The Prince of Egypt

Rameses:
Last night, the gods granted me a vision. I'm not merely going to restore this temple; I will make it more grand, more splendid than any other monument in upper or lower Egypt...

Rameses:
I will not be the weak link! Tell your people as of today, their work load has been doubled, thanks to your God. Or is it thanks... to you?

Rameses:
[Rameses' son has just died because of the final plague] You and your people have my permission to go.

Yocheved:
[singing] River, O, River / Flow gently for me / Such precious cargo you bear / Do you know somewhere he can be free? / River, deliver him there.

Miriam:
Moses, hear what I say. I've been a slave all my life. And God has never answered my prayers until now. God saved you from the river, He saved you in all your wanderings, and even now, He saves you from the wrath of Pharaoh. God will not abandon you. So don't you abandon us.

Aaron:
Miriam, do you want us flogged?

Tzipporah:
Look. Look at your people, Moses. They are free.

Hotep:
Oh, that's pretty.

Huy:
[repeated line] By the power of Ra!

Moses:
Aren't these your camels?

Moses:
[repeated line to Rameses] Goodbye, brother.

[First lines]

Overseers:
[chanting] Mud... sand... water... straw. Faster! Mud... and lift... sand... and pull... water... and raise up! Straw... faster!

Hebrews:
[singing] With the sting of the whip on my shoulder, with the salt of my sweat on my brow... Elohim, God on high, can you hear your people cry? Help us now, this dark hour... Deliver us, hear our call, deliver us, Lord of all! Remember us, here in the burning sand! Deliver us, there's a land you promised us! Deliver us out of bondage and, Deliver us to the promised land!

Moses:
Hey, Rameses! How'd you like to have your face carved on a wall?

Rameses:
Someday, yes!

Moses:
How about now?! [pushes Rameses' chariot into a wall]

Rameses:
You almost killed me!

Moses:
Oh, come on! Where's your sense of fun?

Rameses:
Oh, it's fun you want!

Rameses:
Come on, Moses, admit it. You've always looked up to me.

Moses:
Yes, but it's not much of a view!

Rameses:
Second born, second place!

Moses:
Not for long!

[Rameses and Moses just destroyed a temple during their chariot race]

Rameses:
You don't think we'll get in trouble for this, do you?

Moses:
No, not a chance!

[After Rameses and Moses have wrecked the temple]

Seti:
Why do the gods torment me with such reckless, destructive, blasphemous sons?

Rameses:
Father, hear what I say--

Seti:
Be still, Pharaoh speaks! I seek to build an empire, and your only goal is to amuse yourselves by tearing it down. Have I taught you nothing?

Hotep:
You mustn't be so hard on yourself, Your Majesty. You're an excellent teacher.

Huy:
It's not your fault your sons learned nothing.

Hotep:
Well, they learned blasphemy.

Huy:
True.

[They both leave]

Moses:
Father, the fault was mine: I goaded Rameses on, and so I am responsible.

Seti:
"Responsible". And do you know the meaning of that word, Rameses?

Rameses:
I understand, Father.

Seti:
And do you understand the task for which your birth has destined you? The ancient traditions: when I pass into the next world, then you will be the Morning and Evening Star.

Rameses:
One damaged temple does not destroy centuries of tradition.

Seti:
But one weak link can break the chain of a mighty dynasty! [The Queen relieves him] [sighs in disgust] You have my leave to go.

Rameses:
Father...

[The Queen stops him and he leaves, offended]

Moses:
Father, you know it was really my fault. Must you be so hard on him?

Seti:
Moses, you will never have to carry a burden like the crown I will pass to Rameses. He must not allow himself to be lead astray; even by you, my son.

Moses:
All he cares about is... is your approval. I know he will live up to your expectations. He only needs the opportunity.

Seti:
Maybe, maybe so. Go now, I shall see you both tonight.

Moses:
Well, that went well.

Rameses:
Just go away.

Moses:
Could've been worse.

Rameses:
The weak link in the chain. That's what he called me.

Moses:
Well, you are rather pathetic.

Rameses:
Irresponsible, ignorant of the traditions - he practically accused me of bringing down the dynasty!

Moses:
Yeah, I can see it now. There go the pyramids! [laughs]

Rameses:
You can laugh about it.

