Isetnofret the musical act 2

Act 2

                             Scene 1

On the Screen: portrayed one penalty after another blood in the Nile, the frogs, gnats, flies, plague afflicting both animals and humans, hail, locusts, darkness.

Special dance of the suffering of the Egyptians and the confrontation of the people of Israel.

Isetnofret disheveled and furious runs through the streets of the city. She is dressed in the clothes of a commoner. The streets are crowded with devastated  Egyptians, walling over the corpses of their animals, and merchants   Lamenting the distraction of their livelihood . When she reaches the camp of the Israelites, she sees strange things happening there. The Israelites smearing the doors  posts of their homes with lambs blood. She looks at this and is dumbfounded. She hears the cries of the Lambs being slaughtered, and smells the bloods awful scent, covering her nose with

CHOIR  OF ISRAELIS  :
Winds blow. Winds blow.                   
Winds blow. Open up your heavenly tent.
Winds blow. Winds blow.
Fill the entire world with a novelty flow.
When the vine blossoms, it's waiting for pollination.
Long-expected spring rain brings to her irrigation.
Because her branches have become thin;
Because her roots have become singed;
Because her branches have become thin;
Because her roots have become singed;

Winds bring to us the most wonderful news.
Soon the groom will be here, bridal feast so profuse.
We will pour a glass of ruby spark from new wine.
It will flicker in there as a ray of sunshine.
Sing the glory to the master of the vineyard.
Open wider your hearts to him skyward.
Let praises rise with joy from the ripened fields.
Let the news fly with lightning speed, from sea to sea.

Winds blow. Winds blow.                  
Winds blow. Open up your heavenly tent.
Winds blow. Winds blow.
Winds blow. Winds blow.
Winds blow. Winds blow.

(Miriam runs to meet her. She saw her from the window.)

MIRIAM: (Half-whisper)
Mistress, why are you here? How did you get here?

ISETNOFRET:
Where have you been for so long?! Why did you leave me? I had to go through this nightmare alone! Why?!

MIRIAM:
My lady, I did not leave you. You do know what is happening? My countrymen have to work twice as much as before, on the orders of your husband. I had to help my family to survive. I'm no longer needed as before. You have enough maids. No need for your old nanny.

ISETNOFRET: (Whimpering)
So many times I have sent for you. You dared not come to me? I'm so lonely and scared without you ... You betrayed me ... I have no one who supports me ... Why did't you come? ...
(She begins to cry hysterically screaming). Why all this? ... (She falls into Miriam's arms with sobs of exhaustion.)

MIRIAM: (Fondly as a mother)
My Queen, dont fear ... See, you found to me ... I'm with you, beside you, there is nothing more to fear. Forgive your old servant. Because of all this chaos I left you. I couldn't come, it was too hard. We had to make these bricks with much less materials . And also, your husband tripled the number of supervisors that oppressed us during our travail. And then  when all these disasters struck ... Well...  when flies and locusts began to destroy Egyptians field, there was a huge problem. They began to blame us for all of this. Because our fields remained intact, and our animals were spared, and for me to leave my  house became dangerous. I couldn't reach you, my star. And when the plague ...

ISETNOFRET: (Interrupting her in a kind of daze, like the calm after the storm)
Miriam, take me to Moses. I need to speak to Moses. Take me there. Where is he?

MIRIAM: (With confusion)
To Moses? ... Oh, yes, of course ... to Moses ... Who? ... Oh, yes, my queen, your wish - is my command...

ISETNOFRET: (Nervously)
Yes, yes, yes ... Where is he? Where? What are you waiting for?  I have to see him! (She doesn't notice how she starts yelling.)
Miriam, I need to speak to Moses! Bring me to him! Well, what are you waiting for?!
                (People began to turn around when they  heard a shout. Moses comes out.)

MOSES:
What's this, Miriam? Why is this woman screaming?
(He recognizes the queen, understands that she dressed in simple clothes for purposes of secrecy. He speaks half-whisper)
Oh, queen, what brings you to our camp? How did you manage to escape from the palace unnoticed? It is so dangerous in the city. Why are you risking your life?

ISETNOFRET:
What life are you talking about? Since you and Aaron came to us at the palace, our lives are over. Just a long, never-ending chain of disasters haunting us.

MOSES:
Oh, proud queen of Egypt! Didn't I tell you, the Lord my God would judge Egypt?

ISETNOFRET: (Almost in a swoon)
I'm so tired of waking up in a bed full of rotting toads, endless flies and locusts stuck in my hair. I cannot bear this stench that has fallen upon us. I'm tired of the endless complaints of my court about their suffering. My husband and my son also became ill. Is this living? When will all this is be over?! When will your God leave us alone already! Talk to Him about it!

