VASHTI'S SCROLL
33
Mute symbol of great Persia's power and pride;
While on his brow some courtier's hand had placed
The fairest chaplet monarch ever graced,
A wreath of dewy roses, fresh and sweet,
Just brought from out the garden's cool retreat.
While on his brow some courtier's hand had placed
The fairest chaplet monarch ever graced,
A wreath of dewy roses, fresh and sweet,
Just brought from out the garden's cool retreat.
Louder and louder grew the sounds of mirth;
Faster and faster flowed the red wine forth;
In high, exulting strains the minstrels sang
The monarch's glory, till the great roof rang;
And flushed at length with pride and song and wine,
The king rose up and said, "O nobles mine!
Princes of Persia, Media's hope and pride,
Stars of my kingdom, will ye aught beside?
Speak! and I swear your sovereign's will shall be
On this fair night to 'please and honor ye!"
Then rose a shout from out the glittering throng
Drowning the voice of merriment and song.
Humming and murmuring like a hive of bees—
What would they more each charmed sense to please?
Faster and faster flowed the red wine forth;
In high, exulting strains the minstrels sang
The monarch's glory, till the great roof rang;
And flushed at length with pride and song and wine,
The king rose up and said, "O nobles mine!
Princes of Persia, Media's hope and pride,
Stars of my kingdom, will ye aught beside?
Speak! and I swear your sovereign's will shall be
On this fair night to 'please and honor ye!"
Then rose a shout from out the glittering throng
Drowning the voice of merriment and song.
Humming and murmuring like a hive of bees—
What would they more each charmed sense to please?
Out spoke at last a tongue that should have been
Palsied in foul dishonor there and then.
"O great Ahasuerus! ne'er before
Reigned such a king so blest a people o'er!
What shall we ask? What great and wondrous boon
To crown the hours that fly away too soon?
There is but one. 'Tis said that mortal eyes
Never yet gazed, in rapturous surprise,
Upon a face like that of her who wears
Thy signet-ring, and all thy glory shares,—
Thy fair Queen Vashti, she who yet shall be
Mother of him who reigneth after thee!
Show us that face, O king! For nought beside
Can make our cup of joy o'erflow with pride."
Palsied in foul dishonor there and then.
"O great Ahasuerus! ne'er before
Reigned such a king so blest a people o'er!
What shall we ask? What great and wondrous boon
To crown the hours that fly away too soon?
There is but one. 'Tis said that mortal eyes
Never yet gazed, in rapturous surprise,
Upon a face like that of her who wears
Thy signet-ring, and all thy glory shares,—
Thy fair Queen Vashti, she who yet shall be
Mother of him who reigneth after thee!
Show us that face, O king! For nought beside
Can make our cup of joy o'erflow with pride."
