, 53 E ■ ESTHER, 1^^ THE PERSIAN jllEEi. A DRAMA IN FIVE ACTS, REV. JOHN P. BRENNAN McXALI^V 13R01S. GENERAL AGENTS, YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO. i "- jANyilB98 'fi ESTHER, THE FERSli OLIEE^, A DRAMA IN FIVE ACTS, HV ^"-2- REV. JOHN P. BKE3MMAcN,j:: _ /v'"" OFFICE OF THE^'^I' -J^2so-^m 27 mi V. (iKNKRAJj AGENTS, ' ' *" VOim(JSTOWN, OHIO. THE GREENWOOD SCHOOL SUPPLY CO. PRINT. YOUNCSTOWN. OHIO. \ 7/f WITH REGARD TO COSTUME. The scene of the drama is hiicl in Susan of the Persian empire, in the fifth eentnry l)ef()re Christ. Assuerns wears a })urple robe edged witii gohl, with flowing sleeves, and confined at the waist by a broad girdh^ This is the cancli/s, or Median garment, rnderneath is worn a tunie, also of purple, but stri])ed with white, and reaching to the knees. Tiie trousers are of crimson, while the high shoes are of salfron hue, tapering at the toe in Median fashion. The kifaris, or headdress ()f the monarcdi is distinct- ive. It is a tall stiff cap of bright color, tiat at the top, and surrounded at the bottom by a fillet si)()tted with white on a blue field. For stage ])urposes the conventional oriental crown will doubtless^ ))rov(^ more acceptable. The sceptre is a })lain rod, about five feet in length, and ornamented at its up])er (Mid with a knob, or ball. Esther is clad at first in the simi)l(' dress of a .Jewish maiden; then in the rolx^s of royalty and wearing a tiara, or royal headdress of Persia: again, in sackcloth during her season of penance. The nobles and courtiers are attired similar to the king, excepting the royal cap. Their Headdress is the low cap, or simply the fillet. Mardochai wears at first the plain garb of a |)riyate citiz(Mi ; hiter on he is robed as a Persian prince. Zethar nuiy be distinguished by a red cap with- out the fillet, and by a sleeveless gown. Appropriate costumes for tlie remaining, as well 4. K sr H K H ; r he i' e ks i a n <^> u e en, j»s the minor characters, will readily su^-^'est them- selves. With regard to court letujuette, two points may be noted : Upon entering the royal presence, pros- tration — the attitude of worship — was required of all. This may be sutiiciently indicated on the stage by bending low the head, and bringing the outstretched arms together, so that the hands are horizontally in line with the head. While royal audience is given, the hands are concealed in the tiowing sleeves. This may be the posture when the sense of the lines per- mit. CAST OF CHARACTERS. ASSUKKIS KiSTHKH Ha >f an Ma kdocii at Za hks Zetiiak Thamak, V Adej.aik. ( Mama I.O.N. I Dkhhoha. ' A DM AT 11 A. I t'HAKSKNA. \ MAIAIAN, j Hazatii. Hakhona, ' H()(;atiian, I THAKKS, ^ At HA (11 CllAKOAS. I Ahijatha. *> I'llAKSIS. Makks, f -M aksana. .NFAMrCIIAN. k \A(;a... I KiiiK of Persi; s slowly. ESTHER. Wliat I uncle dear, yet sleepest thou? behold The regal sun is sweeping high upon His course to farort' Israel. Ah, me! Thou dreamest still of Juda's balmy plains, Her wooded hills and many winding streams. Alas, dear uncle, we are captives, but Yet faithful to the Lord, our God, Who holdeth us with loving clasp within The hollow of His hand. MARDOCHAI. Dear Esther, thou Art ever cheering to old Mardochai. The Lord hath made thy presence like unto A healthl'id spring that warmeth e'en The wintr}^ blood of age. Aye, thou didst sjx-ak Of dreams; raethought I was awake and saw A vision passing strange. ESTHER. A vision? what Did it portiMul? MARDOCHAI. I know not, Esther, for It seenu'd to nie that there w^ere voices loud 8. Esther; the Persian queen. And harsh upon the earth, and tumults that Did speak of blood. Dread thunders rolled adown The vault of heaven, and the timid earth Did quake in fear, while every element That nature claims, forsook its destined course; And then, behold, two dragons came from out The w^reck of earth to