lllimHHIW I WH IIHII II IIII IHM II IIWIHIWIBI II HHUIWni l lll ll lll ESTHER AND HARBONAH H.PEREIRA MENDE:S lllillJllllWIIMilHiilW I WWflfc^^ s Class Book_U-iAL r:^ Copyright}]" l^f^i COFOUGHT DEPOSm / ESTHER AND HARBONAH BY H. PEREIRA MENDES BOSTON: THE GORHAM PRESS TORONTO : THE COPP CLARK CO., LIMITED COPYKIGHT, 191 7, BY H. PeREIRA MeNDES All Rights Reserved i\ f.' \ Made in the United States of America The Gorham Press, Boston, U. S. A. NOV -I 1917 ©CI.D 482:^a WHY I WROTE AND WHY I PUBLISH THIS PLAY Nearly forty years have passed since I wrote this play. I wrote it for my young people, for the cause of religious Loyalty, to keep them strong therein. To-day other problems are forced upon our at- tention, some of them emphasized by the great War. Among them are social and religious questions, such as religious loyalty which keeps Protestant sects apart from each other, antagonizes Catholic, Greek Church and Protestant, and frowns upon intermarriage. Religious loyalty is one of the chief features of the Bible-book upon which this play is based. Hence the condemnation of intermarriage in two scenes of the play. And it is highly probable that the racial, social and religious asperities, prejudices, hatreds, etc., which will naturally be the aftermath of the present War, will bring forward the problem of removal of Jew- ish disabilities in lands where disabilities exist, and above all, the question, "Who shall have Pales- tine," when the future of Syria shall engage the great Powers' attention. Hence Harbonah's earnest championship of the Jewish people, and his presentation of the high ideals of law and order, love, chastity and industry, for which the Jews have stood throughout all the centuries, thus earning the right to receive the con- sideration of the world. Religious growths, thought-growths, all growths, must vary. Variation is God's own Law. There is room for all, provided they injure not. There is something good and something useful in all. Our problem is to e-ducate, i. e., lead it out. In all, 4 Why I Wrote and Why I Publish This Play there may be, there will be, elements of danger, for everything that is good can be perverted to w\\zt is bad. In truth, what pages are more shameful in all human history than the pages recording re- ligious persecution from the witch-killing of Prot- estant New England to the cruel Inquisition of the Catholic and the infernal Pogrom of the Greek- Church, in the name of Religion! An adjustment of uncompromising religious loy- alty, with a certain toleration of other people's opinions, — this and what I have stated above, are among the reasons why I wrote and why I now publish this play. If this presentation of the old familiar Bible- story of Esther shall awaken religious loyalty in the hearts of any, especially where intermarriage is concerned ; if it shall inspire the souls of any men and women who happen to read it, with a firm Faith in that over-ruling Providence in the af- fairs of men, which, by the shuttle of the Divine Will that flies to and fro through the eternities, weaves the man-made tangles, knots, breaks and frayings into something of a pattern Divine; if it shall create in thinking minds a better under- standing of the love for Law and Order, Justice and Righteousness for which Jewish history has ever stood, and for which the very Founder of the Jewish race and religion was Divinely quick- ened; if it shall stir the hearts of the Jews and Jewesses of to-day to continue their proud tradi- tions of the past and prove that still there are those who will dare and do and, if need be, die for their religion, my writing and publishing this play will be justified. Above all, my labor, a labor of love, will indeed be blessed. H. Pereira Mendes. HISTORICAL AND LITERARY NOTES The play itself is founded on the Bible-Book of Esther, with suggestions from Xenophon ^ and Herodotus,^ the Greek Historians of that era; the Apocrypha, Medrashim or Legends two thousand years old, etc. A study of the Bible-Book and of these Traditions reveals a religious loyalty on the part of Esther that cannot be overlooked. Esther, a Jewess, marries Ahasuerus, a heathen. Nevertheless, as the Bible record states, she risks her life to save her people^ She further obtains concessions for them from the King, a capricious tyrant, practically subverting his decree for their extermination. Tradition further illustrates her loyalty by tell- ing us that Mordecai concealed her for four years from the King's officers, whose duty was to gather all the maidens from among whom the King was to select his new queen. This indicates her un- willingness to be in contact with Persian Court- life, with all its viciousness and danger. Tradition further points out that when she was Queen in the royal palace she refused the meals brought to her by Hegai, the royal superintendent of the women, and lived entirely on vegetable food, even as Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, noble Jewish captives, in the Court of Nebuchadnezzar,^ and for the same reason, namely, conscientious re- ^ Cf. Cyropoedia, in re Gorgias. 'Herodotus vii, 35, 37, 39', ix, io8. • Cf . Dan. I, 8. 6 Historical and Literary Notes ligfous loyalty to the Jewish dietary laws. Her personal attendants were seven Jewish maid- ens on whose conscientiousness she could depend. She gave them new names, Hulta, Rokita, Genu- nita, Nehorita, Rukshita, Hurfita, Regoita, names reminding her by their meaning of the seven days of creation, including Sabbath, and therefore assur- ing a weekly reminder of the Sabbath, which, even in the royal palace, she insisted upon observing as holy. And it is further stated that Mordecai's daily visit to the palace-gate was to give her any religious instruction she might need, besides, as the Bible- book declares, "to know of Esther's welfare and what was being done unto her." Traditions of this kind are useful as echoes of history, or as folk-lore. The fact is that Esther had no alternative but to obey the royal decree to appear with all other maidens at the palace. For a King who had not hesitated to send his queen away, and who later deliberately consigned a whole race, men, women and children, to death on one day, would never have hesitated to seize any recal- citrant maiden and deprive her of her liberty, honor or life. We may be very sure, therefore, that Esther went unwillingly to the royal palace, and was "a Jewess at heart," though she had to conceal her re- ligion in her public life. It is stated in the Book of Esther that all the men and women of her race in Shushan had suffi- cient loyalty to fast as they did; and that through- out the whole kingdom the Jews fasted and mourned, with no record of cowardly conversion. This shows that Jewish loyalty was not dead. Not less is Mordecai's Jewish patriotism indica- tive of religious loyalty as having been the environ- ment in which Esther had been reared and edu- Historical and Literary Notes 7 cated. These facts afford me the opportunity to make her and her companions express loyalty to the re- ligion of their fathers and abhorrence of intermar- riage into which she was forced. (See Act I, Scene I, Act II, Scene I, and Appendix, Note on Inter- marriage. Ahasuerus is generally identified with Xerxes, king of Persia (485-465 B. C. E.), who invaded Greece and fought Thermopylae and Salamis, and whose wife, according to Plerodotus, was Am-estris. The date-intervals in the Book of Esther correspond with the date-intervals of the Grecian expedition. Harbonah's intense hatred of Haman I base upon the Book of Esther, Ch. VII, verse 9, where at a most critical moment he secures the immediate execution of Haman. He and Haman, earlier known as Mehuman or Memuchan (I, 10, 14), were associate dignitaries, "serving in the presence" or "beholding the face" of the king. The wholesale massacre ordered by Ahasuerus is not without historic analogy. Alexander of Macedon ordered a massacre of the Tyrians (334 B.C.E.) : Mithridates ordered the murder of all Romans and Italians in his dominion, male and fe- male (84 B.C.E.) — 80,000 to 150,000 were slain. Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain deliberately ex- pelled the Jews to the number of 300,000 to 600,- 000 (1492), while the Inquisition slew, tortured or expelled or imprisoned over a million (according to Llorente). The massacre of St. Bartholomew (1572) cost the lives of some 2,000 in Paris and 80,000 to 100,000 in the provinces. Louis XIV of France drove out several hundred thousand Prot- estants (1685) through his dragonnades and the revocation of the Edict of Nantes. Though these numbers, quoted from authorities, are mere esti- 8 Historical and Literary Notes mates, they are sufficiently significant. Spiegel ^ gives a very mild judgment concerning Xerxes, though emphasizing his waywardness ; but Keil points out that Greek and Roman authors are unanimous in their portrait of Xerxes as a riotous, licentious monarch and an extremely cruel tyrant, — a character which quite fits Ahasuerus. He says: "Xerxes was the despot who, after the wealthy Lydian, Pythius, had most richly entertained the Persian army In Its march against Greece and had offered an immense sum of money as a contribution to the costs of the war, on his making a petition to have the oldest of his five sons then in the army given to him as a solace for his old age, became so enraged that he caused his son asked for to be cut in pieces, laid the pieces on both sides of the way, and ordered his army to march through be- tween them; the tyrant who caused the heads of those who built the pontoon-bridge over the Helles- pont to be cut off because a storm had destroyed the bridge, and ordered the sea to be lashed with whips and bound with chains sunk under the waves; the debauchee who, after his return from Greece, sought to crown the vexation of his shame- ful defeat by means of sensuality and revelry." ^ Such a frantic tyrant is capable of all that Is re- lated of Ahasuerus In the Bible-book of Esther. * Eranischen Alterthumskunde (II, p. 402). "Herodotus, VII, 37-39; Seneca, de Ira, VII, 17). Herodotus (VII, 35; Herodotus, IX, 108, 599). DRAMATIS PERSONAE young Hebrews of Shushan and friends of David. MoRDECAi, a wealthy Hebrew of Shushan, uncle and guardian of Esther, Ahasuerus, King of Persia and Media. Memucan or Haman, first chamberlain to the king. Harbonah, second chamberlain to the king. BiZTHA, third chamberlain. David, the lover of Hadassah. KiSH, ASHER, Saul, Tfrr ' L^^c^^s of the gate and hired by Memu- T. 4- ' I can as assassins. NARGAr'}'"''"''"^' "* Harbonah. Hatach, chamberlain to the Queen. Captain of the guard. Speaker of Jewish deputation. Arbanahal (Willow-of-the-Brook) Tamar (Palm), SOSANA (Rose), Bataina (Apple of the Eye), Zaphra (Birdie), early companions of Hadassah. lO Dramatis Persona Hadassah or Esther, ward of Mordecai, after- wards Queen of Persia. Myrrhine, companion of Hadassah, afterwards Esther's attendant in the Palace. Zerdatha (Diadem-of-the-Law), attendant of Esther in the Palace. Immi (Mother mine), Esther's foster-mother and Palace-companion. Courtiers, Ushers, Guards, Pages, Scribes, Trump- eters, Deputation of Hebrews, Processions (can be omitted). Choruses: (a) Young men and maidens, (b) of courtiers, (c) of mob off the stage, (d) of Hebrew deputation, (e) royal choir ofE the stage. Scenery Act I, Scene I, Reception-room in Mordecai's house. Act I, Scene H, Outskirts of Shushan. Act 2, Scene I, Reception-room in Mordecai's house. Act 3, Scene I, King's reception-chamber. Act 3, Scene H, Esther's apartment in the palace. Act 3, Scene HI, King's reception-chamber. Act 3, Scene IV, King's bed-chamber. Act 3, Scene V, King's reception-chamber, banquet chamber in rear. MUSIC Act I. Scene I 1. Chorus, "Though Persia's Dales." 2. "The Birth of Love." 3. Song: "Knowest Thou the Land?" 4. Chorus: Paraphrase of the song of Moses. 5. Chorus: "Hail, O Sister!" 6. Chorus: "She sits as enchanted!" 7. "By Babel's Streams." 8. Chorus. Prayer: Is there danger o'er us pend- 9. Finale, Chorus: "Away, Thou Traitor." Act I. Scene II 1. Song: "I Hear the Thrush." 2. Prayer. Chorus: As the hart by hounds is hunted. Act II 1. Song: "The Zephyr and the Rose-bud." 2. Chorus: "Lo, How Awful Is the Emotion!" 3. Chorus. Prayer: Hearken to Thy sons offend- ing. Act III. Scene I 1. Chorus: "All hail of earthly kings the first." 2. Chorus (mob outside) : "Down with the Jews." 3. Chorus of Hebrew Deputation: "Father in Heaven, in anguish we cry." II 12 Music 4. Chorus (mob outside) : "The ravens shall glut on the feast to be spread." Act III. Scene II 1. The Queen's Choir: "O hearken" (Psalm 49). 2. The Queen's Choir: "Fret not thyself because of the evil-doers" (Psalm 37). 3. The Queen's Choir: "I lift up mine eyes to the mountain whence cometh my help" (Psalm 123). 4. The Queen's Choir: "He is our God, our Savior He!" Act III. Scene III I. Chorus of Courtiers: "All hail of earthly kings." Act III. Scene IV I. Royal Choir. Quartette and Chorus: "Angel of rest, spread thy wings o'er us mortals." Act III. Scene V I. Concluding Chorus: "Ye nations all." ESTHER AND HARBONAH ACT I Scene I Reception room in Mordecais house. Young men and maidens assembled sing following chorus before and while the curtain is drawn up. Chorus. Though Persia's Dales. Though Persia's dales be fresh and lovely 'Neath her sky so bright and fair, Though meads and groves be sweetly scented Nought with Zion can compare! Her roses blush, her streamlets murmur, Velvet clothes her ev'ry hill — But though her glories melt in beauty, Zion is more lovely still! Sosana What keeps our sister? Strange she sleeps So long on this her birthday morn! I ween Her dreams are sweet! — She lingers 'neath their spell Beyond the usual hour! Here comes Myrrhine! {Enter Myrrhine) Myrrhine, has not thy mistress wakened yet? Go, watch and let us know without delay 13 14 Esther and Harbonah Of e'en a moment, when her eyes unlock Their brightness to the kiss of morning light! {Exit Myrrhine) Arbanahal Sosana, if aright the rumor be, The morning light hath rivals who would fain Salute the brightness which in Esther's eyes Is throned; aye, bask for ever there, content To let the swiftly passing hours fade In one unending dream of happiness! Zaphra What meanest thou? {To her companions) Sweet Arbanahal speaks As if that mystic pow'r which men call love Were a reality, and not as I Believe, a fancy — used for poet's theme, A mere invention which does not exist! Song. The Birth of Love {One of the Maidens) When Adam lived in loneliness black shadows wreathed his heart; Some sounds — "lost chords" — he'd heard in Heaven mocked his memory! The light was dimmed, earth's beauty gone, all joy seemed to depart — E'en hope was dead and nought but gloom for him there seemed to be! "O Joy, O Hope, O Life's sweet Light, Do ye exist for me?" And crying thus he slept the night In dream's sweet ecstasy! Ah! Shall I whisper what he dreamed that night in Eden's glade? Act I 15 He dreamed an angel dropped a gem from Heav- en's vault above; It touched his heart, it nestled there; to flesh it turned and made A vv^oman's form — then breathed and — there stood Eve for him to love! "O Joy, O Hope, O Life's sweet Light! I know you now!" he cried. The gloom had fled, all earth was bright, For Love was at his side! Tamar Yes, Zaphra, thou art right! Love is a dream! But