Of Amram; satisfied that now the crown

Of Persia presses only Hebrew brows.

Parshandatha

[Sarcastically.]

You do forget my lord, Darius' son.

You can not think the blood of Jacob flows

Through Xerxes' veins? Does he not wear the crown?

Zeresh

[With contempt.]

Ahasuerus wears a pigeon's heart.

The Persian robe's a Jewish gabardine;

The crown, a Hebrew priest's phylactery.

But did you say forget? Have you been so

Long with me, dear, and doubt my memory?

Forget Ahasuerus, did you say?

That minion of a Jewish girl, who sealed

The death of Haman and his sons? His face

Is seared upon my heart, his image burnt

Into my brain. I tell you Xerxes is

No longer king.

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