Polack, Elizabeth. Esther, The Royal Jewess. Ed. with an Introduction by John Franceschina. British Women Playwrights around 1800. 15 October 2000.
Act III
Scene 1
[A Dungeon belonging to the Palace. Bigthana, Teresh, and Conspirators, discovered, in Chains. Enter Barnazabus.]
Bar.
Haman comes, attended by guards.[Enter Haman, with six Guards.]
Ham.
Ye paltry knaves! men of shallow penetration! when scum like you attempt, or join in rebellion, if the object be attained, those above you reap the harvest—if it fail, ye are the marked tools for punishment and disgrace. Stand back! [They go up.] My mind is changed! [To Guards.] Guards, you may retire. Further knowledge of this vile sedition may be attained by my conferring in private with these men. [The Guards, &c. go off at Door. Haman walks about—suddenly stops—walks again, as if in a state of great indecision—they come near him—he crosses them—they intercept him again—he suddenly stops.] What! would ye have me trample on you? Out of my way! [They retire to the upper part of the Dungeon—Haman appears to ruminate deeply.] Decision! how godlike are thy attributes—you either make or mar. Decision, when concluded by reason and deep resolve, elevates the actions to a climax, noble or depressed; but when doubt—damning doubt —bestrides resolution, all is vapour, darkness, and dismay! the labyrinth of infamy, and, but for an energetic impulse of nature, would have fallen degraded and lost. I've saved these wretches, but whether to let them perish, or not, now remains. They are under my power, and mine alone. I'll have them kept secure, though not injured—I yet may need their aid. Barnazabus![Enter Barnazabus.]
Inform the guard that my pleasure is that these men may be conducted in silence to the cell in my house. [Aside to Conspirators.] Do not fear. I take this precaution to insure your safety. [Haman motions them off—they exit.] Barnazabus, come nearer. [Haman takes his Hand.] Young man, I have been a close observer of thy actions. Thou art shrewd, and quick of comprehension—not extravagant or riotous—never intoxicated with potent draughts—not gay in thine attire, but saving of thy revenue. Such a man I like—such a man I can trust, for you serve your own ambition by forwarding my views. Our late plot has failed. You, and I, and all, by my cunning, have escaped. This must not deter us from achieving our desire. Mark me—the king, Ahasuerus, must die. A powerful draught of poison must be obtained—nay, shrink not from me; your young mind wants but practice to shake off this weakness. I have heard of a Jew alchemist, being about the city, who deals in such ingredients— seek him out, and send him to me instantly. Away! I must now to the proclamation, that brings revenge, murder, bloodshed, and happiness to my desire! [Music. Exeunt.]
Scene 2
[The King's Bedchamber. A Curtain at the back. Ahasuerus discovered sleeping on a Couch. Music. Time, with his Scythe, &c., enters.]
Time.
By none controlled, by no one ruled.
King Ahasuerus—Time now shows thee
The hidden sorrows of thy people.[The Curtain opens and discovers a Tableau of prostrate Jews, over which are Persians—some holding the Jews by the Throat, strangling them, &c., in all the attitudes of slaughter. Music.]
Time.
Behold the prostrate Jew, and for what?
To glut the passions of a wicked heart.
Prevent all this, or the wrath of Heaven
Will scorch thy aching soul with madness![They all disappear. Music. The Scene again becomes illuminated, and in Tableau appears Esther in mourning, with her Hair disheveled—the Sceptre and Crown at her Feet —her Hands extended towards the King. Mordecai also in supplication. A group of Jewish Priests, &c., in attitudes of solicitation.]
Behold thy queen! Let justice be administered!
Awake! awake![Music. The Tableau vanishes—the Clouds disperse—Time slides away. The King in strong perturbation, rushes towards where the vision appeared, with his Arms extended.]
Aha.
Esther! my queen! [A Pause.] Was it but the wandering of intellectual sleep? a vapour of the brain! 'Twas a sacred warning, and shall be obeyed! What ho! send for my prime minister Haman, and bring the records of my reign.[Enter Barnazabus, with a Papyrus, on Roller—the King unfolds it.]
Bar.
[Reading.] "The royal parks, gardens, and walks of the palace to be thrown open for the public use."Aha.
Aye, that is well: give the citizens pleasure, to divert their mind from state affairs. Well—read on.Bar.
[Reading.] Mordecai, a Jew, saved the King's life, and the nation from a vile plot."Aha.
[Hastily.] I remember—and that man was neglected. Those who best serve their country too often pine and decay, whilst pensioned miscreants and lazy sinecurists roll in riches.[Enter Haman.]
Good friend, we need thy counsel. There is a man in my dominions to whom I am much indebted —say, how shall I do him honour?
Ham.
Your pardon, my monarch—let me deliberate. [Ahasuerus signs assent, goes up, and sits on the Couch. Haman comes forward.]Ham.