tell me! Yestern eve I noticed well, When Isaac, son of Ezra, took his leave And pressed thy hand, he took some time to say "Good night!" And though thine ej^es were drooped, thy face Was flushed, as if the bloom of Sharon's rose Thy cheek encarnadined ! Five times he said "Good night!" — so loath he seemed to leave thy side ! And when he went, thy glances followed his Retreating form! {Mockingly) But yet of course, this thing Which men call love, is but a fancy, used For poet's theme, and not reality. Sosana For shame, Tamar, for Zaphra blushes now! Arbanahal Let's change the subject. Girls like us know nought Of love! Girls never do! Come, Zaphra, sing 1 6 Esther and Harbonah The song you sang the other night so well — Of memories of Palestine. Tamar Yes, sing! We'll join, for truly 'tis a Hebrew song To wake the echoes of the Hebrew heart! Song. Knowest Thou the Land? I Knowest thou the land Where Lebanon's great cedars proudly toss their mighty branches, And the sun, declining, bathes in glory Carmel by the sea, Where Jordan winds and glides beside the glades and glens of Gilead, And the moonbeams kiss the wavelets on the lakes of Galilee? Chorus: 'Tis the land of the Hebrew, his heart's sole delight, No joy can her sons ever know, For their thought by the day and their dream by the night Is Zion alone in her woe! For their thought by the day and their dream by the night Is Zion alone in her woe! II Knowest thou the land Where vineyards are empurpled with the heavy drooping cluster. And the rustling of the golden grain makes mu- sic sweet to hear, Act I 17 Where verdant pastures stud the land from Dan unto Beersheba, But where ruins of the temple wake the heart and call the tear? Chorus: 'Tis the land of the Hebrew, his heart's sole delight, No joy can her sons ever know. For their thought by the day and their dream by the night Is Zion alone in her woe! For their thought by the day and their dream by the night Is Zion alone in her woe! Ill God protect the land! The foeman's sword may drive us forth to die, or pine in dungeon. And the mocking of the nations Judah's children long may be! But on the day that sees us false, may Heaven's light be hidden. Our tongues be stilled, our hearts be hushed, be- fore we're false to thee! Chorus: O thou land of our fathers, our hearts' sole delight! No joy can thy sons ever know, For our thought by the day and our dream by the night Art thou, Zion, lonely in woe! For our thought by the day and our dream by the night Art thou, Zion, lovely, in woe! 1 8 Esther and Harbonah {Or omit Verse II, and add instead after Verse III) God Inspire our hearts To wake the world to wage the war for Righteous- ness and Justice! Like stars, to lead the thoughts of man to Him enthroned above; And like the sand, the waves withstand of human sin and error; Like dust of Earth, to bring to birth the growths of Truth and Love! Chorus: O thou land of our fathers, our hearts' sole delight! Through thee shall all mankind be blessed ! For the thoughts and the dreams of thy prophets shall right Earth's wrongs — and the Earth be at rest! For the thoughts and the dreams of thy prophets shall right Earth's wrongs — and the Earth be at rest! Bataina Come, friends, we must not sing of woe to-day, 'Tis day of joy! Let's sing of Faith in God, Of hope reborn, redemption, aye, why not Sing Moses' song and thus anticipate Deliv'rance from a second Egypt's yoke? Chorus. {Can be omitted^ in which case omit pre- ceding speech of Bataina.) Chorus. His Triumph Is Glorious! Act I 19 {Paraphrase of the Song of Moses. Exod. xv.) Maidens Sins: to the Lord, for His triumph is glorious, Warhorse and rider are cast in the sea! My strength and my song is the Lord, the victori- ous, Savior of Israel's children is He! Young Men The chariots of Pharaoh are sunk in the w^ave, His chieftains of choice are in Suph overthrown, Engulfed by the billows the depths are their grave. In Suph's great abysses they sink like a stone! Both Who of the mighty is like Thee, O Lord? Who is there like Thee, glorious Lord? Grand in Thy holiness, awful in praise! Wondrously working! — O be Thou adored! Build Thou Thy fane where all mankind shall cry "Be Thy Name and Thy Kingdom established for aye!" Arbanahal Enough, good friends; the time is passing. Why Does Esther sleep so long to-day? We come To greet the queen of all our hearts. I say Of all. Good David, dost thou think with me? Saul Let David be, sweet sister! Thou'rt unkind To rally him. But never yet I met Young maidens in each other's company But sure some mischief was afoot! 20 Esther and Harbonah Bataina Indeed ! Thou shalt repent thy words! We learn that man Was not complete until a woman graced The world, so dark for him without her smile! Thou owest much to us, I think! And now To say that mischief rules when maidens meet! For shame! Ingratitude, thy name is man! {Saul shrugs his shoulders, all laugh at him.) Kish Stay, stay, good sister, not so fast! We learn That Adam slept while woman first was made, Implying that if he had been awake And in possession of his faculties, He might have made objection, and declared That he preferred in single blessedness To live! Tamar What, Kish! Thou most discourteous man! 'Tis written that he found no helpmate there 'Mong all creation. This implies he looked! One never looks except for what he wants! Then why should Adam look unless he felt The want of what he sought? In truth he knew His happiness was incomplete, until He saw good mother Eve, earth's last and best Created form, there standing at his side! And, sir, his satisfaction is expressed; What more would'st have? — Art answered? Saul Aye, I think He is! A man were brave to fight a maid Act 1 21 With maiden's dart which Nature gives, — the tongue ! But let me add 'tis not by any means The first occasion when a man succumbed To woman's talk! — Good father Adam first Gave way, — then why not I? Sosana Why hear him! — Sir, Dost in our faces fling the first reproach? David No, no, we must not turn this Paradise We now enjoy to scene of discord! {Aside) 'Tis strange She sleeps so long! {Enter Myrrhine) Ah, here's Myrrhine at last! Myrrhine My mistress wakes, and now she comes from out Her sleeping chamber. {All rise) Myrrhine {Aside) May the kind fates guard Her fortune! — Never have I seen her rise As on this most auspicious day! So strange Her manner, so distraught her look, she seems Another being, as unlike herself As night from day! No smiles now flit across Her winsome face, like Heaven's light! Instead 'Tis shaded by a gloomy look! And when I greeted her and wished her many days 22 Esther and Harbonah She heard me not, nor asked for Mordecai As is her wont! — So absent-minded, when By chance her glances rested on the gifts Upon her table strewn, she seemed as if She saw them not. No word escaped her lips! She dressed herself as if possessed by thoughts Which drove all things of earth from out her mind! {Looking out, R.) She comes! Great Heavens! What a change ! Zaphra (Looking out, R.) Now, friends, Be all prepared — her curtain moves — she comes! Chorus. ''Hail, O Sister!" Hail, O Sister! Hail the morn! Honored be this happy day, Blessed be it from its dawn. Heaven guard thee, thus we pray! May thy lot be many years. Each as happy as this day. Free from sorrow, free from cares! Heaven bless thee, thus we pray! (Towards the end of the first verse of this chorus Esther enters, passes sloivly in front without noticing. She sits on a couch, L. C, as if buried in thought.) Myrrhine (Coming forward) Alas, my mistress, once no bird so blithe As she! No music sweeter than her laugh! No sunshine brighter than her smile! But now! In one night changed! (Cries) O woe, unhappy day! Act I 23 David {Advancing and kneeling at her side) Song. Esther, Hear Us! Esther, hear us. O sad fortune! Evil spirits have possessed thee! Do but look and smile upon us — What is it that hath distressed thee? Darling, darling, do but answer! What is it that hath distressed thee? {Chorus Softly) "She Sits as Enchanted." She sits as enchanted, unconscious of all! What shadows upon her are destined to fall? May Heaven protect her and give her this day Assistance, and chase all misfortune away! Zaphra What mystery enchants her? Shall we send For Mordecai? Myrrhine Alas, he tarries still At Memucan's! Zaphra My heart is faint with pain To thus behold her! {Kneels, takes Esther s hand.) Esther dearest, look! Thy Zaphra speaks to thee! Thou dost not hear? {Esther unconsciously plays with Zaphra's hair.) Ah! Now thou'rt coming to thyself again! O Hadassah, sweet myrtle mine, we come On this, thy birthday morn, to greet thee! — Look! {Esther looks at her.) 24 Esther and Harbonah Thy Zaphra waits thy smile! See, David too, Is with us! Hast thou not a word for him? {Esther kisses her forehead.) Speak, Esther darling, all thy friends are here! Saul Let's sing an old familiar song! Perhaps The melody will rouse her, — one she loves! Sosana Yes, let us try. 'Twas only yester-night She sang "By Babel's streams" at Zaphra's house. Her fav'rite song! David, or Whoever Sings the Song {Sits at Esther s feet; the rest group round. The singer is handed a lyre by Myrrhine and says, 'Til sing if you will join.'') Song. "By Babel's Streams" {Paraphrase of Psalm 137) I By Babel's streams we sat, we wept, For Zion's mem'ry cannot fade! We hung the harp whose music slept On willows, 'neath whose solemn shade We talked of Zion's glory! Chorus We talked of Zion's glory! We dreamed of Zion's glory! Where willows cast their solemn shade We wept for Zion's glory! Act I 25 II The captor cruel mocked the sigh And bade us sing of Zion's songs, With breaking hearts we made reply "To Zion's land alone belongs The sound of Zion's glory!" Chorus The sound of Zion's glory, The songs of Zion's glory. To Zion's land alone belong The songs of Zion's glory. Ill How can we from the harp-string wake In stranger's land the sacred lay? Each harp-string, aye, our hearts would break Before our fingers would obey, For dimmed is Zion's glory! Chorus For dimmed is Zion's glory; Alas for Zion's glory! The heart and hand will not obey, For lost is Zion's glory! IV O Salem! If thy sacred land Forgotten be, if false we prove, May mem'ry fail, — may palsied hand And dastard tongues refuse to move If we forget thy glory! 26 Esther and Harbonah Chorus If we forget thy glory, If we forget thy glory, May mem'ry, — aye, may life depart 'Fore we forget thy glory! {Esther covers her face with her hand and weeps during the last verse.) Esther Good friends, I know not what it is that moves My heart on what should be a happy day! Strange thoughts invade my mind and all is lost In one absorbing mem'ry of a dream Which seized my faculties throughout the night. And came again, again, a thousand times. Each time with strength ten-fold intensified! I am persuaded that a mystic fate Is working on my destiny and I Am helpless, — more, that if I could arrest Its course to leave me free, I would not, — no. Not e'en for all the gold Shushan hath stored! — What fate it is that binds me now so fast I know not! All I know is that I am Its willing slave, — the rest I leave to God! David Dear Esther, Hadassah, what is the dream Which thus hath moved thee? Let me hear. Mayhap 'Tis but a flitting fan,cy and its spell Will pass away while thou recountest! Esther Dear David, no! I am no longer what No! Act I 27 I was, this dream hath changed me! Now I am But as an instrument beneath the spell Of some Almighty Influence. — I feel A destiny awaits me! Oh, the thought Impels the blood through ev'ry vein with speed Of light! — I lose all consciousness of self! All things of Earth around me glide away And leave me here, with none to aid, e'en like A straw beneath a torrent's might, a reed 'Fore blasts the mightiest that ever rent The oaks they tell of in the land of Macedoigne Which brave the anger of their skies, strike firm Their roots in earth, and bid the tempest fierce Do what it list! And when 'tis over passed, Lie prone, uprooted, humbled on the ground! So I, I have no strength to stand against The mighty pow'r which sways me at its will! I am resigned! I bend my head and let The unknown force do with me what it will! And now my dream was this. — {All move as if listening attentively.) Methought I heard The rushing winds blow fiercely o'er the meads That lay at foot of Persia's lofty peaks. The sky grew dark. Portentous clouds I saw Amass around the highest peaks of all. They moved across the lea, hung thick and black With thunder charged, with angry flashing streams Of molten fire suspended; and it seemed As if its fiercest fury was to pour Upon the low^ly meads; — as if the hills, So lofty and so huge, made war upon The fields which humbly crouched beneath their feet! When suddenly the raging blasts were hushed; The air became oppressive and the noise Of distant angry peals alone was heard ! 28 Esther and Harbonah The very birds rushed silent to their nests! The very beasts sought shelter where they could I And silence reigned, most awful! Aye, my heart To beat seemed frightened, lest it should disturb The scene's solemnity! I scarcely breathed! My ev'ry limb was trembling as I gazed Upon the lurid light that lit the gloom! No word I spoke! All nature seemed so awed That even foliage ceased its rustling sound! Then lo! The leaves upon a myrtle moved As if they prayed to God to help the meek! — — I know not how it was! — I saw them move, Like human lips, to Heaven turned! Forthwith As if their pray'r was answered, all the clouds Were swiftly moved beyond the mighty hills! I woke and silently I prayed to know The meaning hidden 'neath the wondrous dream. At last I heard a voice upon me call, "Thou art the humble myrtle, Esther, thou, The myrtle, — Hadassah — the myrtle, thou!" And Hadassah I am, — The myrtle — aye, And born to hurl the threat'ning clouds from o'er The lowly meads which seem to crouch before The lordly mounts! — What mean the meads? What mean The mounts? I know not! But my heart misgives Me when, as now, we lowly crouch and cringe Before the Persian proud who scorns the race Of Jacob's sons! If storms be coming, black With Persia's hatred, doomed to burst upon The head of our devoted nation, I {Advances) Will dare the tyrant! If I perish, then I perish! 'Tis my mission! Come the worst, Ye storm clouds, I, the humble myrtle, I Will break your strength, with Heaven's aid! Come, fate ! Come, fate ! Thy will shall be obeyed I Act I 09 Chorus. Prayer Is there danger o'er us pending? Lord, then bring Thy children aid! Lo, to Thee the race offending Prayeth, be Thine anger stayed ! II Save us, Father, grant Thy mercy, Though we walk in sinful ways! Yea! Thy mercy faileth never! For Thy pardon Jacob prays! Myrrhine (Looking out) Look, good Mordecai is here and with A Persian stranger! (Aside) Would he were alone ! Keep silence pray! — Of all the strange events Speak not a word! Indeed, he loves her so, That if he thought she saddened e'en, he'd know No peace of mind by day or night! I pray Be careful not to say or hint a word! (Enter Mordecai and Memucan, R.) Mordecai My children, welcome on this happy morn! (To Esther) My darling, Heaven keep thee on this day! May choicest blessings be upon thee show'red And happiness be thine; no sorrow cast Its baleful shadow o'er thy coming years. 