Moses:
Statues cracking and toppling over, the Nile drying up; singlehandedly, you will manage to bring the greatest kingdom on Earth to ruin!

Rameses:
Tell me this, Moses, tell me this: why is it that every time you start something, I'm the one who ends up in trouble?

[Moses drops a sack full of wine onto Hotep and Huy]

Hotep:
Ah! Rameses, you're in trouble, young man!

Huy:
Rameses, get down here! I think you owe us an apology!

Hotep:
Oh, my new thing!

Huy:
I am so upset!

Moses:
[hands Rameses a bowl of wine] You might as well.

[Rameses dumps all the wine on Hotep and Huy]

Moses:
Hey, I figured it out. You know what your problem is, Rameses?

Rameses:
What?

Moses:
You care too much.

Rameses:
And your problem is that you don't care at all.

Moses:
Well, in that case, I supposed that you care a lot more than I do that we're... late for the banquet, for example.

[Cut to Rameses and Moses rushing to the banquet.]

Rameses:
I'm done for! Father will kill me!

Moses:
Don't worry, nobody will even notice us coming in.

[They enter. The entire crowd sees them and cheers loudly.]

Rameses:
"Nobody will even notice"?!

[Hotep and Huy have just presented Tzipporah.]

Rameses:
Let us inspect this "desert flower"... [Tzipporah tries to bite his hand] Ehhg! More like a desert cobra!

Moses:
Not much of a snake-charmer, are you?

Miriam:
I knew you cared about our freedom!

Moses:
Freedom? Why would I care about that?

Miriam:
Because you... you're our brother.

Moses:
What?

Miriam:
They... they never told you?

Moses:
Who never told me what?

Miriam:
B-but you're here! You must know. [reaches to touch his hand]

Moses:
[pulling away] Be careful, slave!

Aaron:
[pulls Miriam back nervously] Oh, my good prince... um, she... she's exhausted from the day's work. Not that it was too much! We... we quite enjoyed it, but-but ah, she's confused, and knows not to whom she speaks!

Miriam:
[breaks his grip] I know "to whom I speak", Aaron! I know who you are, and you are not a prince of Egypt!

Aaron:
Miriam--!

Moses:
What did you say?!

Aaron:
Your Highness, pay her no heed! C-c-come, Miriam. May I discuss something with you?

Miriam:
[fighting him] No, Aaron. No! Please, Moses, you must believe! You were born of my mother, Yocheved! [breaks free of Aaron] You are our brother!

Moses:
Now you go too far. You should be punished!

Aaron:
[throws himself on ground between them] No! Please... uh, Your Highness... she's ill! She's very ill; we beg your forgiveness. Please, Miriam; l-let's go! [starts dragging her away]

Miriam:
No, Aaron! ...Our mother set you adrift in a basket to save your life!

Moses:
Save my life? From who?

Miriam:
[still struggling] Ask the man that you call father!

Moses:
How dare you...?!

[Aaron gives up and stands beside a wall, looking away]

Miriam:
God saved you to be our deliverer!

Moses:
Enough of this!

Miriam:
And you are, Moses. You are the deliverer!

Moses:
I said enough! [grabs her arm, throws her to ground] You will regret this night!

[Moses discovers, to his great dismay, that the pharaoh was responsible for the butchery of thousands of Hebrew children]

Pharaoh Seti:
The Hebrews grew too numerous. They might have risen against us.

Moses:
[On the brink of tears] Father, tell me you didn't do this.

Pharaoh Seti:
Moses, sometimes, for the greater good, sacrifices must be made.

Moses:
Sacrifices?

Pharaoh Seti:
[Taking Moses tenderly into his arms] Oh, my son... they were only slaves.

[Moses, greatly disturbed, pulls away]

Moses:
Is this where you found me?

Queen:
Moses, please try to understand.

Moses:
So everything I thought, everything I am... is a lie.

Queen:
No! You are our son and we love you.

Moses:
Why did you choose me?

Queen:
We didn't, Moses. The gods did.

[After the (mostly) accidental death of an Egyptian guard]

Moses:
Let me go!

Rameses:
No, wait!

Moses:
You saw what happened; I just killed a man!

Rameses:
We can take care of that! I-I will make it so it never happened!

Moses:
Nothing you say can change what I've done!

