“I am grateful for your thoughts,” Joseph said, “but marriage is out of the question for a time. You know how little time I am at home.”
“That’s right. You’re always out building things and talking to people, but a man can be busy and have a wife. I do.”
Joseph had to restrain a smile, for Pharaoh’s business was mostly ceremonial. His own was serious and was for the purpose of saving the empire. “I beg you do nothing hastily, Your Majesty.”
“Well,” Pharaoh said, somewhat disappointed, “we’ll wait … for a time, but it’s something you must have.”
“The time will come, I am sure.”
“There’s something else,” Pharaoh said, looking up into Joseph’s face quizzically. “You’ve taxed everybody in the land except the priesthood. Will you tax them?”
“No, I think not, Majesty. You don’t need any enemies among the priesthood. They are very powerful.”
Pharaoh seemed disappointed, but, as usual, he accepted Joseph’s decision. “Well, that may be so, but we’re going to have to control them … starting today.”
“Today, Majesty?”
“Yes. We’ll start at the top with the priest of On. Do you know him?”
“Slightly, sir.”
“He and his daughter are coming to the palace today. You may not think it’s wise to tax them, but I want you to scare them a bit.”
“And why is that, Your Majesty?”
“Oh, it’s good to keep the people afraid of you. As a matter of fact, I’ve often thought it would be a good thing to execute a priest every once in a while—you know, just as an example to the rest.”
Joseph was not often outwardly amused at the pharaoh, but he suddenly could not contain his laughter. “I hardly think that would be a satisfactory solution, Your Majesty, not for the priest of On.”
“I suppose not.” Pharaoh seemed disappointed. “But together we will keep him in his place, eh?”
“I am sure you can do that without my help, Your Majesty.”
****
The priest of On was rarely frightened, but as he approached the throne room with his daughter, he turned to Asenath and said, “Why would the pharaoh send for me?”
“There could be many reasons, Father.” She had been surprised when her father had asked that she accompany him to meet with the pharaoh, but since she was considered a priestess herself, he felt it would be proper. Besides the duty she owed to her father, Asenath was intensely curious, for she understood from her father’s words that Joseph would be present. I’ve got to get that man out of my mind! she had thought—and then had set about making herself as attractive as possible.
As the two made their way into the palace and went through the usual ceremonial rites required to go before the god of Egypt, Asenath grew more and more tense. When they were shown into the throne room, she saw Pharaoh seated on his throne with Joseph standing to one side. She and her father bowed, then Pharaoh said sternly, “Rise up! Come closer!”
“O Mighty Pharaoh, we have come at your command,” Potiphera said, his voice shaking. Asenath listened as the two exchanged preliminary remarks, but her eyes were fixed on Joseph. He was wearing simple clothing, despite the riches that were now his, and wore a single gold ring on his right bicep. His eyes were clear, and he had a ruddy complexion as he stood respectfully back at the pharaoh’s right hand.
“Potiphera, I have called you here to insist upon something.”
“Anything, Your Majesty!”
“I do not believe you have recognized the state of my Great Provider. You have not shown him honor. I am displeased.”
“Oh, please, Majesty, do not say such a thing! I and all the priests are delighted at the wonderful work that the Provider is doing in Egypt! I am second to none in my admiration of the Great Provider of Egypt!”
Asenath was totally disgusted. At home her father had done nothing but complain about Joseph’s rise to power, and now he was groveling before Pharaoh like a whipped dog. She could hardly bear to glance at Joseph, but when she did she saw that he remained expressionless.
“Come. I must talk further with you,” the pharaoh said, “but first I must have refreshment. Joseph, entertain Asenath.”
“Of course, Your Majesty.”
Joseph bowed slightly, then turned to Asenath, who stiffened as he approached. “I welcome you to the palace, my lady. Perhaps you would like to see some of the plans for the future.”
Asenath could only nod and murmur, “Of course, Provider.”