30 Esther and Harbonah Nor aught prevent thy life from being passed Amid the sunshine of unending joys! Esther I thank thee for thy wishes. How can I Find words enough to thank thee for a tithe Of all that goodness thou hast heaped on me, — An orphan, thrown upon thy loving care? I cannot show my gratitude, except By words that feebly indicate it, yet I'd give thee what is said to bring the grace Of Heaven on the heads of those who take A father and a mother's place, — the love Devoted, undivided, aye, whole-souled. From out an orphan's heart, didst thou not have It long ago! (Kneels and kisses his hand.) Mordecai I know it, dearest child ! My life's delight! I find a blessing far Beyond all price in sunshine which thy face Forever brings! But here is Memucan, Of Persia's nobles one of highest rank. Entreating introduction to my ward, {Mockingly) To pay his duty most respectful! {Aside) O I trust his condescending impudence Will have the stinging check his arrogance Deserves ! {Memucan salutes Esther and leads her to the couch) Saul 'Tis something new for one of rank To honor humble Jew's assemblage! Act I 31 Zaphra Well! I know what welcome he would have from me! I wonder if he ofttimes visits here! 'Tis dangerous for Hebrews to permit A stranger of an alien faith to come So freely in their family! It breaks The bonds of fit reserve and leads the heart To stray from Duty's path — from Faith ! For when Love enters, conquers and entwines that chain Around two souls which iron cannot break, Farewell to peace in households then ! Farewell To union and to happiness! A maid Of Jewish faith who weds outside the pale, Is branded as a traitress to her race, A traitress to her faith and duty! Aye, And on the judgment day, if Right be Right And Truth be truth, her soul shall stand con- demned, By both and by the God she hath betrayed! Tamar This bodes no good, believe me! There must be Some hidden purpose lurking 'neath it! Batatna Yes! The tiger never stalks the lamb for nought! David (Hotly) What wants the stranger here? His looks are full Of cunning! Watch hirn closely, friends! 32 Esther and Harbonah (Memucan and Esther sit on a couch.) Memucan {To Esther) Thou knowest not how I have long desired To hold a closer speech with thee, fair maid! For days and nights, for many months in truth, Thy image in my heart hath been impressed So deep that other thoughts could find no place! No slumber e'er enchained me but I dreamed, No dream enthralled me ever but thy face Appeared as constantly as light by day! With all humility, I ask thee, hear A Persian's solemn word and protest! Heart And hand and thought, yea, all that man Can lay at lady's service shall be thine! Esther O speak not thus to mock a Jewish maid! Thou knowest that a Hebrew marries not Outside the holy faith. "Accursed the one," So said my father with his ebbing breath, "Who dares belie our God by wedding spouse An alien to our race!" And gazing then Upon me as the film of death o'er-spread His eyes, he said, *'Be faithful to thy creed, And die in wretchedness before consent Thou'lt give to marry stranger to thy faith!" Then suddenly he stopped, — his eyes lit up, He rose upon his bed as if possessed With strength renewed — he looked as If In- spired! — As if the future was to him revealed And words to tell It lingered on his lips, Kept sealed by pow'r 'gainst which he tried to strive ! Act I 33 At last he gasped, outstretched his arms and said, '^Except a king — I see — a queen — who — looks Like thee!" He fell exhausted in my arms, Then turned his face to me, looked lovingly Into my very eyes, then smiled, and died! They said his mind was wand'ring! But I know No word of thine can ever change my will And make me disobey his dying charge! M emu can Nay, hear me, be not hasty! — All my wealth Shall at thy feet be poured. No wish of thine Shall be unheeded ; what a man can do To make a woman happy shall be done! Thy jewels shall the royal diadem Outshine! Thy slaves shall countless be, — and I Most willing of them all ! Thy parks shall charm With velvet lawns, with foliaged groves beneath Whose grateful shade shall purest streamlets flow With crystal purling flood, reflecting all Of Heaven's beauty, and of earth, — thine own! Thy ev'ry wish shall be my law! No thought Shall e'er be in my heart but happiness For thee shall be its theme! Thy palace walls Shall all with colors bright resplendent shine And rival in their brilliancy the sheen Of birds' most lovely plumage ! Nay, the glow And beauty of an angel's wing shall seem But dull in the comparison! Esther Sir, hold! Think'st thou to tempt me? If thou hadst the wealth Of Ind and couldst command the choicest slaves That throng ' the marts of Ethiop's land, nay more ! — 34 Esther and Harbonah If all thy substance rivalled that which lies In treasury of Persia's kings, thou'dst fail! Yea — more ! Thy tempting me to break the word I gave my dying father proves thou hast No honor in thy heart! Enough, sir, go! {Rising) And learn two things, the first, a Jewish maid With aught of Jewish feeling in her heart. Would scorn to wed outside her father's faith ! The second, that a Jewish child obeys The parent when he lives, much more when dead ! And as for me, if ever dawns the day When Esther's tongue betrays her father's wish, May Esther's heart no longer beat, her tongue Be paralyzed and all her powers fail ! ( Turns from him) M emu can Thou scornest me? Right well I know that I Have lowered me to speak as I have done! — That I, a Persian prince, should stoop to woo A child of Judah's lowly race! Thou hast Perchance a deeper cause to treat me thus! I know not if thou mockest me to say A Jew his father honors! I have learned The Jews are exiles from their land because They honored not the one they ever call Their Heav'nly Father! Why, then, honor more The one on earth than Him in Heaven? Nay, Thou hast a deeper cause? — a lover, — yes! (Turning to guests) Then speak, ye men, who dares to cross the path Of Memucan? David I, David, son of Hur! Act I 35 Memucan What, thou? Thou slave, thou dog! Then learn from me Thy love shall cause thy death! Thou dog, take that! {As he rushes to stab David, whorn Saul and Asher hold back, Mordecai grasps his hand, Esther shrieks, men move forward as if to fall on him. Girls assume various attitudes of fright. Tab- leau.) Men and Maidens Arrest the hand! Mordecai What would'st thou, madman, now? Memucan I swear to slay the thrice accursed hound! Finale. Chorus. "Away, Thou Traitor!" Mordecai The shadow of my roof, O Persian, Thou forgettest! Learn to know That thou hast outraged what respected Is by even vengeful foe! Memucan By ev'ry god in Persia's heaven, Hear ye all, I solemnly swear To wreak my vengeance on this rival! — {To David) For thy death, thou dog, prepare! 3^ Esther and Harbonah Esther Thou Persian, hear a Jewish maiden Hurl defiance in thy face! Be2:one, and never dare approach me! Judah loathes thy hated race! Ch or us Away, thou traitor, shame upon thee! Friendship, Virtue, Peace, Old Age, Thou dar'st to outrage! Shame upon thee! Carry hence thy cursed rage! {Curtain falls.) ACT I Scene II {Wood scene. Outskirts of Shushan. Bigtan, Tereshj Mama, cloaked and armed. Night.) Bigtan This night's the last! It is the seventh eve Of keeping watch, and Memucan expressed The compact, "Watch for seven nights until You see a Jew called David, son of Hur! Then kill him !" Then he gave description, though I know the man he means! Five hundred coins Of silver will he give us when we can Assure him that his hated foe is dead! Teresh Who comes? Act I 37 Bigtan {Looking out) 'Tis he, at last! Marna Be ready, all! I will accost him. {Enter Asher) Sir, how fares the night? Asher {Aside) Some footpads! What they'll get from me if but They leave my life, I care not! {To Bigtan) All is fair! The moon will rise 'fore ends the watch! Good night! {They hustle him.) Good night, I bid you. {They handle him.) Hey! What would ye? Ho! 'Tis Asher, son of Aaron, let me go ! ( They desist.) Bigtan V faith, he's not the man we seek! {To Asher) Begone ! We did but joke! {They move to the rear.) Asher {Aside) This joke had cost my life, Methinks, if I my name had not declared! But who is he they seek? Some Jew for sure! For never yet was Jew for Persian ta'en! I'll rouse all Jewry! Murder is afoot! Ye villains, I'll defeat your wicked plans! {Exit Asher) Marna A good escape for him! But hist! Again Some footsteps can I hear! Vile fate! It is 38 Esther and Harbonah Some roysterers from out the palace, drunk Like all the rest, while we are parched with thirst! Teresh I think that Memucan should pay for this Some extra coin! We bargained not to be Deprived of joining in the royal feast! {They re- tire , rear.) {Enter Harbonah, Darshom, Nargan, the two latter intoxicated.) Harbonah It was the richest thing! I would I were The King! {Sees the assassins) Whom have we here? {Calls to them) Well met, my friends! {Aside) Three choicest rogues as e'er I saw! Perhaps They'll serve my purpose better than the two I have with me, for Darshom is a fool And Nargan, — he is drunk! {Coming forward) I'll be the death Of Memucan ! I swear to have his life For passing insult on his equal, me, A royal chamberlain! And thus it is To slay him as he comes from out the feast, I, Harbonah, now walk the streets with two Assassins who would slay their very child For money! I'll dismiss the useless pair And hire the others! Yes, I'll manage it! Teresh {To Bigtan and Mama) 'Tis best for us to meet them in their mood ! A pest upon them! In no humor now Act I 39 Am I for jesting! {To Harbonah) Ah, my friend, all hail! What news have you? • Harbonah What? Have you then not heard? Shushan is ringing with it! Why, the queen Is sent away in deep disgrace! Bigtan, Teresh and Mama Indeed ! Dar shorn Of course ! Where have you been ? Pray, are ye all Custodians of peace in great Shushan. And like the finest of police, know naught Of what goes on, when knowing does not pay? Teresh We are not watchmen ! Prithee tell us all ! Nargan Why I, why I, why I, . . . Darshom Be still, thou'rt drunk! {Interrupting) {To Harbonah) Thou, Captain, speak! Thou hast the clearest head! Harbonah For seven daj^s, as ye perchance have heard, The garden of the royal palace free Hath been to all Shushan, both great and small! 40 Esther and Harhonah A Paradise it is, in very truth, Surpassing e'en a poet's wildest dream! Whate'er is beautiful in form is there; What Heaven shows of glorious hues at dawn, Or sunset, there we see, — translucent blue Of azure softness, purple, orange, red, With bloodlike crimson, opal, green and gold — All melting, glowing, dazzling, like as if The skies were robbed of ev'ry rainbow which Hath ever spanned the tearful earth, to deck The scented avenues and leafy groves Of Persia's king! Then lanterns gleam and lights Uncountable of ev'ry color shine And make the whole a scene for gods, not men! On ev'ry side are hanging curtains stretched, Of white and green and blue, all looped with cords Of linen fine! Imperial purple, too. Of Tyrian dye the deepest, meets the gaze! The very rollers are of silver pure, Engraved and polished ! Ev'rywhere are seen Long rows of glistening marble pillars, carved With graceful shapes and wonderful designs From lowest base to lofty architrave! Beneath the vaulting arch and leaf-hid niche Are hidden gold and silver couches, heaped With silks of Ind, Damascus cloth-of-gold And priceless stuffs from earth's most distant ends! The seats and tables are of rarest woods, The former cushioned, piled with yielding shawls! Then here and there are dancing fountains placed With soothing splash to charm the ear as well As please the eyes with spray reflecting lights From every side! The steps, the pavements, all The sweeping terraces, the fountain-beds, Are choicest porphyry or malachite Or rarest marble, yellow, green and white And deepest black! If ever man had glimpse Act I 41 Of Paradise the sight could not have charmed Him more than that which I would fain describe! Nargan Now don't forget the wine ! The scene was grand, I grant you, and the lights were doubled, aye, And trebled as we quaffed the wine! But then Ye gods! The wine was better, thousand times! Harbonah Have done, thou fool! Darshom The wine? Don't talk, I pray! Such drink the gods have not! Three flasks I drank Of Chian wine, the best they had! Each flask Was worth of silver pieces full a score! No stint there was, the king's distinct command Declared the officers should do the will Of ev'ry man as he might wish! We drank From gorgeous cups of gold, of patterns each Diverse from other's shape. But death ! The wine Was grander, I assure you! Harbonah Then the queen A feast for all the women made within The royal palace walls. And here's the joke! The king was merry — who was not indeed? A bet was made who had the fairest wife. The king declared that none with Persia's queen Could e'er compare! — The bet was taken. Then To Memucan, of chamberlains the first, He, angered, spake, for vexed was he 42 Esther and Harbonah Nargan {Interrupting) And drunk Besides! Harbonah Be quiet, sir, I beg! A king Is never drunk! Dar shorn Be still, thou chatter- fool ! Nargan No fool am I ! For Memucan himself Could not fool me! I saw his cunning trick! He plied the king with wine, filled up his cup A score of times, but he himself, I marked, Made but pretense of drinking! No! He kept His own sly brains unfuddled, while he dazed The king's poor head ! Nay more ! I saw him drop A whitish powder in the royal cup Not once, but twice! They both were drunk, I. say! The king with wine, but Memucan was drunk With some desire infernal to persuade The king to grant him gift or privilege ! Darsho?n They say that fools and drunkards tell the truth! What is he? Fool or drunkard? Harbonah {Aside) He is both! But he will serve my purpose well ! ( To the oth- ers) The king To Memucan exclaimed, ''Go fetch the queen — Act I 43 The king commands!" Then quick they went, the whole Of Persia's chamberlains, to bid the queen Appear before the court. They soon returned With blank astonishment depicted on Each face! "O King," said Memucan, "we gave Thy message! But the queen replied, 'Take back This answer to the king! Let him not think That I forget my dignity, as he Doth his, nor yet imagine that his wish Of such a kind will be by me obeyed, To show my face to drunken men ! Thus say, That Vashti, queen of Persia, doth refuse!'" The king arose, and mad. with anger, asked His learned counsellors' advice thereon! The chief of all the seven, Memucan, Then spake: "O, not against the king alone Hath Vashti sinned. To all the nobles, aye, To all the people hath she gi'en offence! For when 'tis known that Vashti dares refuse The king's command, no wife will more obey Her husband's will! If with my word the king Is pleased, he will remove her royal state And choose for queen a maiden who will know Her duty to the king! And let a law Be made for ev'ry province (in its tongue To better understand it) thus to say. That ev'ry husband shall as master rule In his own house!" Ahasuerus thought It good advice and now 'tis law. This ends The story, friends! 