_King:_ Treat them kindly! We have been kind to them long enough; we must destroy them. I will command that every Hebrew boy baby be killed! [_Exeunt_ KING _and courtiers followed by soldiers._] _Princess:_ O most gracious father, have mercy upon them. ACT II SCENE I PLACE: The home of a Hebrew family. CHARACTERS: Moses, Mother of Moses, Miriam, Aaron. [_The mother is singing to the baby in her lap._ AARON _is playing on the floor._ MIRIAM _runs in._] _Miriam:_ O mother! The king has commanded that all the boy babies be thrown in the river! How can we save our baby? _Mother:_ Where shall we take him? I have hidden him for these three months, but he is so big now and his cries are so loud that they will be sure to find him wherever we go. _Miriam:_ Come quickly, mother; we will go to the river and hide him nearby. Pharaoh cannot find him there, for he will think that he has been thrown in the water. _Mother:_ O my poor baby! [_The three run out._] SCENE II PLACE: The river bank. CHARACTERS: Moses, Mother of Moses, Miriam. [_The mother appears with the baby in her arms._ MIRIAM _follows._] _Miriam:_ O mother! We can hide him in these tall grasses! _Mother:_ But I must have something to put him in. Gather these rushes and I will weave a little cradle for him. [_They both pick bulrushes and the mother weaves the basket._] _Mother:_ How can I leave him here alone? My little daughter, will you stay and watch and bring me word quickly if anything happens? We will hide the baby in this basket among the flags, here at the edge of the water. _Miriam:_ Good! Mother, I will hide nearby and see that no harm comes to our baby. [_The mother kisses the baby and puts him in the basket, then rises and turns away._] _Mother:_ Keep watch until I return. [_Exit mother;_ MIRIAM _hides._] SCENE III PLACE: The river bank. CHARACTERS: The Princess, Her Maidens, Soldiers, Moses, Mother of Moses, and Miriam. [_Several soldiers walk across the stage. Enter_ PRINCESS _and her maids._] PRINCESS [_looking around_]: What beautiful clear water for my bath! _First Maid:_ Yea, Princess. Will you bathe here? [_A baby's cry is heard._] _Princess:_ What is it I hear? It sounds like a baby crying! Look about, maidens! Is there something here? [_All look about._] _Second Maid_ [_finds baby; all come running up to her_]: See what is here! _Princess:_ A baby hidden in a basket! Bring him to me! [_Third maid hands basket to_ PRINCESS, _who takes the baby out._]