[In ecstasy.] 'Tis myself he means. I'll have honour done to me publicly! A parade! 'Twill catch the minds of the city, and forward my popularity. My mind's resolved! [To Ahasuerus.] My royal master, thus let it be. Clothe the man whom you desire to honour with your own royal apparel—mount him upon your own horse—make him a present of a gold chain, and then cause some one or other of your particular friends to march before him as a herald, and make this proclamation—that thus it shall be done to the man whom the king vouchsafes to honour!Aha.
My noble counselor, I thank thee, and will follow your kind advice. You shall have the guidance of all. [Haman appears delighted.] Go, and take the horse, the apparel, and the chain, and be this honour done to Modecai, the Jew. [Haman appears horror-stricken.] When he is mounted, do you, as my particular friend, march before him and proclaim—"this is the man whom the king delights to honour!" [Exit. Haman remains in apparent stupefaction—he can scarcely articulate, but works his feelings to the climax.]Ham.
Do I breathe? My pulsation is quick and maddened—a hot hissing of violent agitation rings in my ears! To lead the vile wretch in triumph through our city! Damnation! to the gallows 'twere meet! I'll not be balked! Revenge, on triumphant wing, like the midnight bat, will flutter yet on his elevated gibbet! [Exit.]Bar.
I marvel no longer to see a country fall, when men like yon vile traitor give counsel to their monarch. Who knows but Heaven sent me to this abode of royalty to save the king from the machinations of his enemies. I will seek Mordecai, and he shall come disguised as the alchemist who is expected to bring the drug that would deprive Persia of its king. The designs of the perfidious Haman shall be frustrated. I will arrange that Mordecai shall have an interview with the queen, and through the means of those the infidel seeks to destroy, his crimes shall be unmasked to the world! [Exit.]Scene 3
[A Citron Grove. Very dark. A melancholy group of Jews, supposed to be in Sackcloth and Ashes, bearing a very dejected appearance, discovered. Mordecai enters, with a loose dark Garment thrown over him, to represent ancient mourning—his Head is covered. As he enters they all bow to him.]
Mor.
Peace to ye, sons and daughters of affliction! The vengeance of offended heaven has again descended on our happy race! the tyrant has decreed us to perish by the sword! Better would it have been if our forefathers had fallen while defending the holy temple from the usurping infidel. One effort more for my devoted nation! Heaven may deign to hear the captive's prayer, and turn aside the wrath of our enemies. If we retain our pristine faith unsullied, our supplications will be heard. I will retire awhile, and pray your voices may ascend on high. [He retires up the Stage. The Lament is then sung.]RECITATIVE.
With bitter cries let Israel's sons bewail!
Lo, o'er our lives our enemies prevail,
And for our sins this evil is ordained,
To punish as for holy rites profaned.
Forsake us not! Oh, turn not from our voice!
Deliver us—the people of thy choice![As it concludes, the reflection of the Sun is suddenly seen through the Grove at back and illuminates the Stage. They all prostrate themselves, then rise, and sing the following.]
CHORUS.
We're sav'd! we're sav'd! the prayer is heard,
That frees us from the dreaded doom.
O'er our fated heads impending,
See his pardon now descending—
Behold the glorious light dispels our gloom!
We're saved, &c.Mor.
[Rushing forward and prostrating himself.] Thanks! thanks! the powers above have heard the prayer of the humble Jew! Humility and self-denial cannot fail to draw the benignant smile of mercy on the truly suppliant heart. Rejoice! Go forth, and rely with firmness on Providence!Omnes.
We do! we do! [Shouts without.]Bar.
[Without.] Mordecai! Mordecai!Mor.
'Tis the voice of a friend—approach![Enter Barnazabus, in great haste.]
Bar.
Hail, Mordecai! I bear glad tidings!Mor.
'Tis an earnest from Heaven of Jewish happiness.Bar.
The king has sent for you, to give you public honour.Mor.
Friends, follow me—and give praise for our deliverance! [They repeat the joyful stanza. Exeunt.]Scene 4
[A Street in Syria. A Grand Procession enters—a Mob, shouting—Haman leading a Horse, on which is Mordecai, in a Royal Robe, a Crown on his Head, and a Golden Chain round his Neck.]
Ham.
[Reads in a very sullen manner.] "That thus it shall be done to the man that the king vouchsafes to honour. [The People shout and exeunt.]Scene 5
[Splendid Hall in the Royal Palace, the whole extent of the Stage. A moveable Couch on one side. A small Banquet on the other. Cups, &c. Haman comes on cautiously.]
Ham.
The queen, I hear, is delirious—'twill suit my project the better. [Takes out Poison.] This is the king's jeweled cup, that none drink from but himself, and by his invitation. One drop of this liquid will not be observed at the bottom, and when filed with wine, he drinks, and all is mine own. [He puts the Poison in Goblet, and places it again in its place.][Enter Ahasuerus, Esther, Barnazabus, &c.]
Aha.
My lovely queen! you are now more composed. Take my golden sceptre—it secures you from all danger, and assures you of my unabashed love. But first, to compose thy spirits, let us to the Temple of the Gods, and offer homage for your safety.Est.
