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Read Ebook: The Blood of Rachel a Dramatization of Esther and Other Poems by Noe Cotton
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Ebook has 369 lines and 32690 words, and 8 pages
Ah, Esther! Though your queenly robe you do Conceal, I know that regal gait. Before I ever looked upon these palace walls, When you were yet a little child beyond The purple peaks, where shepherds led their flocks In pastures green, I often dreamed that you Would one day wear a golden coronet And sit in majesty upon a throne.
Four years I have been queen, which time I have Not heard the voice of any one I love; And though disguised, I hardly dare to speak My heart even to you. This palace is A gloomy prison cell. The Persian crown Is meaningless to me. The hundred gems That blaze upon its field of gold are dull And heavy lead. I would exchange it all For but a glint of sunshine on the hills Where I was born. But why this interview?
My royal niece, I know that you are queen.
A queen? But what of that? Though of my blood, You can not even look upon my face. What would you have?
My daughter, do you hear The cries of anguish that disturb the peace Of Shushan's streets? Your people everywhere Are clothed in sackcloth. Read the king's decree!
"It has been written and commanded by Ahasuerus, emperor of all The East, and sealed in every tongue with his Own ring--the royal seal--that governors And princes and lieutenants, everyone Within the Persian rule, shall make and cause To die and perish every Jew, both young And old, the women and the children, rich And poor alike, and forfeit all their goods. This is Ahasuerus' sovereign will And shall be done and executed in The month of Adar on the thirteenth day." Oh, God! It is Ahasuerus' seal.
But Haman's hand.
Why does the premier hate The Jews?
Because the children of the true And living God will never bend the knee To heathen pride. He hates the Jews because Your uncle is a child of Abraham And will not do obeisance to a son Of Baal. Esther, though I made you queen, I plead not for the life of Mordecai, But for the sacred blood of Israel. You alone can intervene. Go straight Before the king and make demand that he Reverse this law that puts the Jews to death.
A Persian king can not reverse his own Decree. Besides, the queen who goes into The presence of her lord unless by his Express command, must sacrifice her life, Except through some unguarded impulse he Extends his golden sceptre that she live. I can not go unto the king.
Your life Is forfeited already, child; you are A Jew.
You did conceal my blood nor dare Reveal my lineage now. Your own deceit Has brought this death upon the house of Israel, Nor will Jehovah hold you guiltless in The hour of doom.
Esther, if you keep Your peace when Rachel's children wail and cry For help, deliverance will arise Unto the Jews but you shall be destroyed And all your father's house.
Depart.
The king Is on his throne. I go, and if I die, I can but perish. Peace to Israel.
Why did you, Esther, O most beauteous queen, Thus dare to come unbidden to the king? 'Twas jealous Death unbarred the royal door That he might claim you for his paramour? Your innocence and charms have saved your life!
My lord, how now was I in danger? Ah, You know I am your loyal wife? I would Not be your queen alone. The crown is naught Compared to pleasures of companionship. O Xerxes, may not Esther share your joys Of wine and song? Too long you have denied That which I covet most--to be beside My king.
There is no favor, Esther, I Would longer hold from you; even to half My kingdom, tell me what you most desire, And I will give it you.
My lord, I have Already spoke my heart, but you will not Believe. To test Ahasuerus' love, I have a favor I would ask of you; But first that my most gracious lord may know His queen has taste and skill as well as charms, I will prepare a banquet for the king With my own hands. You are a judge of wine, And every dish that graces banquet halls. To-morrow, let Ahasuerus come, And bring his premier Haman, who no doubt Can tell a heron from a hawk, and if My lord shall praise my art, and I Find favor in his sight, I will make known My dearest wish.
Oh, Esther, you have pleased Your king already far beyond what he Had ever hoped. To-morrow night at six!
Home of Haman--two days later.
My star grows brighter with each setting sun; The lowly child of old Hammedetha Is first among the servants of the king. Ah, Mordecai, you did not know I am An Agagite, who fed upon the breast Of unrelenting hate toward every child Of Israel, who will not bend the knee Save to the God of Abraham. Oh, do
You, Zeresh, hear that wail of anguish? Love, I know that you are proud to be the wife Of him who can direct such music.
I Am proud of Haman's power.
Go call our friends.
Before the rising sun had touched with gold The treetops on the peaks of Zagros, Tesh, The son of Zalphon, was abroad In Shushan on the errand of my lord.
Not only in this city, but, my spouse, In every province of the king, the Jews In sackcloth mourn because of Haman's might. But would you know the secret of my strength? This ring! The seal of Xerxes. It is death To every drop of Jacob's blood within The Domain of Ahasuerus' rule.
The guests are coming.
Oh, the messages Of enmity are swift as shafts of love. Now, Zeresh, call the servants of the house And set a sumptuous feast, for Haman would Take counsel of his friends.
My gracious lord, The table is already set. Go greet The guests and bring them in.
Parshandatha, What do you think of Haman? Did you note My lord?
I did, madam. His happiness Is most complete. His rapid rise to power Has all but ravished him with joy. And yet, Methought that something still he lacked. Perhaps The queen's consent has not yet been obtained To this decree that puts the Jews to death.
What do you mean? The queen's consent? My Lord Has naught to do with Xerxes' wife, and why Should he be troubled for a woman's whim? Besides, who knows but Esther does approve This slaughter of the Jews?
Approve, madam? She is a queen, but still a woman!
So Am I, though not a queen! A woman, yes But with no stomach for that hated race!
'Tis whispered in the court that Esther is Herself a Jew.
The Persian queen a Jew! Then let her perish with her blood.
But would My lord consent to Esther's death?
Consent Again! Parshandatha, why do you harp Upon consent? Now listen to my words. But should you e'er disclose one breath Of what I say, you are yourself a Jew, Nor is there any power in Persia's king To save your life. My lord pretends to hate The Jews. His hate is only wounded pride. The deference of Mordecai is all That Haman wants. He does not know the queen Is Hebrew blood. This fact must still be kept Concealed--concealed, that is, until the day Of death. Oh, he shall know who Esther is-- This Israelite that banquets with my lord! You think his rise is due to Esther's power?
Madam, I do not know.
Not know! not know! But what think you, Parshandatha? Of course You do not know.
Madam, he often dines With Esther and the king. The king no doubt Is very fond of your most gracious lord.
The king!
Mayhap the queen also. Your lord Is young and handsome still. The king is far Beyond the queen in years.
I can Not catch your drift.
Madam, your husband has A ready wit. The queen enjoys life.
Enjoys life! And so do I, and likewise death. Now hold Your blasted tongue. My husband sups again To-morrow with the Jewish queen. They say When Haman dines her majesty prepares The banquet with her own most dainty hand! Parshandatha, whose hand, think you, has laid The feast of Adar?
Zeresh! call you death A feast!
A glorious feast on which my soul Already feeds, and Esther shall be there!
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--
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