"No captive shall ever be my husband, but only the son of a king."
Whilst they spake thus together, a messenger came before them and
cried, "Joseph is here"; so Asenath fled to her chamber high within the
tower. Now Joseph was seated in Pharaoh's own chariot of beaten gold,
and it was drawn by four horses, white as snow, with bridles and
harness of gold. Joseph was clad in a vesture of fine linen, white and
glistering, and his mantle was of purple, spun with gold. He wore a
golden circlet upon his head, and in this crown were set twelve stones,
most precious, each stone having for ornament a golden star. Moreover
he held in his hand the royal sceptre, and an olive branch charged with
fruit. Poti-pherah and his wife hastened to meet him, and bowed before
him to the ground. They led him within the garden, and caused the doors
to be shut. But when Asenath regarded Joseph from on high the tower,
she repented her of the words she spoke concerning him, and said--
"Behold the sun and the chariot of the sun! Certainly this Joseph is
the child of God; for what father could beget so fair an offspring, and
what womb of woman could carry such light."
Joseph entered in the house of Poti-pherah, and whilst they washed his
feet he asked what woman had looked forth from the window of the tower.
"Let her go forth from the house," he commanded.
This he said because he feared lest she should desire him, and should
send him messages and divers gifts, even as other women of her nation,
whom he had refused with holy indignation. But Poti-pherah replied--
"Sire, this is my daughter, who is a virgin, and hateth men; neither
hath she seen any man save me, her father, and thyself this very day.
If thou wilt, she shall come before thee and salute thee."
Then Joseph thought within himself, "Since she hateth man, she will not
cast her eyes upon me." So he answered to her father--
"Since your daughter is a virgin, I will cherish her even as my
sister."
Then her mother went out to seek Asenath, and brought her before
Joseph.
"Salute thy brother," said Poti-pherah, "who hateth the strange woman,
even as thou hatest man."
"God keep thee," replied Asenath, "for thou art blessed of God most
high."