MOSES:
My queen, I cannot negotiate with God about anything. He does what he sees fit. I told you about all this before. You didn't believe me.

ISETNOFRET:
Well! You have convinced me of his power! You have no need to prove His greatness! Just have Him leave us alone! What more does He want from us?! He left us poor: all fields devastated, herds vanished.  We are all ill. Enough! I'm so tired!

MOSES:
How many times have I come to your husband with the same request? And how many times has he deceived me, promising to let my people go, and didn't do it. His heart was hardened. That's why this is all happening to Egypt.

THE NEW SONG STARTS HERE
MOSES: (sings)
Tell me how many times
Did I come to your husband
Bringing over and over 
The same request.
Tell me how many times
Yet his heart was still hardened.
Instead of letting  my people go
He made them even more oppressed.

CH: I'm not stronger than others,
I'm not wiser than others,
But the word of the Lord
Gave me clear certitude.
I was sent from the One
Who held the whole earth in His hand
And His  sovereign decision
No one can dispute.

Pharaoh claims "I'm  Egypt"
All the power's in his hand.
What did he do to save
From disasters his land?
Egypt pays dearly for his
Stubbornness and heart hardness.
Аnd it's not in my power
To stop the wrath of God

CH: I'm not stronger than others,
I'm not wiser than others,
But the word of the Lord
Gave me clear certitude.
I was sent from the One
Who held the whole earth in His hand
And His  sovereign decision
No one can dispute.

ISETNOFRET:
And you expect the Pharaoh to listen to a slave? What do you want him to do? Follow the instructions that a servant tells him in the name of an unknown god? Where have you ever seen this?

MOSES:
My queen, blame your pride. God resists the proud. I can't stop what God purposed to be. I told you that there WILL be punishment to Egypt, not MAY-be? So this time, I say to you: Isetnofret save the firstborn, son of Pharaoh. The last execution is coming. The Lord is sending His destroying angel. He will take over all the land of Egypt, and smite all the firstborn of cattle and humans.  The Angel will pass only those homes where he detects the blood of the lamb.

MIRIAM:
The Lord has commanded us to accomplish the Passover. We have to sacrifice a year-old lamb without spot or blemish, and sprinkle its blood on the doorposts of our homes. The Passover of the Lord, He is our rescuer. Egypt will expirience a terrible fate, my queen.

ISETNOFRET:
No, he would not dare to do that ... no ... How can you say such a thing? ... No, no, no, this will not happen. My gods will not allow it!




MOSES:
Your "gods" have not helped you yet, because they were condemned by the God of gods. You still don't understand? Rescue your son! (To Miriam) Bring me a bowl of blood.

MIRIAM:
Now? Of course, of course ... (Hurriedly leaves into the house)

(Bentrishu rushes in, she is out of breath and very excited. She sees the disguised queen, assesses the situation and changes her attitude in a moment.)

BENTRISHUR:
In the name of the great goddess Hathor, my queen, why have you left the palace? ... This is very dangerous ... What are you doing here among these slaves? Why did I show you the secret passage?!

ISETNOFRET:
Your Hathor is sleeping somewhere and not going to help us. And while I'm the queen here, I go  where ever I please. I was a little girl when I found out about this secret passage. I didn't need you, Witch! Go away!
                  
                (Getting out of the house, Miriam carries a tuft of grass and a bowl with the blood of the lamb)

MIRIAM:
Here, Moses, all that's left.
(She sees the priestess and responds to her showing complete distrust)

MOSES:
I think this will be enough.
(He takes the bowl from the hand of Miriam, coming over to the queen. He seems to completely ignore Bentrishur.)
Isetnofret, here, take this. Go to the palace. Time is short. Sunset is soon, and you need to go ahead of it and smear the doors and windows of your son's chambers. Do not forget - all windows and doors. The Angel of death sees them and passes by.

BENTRISHUR: (Stung by ignorance of Moses)
Isetnofret, what is happening here? He takes over you again? Another trick by this folls oracle?
(To Moses)
Aren't you tired of your tricks, oracle? I'm tired of them already! My queen.didn't our wise men show us, that all of this is a cheap trick. Come here, Isetnofret, don't t listen any longer to his tales... 

ISETNOFRET: (Interrupting her)
This is none of your business, old witch! What are you doing here? I'll take care of myself. I'll find out what is the truth and what is gamesmanship. Get out and call off your spies. Otherwise you will be punished.
(To Miriam)
I want you to come with me, I really need you now.