'Tis late! Good night! Biff tan Good night! Harbonah {Aside to Bigtan) Thou know'st the gate that leads the way to great Damascus; meet me there, for friends I need! 44 Esther and Harbonah {Exeunt Harbonah, Darshom, Nargan.) Teresh Well, well, we live and learn, we live and learn! And so no queen now graces Persia's throne! Marna I hear a voice, — be still, it sings a tune I've heard from Jewish throat, — may be 'tis he At last! Bigtan I hope it is, I'm tired enough! David {Outside, gradually coming nearer) Song. "I Hear the Thrush" I hear the thrush make heaven ring With melody glorious, pure and sweet, Till echoes jealous 'gin to sing And answering soft the song repeat! Ah ha! {Flute answers.) Ah ha! {Flute an- swers.) Oh glorious light, oh sunshine bright! My heart with joy is stirred, — To giddiest height I wing my flight! Thus sings the gladsome bird! Ah ha! Ah ha! {Js before) Oh glorious light. Oh sunshine bright, My heart with joy is stirred. To giddiest height I wing my flight! — The echoes thus were heard! {David enters as he ends the song.) Act I 45 Teresh Thou'rt merry, friend! By Jews Marna I know the song, 'tis sung David Well, I'm a Jew and so I sing It! David, son of Hiir's my name, and truth To tell, there's none more honorable known! {They approach him.) Good night, good friends! {They press around him.) Keep off! What! Help!— Ho! Help! Bigtan {Stabbing him) Take that, thou David, son of Hur! Teresh And that! Marna And that from Memucan! Our task is done! {Exeunt Bigtan, Teresh and Marna.) David {Falls) Ah me! Oh Esther! Ah! I die!— Ho, help! {Enter crowd with Mordecai and Asher.) 46 Esther and Harbonah Mordecai Who cried for help? — What? Some man stabbed? A Jew By vestment! — Oh, great heaven! — David, w^hat! Explain! — {Aside) Oh, Esther! Woe for thee! {Mordecai raises David's head on his knees; chorus group round thenij in attitude of sorrow, rage, fear, etc.) David Oh, v^^oe! Prayer. ''As the Hart by Hounds is HuntedT As the hart by hounds is hunted, So is Jacob by the foe Who remorselessly pursues him! Thou dost see it! Thou dost know! Vengeance, Heaven, thus we cry, We, Thy sons in stranger's land! Vengeance! Vengeance! From on high, Vengeance on the murd'ring hand! David {Dying) Oh Mordecai ! 'Twas Memucan who vowed To slay me, — Esther, — tell her that I die — While breathing forth her loved name, — my heart Was hers, — I die — while breathing — forth — her name! Prayer. ''Peace, O Friends, His Soul Is Passing/'^ Peace, O friends! His soul is passing! See, his life-blood stains the sod! May his soul be — Hush — Attend ye — Shema Israel Hashem Echod! Curtain ACT II Scene I {Esther s room. Maidens assembled as in Act I, Scene I. Four years are supposed to have passed^ ) Song. The Zephyr and the Rosebud The Zephyr kissed the Rose-bud and she hung her head and wept; But Zephyr whispered softly while away he gen- tly swept The rain-drops which, like trembling tears had gemmed her folded leaves, * According to the Book of Esther, the king feasted his great gathering of nobles and commoners in the third year of his reign (Chapter I, v, 3), and Esther was taken to the king in the seventh year. (II, 16) — an interval of four years. Towards the end of 484 B.C.E., Xerxes returned to Susa (Shusha-n) and con- vened a great council to debate his proposed expedition against Greece (Herod I, vii, 7). He invaded Greece in the year 480 B.C.E., returned to Asia defeated after the battle of Salamis, 480 B.C.E., four years after his great council. Xerxes abandoned himself to luxury and ease (Ctes. c. ii, Diod. 1, xi, Justin 1, iii, 1). The conduct of Artabanus, a favorite, in conspiring against him, and seeking to gain the throne, a sad abuse of wine at a banquet are historical facts which I have utilized in the play. See Rollin Hist., Vol. II. 47 48 Esther and Harbonah And this is what he whispered, *'0, I'll die if Rosebud grieves! O Rosebud, Rosebud, lift thy head; Thy lover speaks to thee! O Rosebud, Rosebud, I would wed Thy sweetness all to me! II The Rosebud heard and wavered, then she raised her head and blushed And slowly opened leaflets, each with wondrous beauty flushed; But Zephyr stole her sweetness, then, O faithless! off he hied. To other lands, while Rosebud drooped and pined away and died! O Rosebud, Rosebud, live again. Thy lover speaks to thee! But all the answer was the rain Which pattered, "No, not he!" Sosana Hast heard that Jered, son of Issachar, Hath wed a Persian maid? Bataina I wonder not ! His father cared but little for the laws Of our beloved religion! He was what Is called *'a Jew at heart," that is, he had No heart for Jewish duty! Synagogue He did not visit. Worship in his home — He knew it not ! His sons and daughters grew To manhood and to womanhood without A knowledge of the duties, Faith and Hopes Of Israel! What else can we expect? Act II 49 The daughters marry out the faith or wed Some "Jew at heart" — some compromising cur Who hath no heart for God, no heart for aught Save worldly pleasure, worldly aim — as if A life without a God could be a life Worth living! Arbanahal O, I hate the canting phrase, "I am a Jew at heart," from out the lips Of dastard Jew who like a non-Jew lives — Who breaks the Sabbath, scorns the Law, who lies When saying, "I love God!" The test of love Is sacrifice we make for those we love. What sacrifice make "Jews at heart," like these, To prove their love for Him they dare call God? Batatna This Jered, son of Issachar — take him As our example! Call ye him a man? His widowed mother lives, a loving heart That loves and fears and serves her God. She tried To lead her sons and daughters in her faith. But husband helped her not! And uncles, aunts, Companions, mocked at ev'ry sacred form! Poor soul! she grieved, she mourned, because her son Took wife outside her faith ! That son ! That cur I Zaphra He knew his mother loved him well! He knew She bore for him the pains of motherhood; He knew she watched his infant life, his years Of tender childhood, aye, he knew it was Her loving hand that bathed his fevered brow, 50 Esther and Harbonah That watched the night beside the bed whereon He tossed in pain or sickness! O, he knew What mother's love and mother's sacrifice Had meant for him! and now he pays her back! His fist he dashes in that gentle face! Her tender heart he rends! Her love he flouts! His love for her counts nought beside his love For woman of a faith that hates his tribe! Immi Who marries out of faith in which he's born Deserves, obtains, the world's contempt and scorn! Tamar And as for him, to sacrifice the least For her who sacrificed for him so much — The dastard had not strength of will to snap Love's thread before it grew to be a rope That strangled duty, gratitude, and more, Killed manhood, for it made a man a cur! Im mi If he reflect, he must despise himself Whene'er he thinks of mother's pain, e'en though She suffers silently, as mothers do! Bataina Can man find happiness in wedded life If parent's grief proclaims his treachery, Ingratitude and moral cowardice? Tamar But worse than all, to know that he hath been A traitor to his race, his faith, his God! Act II 51 Immi Thy words are true, most true! The man or maid Who marries one of ah'en faith cannot Expect a happy married life. For how- Can happiness exist when heart's remorse Is quickened by the thought of memory Of parent dead who, if in life, would ne'er Approve? Or how can happiness exist For son or daughter wed with consciousness That he or she by taking spouse outside The father's faith hath hastened father's death, Or aged the mother, bent her gentle frame With pain, humiliation, all the more Pathetic since, through love, in silence borne! Sosana Some men, some maids, are made of selfishness. The mem'ry of the dead, or love for those That live, counts naught. How can it when the thought Of God Himself counts naught? Myrrhine The tragedy Becomes complete and come it must and will. The family becomes a curse, because For others one example leads the way! What should be done to keep the others true? Immi What should be done? Should man from truthful- ness Depart to make his gain ? Should merchant swerve From honor's line for profit men condemn? 5^ Esther and Harbonah Should soldier be disloyal to his flag Because his puling child would call to him? Then why should one, to gain his peace of mind, Depart from loyalty to God because His child to God hath been disloyal? Why Shall parent compromise with honor just To keep or win the love of traitor-child — To gain the profit of a traitor's love, A love proved false in that it stood not test? And why shall father, mother, prove to be Disloyal to their God to countenance, Or compromise, forgive disloyalty? 'Tis agony for soldier when he leaves His loved ones! He obeys! For duty calls! 'Tis sorrow for a martyr when he thinks Of loved wife or child he leaves to fight A cruel world! He dies! For duty calls! The hero dares and dies! For duty calls! Let parent say. My God, my duty calls! A soldier's heart, a crown of martyrdom, Some heroism let me have to dare To serve my own, my father's God! My son Hath closed his heart to me; his love was but Pretense — my heart, my door is closed to him ! His love is dear to me, but yet my love For God is dearer yet! My daughter, false To me and worse, so false to God, may not Bring traitress-kisses born from traitress-heart! O agony, O nameless pain when child Betrays his sires, his faith, his race, his God! Sosana We live in mournful days! Besides the news Of Jered I have learned that fifteen Jews Were murdered as they went to port of Tyre, Through treachery that calls to mind the death Act II 53 Of our beloved David, Esther's love. ( To Arbana- hal) How long since thou hast seen sweet Esther? Strange That those who are so gentle meet such woe! Arbanahal Some days have passed since last we met. (Look- ing out) But there She comes. Bataina Last night she dreamed, so says Myrrhine, The mystic dream. 'Tis wonderful how swayed Her mind hath been since that eventful night. Myrrhine In truth she hath not been herself since then. {Enter Esther) Esther {Dreamily) "Thou art the humble myrtle, Esther, thou The myrtle, Hadassah, — the myrtle, thou!" {Sits on couch) Myrrhine 'Tis thus she ever is until the time Arrives for Mordecai's return; she then Is roused and seems to be more like herself. {Enter Mordecai) M or dec at Ah floweret, art well this morn? Indeed I hope so! 54 Esther and Harbonah Esther {Arousing herself) Aye, I think I am, but yet At times I feel so sad, so sad, and seem All things around me to forget! {Enter Saul, Kish, Asher, and others) Saul Good friends, We greet you! We have come to tell you that The king hath just been pleased to publish new A law, which, certes, means a loss for us! Zaphra {To Saul) Be careful what you say! Last night she dreamed That dream again, and is again so moved. So much affected, that we are afraid! And, more, this morn commemorates the day When David met his mournful fate! Saul 'Tis true! 'Tis true! Forgive me, for I did but jest! But now remembering her grief, all mirth Departs, like when the sparkle on the pool Is lost beneath the passing cloud that hides The joyous sunshine. David was as good A youth as ever won the prize of love From maiden's heart! And Esther — 'deed I am In sore distress to see her thus, poor soul! Tamar I hear the tramp of soldiers! Asher, see What passes! Times are such that none can say What strange things come! Act II 55 Asher {At lattice) A captain's guard Comes down the street. It halts! The captain seems To look for something! Ha! He pauses here! — He knocks! — He enters! — And two men on guard He's stationed at the door! {Enter Captain) Captain Does Mordecai The Jew, live here? Mordecai He does. Captain Is Hadassah, Or Esther, still his ward ? Mordecai She is, and, lo. She stands before thee! Captain Read this missive then! Esther {Reads) The dews have fallen many times. The moon Hath waned and grown again while changing months Have brought the changing seasons. Nature's face Hath changed. And so hath Heaven's firmament, As storm clouds sweeping o'er have been displaced 56 Esther and Harbonah By glowing sunshine, and the frown of night E^ch day 'fore dawn's bewitching beauty fled To western skies. But earth and heaven both May change, yet he who writes this changeth not! Thou did'st refuse to wed me, me, a Prince! I vowed revenge. My purpose hath not changed All these four years. At last my chance hath come. Thou know'st that Vashti reigns as queen no more. At my suggestion, all the maidens fair Must come before the king, that he may choose For queen to grace his throne, the maid whose charms Of witching loveliness around his heart Shall weave that chain which not the strongest man Can break, — what poets rave about, — what kings And peasants all experience, — what fills The veins with fevered blood and sends it on With bounding rush to heart and brain, to drive All other thoughts from both! — They call it Love! By formal edict now the law is made That ev'ry maid from ev'ry town must go Before the King. Think not that thou art safe! Think not the love of Mordecai, his wealth, His wit shall save thee! Ah! Thou said'st thy life Thou'dst forfeit ere thou wouldst consent to wed Outside thy father's faith ! Thou must obey The king! He sends for thee, for Esther, ward Of Mordecai the Jew: — 'Twas I who gave Thy name! 'Tis I who send the guard! 'Tis I Who tear thee from thy home! And if mischance Should place the crown upon thy brow, within A day I'd poison thee! I have the means! But know the fate as my revenge shall glut My soul! I'll sway the king to send thee far From kinsfolk, friends, and all thou lov'st, to be A slave, a royal gift to some satrap. And in a distant province, where the blasts Act II 57 From out the icy northland herald snows Which hide earth's barrenness for half the year, Shalt thou, unloved, unknown, drag out thy life In wretchedness debased, till death shall come Too tardy for thy prayers! Thy curse shall meet Each day! Thy sigh shall greet each hour! Thy tears Shall mark the night's slow progress! Faint shall be Thy heart with vain regret, and crushed shall be Thy spirit as thy tortured soul shall writhe In frenzy born of anguish and remorse! I swore I'd be revenged! — I never change! — And thus shalt thou remember Memucan. Saul Give me that letter! Friends, was ever heard Such evidence that human villainy Can so distort the human mind, — that hand And brain and heart so treacherously fail To show the presence of the soul, the spark Divine? O villain! Though thou art a prince, And I a lowly Jew, I swear by all That's holy, that thy cowardice, in thus Addressing one who, being woman, must Command respect from ev'ry man whose heart Is loyal to his manhood, shall receive Its punishment! Batatna O Saul, thy tongue will cost Thy life! Saul Then let it cost my life! What worth Is life if all we love is thus debased? O men, by manhood, by our life, our love For God, — let us resist! 