meet in mortal strife ; Like pits of fire their eyes flashed forth a flame 'I'hat none could see and live ; their horrid mouths Distended, bared such rows of monstrous teeth With sharpened tips, as likened them to lines Of Persian spears; their giant limbs seemed scarce To find fit resting place on earth. ESTHER. In truth, A dreadful vision ! canst thou say what then BefelV MARDOCHAI. The dragons cried, and such a cry May mortal ears ne'er hear, so anguished was The cry, and at the sound all nations leagued To war against the just. The wreck of earth Was moved again, and days of darkness came With danger and distress, w^hile nameless fear Encompassed all; the just prepared for death. But as they prayed, a tiny stream grew fast . Into a mighty flood, abounding far In many waters ; then the sun uprose With gladsome rays, and filled the w^orld with liglit The humble were exalted, and devoured In might, the haughty of the land. ESTHER. Most strange ! The Lord our God hath spoken in this wise To warn His people of impending doom. A DRAMA IM FIVE ACTS. MARDOCHAI. "IMs tli;it T fear; my he»rt is sick with dread. Hut, hark! the triini})et sounds. (Trniiipet is heard .) ESTHER. Ho, Thamar, (]uiek Come liitlier. [hJiifer lli<(htar.) What hath caused this loud uproar In [Susan's peaceful mart? Fair mistress, 't is The herald's blast to summon all unto Our great king's royal feast. The palace grounds Are richly decked with silks and cloth of gold. All Susan will attend. MARDOCHAI. Not all, not all. Poor Thamar; few of Susan will partake Of Persia's sumptuous feast. (Trinnpet sounds.) Again the blare Of noisy trumpets and the thund'rous shout Of thousands! can this be the vision's end? Doth Persia's feast begin anew our woe? Is Juda to endure another scourge Than chains and exile? Thrice unhappy race, Thou hast abandoned God, and in His wrath He hath abandoned thee, first, to th3'self, And then, to wicked men! ESTHER. Nay, uncle dear. Invoke not sorrow till it come at God's 10 ESTHER; THE PERSIAN QUEEN, Behest; nor picture evil for the just Of Israel. Arouse thy drooping heart, And look with steadfast eye upon the throne Of our true king, the Lord, Who loveth best The souls He most chastiseth. THAMAR. Master, go We not to join the throng before the gates Of mighty Assuerus? MARDOCHAI. Peace, I pray Thee, Thamar; turn away thine eyes from pomp That Hattereth the pride of man, and pay Thy deepest homage to the Lord alone. I will not hence. ESTHER. We shall but mingle with The joyous multitude. Give over grief That shortens life in vain, and leave to God The welfare of His just, for in His own Good time He will make clear the vision. Come Thou, Thamar, let 's away. (Exen7if Esther and Thdinar.) MARDOCHAI. While idle sounds Of mirth arise, I'll to mine humble shrine, And pray for Israel, His chosen race. [Exit.) SCENE II. Banquet hall of Assuerus. King, Hanum, priiu-es. nohlt's. ^Hu^rds, and slaves. Zethar and the seven eunuchs. ASSUERUS. Our glory hath been great before the world, And men have marveled at our power and wealth : A DRAMA IN FIVE ACTS. ]J From Jndia's diamond fields to distant hills Of swart h and golden Ethiop', a burst Of praise hatli reached our ears. HAMAN. Great king. Thy bounty wins the hearts of all, and like A god thou boldest power! ZETHAK. Yet cannot cause The rain to fall, or tlowers to garb the fields. ASSUERUS. Who dares to speak? HAMAN. An insult to our I^ord, The king! ZETHAR. Nay, sire, restrain thine anger; it Was Zethar spoke. ASSUEKUS. Peace, fool, lest thou my wratli Provoke. HAMAN. Beware, all ye who would o'erstep The patience of our w^orthy king; and, mark. The gil)V)et can iiprear its awful head. ZETHAR. Aye well, and clas]) the noblest head in its Embrace. ADMATHA. Ejiough I ))lagU(^ not the king with words. 