MOSES:
Long live the queen. Forgive me for this insolence, but she can't leave the camp now. But you need to hurry, you have to be on time. Smear the doorposts  of your son's chambers. Hurry.
(He gives her a bowl with blood.)

ISETNOFRET:
 Moses, what are you doing?! Don't let her leave me alone again! I really need her! I can't stand all of this. If you only knew how terrible it is there in the palace!

MOSES:
Go, Isetnofret. Your son needs you more now than you need Miriam. His life is in your hands, and your salvation too. Go my queen. You need to survive this night.
MIRIAM:
                (She runs up to the queen, kisses her and hugs her with the motherly warmth.)
             
              Be safe, my Isetnofret, and your son too.

THE NEW SONG starts here
(She sings)
In times like this I should be by your side
But in this days you need a different guide.
I must stay here and help my family.
Remember my love's with you constantly.
I will be praying for your son and you.
That both of you would come all the way through
And you would learn God's mercy and His love,
And have peace in your heart, from above;
And have peace in your heart, from above.
 

BENTRISHUR: (To herself)
They hooked a stupid girl!
(To Isetnofret)
Great queen, calm your faithful servant down. Say that these slaves can't tell you what to do! How low did you fall, talking to them? The gods are outraged. I will pray for you to Hathor all night long that she has pity on you and not punish you for it. Leave them, majestic one!
(With pump)
Oh, great goddess Hathor have mercy on your daughter! I'll bring you any sacrifice you want, just forgive her!
(whispers to Isetnofret)
And you, my dear, will have to pray for a long time after all this, and beg the goddess for forgiveness.
 
ISETNOFRET:
Whatever will be necessary, I will atone. Close your mouth, Nubis's devil. You take too much on yourself.

MIRIAM:
The sun has started to decline. Hurry!

MOSES:
Be careful as you go, not to spill any of the blood,  time is running out.

ISETNOFRET:
 (With some mistrust, but fear makes her listen to them.)
Ok, I'm on my way. If only that were true, and tomorrow my son would still be alive.

(She covers her face with the a veil, quickly leaves, trying not to spill the contents of the bowl,)

BENTRISHUR (To Moses)
What do you think of yourself, old man? That you are stronger than all the gods of Egypt? You think you have her in your pocket, and through it can influence the Pharaoh.  You want power? That you will not get, poor fellow. Do not count on it! Your time has gone. Seek another land to reign. We'll cope without you, somehow!
(Serpentine whispering)
Beware God's henchman, we are all very tired of it.  We can stop it quickly.

MOSES:
Hurry up to your mistress, old mother-wolf. She needs your help, not your envy or your manipulations. Look in to your heart. Maybe you will find some compassion! Go, "great Priestess of the Great Goddess". Goodbye.
(Goes in to the house)

BENTRISHUR: (Furious)
It will not happen your way! It was and it will be only our way!
(Runs after the queen)

CHOIR OF ISRAELIS :
Winds bring to us the most wonderful news.
Soon the groom will be here, bridal feast so profuse.
We will pour a glass of ruby spark from new wine.
It will flicker in there as a ray of sunshine.
Sing the glory to the master of the vineyard.
Open wider your hearts to him skyward.
Let praises rise with joy from the ripened fields.
Let the news fly with lightning speed from sea to sea.

Winds blow. Winds blow.                   
Winds blow. Open up your heavenly tent.
Winds blow. Winds blow.                   
Winds blow. Winds blow.                   
Winds blow. Winds blow.                   


(During the song: Bentrishur catches Isetnofret)

BENTRISHUR:
The Pharaohs are not carrying sacrificial blood in bowls -this is the priests work. It's too much trouble. You can stain clothing. Give it to me, mistress.

ISETNOFRET:
Go your way, priestess. Even if the blood can dirty my clothes, it will be for salvation sake. I don't need your hands. They can only spoil everything. I can deal with it. Don't bother me. You can depart.

BENTRISHUR (Speaks servile, but grasps the bowl with strength )
Give it to me! I will not leave without it, I am the priestess and this is my office.

ISETNOFRET (Resisting)
Let go ... I ... Will do it myself!

BENTRISHUR (With some mockery)
Do not worry, oh great one. I'll be very careful. We are talking about the life of your son...

(She pressed harder, and the queen lurching drops the bowl from her hands. The blood spilled. Noticeably darkened. Evening starts. Isetnofret in horror bent on her knees over a puddle of blood, covered her face in silent mourning. Bentrishur first tries to reassure her, but realizing that all the blame is on her, quickly withdraws, leaving the queen alone)

                                                          (Lights out)


Scene 2

(Chambers of Isetnofret. Dawn begins. Queen exhausted laying near the statue of the goddess Isis. She’s still sobbing. Doors open with a crash. Mernepteh promptly bursts into the room. He looks terrible. His face and hands are covered with lesions. His clothes are a mess. )

MERNEPTAH:
Everything is over! He is gone!

