A glorious feast on which my soul Already feeds, and Esther shall be there!

[_Re-enter Haman and Friends._]

_Haman_

Be seated at the table.

Citizens Of Shushan, patriots of Persia, friends, The servant of the king has called you here To tell you of his triumph and to ask Your sage advice. Two days ago the prince And I sat down together to a feast Within the palace walls and drank your health.

The royal cup was blushing like the spume Of autumn clouds at sunset, when a wail Arose in Shushan that has sore perplexed The people. Mordecai, the haughty Jew, Who sits beside the palace gate, refused To bow or do me reverence, although Admonished by the king. I was born A humble subject in the private ranks Of life; but now I wear the signet ring Of Xerxes. Friends, the law that dooms the Jews To simultaneous slaughter can not be Revoked. Last night the queen invited me To banquet with her lord. The necklace that She wore of iridescent pearls was like A rainbow over polar snows. Ah, she Was fair to look upon! And now my cup Was filled to overflowing--

[_Zeresh shows great emotion._]

(Zeresh, are You ill?)--when Esther begged that I would come Again to-morrow to another feast Her hand would lay for Haman and the king.

My wealth is multiplied beyond my ken; The sceptre is almost within my grasp.

But all these things avail me naught, so long As yonder hated Jew remains unbent.

_A Friend_

Destroy the brute at once!

_Haman_

Oh, that will not Suffice. 'Tis not his death, but homage that Must sweeten my revenge. Ah, I would see Him groveling on the earth as Haman pa.s.sed.

My rank and station must be recognized.

I sit beside the king; I am premier Of Persia. Yet this Jewish dog is still Unmoved!

_Zeresh_

Hang him where the kites will eat His eyes!

_Haman_

O Zeresh, you are like the rising sun-- An inspiration in the hour of gloom.

We'll build this gallows fifty cubits high, And then his Hebrew pride will bite the dust.

Oh, I can hear him whining like a cur, My love, your wisdom is above the head.

A woman's heart is like an oracle Divine. Prepare this gallows. Friends, I go At dawn to greet the king. At night we dine Alone with Esther, and--

[_Zeresh faints._]

Why Zeresh, are You ill again? Send for the leech. Her blood Is over wrought with too much happiness.

[_Curtain._]

ACT II

SCENE I

Place--The palace of the king. Outer room of banquet hall. Curtain back.

[_Enter Meheuman, Biztha, and Smerdis._]

_Meheuman_

Ahafid has become most deaf of late; Advancing age has wrought a piteous change In him. He can not understand our king.

_Smerdis_

'Tis not the king but age that makes him groan.

I mean this age, the age in which we live.

[_Meheuman and Biztha exeunt on the opposite side of stage, as Ahafid enters more stooped, and singing._]

_Ahafid_

[_Sings._]

A country but no king, An empire but no throne, An upstart wears the signet ring, My harp has lost its tone.

I can no longer sing great Persia's praise.

_Smerdis_

The trouble isn't with the harp, the country, king, nor throne; Nor that an upstart wears the ring: Ahafid's voice is gone.

_Ahafid_

What say you, Smerdis?

_Smerdis_

Art is marvelous.

_Ahafid_

Even Ahasuerus once was king, He was a despot, it is true, but still A prince.

_Smerdis_

If prince, then why not still a king?

_Ahafid_

Eh, Smerdis?

_Smerdis_