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!