PLACE: At Shushan, the palace.
CHARACTERS: King Ahasuerus, Mordecai, Maidens, Haman,
Servants, Courtiers.
[_Two servants are standing in the court room of the
palace. Enter a messenger followed by_ ESTHER _and_
MORDECAI.]
_Messenger_ [_announces to the servants in the room_]: This
maiden has come to see the King.
[_He goes out._]
_First Servant:_ This is the place. Wait thou here. [_To_
MORDECAI]: What art thou here for? Thou wilt have to depart.
_Mordecai:_ I only brought this maiden. I beg of thee let me
have a few words with her; then I will withdraw.
_First Servant:_ Speak then quickly, before the King cometh.
[_Servants withdraw to another part of the room._]
[Illustration: FIG. 3.--Esther and Mordecai]
_Mordecai_ [_taking_ ESTHER'S _hand_]: Esther, my child,
thou art like my very child, for although I am but thy uncle
I have been as a father to thee. I bid thee farewell now,
for it seemeth to me that the King will surely choose thee
to be his Queen--thou art so fair. This one thing remember,
tell him not that thou art a Jewess. Fare thee well, Esther!
May the Lord bless thee!
_Esther:_ Farewell to thee, Mordecai!
[MORDECAI _goes out. Other maidens come in announced by
the messenger._]
_Messenger:_ These maidens would see the King.
[_The servants show them where to sit. Enter second
messenger._]
_Second Messenger:_ The King! The King!
[_Enter_ KING _and_ HAMAN. KING _sits on his throne._]
Second Servant [_bowing before the_ KING]: O King, the
maidens from all parts of the country have arrived and await
thy pleasure.
_King:_ Let them come before my presence one at a time, and
I will choose from among them the one that seemeth most
fair.
[_The musicians begin playing and, one by one, the
maidens come out. They bow and dance._ ESTHER _comes
last of all. As_ ESTHER _dances the_ KING _speaks._]
_King:_ What marvelous beauty! Surely this maiden is fair
enough to be my Queen.
_Haman:_ Yea, O King, thou art right; she should be thy
Queen.
_King_ [_takes_ ESTHER'S _hand_]: What is thy name, fair
maid?
_Esther:_ My name is Esther, O King.
_King:_ Esther, I do here take thee to be my Queen. Bring
the royal crown and the Queen's robes!
[_Servants come immediately and put them on her._]
[Illustration: FIG. 4.--Esther dances before the king]
_King_ [_leading_ ESTHER _out_]: Come unto the wedding feast
which is now prepared. All are welcome!