonder with the ass. I and the lad will worship; then I will come again to thee. (The Servant bows and withdraws.)

Isaac: My father?

Abraham: Here am I, my son.

Isaac: My father, behold the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for the burnt-offering?

Abraham: O my son, God will provide the sacrifice. (Bends over him.) O my son, before thou wert born I longed for thee, and since thou wast a little lad I have loved thee with a greater love than I have given my God. Now I am punished. For the Lord hath commanded me, saying: "Take thou thine son, thine only son whom thou lovest, even Isaac, and offer him up for a burnt-offering upon the mountains." O my son, I shall do even as the Lord hath commanded me, for all his ways are perfect. Fare thee well. (He embraces him.)

Isaac (fearfully): Father—father—I—I fear—

Abraham: Kneel thou upon the wood.

(Isaac kneels; Abraham raises his knife to slay; a voice calls from distance.)

Voice of Messenger: Abraham! Abraham!

Isaac: Hark, O my father! A voice calls, "Abraham."

Abraham (with knife still raised): Here am I, Lord!

(The Messenger enters and stays Abraham's hand.)

Messenger: O Abraham, thus saith the Lord: "Because thou hast put thy trust in me, therefore will I deliver thee. Lay not thine hand upon the lad, for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son, from me."

Abraham (raising arms to heaven): O Lord, blessed be the man that trusteth in thee.

Isaac (jumping up): Lo, father, a ram is there, caught in the thicket. Lo, I shall fetch the ram for sacrifice. (He runs out.)

Messenger: Moreover, thus saith the Lord God: "In blessing, I will bless thee, and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, for I have PROVED thee." (The Messenger goes out.)

(Isaac runs in with great excitement.)

Isaac: My father, the ram is caught; I will carry the wood yonder. (Runs out.)

Abraham: O God, thou hast tried me and known me. O see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. (Goes with arms upraised.)

(The Servant or Epilogue advances.)

Epilogue: Mark the perfect man, and behold the up-right: for the end of that man is peace. (He goes out.)

MOSES IN THE BULRUSHES

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[MOSES IN THE BULRUSHES]