Part 14 (1/2)

_Ahasuerus_

Ahafid's death was only Persia's gain.

[_Meditatively._]

Could Vashti look upon this gorgeous scene The bitter tears would scald her faded cheeks At thoughts of her own folly.

[_Confusion and much disturbance. Ahasuerus, surprised, cries in angry pa.s.sion._]

Ho! What means This rude confusion? Who has dared disturb The king in this unwonted way?

[_Enter messenger._]

_Messenger_

Tidings, O king, of riot and revolt!

_Ahasuerus_

Restore The court to order. I will hear no news!

There is no news but this night's joy. What fear Need Persia have? The world is safe; The emperor lives! Go put the messengers to death!

This is no time to cloud the royal brow!

Bring forth the vintage from the deepest vault.

Here are a hundred irised pearls. They cost A million sesterces. Let each man crush A l.u.s.trous sh.e.l.l and drink it to the health Of Esther, beauteous queen of all the East.

Arise! She comes! A blaze of splendor. Now Let every instrument be sounded.

The revels shall continue till the dawn!

_Zeresh_

[_Rus.h.i.+ng in with uplifted dagger and thrusting it into the heart of Esther, crying as she flourishes it before the astonished court._]

The dawn, O king, is breaking in the east!

[_Curtain._]

FINIS

POEMS AND SONNETS

To DOCTOR W. W. RAY PHYSICIAN, SCIENTIST, POET, MUSICIAN

To Whom Whether in Art or Nature Truth is Beauty and Beauty Truth, To Whose Appreciation and Enthusiasm I Owed my Intellectual Awakening in Youth, and Whose Friends.h.i.+p and Love have Increased That Obligation Immeasureably as the Years have Pa.s.sed,

I Dedicate these Poems With the Affection of a Full Heart

COTTON NOE

[Ill.u.s.tration:

”_Then why not praise the tallow-dip, the dog irons and the crane, The kettle singing on the coals, or hanging to a chain?_”]

Poems and Sonnets

THE OLD DOG IRONS