58 Esther and Harbonah Asher Aye, David's blood Cries loud to us! Shall we stand by and let The maid he loved become the prey of one Whom men call Memucan, but whom we call A devil, fiend incarnate? By the soul Of my dead father, Esther shall not go! Kish No, no! Shall we permit our maids to be Thus torn from home, from purity, from all That's holy, to become dishonored toys For Persia's vile nobility? I swear It shall not be! Come, brothers, fight, I say! Myrrhine Yea, fight! O save us from this dreadful fate! To leave our home, and all we love, to live Amidst surroundings where we cannot serve Our God, as father, mother, served Him all Their lives! Ye men! Be craven cowards, or Be men! {The men gather in front of the women and men- ace the captain and the guard. Esther makes her way to the walh keeping her face towards the captain.) Esther I will not go! I'll die before I'll wed outside my faith! {Seizes a dagger from the wall, attempts to stab herself. The cap- tain leaps to her side and seizes her wrist.) My dream! O God! My father's dying word — "Except a king!" — Act II 59 God of Israel! I cannot think! O! Must I give my honor that my race From some impending danger shall be saved? All Thou shalt not go ! ( The men seize weapons from the walls.) Captain I must arrest her, then! My orders are to take her to Hagai, The keeper of the women for the king, And friend of Memucan — vv^orst fate for her! My orders say, {Reading) If Mordecai would bribe, Refuse! If friends resist, then cut them down! They're only dogs! But by thy life, bring her By force as I command! All It shall not be! {Saul throws himself on the cap- tain. Two of the guards throw him down. The other men prepare to fight.) Esther Shall I bring death to these my friends? My God! Where is my duty? O, I go! Holdback! {Asher falls, stabbed by one of the guard. Esther shrieks. ) 1 go! I go! No blood shall fall for me! {The men draw off, Mordecai advances.) Mordecai {Taking her hand) Thou'rt dazed, my child, and art not well! Thou knowest not what thou art speaking! Try 6o Esther and Harbonah And calm thyself! I'll see the chamberlain! I have his friendship! — Once I saved his life! I'll offer all my wealth to keep thee home! Without thee, life for me will be so dark That reason will its seat forsake! For death I'd pray! — And yet I'd pray to live, — I'd die In agony of pain without thy voice To thrill my heart, — I'd live to rescue thee From fate most awful, whether spouse of king Or slave of vassal! Esther {Kneeling) No, O Mordecai, My kinsman, nay, my father, hear thy child! I must go hence at once! The king commands! My destiny, — my fate impels, — and I Obey. (Cries) Mordecai O Esther, Hadassah! Esther (Starts to her feet) Ah me! That name! The angel spake it in my dream! (Walks forward) "Thou art the humble myrtle, — Esther, thou, The myrtle, Hadassah, the myrtle, thou! (Excitedly) Thou fate, I go! I go! O father, thou Must try forget me! (Weeps) Mordecai Nay, my darling, what Is it that so distresses thee? O speak. For thou dost rend my heart! O misery! Act II 6i Chorus. "Lo, How Awful Is th' Emotion!" Lo! How awful is th' emotion Moving thus her gentle frame! Doth her dream tell Heaven's bidding? Do the fates their victim claim? To the Higher Power, Esther, We commend thee, we, thy friends! Esther Heaven's voice is calling, saying That my destiny is working. Thus I go, its will obeying. Meeting all the perils lurking In the dark and mystic future, Threatening the chosen race! Myrrhtne Darling, listen to us praying Heaven's aid, that any parting Be prevented, thus allaying Sorrow's pain which now is darting Through the hearts of all thy friends — All thy friends who love thee well! Mordecai Daughter, what is it possessing Mystic pow'r o'er thy affection, Grieving us and thee distressing? Pause and think in calm reflection. — Dost thou love me? Dost thou love me? Would that I could die for thee! Esther {Taking Mordecai s hand between hers, and kneel- ing) &2 Esther and Harbonah O father, press me not, for I must leave Thy roof which long hath sheltered me and go Where fate commands me! Let me know each day How thou art faring! Once immured within The royal palace-halls it may be hard For me to freely hear from thee, or thou From me, — for spies abound, I know it well! But if thou hast of news important, such As thou would'st have me know by trusty slave, Then this thou'lt do! Be near at hand and ask To see the queen's own private choir, and bid Them sing to me a Hebrew melody Which I will recognize as warning me, According as it is Hallel of praise Or mournful song to mournful numbers wed. That thou hast news of good or ill. Farewell! Alas, farewell! I must obey my fate! {Mordecai caresses her.) Nay, do not try to keep me! Heaven knows My heart is broken thus to leave the home Where love of thine e'er chased all cares away! 'Tis God who calls me forth! As well attempt To stay our fate as stay the cataract That leaps from Ombra's heights with seething flood To find its bed in dark and deep abyss Below! What lies for me in future stored I know and care not! Firm in trust in God {Aris- ing) I go prepared for all! Aye, myrtle braves The coming tempest as my dream foretold, And Esther goes, perhaps a sacrifice For Judah's race! If storms be coming, black With Persia's hate and doomed to burst upon The heads of our devoted nation, I Will dare the tyrant, if I die, I die! This, this is Esther's mission! Come the worst, Act II 63 Ye stormclouds, I, the humble myrtle first Will break your strength with Heaven's aid! Come fate, come fate, thy will shall be obeyed! Chorus. Hearken to Thy Sons Hearken to thy son's offending Asking mercy ! — Let Thine ears Heed our cry! — Do Thou, descending, Answer with Thy help the tears Of the exiled, outcast band Trembling in the foeman's land! Curtain ACT III Scene I {An interval of four years is supposed to intelvene,) King*s reception chamber. Courtiers seated. Guards with weapons, ushers in front with staves of office. The royal throne is in the centre, on a raised platform with steps. Haman and Hatach are in front. Harbonah is seated near the thronCj and watches them. Haman (To Hatach) How sayest thou? He would not bend nor bow To me, the King's Vizier? Hatach E'en so, great Prince! For many days we chided him and asked Him how he dared transgress the king's command And neither bend nor bow to thee, as saith The royal order. Haman Knowest thou his name? Hatach *Tis Mordecai, his sire, Jair; whose sire, Shim'i was son of Kish, a Benjamite, 64 Act in 65 Whom Nebuchadnezzar took captive with The king of Judah. {Exit Hatach) Haman What? 'Tis Mordecai! Again he crosses me? 'Tis well for him He gazes on the ground when I behold His stubborn form erect 'mong all the throng! Had I but viewed his face, the ev'ning sun Had certain seen him hanged ! What wretched fate Brings him again to make me gnash my teeth With anger and vexation? Twice oJBEence He's given me! Eight years ago he mocked My need ! For when I bade him come to me That I might ask his money-aid, he failed To see that I had honored him in that I asked a Jew to enter Persian's house! He mocked me and declared that he was not A money-lender, since to Persian rogues That trade he left! Again when I had thought To win his money and his ward at once, He took me to his house and made me ask The maiden's own consent! Right well he knew That she would mock at me! I'll be avenged And have his life! Like David, son of Hur, The Jewish lover of that maid I wooed, He'll pay the penalty of crossing me! — I'll have his life! And more, his hated race Shall die with him! {Musing) But how to do it? How To get the king's consent? Is there a man So much annoyed as I ? He will not bend To me! The tree that bends not, breaks! Aye, he And all his cursed race shall die! I swear By Persia's gods it shall be done! But how? {Walks thoughtfully) 66 Esther and Harbonah Harbonah {Accosting him) My lord is very thoughtful! Can I ease His mind's anxiety? {Aside) I would his heart Were racked to pieces with it! Haman Aye, thou canst; {Significantly) The traitors 'round the king must be removed! Harbonah The traitors? Thou art jesting! Haman I am not! I have discovered that a certain prince Much honored by the king, had dealings vile With both Bigtan and Teresh who the life Of Persia's king attempted. Harbonah Good my lord, It grieves me thus to hear thee speak! Haman 'Twill grieve Thee more 'fore I have done, — for Harbonah Is charged with knowing more of these two men Than trusted chamberlain should know! Harbonah What? I? Act in 67 Haman Yes, thou! As traitor do I charge thee to Thy face! , Harbonah {Angrily) Prince Haman! I deny it! Twice Hast thou affronted me without the right Of justice! {Recovering himself and bowing) Yet I love thy grace so well That never can I take offense from thee! I know not aught of that vile plot! I swear My innocence by all the gods above! Haman Didst ever hire Bigtan and Teresh with Accomplices most desperate, to kill The object of thy burning wrath and hate? Harbonah Aye, so I did! But not to slay the king — 'Twas but to slay a Jew, a wretched Jew Who'd angered me, {Keenly watching Haman), one David, son of Hur! Haman {Aside, starting involuntarily) Another secret known ! Harbonah Was that a crime? {Aside) I had you there! I love you! Yes, so much, That if thou wert to lie beneath my feet, I'd leave thee not until the life were stamped 68 V, Esther and Harbonah From out thy hated body! Once thou hadst The luck to 'scape my vengeance! Now thou'rt back From fighting Persia's outside foes, thou hast An enemy more dangerous at home In me! And by the gods, I'll be avenged! Haman {Coming forward) We must be friends; and I w^ill save you all The danger of the charge already made Before the king! Harbonah I thank thee, Prince. Thou know'st That I regard thee as my brother! {Aside) He Or I must fall, and that right soon! On which Of us does fortune smile? Ushers outside "The king!" Ushers inside "The king!" {All rise. Haman and Harbonah take their sta- tions by the throne. The guards prepare to sa- lute. Enter procession in the following order: Chamberlain, guards, ushers, pages bearing scepter on cushion; guards, Hatach, royal crown on cushion, the king, whose entry is ac- companied by all the courtiers bowing oriental fashion {Salaam) until he ascends the throne. Pages bear train. At end of each throne-step two pages sit, except on the top-step which is left vacant. Crown and scepter supported on Act III 69 the knees of pages on second step, until the ushers and guards closing the procession have entered and taken up their positions. Scepter then presented to the King.) Chorus. "All Hail of Earthly Kings the First!" All hail of earthly kings the first! Long live the king, we cry! May all his foes be e'er dispersed Like clouds across the sky! As bend the boughs when tempest blows, As leaves in autumn fall, So bend and fall all Persia's foes, In vain for help they call! From lands remote, the captives bring For tribute all their store; Long live the mighty Persian king, The conqueror in war! King What state-afifairs now claim our royal heed? Haman Of pressing haste there's nought, your majesty, There's nought of outward source. Thy realms at peace From India to Cush, of provinces A hundred twenty-seven, over which Thy rule extends. For who can stand before The power of thine arms? There's none on earth! Peace reigns supreme! A deputation waits From all thy provinces to tender thee 70 Esther and Harbonah Their duty and congratulations true By paying homage on this day that marks Thy kingdom's happy anniversary. King The royal thanks are thine! To thee belongs The credit for reducing all to peace Beneath our sway! What can we in reward Bestow upon our trusty Haman? We Would fain express the approbation which He earns, and give substantial proof of what We mean! Haman Your Majesty is much too good! Already hast thou placed me 'fore the rest Of all thy court! That Haman loves the king, He need hot say! {Hesitatingly) And loving him, he feels Distressed ! King What? Speak, what cause exists that thou Of all my courtiers now shouldst feel distressed? Haman Your Majesty, there is a people which Dispersed and scattered through thy realms are yet Among thy subjects separated. Yea, The laws that govern them are different From those of ev'ry nation, and the laws Of Persia's king they do not execute, Nor is it to thy profit that thou shouldst This people tolerate. Now if it please The king, so great the love of duty which Act III 71 I bear thee, let an edict be decreed Commanding their destruction, and a sum Of silver talents will I pay, in all Ten thousand, to the treasures of the king. King Ah, Haman! Ever loving, ever true And never knowing sacrifice too great! The silver thou shalt keep. And now to show That we appreciate thy watchfulness For Persia's glory which this people hold In no respect, in that they honor not The laws that we have passed, I give them all To thee, to do with them what seemeth good! And this I hand to thee, the royal seal, {Giving Haman his ring) That all may do thy bidding! Haman {Kneeling) What I say But feebly echoes what of gratitude I would express for favor undeserved. There is no haste King {Interrupting) Solicitous am I To execute thy plans ! Call in the scribes. What time dost thou prefer? What month? What day? {Enter scribes.) Haman The thirteenth day of what they call Adar. {Aside) So said the lots I cast! — ^Ye gods! I wind The king around my finger like a straw ! 72 Esther and Harbonah King (To scribes) To governors and princes, all who rule In Persia's name, in ev'ry province thus The king commands and seals it with his ring; That all the Jews in all the realm shall die The thirteenth day of month Adar, the old And young, the women; and the children; all Their goods to be the spoil of him who likes! Let this be sent by royal post throughout The hundred twenty-seven provinces. And be it now proclaimed with trumpet sound From off the royal palace terraces! {Trumpets sound without. Procla?nation repeated,) Chorus. (Mob outside) Down with the Jews Down with the Jews! Down with the Jews! Death to the nation which dares to refuse To honor the laws of the king of the realm! Ho! Slaughter and plunder — Up! Slay, over- whelm In death and destruction the whole of the race! Ho! Death to the nation! We'll leave not a trace Of people so hated! With fire and with sword We'll kill throughout Persia the thrice cursed horde ! Officers of the Court Your Majesty, a deputation waits And asks thy grace to enter and be heard ! Kinff Did ever Persia's king refuse to hear Act III 73 The prayers of his people? Bid them come! {Enter a deputation of Hebrews. King extends his scepter to the leader.) Spokesman Your Majesty, may Heaven bless thy pow'r! Thy servants, wt, the heads of synagogues And colleges, w^ere passing by the gate Of this thy palace, in the bridal train Of one who weds to-day the head of all The Jews within thy realm. O let us speak! Thy proclamation have we heard ! We come Entreating thee before it is too late, Lest word of thine shall loose foul massacre, Rapine and Hate, against thy Hebrew slaves! What have we done, — what is our crime? King Enough ! When once the royal word is passed, 'tis law! And by the law of Persians and of Medes, A law once passed can never be recalled! Chorus. In Anguish We Cry Father in Heaven, in anguish we cry To Thee, our Protector! O send from on high Message of comfort; O stretch out Thy hand And rescue Thy servants in enemy's land! O Thou Omnipotent, humbly we cry! As panteth the hart in his thirst for the stream, So sigh we for mercy, — Bestow but a gleam Of hope for Thy people. Thou, throned above! O haste to our Help, through Thy fatherly love! Father Omnipotent, humbly we cry! 74 Esther and Harbonah ( This chorus of the Hebrews may be repeated, while the mob outside sings as folloivSj the music of the prayer and the mob-chorus har- monising, while the courtiers blend the melody of the "All Hail of Earthly Kings.") Chorus of Mob {Outside). "The