Forgive me, Zethar, but no wine to-night.

[Enter Meheuman, Biztha and Abagtha.]

[6]

[6]

Meheuman

[Loftily.]

Our most imperial queen, the king has laid

A banquet in the palace garden court,

The crowning act of that munificence

Toward prince and people great and small alike,

Ahasuerus now for many months

Has shown the loyal subjects of his realm.

The adornment of the court displays a rich

Magnificence of taste; the couches are

Of fretted gold and silver set upon

A pavement of mosaic inlaid stone.

The drinking is according to the law—

None can compel, each vessel is diverse,

But all of gold. Th' abundance of the wine

Shows the unstinted bounty of the king.

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