Chapter III: 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

THE PEOPLE

PROLOGUE and EPILOGUE. (The Prologue is introduced
for clarity, where there is no scenery or program.)
THE BABY MOSES. (Have a real, live baby.)
THE LITTLE SISTER OF MOSES.
THE MOTHER OF MOSES.
THE DAUGHTER OF PHARAOH.
FIRST SLAVE.
SECOND SLAVE.
SOLDIERS.

THE PLACE

A marshy place by a river. If a little scenery is desired, take an old window-shade, sketch upon it reeds and cat-tails, and cut it so that when the little sister hides behind it she may appear to be looking through the reeds. The Prologue may unfold this as she speaks, and then hold it up so as to conceal herself.

THE PROPERTIES

A curtain of reeds (if desired).
An ark (a basket bound with reeds or raffia).
A piece of gold.
Two fans.
Spears for soldiers.

MOSES IN THE BULRUSHES

(_The_ PROLOGUE _advances. She unfolds the curtain of reeds as she speaks._)