Ravens Shall Glut!" The ravens shall glut on the feast to be spread! The land shall be hid 'neath the heaps of their dead! The echoes shall answer their last dying cry, The flames leaping upward shall redden the sky And feed on their bodies, till furious and wild They end the whole nation, man, woman and child. Then down with the Jews! Ho! Death to the Jews! Ye gods of great Persia, bring death to the Jews! Curtain falls Scene II {Esther s apartment in the royal palace; couches, etc. Myrrhine and Zerdatha. Queen s Choir outside) Myrrhine Zerdatha, has the queen retired to-day? Zerdatha She has, at least I hope she has! Myrrhine And why? Act III 75 Zerdatha Because the outcry raised against the Jews Fills all the palace. Myrrhine {Astonished) What is that thou say'st? Zerdatha Against the Jews? Why, yes! Hast thou not heard? Myrrhine Zerdatha, no! I prithee tell me all! Zerdatha The king, at Haman's pray'r, hath made a law That all the Jews in ail the realm shall die The thirteenth of the month Adar, the old, The young, the women and the children; and Their goods shall be the spoil of him who likes! When first he made the law that ev'ry man Should be the master in his house, they all Who heard it wondered what was meant! And now He makes a law to kill the Jews; a race So harmless! All Shushan is much perplexed! Myrrhine {Aside) Great heaven! Woe, my mistress! See, she comes! {Enter Esther) Esther {Takes seat on couch) For four years, aye, and more, have I been queen And never once the mystic cause that sent 76 Esther and Harbonah Me from my childhood's roof have I forgot. But yesternight the old, old dream appalled Me with its vividness. In all the years That I have passed within these walls, not once It came to me until the night which just Hath fled! Myrrhine Your Majesty is sad to-day! Esther Myrrhine, the olden name hath sweeter sound! I love not state, and in my chamber 'lone With thee, I would have none of it! God know'th That I detest the glory of a queen! I hate this state! I loathe this wedded life! {Weeps J then rises in prayer.) O God! Thou know'st my heart, my agony! My queenship I abhor ! The crown, the robes Of royalty I never wear unless Compelled ! The court, the life, the food, I loathe ! Not once hath unclean food defiled my soul! Thy Holy Days, Thy Sabbaths, I have kept! But never peace of soul have I, Thy child, Once known since I was torn from Mordecai And dragged to this accursed agony Of gilded prison-shame, of womanhood Degraded! God of Abraham, my trust Is firm in Thee! Is firm in Thee! Myrrhine What ails My darling? {Leads her to a couch) Esther Yesternight I dreamt the dream Again. Thou canst remember it? Act III 77 Myrrhine Ah, yes! Esther (Soft music) And when the mystic voice declared that I Was Hadassah the myrtle, soft I heard An angels' chorus sings "The time's at hand!" I started in my dream. I waked, and saw A brilliant flash of glorious light fly swift Across the sky! And since that moment, I Have heard the angels' voices ever chant "The time's at hand," "The time's at hand!" While I Am conscious of the helpless feeling which Before possessed me! Destiny is like A mighty torrent, carrying all with flood Resistless! How can I withstand it, if I would? (Zerdatha fans the queen as she reclines on couch.) Myrrhine {Comes forward) 'Tis strange that Esther dreams again The very night succeeding this command To slaughter all her people! Can it be That she is heaven-chosen, and designed To save our race beneath the peril which Endangers our existence? True it is, As Judah's sages teach, a Providence Protects the chosen nation, and to save Us watches ever! But is Esther queen To bring about our nation's safety? She Is queen because a dream enthralled her mind. That dream! Did Heaven send it? God will tell! Of old the finger of the Lord for us In Egypt moved; — perchance it moveth now! 78 Esther and Harbonah Zerdatha Now if it please your majesty to call The royal singers, they will sing and chase Away the care which sits enthroned upon Thy brow, sweet Hadassah! Esther Aye — let them sing Without the chamber, that the music soft May sound, and be in more accord with what My heart now feels — misgiving — sadness — woe! {As she reclines, a few bars are played of the psalm for the house of mourning*) {Esther listens, startled and in fear. The choir hardly sings a line before she starts up with a cry, exclaiming) The song of death ! The song of death ! — 'Tis sung Where dead are mourned! Alas for Mordecai! He's dead! He's dead, — and I was not with him! {She buries her face in the cushions, convulsed with grief; Myrrhine and Zerdatha comfort her.) Choir outside. Psalm xlix "O hearken to this, all ye people, I pray. Both humble and high, aye, both needy and rich, All dwellers of earth, O give ear and attend! * This belongs to the class of melodies known as Al- martaye, from the Spanish "El Mortaja," "hymn of the shroud" (Sachs). Jellinek derives it from the Ara- bic, equivalent to Oratio funebris. (D. A. de Sola. Essay on ancient music of Spanish and Portuguese Jews, London, 1857). Act in 79 My mouth shall give utt'rance to things that are wise! Mine ear I'll incline to the parable dark, And open my myst'ry with harps' sweetest chord! Oh why shall I fear for the darkest of days? Can guile of deceivers encompass me? The wise and the foolish all perish alike, The vile and the good, all are mortals and die." Myrrhine Esther, fear not! Rather let me send For Mordecai; he lives; he is not dead! Zerdatha 1 saw him as he went from out the gate This very morning, for he passed beneath My lattice! Esther {Moaning) Send, Oh, send for Mordecai! Myrrhine {To page) Is Hatach there in waiting? {Exit and enter page) Page Hatach comes! {Enter Hatach) Myrrhine What news is there of Mordecai who sits Beneath the palace gate? Hatach The law declares That no man enters royal presence clad 8o Esther and Harbonah In sackcloth or with signs of mourning. Thus Hath Mordecai departed from the gate. Esther {Alarmed) What's that thou say est! Go to Mordecai And take him clothes and bid him cast aside The sackcloth! Ask him what it is and why He mourns! {Exit Hatach) I feel, I know, some ill impends! Choir. Fret Not. Psalm XXXVII "Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity, For they shall soon be cut down like grass, and wither as the green herb. Trust in the Lord and do good ; so shalt thou dwell in the land and verily thou shalt be fed. Delight thyself also in the Lord; and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the Lord ; trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass; And He shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noon-day. Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him; fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass." Hatach Your Majesty, a message thus he sends, — That Haman promises to pay the king A sum of money that he may destroy The Jews, and thus it is expressed in this A copy of the law which thou'rt to read. Act in 8i Myrrhine {Takes the paper from him and reads:) "That all the Jews In all the realm shall die The thirteenth of the month Adar, the old And young, the women and the children, and Their goods to be the spoil of him who likes." Hatach And thus I am to speak to thee, the queen, From Mordecai, that thou must go thyself And supplicate the king to save thy race. Esther {Aside) My dream! At last, my dream! I go! Oh, fate! I go! Yet stay — {Hesitates) My heart misgives me — death Is said to be the penalty for those Who go unsummoned 'fore the king; then how Can I attempt to see him? I'll — No, I — Great God of Israel! What shall I do? — A woman weak! — I know not how to act! — {Pauses and thinks a moment) Say this to Mordecai: he surely knows. As all in Persia know, that no one dares To enter royal presence in the court Where king is throned, except that he be called. Nor man nor woman dare intrude, for death's Declared the penalty by Persia's law. And I for thirty days have not been called. Thus say to Mordecai, I dare not go! {Exit Ha- tach) But yet should not the myrtle dare the storm? 82 Esther and Harbonah Oh! God forgive me! What is it I said? I go! (Cfl//^) Ho! Hatach! Call him back! Say true To fate the myrtle goes! Queen Esther goes! For God's my help — I go — O say I go! Myrrhine Be strong! O Hadassah! Alas, the day That thou didst leave the roof of Mordecai! Esther {Excited) No, no! 'Twas fate! 'Twas destiny, in truth 'Twas God! Yes, Esther goes! I go! I go! Myrrhine Remember, Heaven never fails to save The sons of Jacob in emergency! Esther We'll pray for aid. {To page) Go, bid them sing the hymn Consigning us and all we have to God. {Exit page to choir) Choir {outside) Psalm cxxiii: I Lift Up Mine Eyes to the Mountains "I lift up mine eyes to the mountains, whence Com- eth my help. . . ." {Enter Hatach) Hatach Thus Mordecai commands me to the queen: "Imagine not within thy soul that thou ( Act III 83 Shalt find escape in palace walls of all The Jews. For if thou wilt indeed maintain A silence now, be sure enlargement and Deliverance shall rise from other source To save the Jews. But thou, thy father's house, Shall surely die! And who can know but that For such a time as this thou wert enthroned As Persia's queen?" Esther Return to Mordecai, For Esther knows herself again and now She falters not! And thus thou art to say: "Go, gather all the Jews Shushan can count And fast for me; aye, neither eat nor drink By day or night until three days be passed ; And thus will I and all my maids as well. Then Esther goes before the royal throne, — Against the law, — but Hadassah dares all, And if I perish, then I perish! Aye, At last I face my mission! Come the worst, Ye storm-clouds! I, the myrtle, first Shall break your strength with Heaven's aid! Come, fate ; come, fate, thy will is now obeyed ! Choir. {Concluding verse of ancient hymn) He is our God, our Savior He, Our sheltering rock in sad misfortune's hour, Our standard, refuge, portion shall He be. Our lot's Disposer when we seek His pow'r. Into His hands our spirit we consign Whilst wrapped in sleep, that we again may wake: And with our soul, our body we resign The Lord with us — no fears our soul can shake I Curtain 84 Esther and Harbonah Scene III {King's reception chamber. King seated, Harbonah standing before him. Biztha, other chamber- lains , guards.) King {To Harbonah) It cannot be that Haman false has proved ! I'll not believe it! No! Harbonah Your Majesty, I know for fact well ascertained, that he Had dealings vile with Teresh and Bigtan And Marna. Two of these whom I have named Were hanged upon the gallows for the crime Of treason 'gainst thy royal life. The third Yet lives, and will confess that he was hired By Haman, then called Memucan, to slay A harmless Jew who truly loved a maid Whom Haman sought to wed! King Bring Marna now! {Exeunt guards) Harbonah {Aside) My chance has come! And fortune smiles! If now I poison not the royal mind against The hated Haman, may my God ne'er aid Nor more remember Harbonah's revenge! {Enter guards with Marna) King {To Marna) What knowest thou of Memucan? Act III 85 Mama But this, Your Majesty! That I, with others two, Were by him hired. Their names, I well recall, Were Teresh and Bigtan, and both were hanged For foul conspiracy against thy life. King What service was required of thee? Marna To slay One David, son of Hur, whom Memucan Detested, and we slew him! King And what more Hadst thou to do for him? Marna No more. King Thou know'st No part of Teresh *s plot to take my life? Marna No, no, your Majesty! I never saw The man again! King {Musingly) That matters not! {Marna is led out.) It seems That Haman hired the traitors once! Then why Not once again? {To Harbonah) I'll try the man and thou 86 Esther and Harbonah Shalt justice have! If it be true as thou Hast said, that Haman seeks the royal throne And would supplant me as is sometimes done, ril be more hasty to degrade him than I was to honor him! I'll lower him! I'll take his dignity, his all, his life! No traitor lives so close to Persia's king! {Flourish of trumpets; enter Hatach) Biztha Your Majesty, if now it please the king, Prince Haman waits without and craves to hold An audience immediate with thee! King (To Harbonah) Stand close behind me! {To Biz- tha) Let him enter now! {Enter Haman. Harbonah stands behind the king.) Haman Your Majesty, it is my pride to state That victory again hath crowned thine arms. The pirates of the West, from Graecia's coast, Who suddenly appeared when all was peace, Are scattered by the fleet I sent to fight The robbers who presumed to capture and To burn a royal treasure-ship which came From Rhodes. King We thank thee, Haman, for thy zeal And will reward thee! Act in 87 Ham an No, your Majesty, I do not more deserve reward! Harbonah {Aside to king) That's true! Haman I have but done my duty! Harbonah {Aside to king) That is false! Haman {To the king) I fain would make thy government so safe, That with my care thou wouldst not have a cause To occupy thy royal mind except With pleasures ever new, and leave the cares Of state to me, the humblest of thy slaves! Harbonah {To the king) The cunning rogue ! He first would hold the reins Of sov'reignty beneath thy sanction, then He'd oust thee, and as sure as fate, thy death Thou'dst meet {Ironically) ''while seeking pleasures ever new," As he is pleased to term it! {Trumpets. Enter Hatach) Hatach Lo, the queen ! 88 Esther and Harbonah Haman {Coming forward) The law forbids! 'Tis death to all who dare To come unsummoned 'fore the king! King (Suspiciously) Except The king extend the sceptre! But perhaps Thou would'st demand her life? Harbonah (Aside to king) As like as not! Haman (Confused) No, no! I think — That is — King (Coldly) Thou mayest go! We will excuse thee now! (Exit Haman) (To Hatach) The royal wish Is that the queen may enter! (Hatach bows; goes out to usher in the queen.) Harbonah ( To the king) Did the king Observe this Haman's speech? He stammered like As if his treach'rous tongue gave way before Your majesty and would betray his guilt! Believe not that he wants her life! He wants The queen to grace the throne at which he aims! ( Trumpets, Enter queen in royal apparel, preceded by trumpeters in state uniform, by pages, guards, etc. She is supported by Myrrhine and Zerdatha. As she enters the pages, etc., file Act III 89 off. She hesitates at the sight of the king. Ac- cording to tradition she faints away.) Myrrhine {Whispers) Have courage, Hadassah. It is for life! Thou art the humble myrtle, Esther, thou, The myrtle-Hadassah, the myrtle thou! {Esther recovers , slowly advances. The king stretches the sceptre, which she touches as she kneels before him.) King What wilt thou, Esther, Queen of Persia, what Is thy request? It shall be granted. Aye, To half my realm what e'er thou'rt pleased to ask! Esther If it be good before the king, let him And Haman come this day to banquet which I have prepared for him! King It shall be done! The royal word is given; let the wish Of Esther be conveyed to Haman now At once! {Esther retires, procession files out.) Hatach Your Majesty, it shall be done. {Exit Hatach) King {To Harbonah) Did'st mark her word, good Har- bonah? She said go Esther and Harbonah A banquet which she had prepared for Him! Does this suggest collusion and a plan Already made, arranged between the two? What him? The king or Haman? Is her feast Prepared to honor me or him? — this him — It puzzles me — does it imply a plot? Harbonah No, no, your Majesty, the queen's too pure To link her hand with such a traitor! No! More likely Haman schemes and finds in her An innocent unconscious instrument To further his designs. He'd doubtless win At least her acquiescence in his plan, Contrive that she will compromise herself, Excite thy wrath, be slain and thus once rid Of one so faithful to thy interests, He will more easily enmesh the king! He loved her once — or did pretend ! Mayhap He loves her yet! Mayhap he'd gain her hand As price to save her loved ones from death ! King 'Tfs well! 