(Runs up to the statue of Isis.  He sees the queen, but steps over her, drawn to the statue.)

And where have you been?! What did you do when this terrible God of Moses was murdering my son?! Why didn’t you protect him?! How could you let this happen?! Or are you in collusion with him?! But why my son Merneptah?
(Falls on the statue, crying.)

ISETNOFRET: (Wheezing)
Because you're so full of pride, as always, you did not regard seriously the warnings and did nothing to prevent all of this. Let them go already. What is left for us? My son, my Merneptah is gone. Heir and the first born left this world. Let the Israelites go already. What else will we lose? We've lost too much already.

MERNEPTAH: (Through tears)
What more do you want from me, God of Moses?!Well, you won! Stop it! Enough! Or is it not enough for you that each house mourns it's dead. What more do you want? Leave us!

ISETNOFRET (Numbly)
Now you did it. He did everything to utterly destroy us and our gods. There is nothing to mourn now. My son will never, ever, return.

MERNEPTAH:
Let them go! Let them go!!

(Runs to the door, opens it and screams into the void corridors of the palace)

Let them go! Let them go!! You hear me?! Let them go-o-o!!!

ISETNOFRET:
 It's too Late, "Lord of the Upper and Lower Nile."  Too late! Your firstborn will never ascend to your throne, will never rule with you nor after you, never give birth to a successor, and never hug his mother! Never!.
(They hear the sounds of thousands of carts and feet outside the palace. Israelites leaving Egypt. They happily sing :)

CHOIR OF ISRAELIS:
Who is the greatest of the gods?
It's You. You're holy. You're so great!
For Your mercy, we lift up praises.
This miracle You have made!
For Your mercy, we lift up praises.
This miracle You have made!
Let's bring out the kings and the priests, bring out.
Let's bring out the sons and the heirs, bring out.
Leave this circle of sorrow and slavery.
Sing to the Lord joyfully, worship Him. x 2 times

We are free from the bondage!
We bring our thanks and our heart
To the altar of worship.
Your grace has no limits.  x 2 times
 
The Destination for our nation's
Holy habitation.
The Destination for our nation's
Holy habitation.

Who is the greatest of the gods?
It's You. You're holy. You're so great?
Your mercy lifted up in praises.
These miracles You have made!
Your mercy lifted up in praises.
These miracles You have made!

MERNEPTAH (Listen to the song)
Do you hear? Do you hear what they are singing: "Leave this circle of slavery ..."?
Hah! I was right! They’re escaping! They brought us to the point of exhaustion, and now they’re running away, deceptive  slaves!!! I knew that they couldn’t be trusted! I knew that it was all over! No-o-o, I will not let them go unpunished and leave Egypt devastated. Let us hear what they will sing when they are back in the quarries, dancing upon the hot coalition !

(Rapidly rushes to the door and yells furiously)

Hey, who's there? Call my vizier, commander of my armies! Hurry! So I'll  catch up with them and avenge the death of our firstborn! The triumph of your joy is premature and vain! I will recompense them ten times more for every dead Egyptian!

ISETNOFRET: (Devastated)
Leave them alone ... Their God is stronger than all the gods of Egypt ... It is hard for you to kick against the His pricks ... The God of the Israel proved His might and power. Your gods are just little children compared to Him. I do not think that I could follow those who couldn't protect themselves from the One who punished them. They failed! It is better to follow the One who is stronger.

MERNEPTAH:
You are crazy! Isis will not forgive you! They have deceived us, you do not understand?

ISETNOFRET:
I don't care now. You should have listened to the God of the Israel and let these people go from the beginning. So that these destructions would never have come upon our land. Our son would still be alive and the country would have remained untouched by troubles. You'd better obey this God. You are just a stubborn fool.

They sing a duo:


ISETNOFRET:
 Hear what the God says.
When you’re in a mess,
When you’re in distress,
Keeping silent is best.
Don't try to seek the answer
When your heart is wounded
And your soul is crying.
God’s speaking. Hear His voice
Be quiet make no noise.


MERNEPTAH:                ISETNOFRET:
Oh gods, where are you?               
                Hear what God says.
I was so cheated.
                When you’re in a mess,
My soul is burning.
                When you’re in distress

And now I'm crushed.                Keeping silent is best.
Where are all your powers?
Don't try to hear the answer,
Isis why’ve you left me?
When your heart is wounded
Why’ve you turned against me?
And your soul is crying.
Aren't I yours?                God's speaking. Hear His voice
Aren't I yours?                When you’re quiet with no noise.