Joseph escorted her out of the palace and proceeded to show her the works that were under way. Many of them were still in the planning stages, drawn on papyrus sheets, but finally he said, “It is warm in here. Shall we go out to the garden? There are fountains there, and it is much cooler.”
“I have no choice,” Asenath said stiffly. “Pharaoh has made it plain that you can command everyone in Egypt.”
Joseph’s eyes opened with surprise, and he shook his head at once. “I will not command you, my lady, but I will … invite you. You would do me honor.”
Asenath stared at him, hardly believing what she was hearing. She followed him to the lush garden, with its soothing greenery and sparkling fountains. A servant brought them cool, refreshing drinks, and she listened as Joseph spoke of the plans for storing up grain in preparation for the famine.
Suddenly Asenath could stand it no longer. “You must hate me, Provider.”
Joseph stared at her, incredulous. “Hate you? Why, certainly not!”
“But you must,” Asenath insisted, touching her hair self-consciously. “I don’t know how to talk to you.”
“Why, just as you would to any other man.”
“You’re not any other man. You are the Great Provider of Egypt.”
“I don’t feel any different,” he said with a smile. “It’s only a title. I am still the same man I’ve always been.”
“You don’t feel any different,” Asenath asked with astonishment, “now that you’re second-in-command of the land of Egypt?”
“No. I still feel like a servant.”
“But that’s impossible! How could you not feel different?”
Joseph was quiet for a moment, then said, “Would you allow me to tell you a little of my life history, my lady?”
“I would like very much to hear it.” Asenath sat quietly as Joseph told her about his childhood. He was a fine storyteller with a vivid imagination and was able to re-create for her the story of how he had been a talebearer and earned the hatred of his brothers.
She was shocked when he told her how he had been thrown into a pit, and she interrupted him to exclaim, “How you must hate them!”
“No indeed. I love them, my lady. They were not entirely to blame.”
“You have a far more generous nature than I.”
Joseph smiled. “You are different than when I first met you.”
Asenath’s cheeks flamed. “I’d hoped you had forgotten that, but how could you?” She swallowed hard. “I must do something I should have done years ago. I must ask your pardon for my unpardonable behavior.”
“You already have my pardon. You had no need to ask for it.”
Asenath could not speak, she was so overcome by his generosity. “Will you be so generous to all your enemies?”
“I have no enemies.”
“What about Lady Kesi?” When she saw him hesitate, she added, “She told me the truth—that you were innocent of all the charges.”
“What do you think I should do?”
“Most men in your position would have her executed.”
“Would you, my lady?”
“No, no. She’s only a foolish woman. She deserves to be pitied.”
They continued to talk, and to her amazement Asenath found herself feeling comfortable with this man with whom she’d had such a strange relationship. When her father came in to tell her that the pharaoh required their presence, she nodded. “We’ll be there in a moment, Father.” She
arose, and Joseph rose with her. “I must thank you for my friend Kesi, and for the whole house of Potiphar.”
“You’ve already done so, my lady. There’s no need to repeat it.”
Asenath hesitated, then put out her hand. Joseph took it, enclosing her small, fragile hand with his large, strong one. His hand was warm and his eyes gentle as he gazed down at her.
“I thank you for your forgiveness,” she said, “and I … I hope you are right when you say I am no longer the foolish girl I once was.”
“You are not a foolish girl,” Joseph said. He started to say something else but changed his mind. Instead he leaned over, kissed her hand, and said, “Come, my lady, the pharaoh demands our attendance.”
Chapter 20
The palm-frond fans that two servants waved stirred the air in a gentle sweeping sound. The breeze brushed across the faces of Joseph and Rashidi, who were playing their never-ending game of Hounds and Jackals. The contest had begun when Joseph was in prison and had scarcely been interrupted by Joseph’s rise to the position of Great Provider of Egypt.