12 ESTHER; THE PERSIAN QUEEN, CHARSENA. Most gracious sire, thy feast is not complete, And pardon one wlio doth presume to ask The presence of our lovely queen, the kind And gentle Vasthi. ALL. Gracious sire, the queen. The queen ! ASSUERUS. It pleaseth well our ears to hear The loyal cry. What, Mauman and Bazath ! BOTH. Thy pleasure, sire. ASSUERUS. Go with thy trusted five Companious to g'-eat Persia's queen, and say Her lord and master wishes her to near The royal presence ; bid her wear the crown Of empire on her brow that all may see The glory of our state. BOTH . Thy word, O king. Is law. ASSUERUS. We reign in peace o'er near the world: Twice three score provinces their wealth And homage yield to Persia's sceptre; vast And mighty is our sway. HAMAN. Above the kings Of earth thou boldest judgment. A DUAMA IK FIVE A(n^S. < '^ CHARSENA. But thy wise And most just laws do crown thy wondrous reign. ASSUEUUS. Thv homage hath a balm for ills of state-— Hui, peace, the slaves return. {Enter Vann.n. Bnzath and others with downcast mten.) ALL. The queen ! the queen ! ASSUERUS. What, knaves! do ye presume to come so far Advanced before our queen? MAUMAN. The royal Vasthi will not come. ASSCERUS. () death And furies! will not comeV thou liest, slave! Thy head shall pay the i)rice. HAZATH. 'T is true, great king, l)ur royal mistress spurned our words. ASSL'EIUJS. Your words? Nay, ours she spurned, and on her head the wrath Ot" Persia's king shall fall. 14 ksthek; thk Persian queen, HAM AN. () monstrous crime! ASSl EKUS. Ye ])rinees, how shall we doom Vasthi who Hath dared to scorn your king? CHARSENA. Tear from her brow The crown of state ! she is unworthy her Great rank ADMATHA. And banish her from Persian lands. HAM AN. Most wise the counsel ! ASSrKKLS. Then we do decree That Vasthi, once our honored tjueen, be borne Beyond the hills that range their hoary heads In distant India; and thus our fame Will grow, that we who made her proudly great, Have in a word destroyed her power. ALL. Great Is Assuerus, Persia's mighty king! A DRAMA I\ FIVE A(!TS. 15 ACT II. SCENE 1. Street of Susan before the palace sates. Pnx-e.ssioii singiii<< t lie ])raisi's of Assuerus and Esther. Bo.a;athan and Thares discuss thcii- plot, which Mardocliai overliears. CHORUS IN PRAISE OF ESTHER. All bnil to Persia's queen, Ksther fairest queen; Weave g'arlands for her brow, Flowers to wreathe her brow. Her beauty made her queen. Hath erowned her Persia's (jueen; She ruieth o'er our hearts, Jluleth o'er our hearts. May life and health attend Health the queen attend ; Long- may she live our queen, Esther fairest queen, Esther fairest queen. [Exit proces.sio/i. ) I Mai-dofhai with l)OWed hend stands near a pilhir. Boijathan and Tliares remain nearby.] liOCATHAK. "]' is phiin, good Thares, our right worthy king Tpraiseth favorites as pleaseth his Most mighty will. THARES {IoikUjI . ) How now, Bogathan. dost Thou niurnuir 'gainst thy lord? [.Mardocdiiii becomes attentive.] BOGATHAN. Hush, niadnian I wouldst Thou bring the guards about our heads? I speak lint trulv, for thou knowest well we have 10 ESTHER; THE PERSIAN QUEEN, Not ranked so high of late in Persia's eyes; Forgotten are our deeds on Grecian shores, And lauded is this Esther, scarcely known Until today. THARES. Most true, Bogathan, yet What can we do? P.O(4ATHAN (sloH'lf/.) The slave and king are on An equal footing when alone! {Draws a dagger.) THARES. What! kill The king? BOGATHAN. A curse upon thee! hold thy tongue, And let us to a safer place. THARES. 