He

Should never live to see the rising sun.

[58]

Zeresh

The rising sun! My dear, he shall not see

The Pleiades again, and they are up

At nine. When cornet and the trumpet bruit

The entry of the queen, a hundred blades

Like this [disclosing dagger] shall be unsheathed.

Parshandatha,

You know whose blood my blade shall drink!

My hour has come! Ah, Esther, you shall sup

Once more with Haman and your drunken lord,

While Zeresh keeps her lonely watch

Beneath the silent, glittering stars. Come on!

[Exeunt Zeresh and Parshandatha.]

[Curtain.]

 Scene II

Scene II

Place—Outer hall to throne room, curtain back.

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