Esther

[Laughing, changing rapidly to deep feeling.]

My lord, it is not cinnamon at all,

But spice that grew a thousand years ago

In hills beyond the Jordon. Haman, can

You tell the flavor of the grape that fills

Your goblet?

[38]

Haman

[Flattered.]

Oh, I think it must have grown

In islands of the blue Aegean Sea.

Esther

[Turning to the king.]

My lord, it is the selfsame cup they drank

From sacred vessels at Belshazzar's feast

That night in Babylon.

Haman

What means the queen,

This wine is not that old, and yet, 'tis not

 Prev. P 42/158 next