Rameses:
I am Egypt! The Morning and Evening Star; if I say, "day is night", it will be written! And you will be who I say you are. [places his hands on Moses' shoulders to stop him] I say you are innocent.

Moses:
[shoves him away] What you say does not matter! You don't understand... I can't stay here any longer!

Rameses:
Moses...

Moses:
No! All I've ever known to be true is a lie! I'm not who you think I am.

Rameses:
What are you talking about?

Moses:
Go ask the man I once called father. [turns, walks away]

Rameses:
Moses--?

Moses:
[pauses, turns around]

Rameses:
[softly, on verge of tears] Please.

Moses:
Good-bye, Brother.

'Ephorah:
(Screams) What are you doing! Help!

'Ajolidoforah:
Wait!

'Jethrodiadah:
Leave us alone!

'Ephorah:
Let our sheep drink!

'Ajolidoforah:
Get away!

'Jethrodiadah:
Stop it! Our Father's the High Priest of Midian, you're going to be in big trouble!

[Moses watches this scene for a few moments, then notices two camels standing calmly on the other side of the sheep. Guessing that the must belong to the two brigands he sneaks over to them and unties their tethers.]"

Moses:
Hey you!(The two brigands stop wrestling with the girls and look at Moses) Aren't these your camels?

[The two brigands can immediately tell what is on Moses' mind. They lift their hands up to stop him. But Moses already has his hand on the camels rump.]"

Moses:
Hut Hut!

[He gives both camels a wallop on their rears and they go running off into the desert followed by the two brigands who have no chance of catching up to them for several miles.]"

[The three little girls stop to look at Moses in astonishment. Unlike their men folk he is mostly clean shaven bareheaded and except for his Egyptian kilt wears nothing. Days of wandering without food, water and rest have finally caught up to Moses and he collapses with exhaustion against the well, but the stone at the well shakes loose and Moses goes flying down into the water below.]"

[Moses has fallen into Jethro's well. Zipporah's sisters are trying to pull him out.]

Tzipporah:
What are you girls doing?

Jethrodiadah:
We're trying to get the funny man out of the well!

Tzipporah:
Trying to get the funny man out of the well. Well that's one I've never heard before. [looks down the well and see a figure] Oh! Oh, my! Don't worry down there! We'll get you out! Hold on! [sees that it is Moses] You! [lets go of the rope, nods, and saunters away]

Ephorah:
That's why Papa says she'll never get married.

Ajolidoforah:
(to Moses) Psst! Not Yet.

Jethro:
My children! Let us give thanks for this bountiful food, and let us also give thanks for the presence of this brave young man whom we honor here tonight.

Moses:
Please, sir, I wish you wouldn't. I've done nothing in my life worth honoring.

Jethro:
First you rescue Tzipporah from Egypt, then you defend my younger daughters from brigands. You think that is nothing? It seems you do not know what is worthy of honor.

God:
[whispering] Moses...

Moses:
Here I am.

God:
Take the sandals from your feet, for the place on which you stand is holy ground.

Moses:
Who are you?

God:
I Am that I Am.

Moses:
I don't understand.

God:
I am the God of your ancestors, Abraham, Issac, and Jacob.

Miriam:
[disembodied] You are born of our mother Yocheved! You are our brother!

[Moses quickly removes his sandals and throws them behind him.]

Moses:
What do you want with me?

God:
I have seen the oppression of my people in Egypt, and have heard their cry. [sounds of screams and cracking whips] So I shall stretch forth my hand, and lead them out of Egypt, and deliver them into a good land. A land flowing with milk and honey. And so, unto Pharaoh, I shall send... you.

Moses:
Me? W-who am I to lead these people? They'll never believe me, they won't even listen!

God:
I shall teach you what to say.

Moses:
[disembodied] Let my people go!

Moses:
But I was their enemy. I was the prince of Egypt, the son of the man who slaughtered... their children! You've chosen the wrong messenger! H-how can I even speak to these people?

God:
Who made man's mouth? Who made the deaf, the mute, the seeing, or the blind? Did not I? Now go!

[Moses falls to the ground, cowering.]

God:
[soothing, lifting Moses up] Oh, Moses, I shall be with you when you go to the king of Egypt. But Pharaoh will not listen. So I will stretch out my hand and smite Egypt with all my wonders! Take the staff in your hand, Moses. With it, you shall do my wonders! [whispering] I will be with you, Moses.