'Tis well. For deeds of darkness shun the light of day. ( Fy.ceinif . ) M A RDocH Ai ( Comes for tear d. ) Mine ears have heard the treason, and mine eyes Have seen the traitors, as our Lord the God Of Jacoh hath designed! I'll to the queen. {K.n'f.) SCENE ir. Kin,i::'s apnrtiuent— King reclining on coucli— Haniaii, Zetliar. atteMidantsand scribes. Esther enters. ASSUERUS. Good nu)rrow, Esther. Thou dost fairer grow From day to day, and worthy more to be Our queen. A DRAMA IN FIVE ACTS. IT ESTHER. My lord the king hath pheasant words For Esther, and she fain would stay the speeeh She earae to utter. ASSUERUS ( bending forvard. ) What doth cause this fire 'W) s])arkle in thine eyes? ESTHER. Great king, thy life Is weighed by lowborn knaves ; the balance hangs Upon thy word. HAM AN. Foul treason ! ASSUERUS. What strange speech Is this? Hath Esther felt the burning breath Of traitors? Speak, and death shall cool their blood I ESTHER. Tn truth, I have, my lord: old Mardochai, A faithful subject hath o'erheard a plot To sla}" great Persia's king. ASSUERUS. Ye furies ! speak Their names. Bogathan and swarth Thares have Conspired against thy life. (HaniJin starts, and turns nsldr.) 18 p:sther ; the Persian queen, ASSUERUS. My trusted slaves ! By mighty Baa^, they do laugh at death. What, Haman ! straightway seize upon those dogs, And cause enquiry touching on their guilt; If traitors, make their fate a gruesome sign To impious eyes that I am king. HAMAN (hatred head.) A death To frighten f.ends will be their lot. (Exit with soldiers.) ZETHAR. The slave. And not his knife, doth shed the blood. ESTHER. Most wise Thy words, but not o'erclear. ASSUERUS. What meanest thou By riddles to thy king? ZETHAR. Why punish but The senseless tools of ill? strike rather, king, The hand that holds them fast. ASSUERUS (contemptuously.) Enough, thou dolt, I weary of thy words. ZETHAR. In truth, I too, Begin to weary. A DRAMA IN FIVE A(^TS. 19 ASSUEKUS. Now, that we have stayed 'I'he trait'rous hand, we shall to state affairs Direct our thoughts. A kind farewell, my queen : TlKni hast the heartfelt thanks of Persia's lord, ('oirie, guards, attend. [Exeimf kincf and (iffendnufs.) ESTHER. Thus God in kindness deals \\'ith Isra(4; Init strange it is, the king Overlooked leal Mardoehai. Make note, ye seril)e^ Of this event, and let the annals show His worth. SCRIBES. It shall be done, most gracious queen. [Exeunf Esther and ma ids. ^ ACT III. SCEXE I Street of Susan— people passla«4 — chorus In pruise of Haniai \\ ho passes with his retinue— Mardoehai refuses to bend thf knee CHORUS IN PRAISE OF HAMAN. Hainan hath served Persia's kinj^-. Princely hath the service been; Joyful we his praises sing, Happy that he praise doth win. And proud of his reward. And proud of his reward ; We honor niij^hty Ilanian, And sing of his reward. Bend the knee to Persia's prince; Haman is our mighty lord ; Homage do to Persia's pi'ince. For 't is thus that kin.gs reward, 20 ESTHER ; THE PERSIAN QUEEN, 'T is thus that king's reward. 'T is tliLis that kings reward, All glory then to Haman, For thus do kings reward. (Proc-ession halts. Adniatha, leading a division, retui-ns, and presents himself before Haman.) HAMAN. Adraatha, why this long delay? who dares To stay our march of triumph? ADMATHA. Noble lord, The populate of Susan hath so thronged Our path that lowered spears can scarcely force Their way. HAMAN. Then bid our Macedonians To lead the van. (Exit Aduuffha .) ZETHAR. Against the loyal hearts HAMAN (angrily .) Peace, thou knave, and harken when Great Haman speaks. ZETHAR. 'T is through a foolish love For kingly favorites they crowd the streets — But hark ! is not that music to thine ears. (Chorus is heard siiKjiiuj the, praises of Haiiidii.) HAMAN. Presume not rashly on thy clownish rank To chafe a prince. But, hold ! Charsena, who Is 3^onder churl that stands with moody brow, Forgetting his obeisance? Of Persia? A DRAMA IN FIVE ACTS. 21 CHARSENA. Great my lord, 'T isMardochai the Jew whom Persia's kiu^ Hath looked upon with kindly eye. HAM AN. And now Forsooth, will brave our wrath. Down, stubborn Jew, U])on thy knees, and do me honor ! MARDOCHAI { ivif?) foUlt'd aritKs.) Great Art thou, O Haman! but to God, the