PROLOGUE.

Aid me, thou holy Pow'r supreme! while I,

To trace the windings of thy footsteps try;

And grant that trembling age and thoughtless youth

May gather wisdom from thy written truth.

Here, in th' inspired records, we may see

Thy providence display'd most pow'rfully;

Here may we view almighty Wisdom plan

His wondrous ways toward his creature, man.

'Tis like the prophet's vision, when of old

The Most High stoop'd his mysteries to unfold;

The living creatures form'd one great machine,

And a wheel moving in a wheel was seen:

And though thy wheels sometimes so high arise,

Quite dreadful they appear to mortal eyes,

Still is thy wisdom seen within — without,

The wheels are full of eyes all round about.

Thy hand each atom guides; all things display

Thy pow'r, thy glory, and thy majesty.

When Israel sinn'd, how high thy wrath arose!

Nor could they stand before their raging foes;

When God in anger kept from them his aid,

By heathen kings sad captives they were led:

There for awhile he left them to their foes,

Whose songs of triumph o'er them proudly rose.

But God was near, he heard his people cry,

He saw each humbled heart — each streaming eye;

And lo! the wonders of those living wheels!

They move, and time the whole great plan reveals.

The Persian monarch held a royal feast,

Where thronging guests his rich provisions taste;

On all, his lib'ral favors he bestowed,

And songs and wine and mirth and music flowed.

His brain inflamed with fumes of sparkling wine,

He thought of Vashti's beauty, deemed divine,

And call'd his queen, who, quite rebellious grown,

Her lord's authority refused to own.

Swift from her throne was hurled the rebel queen,

And in her stead a Jewess fair was seen.

The heathen king sat on a gorgeous throne,

Beneath his yoke the captive Hebrews groan:

Of ancient lineage, of royal blood,

The son of Hammedatha proudly stood;

High his credentials, and the trump of fame

Officious blew to distant lands his name:

His bloated vanity could not endure

To see a Jew, an exile, sad and poor,

Sit upright in the gate, nor lowly bow

His head in dust, with reverential awe

(Mark how pale Envy, eager to torment,

Brings to her own dark breast due punishment!)

So on the gallows fifty cubits high,

Reared by his own hands, see proud Haman die!

His hoarded wealth, his sons, his honors, all

Confiscate — whelmed in his tremendous fall.

Thus was th' Almighty's arm outstretched to raise

His mourning sons, and filled their mouths with praise.

But God of late his anger hath displayed

Against his people, and his arm arrayed

In vengeance for their sins; and, scattered far,

They see no light from Bethlehem's gleaming Star.

The olive branch is broken far and wide,

And the wild olive blossoms in its stead.

Ye favored Gentiles — ye who well have known,

And felt the mercies of God's bleeding Son!

O give your alms, nor dare your aid withhold,

To bring lost Israel to thier Shepherd's fold.

AHASUERUS, King of Media, Persia, Ethiopia and India.
MEMUCAN, Prince of Media and Persia.
ADMATHA, Prince of Media and Persia.
TARSHISH, Prince of Media and Persia.
MERES, &c. Prince of Media and Persia.
MORDECAI, the Jew.
HAMAN, the Agagite.
BIGTHANI and TERESH, Conspirators.
HARBONAH and HATACH, Chamberlains.
HEGAI, Keeper of the Women.
VASHTI, the Queen.
ESTHER, an orphan Jewess — cousin to Mordecai.
ZERESH, Wife of Haman.
ZORA and ZULIMA, Maids of honor.

SCENE I.

— THE COURT OF THE PALACE OF SHUSHAN.

Mordecai,

(solus.)

Note: Contains 249 words in 12 sentences using 1387 chars.

Bigthani,

(in a low tone.)

Note: Contains 41 words in 2 sentences using 219 chars.

Terish.

Note: Contains 23 words in 3 sentences using 120 chars.

Exeunt conspirators — enter chamberlains.

Mordecai.

Note: Contains 17 words in 2 sentences using 76 chars.

Harbonah.

Note: Contains 35 words in 2 sentences using 180 chars.

SCENE II.

— THE QUEEN'S APARTMENT. THE QUEEN SEATED IN STATE, SURROUNDED BY HER MAIDS OF HONOR AND LADIES OF THE COURT.

