A daughter of Rebecca and the blood

Of Rachel pulses in my veins! Beyond

The northern hills, within a valley green,

A shepherd watches o'er his flocks to-night

Beside a starlit stream, and dreams of her

Who gave the promise of her hand when life

Was young and all the earth was pure and fair.

His love was constant as the northern star,

And mine was like the needle pointing true.

That day is but a sad remembrance now.

I never knew the ones who gave me life.

My uncle, Mordecai, who sits in state

Beside the king instructed me in love

And knowledge of my people. Every night,

As well as every day, like Daniel, I

Was taught to pray, my window open toward

Jerusalem. God softened Cyrus' heart

Because of Daniel's prayer. But, Vashti, you

[62]

Must know from Persian Gulf to Caspian Sea,

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