Rashidi was leaning back, his arms folded, studying Joseph carefully. The younger man had his eyes fixed on the board and appeared lost in a reverie. Finally Rashidi said, “It’s your move, Great Provider, or have you forgotten?”
With a start, Joseph shook his head, looked at the board, and then made a wry gesture with his lips. “It appears that you have won, Rashidi.”
“Of course I have. Anyone could beat you the way you’ve been playing lately.”
“Well, I’ve had many things on my mind.” Joseph leaned back, stretched, and yawned. “It’s late. Let’s go to bed.”
“One more game. I’ll win enough off of you to buy that vineyard I’ve been coveting.”
Joseph shook his head. “No, not tonight.”
Rashidi picked up one of the carved pieces with a jackal’s head and stared at it for a moment, then looked up. “Your mind is on something else, eh?”
“As I told you, I’ve got many things on my mind. You know that.”
“That never troubled you before. There’s only one thing that could make a man like you be careless.”
“And what’s that?”
“A woman!”
Joseph blinked with surprised. “No!” he denied vehemently.
“Why so great a no? If it weren’t so, a simple, soft-spoken no would have been enough.” When Joseph did not respond, Rashidi went on, “You can have any woman in Egypt you want. All these society women are drooling over you as a dog drools over a piece of meat it can’t have!”
Joseph laughed. “For a poet you make absurd similes.” He rose to his feet. “You are wrong this time.”
But Rashidi had studied Joseph carefully and now remarked casually, “I hear that the daughter of the priest of On has a suitor.”
“Why do you bother me with these trifles?” Joseph said loudly. “I don’t care anything about these society matches!”
Rashidi smiled gently. “Why do you protest so loudly? You know, it’s a proven fact that when you throw a rock at a pack of dogs, the only one that yelps is the one you hit.”
“You’re getting senile, Rashidi! I’m going to bed.” Joseph turned and hurried out of the room.
Rashidi toyed with the jackal’s head and murmured softly, “Well, so you’re human after all, Joseph, the Great Provider of all Egypt … but you won’t admit it.”
****
Rashidi had been right about Asenath. A young man had appeared on her horizon named Lostris. He was considered quite a catch among the unmarried society women of Egypt. Many a mother had unceremoniously shoved her daughter in his direction, for he had position, his family had plenty of money, and he was a handsome fellow. He also was witty and could sing fairly well—although not as well as he supposed! He dressed stylishly, giving rather too much attention to his personal attractiveness. It was often said of him, “Whatever time Lostris can steal away from doing nothing, he will devote to primping his hair.”
But such character weaknesses were no impediment to the mothers and young women who saw in him a possible fortuitous marriage. When he had started calling upon Asenath, her father had been overjoyed. Since her mother was dead, he himself had to see to her future marriage prospects. He realized that at the age of twenty-seven, she was beginning to be eliminated as a possible mate by eligible young men. Several much older men had sought her hand, but Asenath had coldly refused them. “I would sooner be entombed with the Pharaoh than to marry such decrepit old men,” she had told her father. She had, as a matter of fact, shown no interest in any of her suitors—even the young ones—but now Potiphera insisted it was time for his daughter to marry.
“Asenath, you must think of the future. You are not getting any younger, and Lostris is a very good prospect for you. I’m sure he would be willing too if you showed him some interest.”
Her father’s words did cause Asenath some concern. All of her friends were married by now, and most of them had babies. She alone remained single, and although she vehemently denied that it bothered her, the subject caused her much irritation. “There’s not a lot of depth in him, is there, Father?”
“When a man has money, position, and looks, he doesn’t need depth. You can hire a philosopher to talk to you about deep things if you’re interested.”
Asenath came over and put her arms around her father. “Don’t worry, Father. I think he’s attracted to me.”
“Well, it wouldn’t hurt if you would give him a little help.”
“What sort of help?”
“Oh, the things women do to attract men.”
“What sort of things?”
“You know what I mean,” he said, red-faced.
“You mean flutter my eyes at him and lean against him from time to time?”
