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The Chaste Adventures Of Joseph: A Comedy
by
JOSEPH.
What can I do without it?
MADAM POTIPHAR.
But I do not understand!
JOSEPH.
( in a cold rage )
Of course you do not understand. You are a great lady–and a fool. I am a wise man–and but an hour ago a slave. I have more intellect than all the population of Egypt put together. Do you expect me to be content to remain as I am? I want power and riches–and I intend to achieve them. And I cannot achieve them if I allow women to waste my time.
MADAM POTIPHAR.
( deeply angered at last )
Very well, I go–taking your secret with me!
( She goes.)
JOSEPH.
( furiously, to the empty room )
Virtue! My God!
He sits down at his desk and writes vexedly.
* * * * *
Night. The room is filled with moonlight. Joseph is
asleep at his desk…. He suddenly springs up in agitation.
JOSEPH.
Ah! . . . It was only a dream! But what a dream! I thought I saw at the door
–( he points )
a strange and terrible animal!
( There is a sound at the door, and he starts back in terror.)
There it is now !
The curtains part, and Asenath enters, candle in hand.
ASENATH.
Ssh! It is I–Asenath! Don’t be afraid!
Joseph recovers his self-possession, and confronts her sternly.
JOSEPH.
You, too!
ASENATH.
My dear?
JOSEPH.
So you have come to afflict me with more romantic folly!
ASENATH.
( with concern )
What is the matter with you, Joseph?
JOSEPH.
What is the matter with me? Nothing is the matter with me. Why do you ask?
ASENATH.
I think you are not well. You are behaving queerly.
You must have been working too hard. How are your nerves?
She approaches him solicitously.
JOSEPH.
( retreating around the table )
Leave me alone, I tell you! Even in my own room can I have no peace? Must I be dogged even in my dreams by shameless and unscrupulous females? Oh, unfortunate youth that I am!
ASENATH.
( setting her candle down on the table )
Now I know what is the matter with you, Joseph! You have an obsession.
JOSEPH.
What is an obsession?
ASENATH.
Don’t you know what an obsession is?
( She sits down on the stool at the end of the table ).
Haven’t you heard of the great wizard in the land of
the barbarians who explains everything by a new magic?
JOSEPH.
Is he the author of that popular new dream-book?
ASENATH.
Yes. All Egypt is mad on the subject of dreams. Everybody, from Pharaoh to the fiddler’s wife, is telling about his latest dream, or listening to some one else tell his.
JOSEPH.
( sitting down on the other stool )
Speaking of dreams, I had a curious one just before you came in.
ASENATH.
Did you, Joseph? Tell it to me.
She leans across the table.