Enter chamberlains.

Harbonah.

(bowing.)

Note: Contains 28 words in 2 sentences using 136 chars.

Vashti.

Note: Contains 40 words in 4 sentences using 225 chars.

Hatach,

(bowing.)

Note: Contains 42 words in 3 sentences using 235 chars.

Vashti.

Note: Contains 30 words in 4 sentences using 177 chars.

Exit chamberlains.

SCENE III.

— THE KING'S COURT CHAMBER. THE KING SURROUNDED BY HIS LORDS AND WISE MEN.

King.

Note: Contains 38 words in 3 sentences using 217 chars.

Memucan.

Note: Contains 136 words in 5 sentences using 769 chars.

King.

Note: Contains 16 words in 4 sentences using 82 chars.

Memucan.

Note: Contains 36 words in 2 sentences using 201 chars.

Tarshish.

Note: Contains 36 words in 2 sentences using 211 chars.

SCENE IV.

— THE HOUSE OF MORDECAI.

Esther

( sola, looking from a window. )

Note: Contains 29 words in 4 sentences using 181 chars.

Enter Mordecai, in haste.

Mordecai.

Note: Contains 61 words in 4 sentences using 333 chars.

Esther.

Note: Contains 40 words in 4 sentences using 204 chars.

Mordecai.

Note: Contains 93 words in 8 sentences using 523 chars.

Esther.

Note: Contains 34 words in 3 sentences using 179 chars.

SCENE V.

— THE COURT OF THE PALACE. PRESENT, HAMAN AND HARBONAH.

Haman.

Note: Contains 66 words in 3 sentences using 361 chars.

Harbonah,

( bowing. )

Note: Contains 31 words in 2 sentences using 175 chars.

Haman.

Note: Contains 7 words in 2 sentences using 38 chars.

Harbonah.

Note: Contains 24 words in 3 sentences using 148 chars.

Haman.

Note: Contains 27 words in 4 sentences using 158 chars.

Harbonah.

Note: Contains 36 words in 3 sentences using 198 chars.

SCENE VI.

— THE KING'S INNER COURT.

King.

Note: Contains 3 words in 2 sentences using 23 chars.

Hatach.

Note: Contains 9 words in 2 sentences using 53 chars.

King.

Note: Contains 39 words in 5 sentences using 209 chars.

Haman.

Note: Contains 139 words in 5 sentences using 741 chars.

King.

Note: Contains 16 words in 2 sentences using 85 chars.

Haman.

Note: Contains 31 words in 2 sentences using 163 chars.

Exit Haman.

SCENE VII.

— MORDECAI IN THE COURT, CLOTHED IN SACKCLOTH AND ASHES.

Mordecai.

Note: Contains 134 words in 10 sentences using 698 chars.

Enter Hatach.

Hatach.

Note: Contains 46 words in 4 sentences using 234 chars.

Mordecai.

Note: Contains 28 words in 2 sentences using 148 chars.

Hatach.

Note: Contains 14 words in 2 sentences using 84 chars.

Mordecai.

Note: Contains 61 words in 6 sentences using 344 chars.

Hatach,

( taking the scroll. )

Note: Contains 11 words in 2 sentences using 72 chars.

Mordecai.

Note: Contains 66 words in 5 sentences using 364 chars.

Hatach.

Note: Contains 31 words in 2 sentences using 167 chars.

Mordecai.

Note: Contains 42 words in 3 sentences using 227 chars.

Hatach.

Note: Contains 14 words in 2 sentences using 84 chars.

SCENE VIII.

— THE QUEEN'S APARTMENT. ENTER HATACH, (BOWING.)

Hatach.

Note: Contains 14 words in 2 sentences using 91 chars.

Queen.

Note: Contains 27 words in 2 sentences using 144 chars.

Hatach.

Note: Contains 21 words in 2 sentences using 105 chars.

Hands her the scroll — she reads, turns pale.

Queen.

Note: Contains 4 words in 2 sentences using 19 chars.

Zora.

Note: Contains 6 words in 2 sentences using 48 chars.

Zulima.

Note: Contains 29 words in 5 sentences using 153 chars.

Hatach.

Note: Contains 24 words in 3 sentences using 139 chars.