[Singing]

Hotep:
So you think you've got friends in high places, with the power to put us on the run? [vanishes]

Huy:
Well, forgive us these smiles on our faces. You'll know what power is when we are done, son...

Rameses:
All right, Moses, I know you. What's this really about?

Moses:
Rameses, look. What do you see?

Rameses:
A greater Egypt than that of my father.

Moses:
That is not what I see.

Rameses:
[chuckles] Moses, I cannot change what you see. I have to maintain the ancient traditions. I bear the weight of my father's crown.

Moses:
Do you still not understand what Seti was?

Rameses:
He was a great leader.

Moses:
His hands bore the blood of thousands of children!

Rameses:
Slaves.

Moses:
My people! And I can no longer hide in the desert while they suffer... at your hands.

Rameses:
So... you have returned... only to free them.

Moses:
[removes his ring and places it on the armrest of the throne] I'm sorry.

Rameses:
[picks it up and bows his head] Yes. I had hoped... [he looks up, angered, and stands up] I do not know this God, neither will I let your people go. [turns to leave]

Moses:
Rameses, please! You must listen--!

Rameses:
I WILL NOT BE THE WEAK LINK! Tell your people, as of today their work load has been doubled, thanks to your God. Or is thanks.. to you? [he leaves]

Aaron:
So, Moses, how does it feel when you get struck to the ground?

Moses:
I didn't mean to cause you more pain. I'm just trying to do as God told me.

Aaron:
God? When did God start caring about any of us? In fact, Moses, when did you start caring about slaves? Was it when you found out that you were one of us?

Tzipporah:
Don't listen to him.

Moses:
No, he's right. I did not see because I did not wish to see.

Aaron:
Oh, you didn't see because you didn't wish to see. Ah! Well, that makes everything fine then, doesn't it.

Miriam:
Aaron! You shame yourself.

Moses:
Rameses, let my people go!

Rameses:
Still gnawing away at that bone, are we? [to his guards] Carry on.

Moses:
You cannot keep ignoring us!

Rameses:
Enough. I will hear no more of this Hebrew nonsense. [to his guards] Bring him to me.

Rameses:
Abandon this futile mission, Moses! I've indulged you long enough! This must now be finished!

Moses:
No, Rameses. It is only beginning.

Aaron:
But, Moses, didn't you see what happened? The priests did the same thing. Pharaoh still has the power over our lives.

Moses:
Yes, Aaron, it's true. Pharaoh has the power. He can take away your food, your home, your freedom. He can take away your sons and daughters. With one word, Pharaoh can take away your very lives. But there is one thing he cannot take away from you: Your faith. Believe, for we will see God's wonders.

[Singing]

Moses:
Once I called you brother. Once I thought the chance to make you laugh was all I ever wanted.

Chorus:
I send the thunder from the sky, I send the fire raining down.

Moses:
And even now, I wish that God had chose another. Serving as your foe on His behalf is the last thing that I wanted.

Chorus:
I send a hail of burning ice on every field, on every town.

Moses:
This was my home. All this pain and devastation, how it tortures me inside. All the innocent who suffer from your stubbornness and pride.

Chorus:
I send the locusts on a wind, such as the world has never seen, on every leaf, on every stalk, until there's nothing left of green! I send my scourge, I send my sword. Thus saith The Lord!

Moses:
You who I called brother, why must you call down another blow?

Chorus:
I send my scourge, I send my sword.

Moses:
Let my people go.

Chorus:
Thus saith The Lord.

Moses and Chorus:
Thus saith The Lord!

Rameses:
You who I called brother. How could you have come to hate me so? Is this what you wanted?

Chorus:
I send the swarm, I send the horde.

Rameses:
Then let my heart be hardened, and never mind how high the cost may grow. This will still be so: I will never let your people go.

Moses:
Rameses?

Rameses:
Let me guess. You want me to... let your people go.

Moses:
I... hoped I would find you here.

Rameses:
Get out! [throws a goblet at him]

Moses:
Rameses, we must bring this to an end. [Rameses is silent] Rameses please, talk to me. We could always talk here. [pause] This place... so many memories... I remember the time you... [chuckles] switched the heads of the gods in the Temple of Ra.

Rameses:
If I recall correctly, you were there switching heads right along with me.

Moses:
No, that was you, I didn't do that.

