King Arthurs Socks and Other Village Plays | Page 8

book, or advice?
ASENATH. Neither. I came to give a book to you--and to give you
some advice.... Do you remember telling me, once in Heliopolis, that
the man who knew enough about the climate of Egypt to predict a
famine could make himself the richest man in the kingdom? Well--here
is everything you want to know, in an old book I found in my father's
library in Heliopolis. This is the book I came to give you.
She holds out a scroll.
JOSEPH. (_taking it_) Dear Asenath--
ASENATH. (_interrupting him_) And now the advice. It is this. Ally
yourself to the wisest woman in the land of Egypt--one who can teach
you to interpret the dreams of Pharaoh. Then you shall become the
second in power in the kingdom.

JOSEPH. The second in power in the kingdom! Asenath--do not mock
me. Can you do this?
ASENATH. I swear that I can and will!
JOSEPH. (_overcome_) You do love me....
ASENATH. (_jumping up_) Love you! What nonsense! (_Scornfully_)
Love!
JOSEPH. You--you don't love me?
ASENATH. Not in the least!
JOSEPH. But--but--then what are you doing it for?
ASENATH. I am doing it for myself. Do you think I wish to stay in
Heliopolis all my life? No--I want power and riches--and I intend to
have them. But I cannot get them, unfortunately, without wasting my
time with some man.
JOSEPH. And I--?
ASENATH. You are the man.
JOSEPH. Admirable!
ASENATH. Hate me if you will--
JOSEPH. On the contrary! (He goes toward her.) Wonderful creature!
ASENATH. (_retreating_) What do you say?
JOSEPH. I say that you are a woman after my own heart. (_He holds
out his arms. She retreats to the other end of the table_.) I did not think
that there existed in all the world a woman as profoundly egoistic, as
unscrupulously ambitious, as myself. You are my true mate. Come, we
shall rule Egypt together!

ASENATH. (_in front of the table_) Am I to understand that this is a
strictly business proposition?
JOSEPH. No. It is a declaration of love. I adore you! I desire you! I
cannot live without you!
ASENATH. Please don't be silly.
JOSEPH. (_hurt_) Is it possible that you do not believe in my love?
ASENATH. It is a little difficult. . . .
JOSEPH. You think that I am a hard man--and so I am. But when I
look at you, I tremble and grow weak. My knees are become as water,
and the blood roaring in my veins confuses me.
ASENATH. Can I, a mere woman, so disturb you?
JOSEPH. You have more than a mere woman's beauty. Your hands are
lotus petals. Your eyes are silver fireflies mirrored in a pool. Your
breasts are white birds nestling behind the leaves of a pomegranate tree.
ASENATH. You have a smooth tongue, Joseph! One would think you
really were in love at last. . . .
JOSEPH. I love you more than anything else in the world. You mean
more to me than power, more than riches, more than freedom itself.
ASENATH. I could almost believe that you are in earnest. . . .
JOSEPH. Tell me, O lovely creature for whom my soul and body thirst,
how can I prove my sincerity? What proof can I give you?
ASENATH. You can give me--that ring!
She points to the ring which Potiphar has given him.
JOSEPH. (_looking at her, then at the ring, takes it off, saying_)--
Freedom!

_He puts it on her finger. He draws her toward him. She resists. The
candle is knocked over, and all is darkness_.
ASENATH. (_in the darkness, faintly_) Joseph! Joseph!

THE ANGEL INTRUDES
A COMEDY
To GEORGE CRAM COOK
"The Angel Intrudes" was first produced by the Provincetown Players,
New York City, in 1917, with the following cast:
The Policeman...... Abram Gillette The Angel.......... James Light
Jimmy Pendleton.... Justus Sheffield Annabelle.......... Edna St. Vincent
Millay
_Washington Square by moonlight. A stream of Greenwich Villagers
hurrying across to the Brevoort before the doors are locked. In their
wake a sleepy policeman.
The policeman stops suddenly on seeing an Angel with shining
garments and great white wings, who has just appeared out of
nowhere_.
THE POLICEMAN. Hey, you!
THE ANGEL. (_haughtily, turning_) Sir! Are you addressing me?
THE POLICEMAN. (_severely_) Yes, an' I've a good mind to lock you
up.
THE ANGEL. (_surprised and indignant_) How very inhospitable! Is
that the way you treat strangers?
THE POLICEMAN. Don't you know it's agen the law of New York to
parade the streets in a masquerade costume?
THE ANGEL. No. I didn't know. You see, I've just arrived this minute
from Heaven.
THE POLICEMAN. Ye look it. (_Taking his arm kindly_) See here,
me lad, you've been drinkin' too many of them stingers. Ye'd better take
a taxi and go