Lord of Abraham, alone I bend the knee In worship; thou'rt a man, though great of earth. CHARSENA. Thou insolent ! HAMAN. Ha! Jew, thou pleadest well; I'm not a god, but mark ! I can and will Take vengeanee like a prince. Thou dog, kneel down ! MARDOCHAI Old Mardochai doth honor thee as })rince, But not as God. CHARSENA. A trait'rous knave. HAMAN. Ho, guards I Advance! Another day, thou Jewish churl. We shall exact thy homage. ZETHAii (liftiiiUEEN, HAMAN. And it seenieth good And just to us that traitors taste the draught Of ill they have prepared with cunning care For our vast empire. (^HARSENA. Let them die ! ZARES. I know Thy mind; the Jews are under sentence. HAMAN. And By Haman's all but royal power, they Shall perish root and branch ! ADMATHA. Most wise and just The judgment. CHARS EN A. Loyal prince ! We have dispatched Our henchmen to the empire's distant bounds With copies of the royal edict signed By our own hand ; our might is dreadful in Its wrath, for high in favor do we stand With Assuerus. ZARES. Mighty prince ! A DRAMA IN FIVE ACTS. 29 HAMAN. The king Will on the morrow dine with Esther who Hath graciously invited us to sit At table with her lord — none else may come. ADMATHA. Thy rank o'ertoppeth all. CHAKSENA. And from its proud And lofty eminence, like Asshur's wall, But looketh down on us to know its height And strength. HAMAN. Yet this is nothing, while that Jew Doth scorn and mock us with his moody brow — Doth taunt us with his pride Ye fiends ! why have We born this insult ! there, he sitteth, base And churlish Jew, and will not rise to do Us homage; yea, and standing, will not bend His knee. ZARES. The gibbet chokes such pride. HAMAN. The wretch Defied us to our face ! CHARSENA Do thou command Thy slaves to rear a gibbet. ;^0 esthek; the Persian queen, ADMATHA. In the mart Of Susan let it stand, that all may see The traitor's death. Build fifty cubits high That this same Jew may overlook at ease The city he had thought to scorn, for, in His pride, he hath mocked Susan when he mocked Her lord. HAM AN. Harbona, take ten slaves and build A gibbet in the ma'-ket place, and rear Its beam full fifty cubits high, and on Its dizzy height hang Mardochai. HARBONA. It shall Be done, my lord. {Exit irt'th sJares.) CHARSENA. Not Mardochai \\ ho saved ADMATHA. And lives by royal favor? HAMAN. The king-y Aye, The same, and though the king doth be displeased. That Jew shall die ! Ah, Mardochai, the wrath Of Persia's greatest prince shall make thy fate A dreadful warning to all stubborn slaves, And teach the world that Haman rules this land I A DRAMA IN FIVE A('TS. B] SCENE II. Kliiil's npnrrnit'iit. Assucrus on a couch. Zcthai-. S'liliiicls, slav ■Ic. A8SUERUS. [)uv wearied brain doth vainly seek surcease, From cares of state, but strangely wayward sleep Hath ol't this night refused to welcome us, A king, to its oblivion; we must Al)ide the fates; yet 'tis most hard to win Repose, and not enjoy its fruits. ZETHAK. ['anst thou not summon sleep? ASSUE Ill's. Great king. Ha, fool, the mock Is ever on thy li])s! Bid Mauman and Bazath Attend us. *( E.r/'f Zetlidr.) Great, indeed, yet like a child, \N'hen wrestling with the mighty force riiat nature owns; 3^ea, we are king of men. In that we hold their wills subservient l\> our behest; we grasp the reins, and guide rheir course to our appointed goal; their strength t>eeomes our own; but nature spurns our rule, [)isdaining earthly masters. {Enter Mail HKHi, liazalh nnd Zcflidr.) MAUMAN. ( Iracuous lo) (I, riiy slaves await thy [)leasure. 