Part 9 (2/2)

[_As in soliloquy._]

And did he not talk with G.o.d Upon the Mount of Sinai, when smoke Enveloped all the peak, and even priests Were not allowed upon that holy ground?

Was I more lowly than was Amram's child?

_Zeresh_

Yet G.o.d exalted him until the throne Of Egypt was within his grasp.

_Mordecai_

Though I, Like Jesse's son, was once a shepherd's lad, To-day I rule ten million souls.

Now Moses was a vessel of the Lord When Death pa.s.sed over every Hebrew home, But slew the firstborn where no blood was found.

Was this revenge? Not Moses' hand, but G.o.d's Was red.

_Zeresh_

The servant must obey his Lord.

_Mordecai_

I did not plot the Persians' death. The plan Of G.o.d was in it all.

_Zeresh_

Else why were you Made premier at the moment when the Jews Faced death in every province of the king?

_Mordecai_

It was my hand that stopped the ma.s.sacre, But G.o.d avenged the awful wrong!

_Zeresh_

And Esther! How is it with her? You made Her queen. She was a humble Hebrew girl, Unknown and friendless, but for Mordecai.

_Mordecai_

She should be grateful for the crown I gave.

_Zeresh_

But Hatach says her cheeks are often wet With tears.

_Mordecai_

It may be that she weeps for him Who won her girlish heart before we came To Shushan or had ever seen the king.

_Zeresh_

And yet that can not be. The shepherd's crook Is not the golden sceptre of a king.

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