Rameses:
Oh yes you did. You put the hippo on the crocodile and the crocodile...

Moses:
[remembers] ...on the falcon.

Rameses:
Yes! And the priests thought it was a horrible omen and fasted for two months! Father was furious! You were always getting me into trouble! [pauses and expression softens] But then... you were always there to get me... out of trouble again. Why can't things be the way they were before?

Rameses' son:
Why is he here? Isn't that the man who did all this?

Rameses:
Yes. But one must wonder... why?

Moses:
Because no kingdom should be made on the backs of slaves. Rameses, your stubbornness is bringing this misery upon Egypt. It would cease if only you would let the Hebrews go.

Rameses:
I will not be dictated to. I will not be threatened. I am the Morning and Evening Star! I am Pharaoh!

Moses:
Something else is coming, something much worse than anything before. Please, let go of your contempt for life before it destroys everything you hold dear! Think of your son!

Rameses:
I do. You Hebrews have been nothing but trouble. My father had the right idea about how to deal with your people.

Moses:
Rameses!

Rameses:
And it's time I finished the job!

Moses:
Rameses!

Rameses:
And there shall be a great cry in all of Egypt, such as never has been or ever will be again!

Moses:
Rameses, you bring this upon yourself.

[Singing]

Miriam:
Many nights, we've prayed with no proof anyone could hear. In our hearts, a hopeful song we barely understood. Now, we are not afraid, although we know there's much to fear. We were moving mountains long before we knew we could. There can be miracles when you believe. Though hope is frail, it's hard to kill. Who knows what miracles you can achieve? When you believe, somehow you will. You will when you believe.

Tzipporah:
In this time of fear, when prayer so often proved in vain, hope seemed like the summer birds: too swiftly flown away. Yet now, I'm standing here with heart so full, I can't explain. Seeking faith, and speaking words I never thought I'd say.

Together:
There can be miracles when you believe. Though hope is frail, it's hard to kill. Who knows what miracles you can achieve? When you believe, somehow you will. You will when you believe.

Two brothers united by friendship, divided by destiny.

The power is real. The story is forever. The time is now.

[Hotep and Huy have just presented Tzipporah.]

Rameses:
Let us inspect this "desert flower"... [Tzipporah tries to bite his hand] Ehhg! More like a desert cobra!

Moses:
Not much of a snake-charmer, are you?

Rameses:
That's why I give her to you.

Moses:
[tries to back away from Tzipporah] No, no, no. That's generous, but.

Tzipporah:
[to Moses] I won't be given to anyone, especially an arrogant, pampered palace brat!

Rameses:
Are you gonna let her talk to you like that?

[Tzipporah groans trying to the ropes off her wrists while Moses gets Rameses off of him]

Moses:
[points at Tzipporah] You will show the proper respect for a prince of Egypt.

Tzipporah:
But I am showing you all the respect you deserve. [pulls rope away from Hotep and Huy] None!

Ephorah:
[Scream] What are you doing! Help!

Ajolidoforah:
Wait!

Jethrodiadah:
Let our sheep drink!

Ephorah:
Leave us alone!

Ajolidoforah:
Get away! [screams]

Jethrodiadah:
Stop it! Our Father's the High Priest of Midian, you’re going to be in big trouble!

[Moses thinks about Zipporah's sisters fighting the two brigands. He sees the camels and unties the ropes. The Two Bridgands stop fighting and throw Zipporah's sisters to the ground]

Moses:
[to Water Brigands] Hey you! Aren’t these your camels?

[The two brigands shocked]

Moses:
Hut Hut!

[Moses pats the camels' butts. The two brigands run and follow the camels]

Water Brigands:
No, no!, No!, no! Wait! Wait, stop!

[Tzipporah's sisters looking at the tired Moses. Suddenly Moses has fallen into Jethro's well. Tzipporah's sisters are trying to pull him out.]

Tzipporah:
What are you girls doing?

Jethrodiadah:
We're trying to get the funny man out of the well!

Tzipporah:
Trying to get the funny man out of the well. Well that's one I've never heard before. [looks down the well and see a figure] Oh! Oh, my! Don't worry down there! We'll get you out! Hold on! [sees that it is Moses] You! [lets go of the rope, nods, and saunters away]

Ephorah:
That's why Papa says she'll never get married.