'Tis well! I'll keep a careful watch. I do not doubt the queen; but what thou say'st Of Haman, opens wide my eyes. {To courtiers) My friends, 'Tis time the court concludes; we will adjourn. {As king leaves in state procession forms as in Act III Scene I.) Chorus. "All Hail of Earthly Kings the First" All hail of earthly kings the first! Long live the king, we cry Act in 91 May all his foes be e'er dispersed Like clouds across the sky! As bend the boughs when tempest blows, As leaves in autumn fall, So bend and fall all Persia's foes; In vain for help they call! From lands remote the captives bring For tribute all their store To swell the treasures of the king, The conqueror in war. ( The third or second and third verses may be omit- ted.) Curtain falls Scene IV {King's bedchamber. King, Harbonah, attendants. Choir outside.) Song. By Royal Choir. "Angel of ReST, Spread Thy Wings O'er Us Mortals" Quartette Angel of rest, spread thy wings o'er us mortals, Under thy shadow, O grant us repose! Bid with thy magic fly open the portals Leading to refuge from sorrow and woes. Chorus Haste, Holy Spirit, to weave with thy Pow'rs Sleep's sweet enchantment, where, sighing for rest, Mortals lie tossing through lead-footed hours, Praying to be with thy kisses caressed. Praying to be with thy kisses caressed! 92 Esther and Harbonah Quartette Come, gentle spirit, with mystery soothing, Whispering respite to hand and to brain, Calming anxiety, pain's pillow smoothing. Charming the soul with thy heavenly strain! Chorus Haste, Holy spirit, etc. Quartette Paint with thy witchery dreams that will lighten Life's heavy burden of sorrow and care. Visions of happiness, visions to brighten Hearts that are darkened with doubt and despair! Chorus Haste, Holy Spirit, etc. King The poorest peasant in the land at night Reposes free from care, his work forgot In restful sleep! The slave who seems to live To toil, without the faintest gleam of hope For his release, save that which death can bring, Finds happiness, when bound in slumber's chains. He dreams of freedom, peace, his earthly home, The land from which by conquest he was torn, But I? Ten thousand demons torture me! I toss and woo sweet slumber's kiss in vain! The wealth of e'en a monarch cannot buy One night's repose like that which nature gives, When dashing through his fevered brain his thoughts Fly, whipping ev'ry power of the soul To mad activity! What is't to be Act III 93 A king? Enthroned in state, surrounded by His courtiers, priests, and guards and slaves, he's more A solitary being than the fool Who laughs when any sunbeam lights the air And sets the dust-motes dancing! He can sport And find no peril lurking! I, the king, Must look askance at prince and slave alike! For danger, death, may crouch at ev'ry side! Suspicion, child of demon parentage. When once thy w^hisper's breathed within the soul, Thou poison'st ev'ry joy! Farewell to peace! All friendship, love itself must die! The light Of happiness which shines into the soul From out the eyes in which we love to gaze Is darkened! O for happiness! Fd change My royalty for peasant's cot, could I Be sure of happiness! I wonder if A king of Persia ever was beset With difficulties, perils, like I find So multiplied around me! {To Harbonah) Bring to me The chronicles of Persia. Read therein! I cannot sleep! Mayhap 'twill pass the time Until the dawn shall roll the night away And earth be waked to life again! Harbonah What part, Your Majesty, shall't please you to be read? King {Aside) My soul with jealousy is full, despite The words of Harbonah. {To Harbonah) I fain would know Did ever queen and prince plot death to king? Fd have those stories read which will set forth 94 Esther and Harbonah The death of Persia's monarchs that were met By violence — {Aside) yet no! Why intimate The fear which now unmans me? {To Harbonah) Read to me The story of the war across the sea Where those brave men defended with their lives A narrow pass against my chosen hosts, — 'Tis called Thermopylae in Grecian tongue, — I like a tale of bravery e'en when It is a foe that shows it! It will turn My thoughts! Perchance forgetting cares of state I'll glide into a sleep for half the watch That still remains! Yet, no! I'd rather hear The story of my reign. This Haman, how Did I advance him? 'Fore I made him great, Who was he? Maybe his career will show Why I have reason to suspect the man. Is he ambitious? Is he prideful? Or Does love of duty to his country and His king so spur his heart that he forgets His interests rememb'ring mine? Now read! Harbonah From o'er the sea came Memucan, new crowned With glory. And the mighty king desired To place him high above all princes, e'en 'Fore those whose privilege it was to be Admitted to the royal presence. So By royal order and command, which none May change, it was decreed that Memucan No more should be his name, but Haman, prince Of all the princes. Thus was he to be Rewarded. Slaves and gold and precious things Should be presented in the royal name To crown with wealth the man thus singled out For honor. Time and season then were sought By lot, to find a most propitious day Act III 95 On which to honor him with title new, And in the presence of satraps, pachas, High princes, governors assembled, give To him the sign of royal trust and love. The day was found, but 'fore it came, a plot Most vile against the royal life was told By Mordecai, a son of one of these Enslaved nations which are ruled by him Who first of earthly kings is throned in might. This Mordecai, of Yair son, whose sire, Shim'i, was son of Kish, revealed the plot To Esther, Persia's noble queen, who sent The word thereof to Persia's king. 'Twas sought And searched and thus two officers were seized ; Bigtan was one; the other Teresh. Both Were hanged. Then came the day when Ha- man King Stop! This Mordecai, was he rewarded? Harbonah No, Most gracious Majesty! King Who stands without? Attendant Prince Haman has arrived. He waits until King Then bid him enter. {Exit attendant) Read no more! Enough! {Enter Haman) Ah, Haman, ever watchful of thy king! 96 Esther and Harbonah Dost thou in very truth deny thyself Of even sleep to guard thy monarch? Haman Sleep Can never bind the eyes of those who love The state and know their duty. King I have sent To ask advice of thee. What shall be done To him whom I desire to honor? Though Good Harbonah who stands so high among My trusted officers is present here, I ask him not. For know my mind is full Of what has just been read to me about Thy victories across the sea. Haman {Aside) Now what New honor doth the king design to give? And then to whom except to me? And last What honor do I need? Nor wealth nor slaves Nor dignity do I require. And yet I must say something! {Thinks a moment) Yes, my enemy. This Harbonah, I'll humble — he shall be The instrument of Haman's honor! Aye I'll please the king by asking modestly That which he can bestow! And more, my plans Shall be advanced to gradually show The world that Haman holds the reins of state — Then when the moment comes to kill the king My right to hold the throne shall none deny! {Advancing) Your Majesty, for him the man whom thou, Act III 97 The king, delightest to give honor, thus Let me the humble servant of the king Suggest. The royal robe which thou, the king, Dost wear, the royal steed which thou, the king, Dost ride, the royal crown which thou, the king, Dost bear upon thy head, let all be brought. Let him whom thou wouldst honor be arrayed With these, the royal robes and crown, and placed Upon the royal charger, led by one Who stands among thy trusted officers Right high, and who shall loud proclaim before Him as he rides on horseback through the streets, That thus shall it be done unto the man The king delights to honor! Kinff Go then, thou And do as thou hast said to Mordecai The Jew. Ham an To Mordecai? (Aside) Ye gods, what fate Is this? (To the king) Your Majesty, be pleased to hear — What I — this sudden resolution — if It pleaseth thee, — perchance thou hast not thought King What aileth thee, Prince Haman — thou art pale! Thou seem'st confused! Didst hear the king's command ? Haman Forgive me! Many Mordecais there are — I would but ask which Mordecai thou mean'st — 98 Esther and Harbonah King (To Harbonah) Announce to him which Mordecai I mean. Harbonah (Reading) One Mordecai, of Yair son, whose sire Shim'i was son of Kish. Ham an I go, O king, Rejoiced and honored at the sign of trust Which thou art pleased to place in me, thy slave ! (Exit Haman. With glance of fury at Harbonah, who bows with mock humility.) Harbonah (Advancing before the king) Your majesty, it is in keeping with His cunning, cunning which hath overreached Its aim and hath revealed not him whom thou, king, delight'st to honor — no, but him Who is a traitor foul! Your majesty, 1 scarce could hold my wrath! O king, when first He heard thy words concerning him whom thou Desir'd'st to honor, why, his eyes were all Ablaze! His cheeks were flushed! His treach'rous heart Heaved quick his breast — he thought that thy in- tent Was honor fresh to heap upon himself! Now mark, I pray thee, what he asked ! Thy steed, Which prancing with proud mettle, walks as if He knew he bore earth's greatest king! And then With thy robes robed, and more, with thy crown crowned, Act III 99 Prince Haman would be led through all the streets Of this, thy capital, by him who next Is ranked, and this high officer shall cry That thus is done unto the man the king Delights to honor. Mark him well ! He will Not wait until his wretched plan to take Thy life shall ripen to success! He fain Would show himself with royal state proclaimed To all the people, ruling in thy place! Thus all shall understand that he now sways Instead of thee the sceptre, and that thou Withdrawest from the cares of state. But not As he to thee within thy presence dared To lie, — that thou in pleasures ever new Should'st take thy ease — O king! {Kneeling) O mighty king! I scarcely dare to say what this portends! King I bid thee speak! Harbonah Your Majesty, my life Is thine! — 'Tis better thou should'st take my life Than that I should provoke thy righteous wrath — King Did'st hear me? Speak! Harbonah Your Majesty, the blood Flies seething through my brain! I dare not — King Speak! {Leaps from couchj seizes Harbonah by the throat.) lOO Esther and Harbonah Harbonah That thou art mad — Insane — thy reason fled And therefore for the safety of the realm Thou art deposed! — So Haman would pretend! — That thou must be removed from Persia's throne And must be placed where "pleasures ever new" Shall wait upon thy whims! As when they give Some wisps of straw to those whose sense hath gone, To weave as fancy pleases while they laugh A joyous laugh and look with dulled eye! This plan is not a sudden thought of his! — For many years his wicked purpose fixed, Determined, hath been to lead astray The minds of all thy faithful subjects! Thus He hath proceeded. Years ago, O king. Thou heldest counsel for the war with Greece. Then Haman noised It that weak cowardice Unnerved thee, that responsibility Thou shirkedst, so that. If defeated, thou Wouldst have no blame. Yea, more, that if thou call'dst From distant provinces some men who ne'er Had heard the name of Greece to plan a fight With her, then thou wert mad. Insane, unfit To be the king! And then a question rose, Whereon this subtle knave declared that thou Didst waste In riot and in wine the wealth Of Persia! At that feast he drugged thy cup And led thee to the bet that with the queen No woman's beauty vied. He egged thee on To send for Vashtl. Well he knew she would Refuse! For when did ever royal queen Display her face to drunken men? I heard The dastard say the king was drunk or mad Or both! Thus disrespect, the mother of Act III loi Disloyalty, he spread! Again he urged, With fawning voice and cringing words, to send The queen away, lest her example should Inspire all wives their husbands to despise! Thou didst comply! " Tis further evidence Of Madness," said the knave, "The king knows well The queen was right! He thus rewards her!" Thus He jeered thee! Then he bade thee summon all The maids from every home within thy realm To come to thee that thou might'st choose a queen Instead of Vashti. Thus to mutiny He stirred all fathers, brothers, lovers too! They cursed the king who'd rob them of their loved ! They swore defiance ! Then he crushed them down ! But cunningly. For soldiery he loosed By edict signed and sealed by thee, O king. While he declared he mourned for Persia's woe! The hypocrite! The traitor! Then he caused Thee to proclaim that every man should as The master rule in his own house! As if The world knew not this universal law! And thus again the traitor dared to hold Thee up for ridicule, for men to mock And women-folk to jeer. 'Twas then he tore From out her humble home of peace and love Thy queen, then gentle Hadassah, to stand With other maids for thee to see. Twas not to do thy will, it was to wreak Revenge because she would not be his wife! For he had sworn that she should be the toy Of some Satrap! And if by any chance She should be chosen to be queen, he'd find The means to murder her! 102 Esther and Harbonah King What! Lift a hand Against my queen? Harbonah Aye, here's the letter which He sent — four lines will show his heart! (Reads) " 'Tis I Who tear thee from thy home, and if mischance Should place the crown upon thy brow, within A day I'd poison thee, I have the means!" And Hadassah, this simple Jewish maid Who spurned him in contempt for tempting her To break her promise to her dying sire And wed an alien to her faith, is now By fate, the queen, e'en Esther! King O ye gods! What mystery! What Fate! As he would seek To slay the queen, he'd also slay the king! Harbonah Then next he caused thee to proclaim a law That all the Jews in all thy realm should be Consigned to death — the old, the young, the men, The women and the children; and their goods Should be the spoil of him who liked. 