Esther,

( looking wildly round. )

Note: Contains 31 words in 4 sentences using 158 chars.

Hatach.

Note: Contains 12 words in 2 sentences using 66 chars.

Queen.

Note: Contains 24 words in 3 sentences using 121 chars.

Hatach.

Note: Contains 28 words in 2 sentences using 139 chars.

Esther.

Note: Contains 81 words in 5 sentences using 405 chars.

SCENE IX.

— THE QUEEN'S APARTMENT.

Zora.

Note: Contains 78 words in 5 sentences using 468 chars.

Hegai.

Note: Contains 20 words in 2 sentences using 112 chars.

Queen.

Note: Contains 46 words in 5 sentences using 251 chars.

Hegai.

Note: Contains 14 words in 2 sentences using 76 chars.

Queen.

Note: Contains 38 words in 4 sentences using 193 chars.

Zulima.

Note: Contains 27 words in 4 sentences using 165 chars.

SCENE X.

— THE INNER PALACE. THE KING SEATED ON HIS THRONE, ESPIES THE QUEEN AND HOLDS OUT THE SCEPTRE. THE QUEEN, IN ATTEMPTING TO REACH IT, TOTTERS AND IS READY TO FALL.

Zulima.

Note: Contains 10 words in 4 sentences using 53 chars.

The king catches her in his arms.

King.

Note: Contains 47 words in 5 sentences using 268 chars.

Esther,

( weeps. )

Note: Contains 59 words in 3 sentences using 297 chars.

King.

Note: Contains 29 words in 2 sentences using 156 chars.

Esther.

Note: Contains 37 words in 4 sentences using 219 chars.

King.

Note: Contains 23 words in 2 sentences using 134 chars.

SCENE XI.

— THE HOUSE OF HAMAN. PRESENT, HIS WIFE AND FRIENDS. HAMAN ENTERS.

Haman.

Note: Contains 116 words in 7 sentences using 599 chars.

Zeresh.

Note: Contains 37 words in 4 sentences using 196 chars.

Haman.

Note: Contains 47 words in 3 sentences using 255 chars.

Zeresh.

Note: Contains 38 words in 3 sentences using 201 chars.

Haman.

Note: Contains 25 words in 3 sentences using 136 chars.

SCENE XII.

— THE KING'S BED-CHAMBER. THE KING WALKING AT MIDNIGHT IN HIS BED-DRESS.

King,

(solus.)

Note: Contains 106 words in 5 sentences using 602 chars.

Enter page.

Page.

Note: Contains 4 words in 2 sentences using 24 chars.

King.

Note: Contains 75 words in 4 sentences using 424 chars.

Scribe.

Note: Contains 19 words in 2 sentences using 106 chars.

King.

Note: Contains 53 words in 4 sentences using 270 chars.

Scribe.

Note: Contains 31 words in 2 sentences using 179 chars.

King.

Note: Contains 26 words in 3 sentences using 143 chars.

Scribe.

Note: Contains 23 words in 3 sentences using 107 chars.

King.

Note: Contains 6 words in 3 sentences using 43 chars.

Page.

Note: Contains 3 words in 2 sentences using 23 chars.

Ushers him in.

King.

Note: Contains 17 words in 2 sentences using 88 chars.

Haman,

(aside.)

Note: Contains 90 words in 3 sentences using 483 chars.

King.

Note: Contains 21 words in 3 sentences using 119 chars.

SCENE XIII.

— THE HOUSE OF HAMAN, WHO ENTRS, HAVING HIS HEAD COVERED IN TOKEN OF MOURNING.

Zeresh.

Note: Contains 37 words in 4 sentences using 201 chars.

Haman.

Note: Contains 66 words in 7 sentences using 340 chars.

Zeresh.

Note: Contains 48 words in 3 sentences using 229 chars.

Haman.

Note: Contains 120 words in 6 sentences using 677 chars.

Zeresh.

Note: Contains 26 words in 2 sentences using 138 chars.

Haman.

Note: Contains 37 words in 2 sentences using 177 chars.

Zeresh.

Note: Contains 69 words in 4 sentences using 358 chars.

Haman.

Note: Contains 14 words in 3 sentences using 86 chars.

Enter Chamberlains.

Chamberlain.

Note: Contains 13 words in 2 sentences using 68 chars.