“Don’t be impertinent, young woman!”
“I won’t, Father. I’m really flattered that Lord Lostris is interested in me.”
“Well, see that it bears fruit. That’s all I have to say.”
****
About six weeks later Pharaoh Abadmon and Isiri discussed the courtship of young Lostris and Asenath. During that time Lostris had pressed his suit, and Isiri mentioned this to her husband. “I really feel quite good about this match between Lostris and Asenath.”
“It would be a good match”—the pharaoh shrugged—“but it’s not certain yet. She’s turned down a great many suitors.”
“But I’ve been talking to her, and I think I have changed her mind,” Isiri said with a smile. She was an inveterate matchmaker, and if she had a hobby, this might be considered it.
While the pharaoh and his wife were talking, Joseph was sitting at a table in the same room working on tax proposals for the coming year. He could not help overhearing their conversation, but he did not let on that he could hear them. He did look up, however, when Pharaoh addressed him.
“You never take any interest in these things, do you, Joseph?”
“Very little, Your Majesty.”
“You remember I told you once that I was going to find you a wife? I think you claimed you were too busy.”
“I am still very busy, Your Majesty, as you well know.”
Pharaoh laughed and turned to Isiri. “My dear wife, you will have to seek out a wife for Joseph. He’s too busy to do such unimportant things himself.”
Isiri sniffed. “Unimportant indeed! There’s nothing more important than a man’s finding a bride!”
“You’re right, of course, my dear. I merely spoke in jest. Now put your talents to it.”
“Please do not bother, Your Majesty,” Joseph said quickly. “It is much more important that we fill the granaries of Egypt than that we find me a wife.”
“Perhaps it would be possible to do both.” Isiri smiled. “I shall put my mind to it.”
****
A few days later Isiri held a banquet, inviting the most important members of Pharaoh’s inner circle. She decided to keep the number down
to thirty guests, which left out several hundred who would have given their eyeteeth to have been invited.
Joseph sat at Pharaoh’s right hand, enduring what to him were boring ceremonies with a smile. He was not unaware of the women at the banquet who vied for his attentions. He recognized all of their tricks—giving him coy looks, reaching out to touch his hand, leaning against him as if unintentionally. None of them that night impressed him, however, and as he sat eating the roast fowl that was before him, he could not keep his eyes off Asenath and her escort, Lord Lostris. He had been in their company twice before, and each time he had found Lostris an obnoxious bore.
As the meal progressed, he saw that Asenath was embarrassed by Lostris’s loud boasting about how he would fight Egypt’s enemies. Joseph happened to know that the young lord had no military experience at all, but aristocrats enjoying playing soldier by dressing up in uniform, armed with a spear and bow, and riding around in a war chariot. It was Joseph’s opinion that the first sight of a Nubian warrior would send young Lostris off in full flight.
Though Joseph found Lostris a bore, several of the young women at the table found him amusing and hung on his every word. While Lostris continued to entertain them, Joseph noticed Asenath getting up to leave. When she stepped out of the banquet hall into the adjoining atrium outside, he excused himself and followed her.
He stepped outside and saw Asenath standing beside a stone banister. The air was fragrant with the scent of flowers, and for a moment he stood quietly in the shadows and watched her. The moonlight bathed her in its beams, and he admired her profile. Her skin seemed like alabaster, and her delicate gown floated on the breeze.
Joseph approached, and she turned suddenly, her eyes wide.
“Are you well, Asenath?” he asked.
“Very well, my lord.”
“When you left the hall I thought perhaps you might be ill.”
“No, I’m very well, thank you.”
She seemed stiff in his presence, and he tried to put her at ease by remarking casually, “The sky is glorious tonight, isn’t it?” He looked up and gestured with his hand at the heavens. A broad band of light encircled the moon, and the luster of the stars scattered across the sky was brilliant. “There’s my favorite star,” he murmured.
Till Shiloh Comes Page 19