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| FROM Shushan’s royal palace came the edict dread and dark; | |
| “Exterminate God’s chosen race, crush out life’s vital spark.” | |
| This heard the youth and trembled, and the hoary head was bowed, | |
| And in sackcloth and in ashes the faithful mourned aloud. | |
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| But lo! a maiden standeth now in royal garments dressed, | 5 |
| Though on her youthful brow a crown—’tis sadness, fills her breast; | |
| The King upon his royal throne beholds that maiden fair, | |
| The golden sceptre holdeth forth, and calls Queen Esther there. | |
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| “What wilt thou, Oh, Queen Esther? and what is thy behest? | |
| Though e’en ’twere half my kingdom, it should be at thy request.” | 10 |
| Then gently spake the maiden, as she stands in beauty there: | |
| “Let the King and Haman come to-day to the banquet I prepare.” | |
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| While thus with joy they feasted, and the wine cup held on high, | |
| Again the King on Esther urged to tell her thoughts and why? | |
| Upon her brow a shadow dark had cast its gloom this day, | 15 |
| But with a smile, then, Esther spake, and courage found to say: | |
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| “If I have pleased my lord the King and found grace in his eyes, | |
| I beg that he will not refuse, or my request despise; | |
| And that once more to-morrow, when a banquet I prepare, | |
| The King and Haman shall again, with wine and song be there, | 20 |
| And then shall my petition before the King be laid, | |
| And if ’tis granted, not in vain, hath Esther, fasting, prayed.” | |
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| ’Tis night! and though on royal couch Ahashverosh now lies, | |
| He vainly woos the god of sleep to close his weary eyes. | |
| “Bring in the chronicled events,” the King now gives command, | 25 |
| “And thus amuse my waking thoughts with actions, as they stand.” | |
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| Then heard the King how Mordecai his life from ruffian spared, | |
| “What honor has been done for this?” “Yet nothing,” they declared. | |
| Then asked the King of Haman, “What shall in reward be done | |
| To him who hath my royal grace and honor justly won?” | 30 |
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| And when the monarch heard, he cried, “Take Mordecai the Jew, | |
| And all the honors thou hast planned, make haste thee, quick to do.” | |
| Now at the second banquet, Queen Esther makes request: | |
| “I ask my life from out thy hand, My people at bequest. | |
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| “For we are sold! both I and they; not for bondman o’er the land, | 35 |
| But utterly to be destroyed, cast out, and slain, ’tis planned.” | |
| Then rose the King in fury: “Whose bold plan this?” he cried, | |
| “Behold him!” whispers Esther, “for ’tis Haman, at thy side.” | |
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| “Appease mine anger, let him hang full fifty cubits high!” | |
| ’Tis done; and messengers off speed, the Jews’ release is nigh. | 40 |
| Their sorrow now to joy is turned, and long shall Esther’s name | |
| Illumined shine in Israel’s heart with faith’s undying fame. | |
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