Judith, Esther, and other poems

Thus Esther spoke, when for a fearful deed,
Soft Persia's sovereign yielded his decree;
And every Hebrew in his realm to bleed
Was destined, but to please a favourite's cruelty.

“And was I made a powerless queen to see,
Only with bitterer pains a day so dire?
What, proud oppressor, can it profit thee,
Though all my unoffending race expire?

“Ten thousand slaves thy slightest look obey,
A powerful sovereign's smile thy bosom cheers,
Yet from the glowing scene thou turn'st away,
And seek'st thy happiness in groans and tears.

“I must avert the fell design—yet how?
What can a weak and artless woman do?
Who, till the diadem begirt her brow,
Nought but the name of guilt or grandeur knew.

“Oh! happier far the sun-burnt maid who toils
Where ne'er a court its baneful splendour shed,
And scarcely scares the hummer from his spoils,
In gathering garlands for her firstlings' head!

“Who, when the Persian's god has left his car,
And eve's soft gales refreshing coolness bear,
Sees her loved shepherd view the lucid star,
With scarce a joy to wish, and naught to fear.

‘The law is death—yet, should I trembling dare—
Formed for entreaty—gentle, meek, and mild—
The lion, fierce for blood, will sometimes spare,
For pride or pity's sake, the helpless child—

“Sore is the meed of disobedience—
That, to her grief, dishonoured Vashti knew;
And all her beauty, for the slight offence
From an offended lord no pardon drew.

“But, I am loved, my monarch says, most dear,
And the soft word was softened by his look—
Esther, be firm and banish every fear!
Can he who loves, so well, thy death-blow brook?

“Ah treacherous hope!—turn thou, my soul, with dread,
Those words, those melting looks, another's were—
Yes, hapless queen, thine were my throne and bed;
Another still—full soon may triumph there.

“Yet Heaven watches o'er the innocent,
And suffers guilt to triumph but a day—
Heaven's Lord, in all my fortunes blaze, I've leant
Still, still on thee, oh! cast me not away!

“Deign, while my spotless virgins lowly bend,
And raise the tearful anxious eye to thee,
High over kings exalted, deign to send
From thy dread throne, one pitying thought for me!”

Awhile she paused, her looks still raised to heaven,
Those looks which every passing thought confest,
Then thus resumed, as Heaven relief had given,
And calmed the tumult of her gentle breast.

“To mitigate their fearful dome I'll try
To please my lord, once more, it may be mine—
And oh! my wretched country, if I die,
I only mix my worthless blood with thine.

“Take ye, my maids, this mournful garb away,
Bring all my glowing gems and garments fair,
A nation's fate impending, hangs to day,
But on my beauty and your duteous care.”

Prompt to obey, her ivory form they lave;
Some comb and braid her hair of wavy gold,
Some softly wipe away the limpid wave
That o'er her dimply limbs in drops of fragrance rolled.

Refreshed and faultless from their hands she came,
Like form celestial clad in raiment bright,
O'er all her garb rich India's treasures flame,
In mingling beams of rain-bow coloured light.

O'er her smooth brow soft ringlets left to flow,
Played twinkling o'er the turban's stainless white,
As lingering sunbeams beautifully glow
Blue Caucasus, around thy snowy height.

Graceful she entered the forbidden court,
Her bosom throbbing with its purpose high,
Slow were her steps, and unassured her port,
While hope just trembled in her azure eye.

Light on the marble fell her ermine tread,
And when the king, reclined in musing mood,
Lifts at the gentle sound his stately head,
Low at his feet the sweet intruder stood.

O King, a colder heart than thine had felt
At such an hour, such suppliant's soft controul—
Her guileless looks th' admiring monarch melt,
Who thus, disordered, uttered forth his soul.

‘What would my Queen, and what is her desire?
Tremble not, Esther, tell thy wish to me,
For shouldst thou half fair Persia's realm require,
Speak but a word, and I will give it thee.’

“Most gracious lord,” in modest tone, she said,
“Since thou art pleased to listen, my request
Is that the banquet, which to day I spread,
May be with thy majestic presence blest.

“And that thou also bidd'st the Agagite,
Who next thyself magnificently placed,
Though thousands sigh, enjoys the envied height
With all the lustre of thy favour graced.”

The charmed monarch gave a glad assent
And bade a slave the sovereign will declare.
Meantime her happy way fair Esther went,
To join her maidens in the thankful prayer.

And frame the tale with truth's persuasive word,
To undeceive her lord's too ready ear,
And to confound, ev'en at the genial board,
The wretch who in his pride prepared him to appear.

University of Virginia Library

ESTHER.