The Blood of Rachel, a Dramatization of Esther, and Other Poems. Cotton Noe

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.

      Mordecai

      But Haman's hand.

      Esther

      Why does the premier hate

       The Jews?

      Mordecai

      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.

      Esther

      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.

      Mordecai

      Your life

       Is forfeited already, child; you are

       A Jew.

      Esther

      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.

      Mordecai

      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.

      Esther

      Depart. [Sound of trumpets within.]

       The king

       Is on his throne. I go, and if I die,

       I can but perish. Peace to Israel.

      [Exit Mordecai.]

      [The curtain back rises and discloses Ahasuerus on his throne surrounded by court. Esther approaches to center of hall before the king, and extends her hands as though supplicating. The king seems dazed for a moment and then deeply moved; slowly he lifts the golden sceptre and extends it toward the queen who approaches and touches it.]

      Ahasuerus

      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!

      Esther

      [Innocently.]

      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.

      Ahasuerus

      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.

      Esther

      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.

      Ahasuerus

      Oh, Esther, you have pleased

       Your king already far beyond what he

       Had ever hoped. To-morrow night at six!

      [Music and revels. Esther retires.]

      [The king and retinue retire in opposite direction. Haman and followers pass out front where Mordecai sits by the gate, together with others. All except Mordecai salaam, but the Jew remains stiff, looking Haman defiantly in the face.]

      [Curtain.]

      Scene III

      Home of Haman—two days later.

      [Enter Haman, Zeresh, and Parshandatha.]

      Haman

      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

      [Wailing in Street.]

      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.

      Zeresh

      I

       Am proud of Haman's power.

      Haman

      Go call our friends.

      Zeresh

      Before the rising sun had touched with gold

       The treetops on the peaks of Zagros, Tesh,

       The son of Zalphon, was abroad