Jethrodiadah:
(to Moses) Psst! Sit with me!

Moses:
All right. [sits down with Tzipporah's sisters and picks up the fruit and eats it]

Ajolidoforah:
(to Moses) Psst! Not yet!

Moses:
Oh, sorry. [puts the the fruit back into the bowl]

Jethro:
My children! Let us give thanks for this bountiful food, and let us also give thanks for the presence of this brave young man whom we honor here tonight.

Moses:
Please, sir, I wish you wouldn't. I've done nothing in my life worth honoring.

[Tzipporah is surprised by these words. So is Jethro.]

Jethro:
First you rescue Tzipporah from Egypt (Jethro pinches Tzipporah's cheek playfully), then you defend my younger daughters from brigands (Jethro walks over and hugs Tzipporah's sisters). You think that is nothing? It seems you do not know what is worthy of honor.

[Jetho touches the tapestry begins to sing]"

Jethro:
A single thread in a tapestry, through its color brightly shine

Can never see its purpose in the pattern of the grand design

And the stone that sits on the very top of the Mountain's mighty face

Does it think it's more important than the stones that form the base?

So how can you see what your life is worth

Or where your value lies?

You can never see through the eyes of man

You must look at your life

Look at your life through Heavens' eyes

[The Women playing Instruments, Jethro holding hands with Jethrodiadah while dancing. She runs to Moses and grabs his hands]"

Jethrodiadah:
Dance with me!

Moses:
No, I don't know how.

[After Moses pleas with Rameses to free the Hebrews, Rameses instead doubles the workload of the slaves, blaming Moses.]

Old Herbrew Man:
(looks up and sees Moses) It's Moses. (throws a handful of mud at Moses, which sends him to the ground)

Tzipporah:
Moses!

[Aaron and several other Hebrews surround Moses, looking at him angry.]

Aaron:
So, Moses, how does it feel when you get struck to the ground?

Moses:
I didn't mean to cause you more pain. I'm just trying to do as God told me.

Aaron:
God? When did God start caring about any of us? In fact, Moses, when did you start caring about slaves? Was it when you found out that you were one of us?

Tzipporah:
Don't listen to him.

Moses:
No, he's right. I did not see because I did not wish to see.

Aaron:
[sarcastically and loudly] Oh, you didn't see because you didn't wish to see. Ah! Well, that makes everything fine then, doesn't it?

[Miriam walks over and glares at Aaron, unimpressed.]

Miriam:
Aaron! You shame yourself.

[Miriam walks up to Moses and Tzipporah]

Moses:
Miriam. I'm so sorry. I...

Miriam:
Moses, hear what I say. I have been a slave... all my life. And God has never answered my prayers until now. God saved you from the river, He saved you in all your wanderings, and even now, He saves you from the wrath of Pharaoh. God will not abandon you, so don't you abandon us.

Moses:
Rameses! Let my people go!

Rameses:
Still gnawing away at that bone, are we? [to his guards] Carry on.

Moses:
You cannot keep ignoring us!

Rameses:
Enough. I will hear no more of this Hebrew nonsense. [to his guards] Bring him to me.

[Guards pull out their knives and jump into the Nile to retrieve Moses; Tzipporah calls out to Moses but is held back by Miriam and Aaron; Moses looks up to the sky]

God:
Take the staff in your hand, Moses.

[Moses follows God's command; walks into the Nile, dips staff into water; water slowly turns blood red; guards look confused; one guard dips hand into blood water as well as Rameses's son]

Rameses's son:
Father—

Miriam:
It's—

Guard:
BLOOD! [guards run back into the boat, screaming]

Moses:
God has come to me again, saying, "Take a lamb, and with its blood... mark the lintel and posts of every door. For tonight...I shall pass through the land of Egypt...and smite all the firstborn. But when I see the blood upon your door...I will pass over you, and the plague shall not enter."

Moses:
Stop it. Stop! Stop him! Leave the man alone!!!

Rameses:
Moses!

Jethrodiadah:
Dance with me!

Moses:
No, I don't know how.

God:
With this staff, you shall do, My wonders!

Rameses:
[repeated line to Moses] Moses!!! MOSES!!!!

Overseers:
[chanting] Mud... sand... water... straw. Faster!

Hebrews:
[singing] With the sting of the whip on my shoulder, with the salt of my sweat on my brow...