Haman,

(bows stately.)

Note: Contains 5 words in 2 sentences using 25 chars.

Presses his wife's hand, and exeunt.

SCENE XIX.

— THE BANQUET ROOM. PRESENT, THE KING, QUEEN, AND HAMAN.

King.

Note: Contains 32 words in 3 sentences using 166 chars.

Esther.

Note: Contains 62 words in 3 sentences using 344 chars.

King.

Note: Contains 47 words in 3 sentences using 247 chars.

Esther.

Note: Contains 63 words in 5 sentences using 296 chars.

King.

Note: Contains 35 words in 4 sentences using 171 chars.

Esther.

Note: Contains 29 words in 3 sentences using 155 chars.

King.

Note: Contains 13 words in 2 sentences using 71 chars.

Exit king, in wrath.

Esther.

Note: Contains 29 words in 3 sentences using 156 chars.

Maid places her on the couch.

Zora.

Note: Contains 40 words in 3 sentences using 215 chars.

Haman,

(stands up to make petition for his life to the queen.)

Note: Contains 24 words in 3 sentences using 127 chars.

Esther.

Note: Contains 10 words in 2 sentences using 60 chars.

Haman groans and falls across the foot of the queen's couch.

King,

(returning from the palace garden.)

Note: Contains 16 words in 3 sentences using 101 chars.

Queen.

Note: Contains 14 words in 2 sentences using 73 chars.

Harbonah.

Note: Contains 19 words in 2 sentences using 104 chars.

Zora.

Note: Contains 17 words in 2 sentences using 91 chars.

They cover him.

Harbonah.

Note: Contains 31 words in 3 sentences using 184 chars.

King.

Note: Contains 88 words in 5 sentences using 473 chars.

Esther.

Note: Contains 95 words in 2 sentences using 462 chars.

King.

Note: Contains 150 words in 10 sentences using 800 chars.

Esther,

(to one of her maids.)

Note: Contains 21 words in 2 sentences using 116 chars.

King.

Note: Contains 43 words in 3 sentences using 232 chars.

Esther,

(weeps.)

Note: Contains 66 words in 4 sentences using 346 chars.

Enter page, ushering Mordecai in costly attire, who stands before the king and makes obeisance.

King.

Note: Contains 38 words in 3 sentences using 228 chars.

Mordecai.

Note: Contains 35 words in 2 sentences using 166 chars.

King.

Note: Contains 74 words in 5 sentences using 384 chars.

Mordecai.

Note: Contains 68 words in 3 sentences using 359 chars.

Ex.

King.

Note: Contains 28 words in 3 sentences using 157 chars.

Esther.

Note: Contains 62 words in 2 sentences using 308 chars.

King.

Note: Contains 27 words in 3 sentences using 147 chars.

Queen.

Note: Contains 9 words in 2 sentences using 49 chars.

King,

(to his servants.)

Note: Contains 10 words in 2 sentences using 63 chars.

SCENE XV.

— THE INNER COURT. ENTER HARBONAH. A FLOURISH OF MUSIC AND CLANG OF ARMS WITHOUT.

King.

Note: Contains 11 words in 2 sentences using 53 chars.

Harbonah.

Note: Contains 51 words in 3 sentences using 283 chars.

King.

Note: Contains 8 words in 2 sentences using 40 chars.

Harbonah.

Note: Contains 38 words in 3 sentences using 214 chars.

King.

Note: Contains 41 words in 3 sentences using 224 chars.

Harbonah.

Note: Contains 26 words in 2 sentences using 136 chars.

King.

Note: Contains 22 words in 3 sentences using 111 chars.

Harbonah.

Note: Contains 20 words in 3 sentences using 124 chars.

King.

Note: Contains 3 words in 2 sentences using 24 chars.

JEWS

THE TRIUMPH.

Note: Contains 58 words in 4 sentences using 301 chars.

Note: Contains 56 words in 6 sentences using 294 chars.

EPILOGUE.

Note: Contains 120 words in 5 sentences using 627 chars.

Note: Contains 80 words in 5 sentences using 437 chars.

Note: Contains 53 words in 5 sentences using 306 chars.

Note: Contains 34 words in 3 sentences using 184 chars.

Note: Contains 42 words in 5 sentences using 237 chars.

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