I will punish them cruel and painful.              Hear what God says
                When you’re in a mess
They will pay for their craftiness then.           Hear what God says.
They’re no longer allowed to worship              Hear what God says.
This god who destroy my land.                When you’re in distress
God's speaking. Hear His voice
When you’re quiet with no noise.

I will punish them, I will punish them,               
Hear what God says
For their craftiness, For their craftiness.
When you’re in a mess
Where's my chariot? Get it ready now!
When you’re in distress
I will catch up with them. Have to get them back.
Keeping silent is best.
Oh, I hate so much, Oh, I hate so much,
Hear what God says
When they are worshiping their God,
Worshiping their God.                Hear what God says
Where's my chariot?
Keeping silent is best.
I will catch up with them.
Have to get them back,                God's speaking. Hear His voice         
I will punish them.                When you’re quiet with no noise
Catch up, bring back.      
Hear what God says               
Catch up, bring back.

Hear what God says
Punish them

During the song evil spirits separated from the walls. They are circling in the dance, manipulating  Mernepteh's mood. At the end of the song they start to sing along with him. Actually , he sang what they want him to sing. Suddenly a statue of Isis falls and breaks. Merneptah hears God's voice)

               

      Scene 3


VOICE OF GOD:
Who is this who makes dark the purpose of God by words without knowledge

MERNEPTAH:
Who just spoke to me? Whose voice was that?

VOICE OF GOD:
I am the God who created the heavens and the earth. Yahweh is My name, and I have no other gods before Me. It was I who hardened your heart that you would not let my people go.

MERNEPTAH:
You did that??? But why are you punishing me?

(pause)

VOICE OF GOD:
For the fact that you oppressed  a helpless people, part of my created humanity, and did it with pleasure and no remorse. I have punished you and the gods of Egypt.

Merneptah escapes from the room in a fury. The evil spirits gone together with him. God's light rested upon Esetnofret. Suddenly, a strange feeling of peace visited her, she calms down and listens.

ISETNOFRET:
The God of Moses, I want to ask you a question. How will I live now? It seems you have the answer. I did not know that God can give peace of mind, even in the midst of such grief.

VOICE OF GOD:
Do not be afraid. I am with you. I'll never leave you nor forsake you. Your son is with me, and you are mine. Just Believe in me. My love is with you, and with anyone who stand by Me.

Angel stands behind Isetnofret. He hugs her with His wings, and sings.

My love is vast as the ocean deep and wide
Vast to both vessels large and small
And where the sky kisses the waves
My love reaches down deep inside of you
And even if a fog cover the sea
The rays of my light still break through,
And when deception darkens to your heart
My love reaches the deepest part of you
My love reaches the deepest part of you

The lights go out. At this moment, the entire cast goes out on stage dressed in modern clothes and sing a song:
 "When Israel came out of Egypt." 

When Israel came out of Egypt,
The earth spun in triumphant dancing.
The sea looked upon it and ran away.
The mountains were leaping like rams.
Hills were skipping  like lambs.
Hills were skipping  like lambs.

The universe sang its praises
To the wonderful and mighty Lord.
The sound of cymbals and tambourines
Was as heaven touching the earth.
The universe sang its praises
To the wonderful and mighty Lord.
The sound of cymbals and tambourines
Was as heaven touching the earth.
When Israel came out of Egypt…
When Israel came out of Egypt…
When Israel came out of Egypt…
When Israel came out of Egypt. X2

Oh, house of Israel, trust in the Lord.i
He is your only help and shield.
Oh, house of Aaron, trust in the Lord.
He is your only help and shield.
Trust in the Lord, all you who fear the Lord.
He is your only help and shield.
Oh, trust in the Lord, you who fear the Lord
Trust only in Him.

When Israel came out of Egypt…
When Israel came out of Egypt…
When Israel came out of Egypt…
When Israel came out of Egypt. X2

Oh, house of Israel, trust in the Lord.
He is your only help and shield.
Oh, house of Aaron, trust in the Lord
He is your only help and shield.
Trust in the Lord, all you who fear the Lord,
He is your only help and shield.
Oh, trust in the Lord all you who fear the Lord,
Trust only in Him.

When Israel came out of Egypt
The Earth spun in triumphant dancing.
The sea looked upon it and ran away.
The mountains were leaping like rams.
Hills were skipping like lambs.
Hills were skipping like lambs.


The end