'Tis hard, O king, to paint the mischief, misery And wrong which has resulted! All trade's Unhinged. The merchants will not trust, lest him They trust be proved a Jew, and then be slain By one who'd seize their goods. The Jews who hold Within their hands much commerce, and who give Employment, bread to thousands of thy slaves. Act III 103 Those Jews so active and industrious, So bold in ventures, enterprises, say 'Tis better that they realize and go To other lands, to Egypt or to Greece. Nor are their poor forgotten, for the rich Have joined their monies just to send away Their poorer brethren who are destitute! But mark the craft of Memucan! He stirs The cutthroats, murderers, and thieves and knaves To scent a harvest in the pillage of The Jews, and in anticipation, loose Their passions vile! The rich say they will miss The Jews who are the instruments where brains And energy and industry are asked. The poor declare that never do they lack For aid, nor suffer if they find a Jew! To give for charity is part of Jew's Religion. Thus it is that Jewish poor Become no charge unto the state. But most Of all, the honorable in thy realm Lament thy law to kill the Jews. Their crime. What is it? Are they traitors? Are their lives So lived that they disgrace the royal state? O that the Persian would but imitate Their purity! They are not drunkards, thieves Nor cutthroats! Never are they numbered 'mong The dangerous who lurk in every town To rob or move to mutiny! Their wives And daughters are most chaste. Their sons are true And most respectful to their sires. They love Their law. That law 'tis different, as said Prince Haman. Yes. Because the teachings of Their elders, teachers and their learned men Interpreting the law, impel them all To lead good lives. It makes them all good men, Good women and good subjects to their king! This law they study day and night. For well I04 Esther and Harbonah They know that if the study of the law- Should be neglected so that they become But Jews in name, instead of Jews in lives They lead, they'll lose the grace of God and man. 'Tis thus the story of their history, That loyalty unto their law means that Their God "will bless, preserve them, cause His face To shine upon them and will grant them grace, That He upon them will His countenance Uplift, and give them peace," the greatest boon! O king, O mighty king, the people say That thou, to order death to all the Jews, The peaceful, law-abiding, active race, Who add so much unto thy kingdom's wealth, That thou'rt bereft of all thy senses! More, That if more evidence shall be adduced To show that thou art mad, thy throne shall be Declared vacant, and thyself removed! Then Haman rules for thee until thy brain Shall gain the power to think and wisely guide The state! When thinkest thou, O king, if once Prince Haman rules, thou wilt return to sit Anew upon thy throne? Thou know'st that death Will swiftly wait on malady, if he, A master of the healing art, direct Thy cure! He'd go forth now with thy robes robed, With thy crown crowned, bestriding royal steed To be proclaimed by thy command the man Whom thou delight'st to honor! That's to say The man whom thou dost designate to be Before all others honored! So that in Emergency, for instance, if by any chance Thy health should fail, thy reason lose its sway, Or if thy death should come, all men shall look To him whom thou delight'st to honor, to Act III 105 Succeed unto thy royal duties. What! He said to wear thy robes and crown! It shows He now is ready both ♦the crown and throne To grasp! Already hath he issued laws With thy seal sealed, and not with his, to say That all the tithes and customs, tolls and gifts By which thy revenues are made, shall flow Henceforth unto collectors whom he names! , King By what right useth he my seal? Harbonah O king, Thou lentest him thy ring to seal the law By which the Hebrew race is doomed to die! King And hath he thus abused my confidence? Harbonah Behold a copy of the law thus sealed. {Draws from girdle a scroll) Demanding tithes and tolls! It saith That in thy absence Haman rules for thee By thy command! King I never said such thing! The traitor hath abused my trust! He dies! O friend most false! O hypocrite most vile! Foul parasite! The anger of a king Thou swift shalt know! Now leave me, Har- bonah, lo6 Esther and Harbonah Unto my thoughts. The night hath passed and sleep Hath fled from out my brain which throbs and leaps With what thou hast recounted! I will rest And think how best to crush this crafty knave ! {King reclines on his couch. Royal choir sings softly as follows:) Royal Choir. Hymn, ''To the Dawn"— "Lo, THE First Flush of the Rose-Tinted Morning" Quartette Lo, the first flush of rose-tinted morning! Vanish, ye shadows, that stalk in the night, Haste to your dens ere the light that is dawning Take from earth's children your life-killing blight. Chorus Welcome, O brightness, that heralds the morrow! Hail, Holy light, with thy brilliancies blessed! Bring to the suff'ring surcease of all sorrow, Bring renewed life to the sleepers at rest, Bring renewed life to the sleepers at rest! Harbonah {Stepping forward) Thou God, of whom I learned of Mordecai And learning thus, have learned to honor Thee! Thou art the God of Pity — that I know! — And if Thy will I would perform, I ought Myself to conquer, and I ought to show To Memucan my foe, compassion! Yea, I know that Thou art merciful, and I, Act III 107 To do Thy will, should pardon e'en a foe! Great God! My mother and my wife he slew When I was absent! Me he falsely charged With treason ! All my children at his word Were strangled! — Through his lies I passed long years An exile, and of all that's dear bereaved! Myself he maimed, with maiming foul, most vile! Can I forgive a villain such as he? I must? Then was I wrong to loose my tongue? O, if my private wrongs have winged my words With venomed plume, while warning Persia's king Of public woes contrived by Memucan, Forgive me, O forgive me, mighty God! I was a savage until Mordecai, So good, first whispered me Thy Name! And now, — If hatred and revenge both tear my heart, God, pity me! I only am a man! Curtain ACT III Scene V {An anteroom of the palace) Myrrhine The Queen to-day a second banquet gives. Zerdatha Yes, so 'tis said, but where ? I08 Esther and Harbonah Myrrhine Thou know'st the hall Adjoining this, the minor banquet hall, It looks upon the royal garden. There The feast Is spread. But Haman tarries yet. {Enter Hatach) Hatach My ladles, if it please you, I would beg You wait upon her majesty. The hour Appointed for the banquet is at hand. And here Prince Haman comes, so late that word {Exeunt Myrrhine and Zerdatha. Trumpets sound.) Of urgent haste I twice despatched, for both The king and queen are angered through delay. {Enter Haman with attendants) {To Haman) If now it please, sir prince, I will acquaint Their majesties who long have waited you. {Exit Hatach) Haman {Soliloquizes) A chilling parting Zeresh gave me when I left! When I had told her all the strange Occurrence of the morn, how that the plan Concerning Mordecal was quite reversed And he whom I had thought to hang, instead I had to honor, speaking loud she cried (And she Is wondrous skilled in mystic lore), "If Mordecal is one of Jewish race Before whose star thine own begins to pale, Thou'lt fall before him!" — Then I'm hurried here! I learn the banquet waits, the king is vexed, And Harbonah in royal favor high Act III 109 Is placed! As if the net were closing round And adverse fates were clamorous for me To be their victim! Worst of all, the queen At yestern's banquet called me Memucan! Mayhap it was mistake of hers, mayhap It was my fancy, but if Esther did In Haman recognize the Memucan Of old, my fate is sealed, for David's death Yet cries aloud against me! Ah, they come! ( Trumpets sound both ends. Enter, h.. Pages, King, Harbonah, Guards. Enter, R., Pages, Queen, Myrrhine, Zerdatha, Guards.) Hainan {Aside) He gives me not a welcome as of old! He frowns upon me! What does that portend? Nor does the Queen bestow upon me e'en A glance! My heart is cold! Is Zeresh right? King {Speaks coldly) So, Haman, thou art here. {To Esther) Your Majesty, Your guest is present; shall we now adjourn? {Queen bows. King takes her hand, leads her to the banquet table which is disclosed by the scene opening upon it. Divans are ranged round the table which is brilliantly lit and Hatach and Harbonah take up position each side, Haman following King and Queen. He takes his place at the table on left of king; queen on right. Music meanwhile. Wine is handed which the attendants taste first, to no Esther and Harbonah show there is no poison. Or it can be dis- pensed with.) King I'll pledge thee, Esther. What would'st have of me! Petition or request? 'Tis done, to half My realm thou mayest ask. Thy word's my law! Esther {Coming forward) Your Majesty, another banquet waits! The guests are fire and sword, high treason, death, The ravens of the air, the dogs that roam The streets, the passions of the human breast! The music of the banquet Is the shriek Of men and women, tender children too, The roar of flame, the shouts of demons, aye, The cries of victims, and among them one Who sits on Persia's royal throne! King (Alarmed and passing before Haman to front) What? Death! 'TIs treason! Harbonah! Ho! Guards! {Harbonah signals, guards advance to side of Ha- man.) Esther {Kneeling before the king) Aye, King! 'TIs treason foul and dastardly, but not Against thy life, — I'd die to save thee harm! {Kisses king's hand) Act III III King What is it, then? Remember what thou ask'st — Petition or request! 'Tis done! To half My realm thou mayest ask! Thy word's my law! Esther {Still kneeling) If I have found before thee grace, O king. And if it please your majesty, oh spare My life at my petition, and the life Of all my people; this is my request! For we are sold; my people, I, to be Together slain, exterminated! Yet If we to servitude were sold I then Would silence keep! But no! The foe forgets The damage to the king! King Why, who is he And where is he, whose heart emboldens him To plot Esther {Interrupts; she rises to her feet and points to Haman . ) Thy foe, thy enemy, 'tis he The wicked Haman! King Eh? Esther {Staggers, is supported by Zerdatha and Myrrhine, who lead her to the couch) O saved ! My dream ! O myrtle, saved! {Falls on couch) 112 Esther and Harbonah Kinff Some air! I cannot breathe! What treachery, what villainy is this! {Exit) Haman {Kneels before Esther; rudely grasps her hand, upon which Harbonah whispers to a page, who rushes after the king.) Oh, queen, forgive my wrong, and spare my life! What I can do to make amends, I will! But thou! O intercede for me! King {Suddenly enters , the page after him) What? Hold! The villain would insult the queen? Away With him to instant death! {Guards pinion Haman and throw a black cloth over his face; then stand on each side of him.) Harbonah Your Majesty, There stands in Haman's house the gallows which He made for Mordecai who saved thy life! 'Tis fifty cubits high and King Hang him on't! Thou, Harbonah, call hither all the court, That all may see how Persia's king degrades A traitor, mean and cowardly, who's fed From out my hand and stung me in return, Not only by a base attempt upon Act III 113 My life, but by insulting Persia's queen Before my very face! Harbonah {Bowing) The court attends! {Scene in rear opens and discloses courtiers, etc., who enter, R. L.) Esther Your Majesty, this Mordecai to me Is nearest kin, and he in place of both My parents, who are dead, has nourished me. King He shall succeed to Haman's honors all! Esther He now is here with all my dearest friends Of early days. {Enter all the companions of Esther. Courtiers in rear, friends across center, guards at side, Ha- man, L., Mordecai next. King centre, Esther, Harbonah R. Grand march while positions are taken.) King {To Mordecai) Thou, Mordecai, I know Thy heart's integrity and all that thou Hast done for me and Persia's queen. 'Tis ill Repaid by what I do, but yet 'tis all I can. I make thee prince in Haman's stead, The prince of all the princes, aye, the first! {Gives Mordecai the ring which a guard removes from Hamans finger.) 114 Esther and Harbonah Mordecat Your Majesty, my heart is much too full To even thank thee! All my thoughts to God Are turned in gratitude, too great to be Expressed, for granting us deliverance So wondrous! Next to Him, to thee I give My thanks and shall with ev'ry effort strive To prove thy royal trust is not misplaced! King 'Tis well, 'tis well! We will at once take steps To save thy race the Jews; for though a law Of Persia once in force can never be Repealed, we will its purpose nullify By publishing an edict to protect The unoffending nation. Mordecai {Loudly to all) Now if I Have any power as the chief of all Of Persia's princes, let my first command Be that we all unite in praise to God For saving thus His chosen race again! All in Grand Chorus Amen! Glory to God. Honor the Name Of Israel's Guardian, — Praise ye the Lord! Ye Nations All! {Psalm 117) Ye nations all, your voices raise In unison the Lord to praise! Ye peoples all, the chorus swell, And sing to Him in great Hallel! Amen. Act III "5 Exceeding mercy doth He bear To us, His children, 'neath His care! His truth's for aye! O praise the Lord Who thus is worshipped, thus adored! Amen ! APPENDIX Note. Intermarriage Intermarriage between members of different sects produces often religious or social friction, apt to be intensified as the children grow up, and cer- tain to prevent much, if not all, of that family union in which men and women find the surest hap- piness in life. I have known this evidenced in intermarriage even between members of two different Protestant sects. Between Catholic and Protestant, intermarriage is strictly forbidden, as it is between Jew and Christian. Sermons reach but few. Therefore sermons on Intermarriage cannot affect the masses. Novels whose theme is intermarriage sometimes obtain wide circulation, such as ''Robert Elsmere," where incompatibility of religious ideas between husband and wife profoundly affects both, and **The Yoke of the Torah," where life is seared because one is a Jew and the other a Christian. The dramatic story of Esther presents the inter- marriage of a Jewess and a non-Jew. It affords opportunity to give expression to such unhappy re- sults of intermarriage as violation of religious ten- ets, family ostracism, social friction, trammelled hos- pitality, friendships cooled or alienated, patronizing toleration that galls instead of mollifies, contempt, ridicule, grief to parents all the more acute because silently borne; secret regrets for having given par- 117 ii8 Appendix ents pain, decay of religious consciousness, — these are some of the consequences. Hence the courtship scene between Esther and Memucan and the scene concerning Jered.^ Intermarriage fosters family disunion and com- pels the contracting parties to choose between re- ligious apathy, uncomfortable surrender of princi- ples, moral cowardice or cowardly hypocrisy. Neither family union nor true citizenship is pos- sible without spirituality or religion. Therefore intermarriage is to be sternly and uncompromisingly condemned. ^The Frankfurter Zeitung contains some remarkable figures on intermarriage in Germany during the war. "From 19GI to 1913 the intermarriage of Protestants rose from 3 per cent, that of the Catholics about 4^^ per cent, while among the Jews it went up from 16.97 per cent in 1901 to 30.98 per cent in 1913. Since 1914 intermarriages have decreased markedly in the case of non-Jews, but the figures show an alarming increase in the case of Jews. Against every 100 unmixed marriages between Jews there are no less than fifty-three mixed marriages. The conditions of war which brought a great number of hasty unions is no doubt accountable in a measure for the abnormal rise. Whatever the causes, it will be interesting to see whether the process will continue to develop at the same rate when normal con- ditions are restored. m^