Chapter XI: Act III: Scene I

PLACE: Pharaoh's palace.

CHARACTERS: King Pharaoh, Princess, Maids, Soldiers,
Wise Men, Mother of Moses, Moses, Miriam, Aaron.

[_King sits on his throne, wise men and soldiers around.
Enter messenger._]

_Messenger:_ O King, the Princess awaits without and would
have speech with thee.

_King:_ Bid her enter.

[_Enter_ PRINCESS _and a few attendants._]

_Princess:_ O gracious King and father, I have a request,
and I beg that you grant it.

_King:_ Speak, my Princess; do I not always grant what you
ask?

_Princess:_ Yes, father, and I know that you will grant me
this. Several years ago I adopted a son and I ask that you
allow him to be educated in your palace.

_King:_ Adopted a son! What can be the meaning of this? I
never heard of this! Where did you get the boy?

_Princess:_ I found him, a little baby, hidden among the
rushes by the river bank.

_King:_ Why was he hidden? That is strange!

_Princess:_ He is a Hebrew boy, O father.

_King:_ A Hebrew boy! Did I not command that every Hebrew
boy should be killed?

_Princess:_ I must take the blame; I had his life spared.
Will you not let him be brought here?

_King:_ No, I will not! No Hebrew boy shall be brought here!

_Princess:_ If you would only see him, he is so beautiful,
you would love him as I do. He is without; permit me to show
him to you.

_King:_ Bring him in.

[_Maid goes to get_ MOSES. MOSES _enters with his
mother_, MIRIAM, _and_ AARON. PRINCESS _leads him to
the_ KING.]

_Princess:_ This is my son. Is he not a wonderful boy?

_King:_ He is fair to look upon, but yet he is a Hebrew.

_Princess:_ O my father, forget that he is a Hebrew and
remember only that he is my son.

_King:_ O my Princess, for your sake, I accept this boy. I
leave his training to you. May he grow up to be a prince
worthy of the house of Pharaoh.

END