82 ESTHER; THE PERSIAN QUEEN, ASSUERUS. Mailman, canst Thou lay on kingly eyes the balm of sleep? MAUMAN. Most gracious sire, if this poor life could buy The majesty of Persia but a moment's ease, Then cheap would be the price. ASSUERUS. Alas ! not all The lives in Persia woidd suflflce. BAZATH. Great king. Thy servant ma}^ command the roj^al scribes To bring the annals of the kingdom, and Recount to thee the glories of thy reign ; 'T will soothe thy soul. ASSUERUS. Wise are th}^ words; Go, call the scribes. BAZATH, My lord, they are near by ; Thy servant hath presumed to know thy will, And brought them hither. {^So'ibes come foi'ward . Buzafli retires.) ASSUERUS. Read, ye slaves, the acts Of our most prosperous reign. (Scribes read.) True, Mardochai Hath saved our life; read, slave, the passage once Again. A DRAMA IN FIVE ACTS. 88 And Mardochai dis(*()vereth A i)lot to slay the king: Bogathan and False Thares are found guilty — ASSUERUS. What reward Hath Mordochai received ? {Bazafh refums.) MAI MAN. None suited to the deed. ASSUERl'S. What eounsellors have we! who standetli in The Court? BAZATH. Great King, the |)rineely Haniaii hath But now appeared. ASSUERUS. Call Haman hither; strange, That loyal servants should so find their king Ungrateful. { K nfer Hcuiudi and Bazath.) Haman, how shall we give grace And honor unto one we would exalt Above his fellowmen? Z ETH AR . ( Mo('h-in(lhj . ) Spare not thy words, (jreat Haman, for {)erehanee — ASSUERUS. ■ ' ' Peace, fool, thy toiigiie Doth wag too freely. 11 A MAN Sii'c, the man whom thou Desireth to exalt, shall wear thy robes, 34 ESTHER; THE PERSIAN QUEEN, And seated on the liorse thou ridest, shnU Go forth in Susan, bearing on his head Thy royal crown, while Persia's noblest i)rince Shall lead the horse and cry aloud: Thus shall Be honored he whom Assuerus hath A mind to honor. ASSUERUS. Thou hast apokeii well ; Make haste, take robe and horse and crown, and do This same to Mardochai, the Jew. (HariKoi sfdrts.) Take heed That thou fulfill thy words! [H (oitan's haad d roops .) HAM AN. It shall be done. ZETHAR. Great king, a wisdom not thine own hath framed Thy speech, and measured with thy royal lips The meed of justice. ASSUERUS. Ha, the jester hath Become a courtly censor, seeing good Or evil in our judgment, as his sense Of duty prompteth ! Yet, 't is fitting that The fool break silence when the wise hath fear To speak; nor is the fool more foolish that He voices truth ; for many knaves are wise To human thought, who hold their peace when they Should speak; and thus the fool may teach the wise, And by his folly shame the knave. Away, Ye cringing slaves! w^e'U to the court of state To learn more wisdom, though we may not teach. A DKAMA IN FIVE ACTS. 85 ACT V. (^lU't'ii's ap.'irtnuMit. Ii;Sther in sackclorii. Mar.locluii. Atlia;-h Tliainar and Maids. ESTHER. These days of tears and fasting have o'erhiino- Our spirit like a pall; woe beareth down With leaden weight; the future lowereth dark Upon our sight. Alas, poor Israel, My thrice unhappy race! THAMAH. Fair mistress, thou Hast lived the queen, and — ESTHER. Canst not die the (jueen? Aye, if the Lord so willeth. THAMAR. Nay, nay, speak Not so dispairingly. ESTHER. We thought to seek The king, but fear hath stood his sentinel, And frightened us awa3^ MARDOCHAI. Ah, Esther, must Thy p-ople walk like sheep unto the house Of slaughter, while thou boldest in thy hand A royal sceptn-V Co unto the king With our complaint, that we may live; permit Not (diosen Isra{^] to perish from The earth. ;U) ESTHER; THE PERSIAN QUEEN, ATHACH. Great queen, turn ear to our re(|uest, And save thy people. ESTHER. How may we approach The niajesty of Persia; has he not Dc^ereed that.all who dare draw near tlie throne And find no welcome, seek their death? MARDOCHAI. In God; let duty stifle fear. ESTHER. Trust thou Did not The king reward thee but a day ago? Perchance, he would grant thee this grace. MARDO('HAI. . A puff Of snH)ke, and gone as quickly. Nay, the king Hath paid nie once, and that the last. ESTHER. Hast thou Forgotten Martlochai, that Persia's laws Can not be changed ; the sentence hath been passed, The