Part 7

ESTHER

Thou art most kind. I would my name and face Were mine own making and not accident. Then I might feel elated at thy praise, Where now I feel confusion.

AHASUERAS

Thou hast wit As well as beauty, Esther. Both are gems That do embellish woman in man’s sight. Yet they are gems of second magnitude! Dost thou possess the one great perfect gem— The matchless jewel of the world called love?

ESTHER

Sire, in the heart of every woman dwells That wondrous perfect gem!

AHASUERAS

Then, Esther, speak! And tell me what is love! I fain would know Thy definition of that much-mouthed word, By woman most employed—least understood.

ESTHER

What can a humble Jewish maiden know That would instruct a warrior and a king? I have but dreamed of love as maidens will While thou hast known its fulness. All the world Loves Great Ahasueras!

AHASUERAS

All the world Fears great Ahasueras! Kings, my child, Are rarely loved as anything but kings. Love, as I see it in the court and camp, Means seeking royal favour. I would know How love is fashioned in a maiden’s dreams.

ESTHER

Sire, love seeks nothing that kings can bestow. Love is the king of all kings here below; Love makes the monarch but a bashful boy, Love makes the peasant monarch in his joy; Love seeks not place, all places are the same, When lighted by the radiance of love’s flame. Who deems proud love could fawn to power and splendour Hath known not love, but some base-born pretender.

AHASUERAS

If this be love, I would know more of it. Speak on, fair Esther! What is love beside?

ESTHER

Love is in all things, all things are in love. Love is the earth, the sea, the skies above; Love is the bird, the blossom, and the wind; Love hath a million eyes, yet love is blind; Love is a tempest, awful in its might; Love is the silence of a moon-lit night; Love is the aim of every human soul; And he who hath not loved hath missed life’s goal!

AHASUERAS

But tell me of thyself, of thine own dreams! How wouldst thou love, and how be loved again?

ESTHER

Who most doth love thinks least of love’s return; She is content to feel the passion burn In her own bosom, and its sacred fire Consumes each selfish purpose and desire. ’Tis in the giving, love’s best rapture lies, Not in the counting of the things it buys.

AHASUERAS

Yet, is there not vast anguish and despair In love that finds no answering word or smile?

ESTHER

So radiant is love, it lends a glow To each dark sorrow and to every woe. To love completely is to part with pain, Nor is there mortal who can love in vain. Love is its own reward, it pays full measure, And in love’s sharpest grief lies subtlest pleasure.

AHASUERAS

Methinks, a mighty warrior, lord or king Must in thy fancy play the lover’s part; None else could wake such reverential thought.