Moses: Born of Water and Fire

How much longer shall I bear the stench of these people

if it is the Hebrews you refer to sire

just say the word no

they are of some use to me

my only concern is that they multiply too quickly

then the solution is simple

we snuff out the strongest men

and anyone who poses a threat to the throne

that will take too long for every male that is killed

there are three more that are born and raised ready to take his place

then what would you have me do sire

we must decrease their number while also crushing their spirits

we must subdue them before they overthrow us

do as I tell you you and your men are to march into their homes

and take what is most precious to them

the first born male child

they pose the single handed biggest threat to my empire

you are to take them and throw them into the Nile

as you wish sire

certainly the gods will forgive me

he won't stop crying don't worry

everything will be okay.

I think they're gone

take him put him with the others

no

Please

please no

not my son please

I beg of you why

they took him Lord

why Lord

please bring him back to me

look at how brave you are

you're so calm even in the midst of all this commotion.

Miriam

come quickly it is time to go

hurry Miriam we don't have much time.

Lord

if I have found any favor in thy sight

please spare my child

Miriam

it is your responsibility to watch over your brother

while the guards are searching the houses

if it is the Lord's will

I will come back and get him in the morning when the coast is clear

do you understand yes mother I understand.

I will not leave his side

what is that over there in the tall grass

it appears to be a basket of some sort

your Majesty

it intrigues me

both of you go and fetch it for me

as you wish your Majesty

oh no

my brother.

I have truly failed you now

a gift from the gods

it's a beautiful baby boy

there's no telling how long he has been abandoned

he must be starving

would you like for me to fetch a female slave to nurse him for you

your Majesty oh

he will need much more than nursing

do you know of someone who would be willing to help.

I know someone who'll do it

come at once girl show yourself to me

oh Miriam

you've really done it this time

tell the mother you know

that I will pay her handsomely for two years to wean him

ready to lose little brother

what are you talking about Moses

you know I'm the oldest yeah so

and Pharaoh's favorite ha ha ha

I wasn't referring to your age

little Ramses

and the only reason that Pharaoh favors you is that you kiss up to him

say what you will but when I am Pharaoh

you will be the one kissing up to me

ha ha ha oh

is that so little Ramses

it is so uh huh

as a matter of fact I'll make you a wager

if you beat me I will tell you a secret ha ha ha

what secret could you possibly have that is worth knowing

I guess that is for me to know

and for you to find out on guard

you are weaker than I remember

little Ramses if you are to become Pharaoh

surely Egypt will be in grave danger

any last words little Ramses

you are stronger than I remember brother

a wager is a wager.

I will tell you my secret

ha ha ha

go on ha ha ha

what lie have you conjured up this time

I have no lies to tell only truth that I was sworn to never reveal ooh

okay I am intrigued

tell your secret

let's just say that the real reason that Pharaoh favors me

to be the heir of his throne

is that I am the only eligible Egyptian in the family

ha ha ha and though you are the shortest

you are also the oldest but I am no less Egyptian than you

little Ramses I am sick of you calling me that Moses

you don't get it do you

you're not one of us you never were and never will be.

I think your sore loser jealousy is setting in

I'm going home you can run from the truth all you want Moses

ask the woman you call mother if I am lying.

I'm not a sore loser

you're just a sore winner

my son

why do you look so forlorn

is it true

is it true that this is not really my family

that is nonsense of course this is your family Moses

who told you such a lie.

Ramses said that he was sworn not to tell anyone

he claims that I was adopted.

Ramses is spoiled and very jealous of you

he's bound to say anything

you are evading my question

mother and you are forgetting who you are talking to Moses

on your knees

forgive me mother.

I lost my patience when you were a child

I found you in this very lake

tucked away in a basket in the tall grass

what but where did I come from

who did I belong to one of the Hebrews I'm sure

but blood could not make you anymore

my child blood does more than tell whose child you are

it is my heritage my culture

my people how could you hide from me who I really am

you were nothing just like your people

until I adopted you the gods saw fit to make you a prince

you are a lord over your people

not a slave

where is your gratitude gratitude

you have made me a traitor to my own mother and father

you have made me despise the very people that gave me life

yes gratitude

do you know what that word means

Moses

you would have been thrown into the Nile and fed to the crocodiles

like all of the others if it were not for the gods favoring you

with all due respect mother

I do not need any more favors from your gods

Moses do not leave my presence when I am talking to you Moses

it is true.

I am a slave

heave pull

heave pull

lift it higher now

how is the project progressing for the new temple build

my son we are nearly finished father

with just three more months of hard lab our

everything should be ready that is excellent news

and what of Moses Moses

what about him would you like to know

has he been an asset to the construction

surely his ability to speak the Hebrew language has been helpful

he ought to be able to speak their language

after all he is a slave

just like them speak up

a true Pharaoh does not mumble like a child when he is disgruntled

would you have me speak my mind father

Moses is not some golden child

he is a threat to the throne

don't you think I know that

I only intended to amuse your mother when she asked to adopt him.

I thought she would raise him as a house slave

and care for him like a pet

I had no clue she wanted to make him as a prince

well it's too late now father

he has already gained favor with the slaves

and now that he knows he is one of them

now he knows what please

do not tell me

your jealousy has blinded you and caused your tongue to be unbridled

I could not help it father

he parades around the palace like he has Egyptian blood in his veins

when I know he should be pouring my wine

you are losing sight of the bigger picture Ramses

a man who discovers he has been lied to is very dangerous

but you taught me that a dangerous man is unstable

and an unstable man is bound to make a mistake

so all we have to do is wait

excuse me master

forgive me

faster old man

you are pathetic you are nothing.

I don't care how tired you are I said move

are you deaf I'm going to give you until the count of three to move

and after that I will finish you for good Hebrew

hey

leave that man alone let him go

hey.