doom is fixed. MARDOCHAI. The God of Abraham Doth work His will despite the word of man ; 'T is not for us to question how He may Avert our fate ; we know He can, if He So willeth. A DRAMA IN FIVE ACTS. ESTHER. And hath Esther not this faith? Hath she not cast aside her pride of rank To wear the Scickelotli V hath she not with tears Besought the Lord to stay this stroke of wrath \ If God doth will that Esther tempt her death In pleading for her race, she hatli no fear. MAHDOCHAI. God willeth so, for Mardochai doth ask The favor. ESTHER. Nay, how so? MARDOCHAI. Remember thy Estate; thou wert not born to queenly rank, But won thy life beneath the captive's roof, And when thy parents died, old Mardochai Received from God the ])recious charge of thy Young life. ESTHER. ( WeepiiKj.) Aye, Mardochai, thou canst command: Thy message is from God. MARDOCHAI. Arra}" tliyself In royal robes; wear all thy richest gems, And on thy brow bear Persia's crown of state; Then fearlessly approach the king with thy Request. God gave thee beauty; use it now To save His chosen race. T II A MAR. And may He give Thee strength. HH esthp:r; the Persian queen, ATHACH. And ma}^ He stay the king's right ariu, To spare thee to the hind. ESTHER. Oh God, 1113^ Lord And King, have mercy on thy people; we Have sinned in giving worsliip to strange gods, Hut now repent: behold our tears, and let Them wash away our guilt; have pity, Lord Upon poor Esther who doth bear the sins Of her unhappy race ; be thou her strength, For she doth take her danger in her hands. Let not the wicked triumph, but confuse Their counsels; train her speech that she may tame The lion, and bring peace and safety to Thy chosen race. Go, Thamar, and prepare Our richest robes ; thou, Mardochai, command The Jews of Susan to beseech the Lord that grace May meet their queen before the Persian throne. 8( enp: II. As*,uerus seated on his throne, surroinulcil by royal ,u:uai-(ls. \\:\- man Adniatlia. t'harsena, Zethar, Bazat 1. Hirbuna and nol)l'-s, slaves, ete. ASSUERLS. Long hath the light of empire filled our reign With its refulgence; brighter day by day Our glory shineth, cheering witli benign And warming rays the multitude who call Us lord; till now the noontide splendor of Our royal sway hath reached most distant lands Beyond the sacred Ganges, and in scorn ()i sp-i>'e hath caught reflection where unknown A DRAMA IN FIVE ACTS. :]9 And savage tribes look eastward to the course Of that iiiysterioiis and wondrous Nile. HAM AN. Th}^ words, great king, have meaning, and the truth Doth make them clear. ADMATHA. Thy subjects are thy friends: Thy foes are dead, or living, they must (li(^. CHAHSENA. And how may traitors live, when even friends Who seek unbidden W(^h*ome from their king. Seek death. HAM AN. Dread is the majesty, in truth, That we behold. Great king, thy ghmce would kill, If sent in wrath against thy servant. ZETHAK. Then take heed 'IMioii call it not, for oft it darteth ere Offense is rij)e. HAM AN. (sfdifs: then /(ln(///s.) Ha, fool, thou cireamest now Of fruitful fields and budding trees; thy thoughts Become a husbandman more than a sla\e At court. My thoughts when strong ring louder far In princely ears than mid the silent treis. 40 ESTHER; THE PERSIAN QUEEN, ASSUEKUS. What, knaves! how dare ye pass the mock before Our royal throne? HAMAN. (prosfi'dtliKj.) Thy pardon, sire. ZETHAR. ■ When I Ha\^e sinned, I'll sue for pardon. ASSUERUS. Peace, thou fool ! [Knfer Ksfher with Thuiimr " hath ripened to Its rottenness. ASSUEKUS. The knave, forsooth, would soon Aspire to reign, when he could foully hunt To death so many of our friends. What, ho! Bazath, go summon Mardochai unto Our presence. ESTHER. (Kiteeh'iH/.) Gracious king, my people then Shall live? ASSUERUS. Aye, live they shall. ESTHER. O God, Thou hast Been Esther's grace. i^F.iifcr Ba':<(fh aiid M