Stay, my noble spouse, and hear me. My heart has no homage to pay at your altars. I love you beyond all on earth—next my foster parent, my uncle— but there is a secret in my heart now to be disclosed. Not all your idols have charms for me—not all your oracles can avert my creed—not all your engines of cruelty can make me apostate, for nature and truth is my directing star. The brightest boast of my soul is, in being of the foundation and root of all revealed good—I am, my king, a Jewess!Aha.
Thou lovely gem of my adoration! I love thee better for this candour. Never should the feelings of the heart be perverted by religious opinion. That power omnipotent, be it what it may, never intended its laws for cruelty and oppression!Est.
Oh, noble soul! how my heart pants to hear this liberality! Humble and lowly are our desires. We are persecuted, but wish not to be trampled under foot. Oh, my king! you require fidelity to your throne, and punish as traitors all who swerve from your laws. What is the Jew's crime?—fidelity to his Maker! for this he is pointed at—derided—scoffed! and what is noble in others are with bigoted men the Jew's curse; and though beneath the arm of power the Jew must bend, yet this cannot always be; for moral right will rise to vindicate humanity. This is the subject I wished to speak on— to save myself and countrymen from destruction.Aha.
But who has stretched my laws so far—who has such a design on foot?Est.
My king, there stands the man! [Points to Haman.] He, out of pure malice to the people, sent forth the decree. He trembles! his lip quivers! his sallow cheek would, if it dare, burst with rage! his wicked eye glances fire on me and my race! Hence, secured perverter of thy monarch's law!Aha.
Is this my able counselor? Can it be true, Haman? Have you sought to bring contempt on my dignity? We cannot brook this villainy. My rage shall not be predominant—I'll retire to lament thy treachery. [All go out but Esther and Haman. Esther reclines on the Couch—Haman slowly, and in a most servile manner—approaches the Couch.]Ham.
Fair queen, possessing influence over all, thou hast subdued the King, and humbled me. I fear degradation, but your goodness of heart shall be my advocate. Pray for me and my sons—for my wife: solicit with thy beauty and persuasive voice, and I shall be reinstated once again in royal favour.Est.
[On the Couch.] And darest thou—vile plotter against my life and all my race—darest thou ask my interposition?Ham.
Public disgrace—the hootings of a mob—poverty—fall from office—all may be prevented by one word from thee. Like the crawling worm behold me at thy feet. Do not cast me off! I'll be as the dust of thy feet, but save me. I'll kiss thy footmark in the earth—pray for thee—watch thy breathing as the balm of Heaven—so you but grant my supplication and thy blessed favour.[Enter Ahasuerus and Attendants.]
Aha.
[In anger.] Base mortal! reptile! deluder of the public weal! Wouldst thou attempt the virtue of my queen? [The Guards seize Haman.] By the gods! I'll dash thee down, rude monster, for such insult, and trample thee like the dust that licks my feet!Bar.
Stay, my king—a word in private. [He speaks in the King's ear, and points to the Goblet—the King appears to ascend.]Ham.
[Aside.] What are they at? Barnazabus knows all! I must be true to myself, and brave all difficulties with cunning and dark hypocrisy.Est.
Come, no more of virulence or anger. Give me the jeweled goblet, and in wine let the past be obliterated. [Barnazabus gives her the Goblet—she examines it.] This rare specimen of workmanship always attracts my admiration. 'Tis exquisite! what skill! how pleasing to behold! So does the envenomed serpent boast all the variegated and beauteous castings of colour, but a deadly venom lurks unseen, which, when touched, spreads rancour and death! Drink, noble Haman, to thy king! [Offers the Cup.]Ham.
[In consternation.] I am heart-sick—his majesty's wrath has unnerved me! I'll home to my couch—pray excuse my refusing the honour.Est.
Then I'll drink myself. Here's to my king! [She raises it to her Mouth—then stops.] What is this? the wine curdled! it seems sour! No treachery, I hope; for all here are friends. Barnazabus, call the Jew alchemist—my relation, now in our palace—he is of rare judgment, and shall pass his skill on the draught. Call him! [Barnazabus goes to the side and beckons.]Ham.
All is lost! [Mordecai enters as the Alchemist—he confronts Haman.] I can scarcely breathe!Est.
Behold this liquid—say, is it wholesome or drugged? Speak without fear, for here you are safe.Mor.
None but myself can tell its potency—one drop at the bottom will distill the whole blood into frenzy, and shortly deprive the victim of life. Such a draught I lately sold in this palace to that man! [Points to Haman.]Ham.
Liar! Base miscreant, take death! [They stay him. Mordecai throws off his disguise.]Mor.
Traitor! take my life if you dare! In that disguise I sold you what you thought poison. You are deceived, and Mordecai, the Jew, comes to hurl you to despair!Aha.
Haman, surrender thy ring of office—[Haman gives it.]—which thus I bestow on Mordecai, the Jew. Go, issue thy orders through the palace. [Exit Mordecai.] Take this man to death! [Haman is taken off.]Est.
Blessed be this hour! happy be my king! and prosperous be the Jews of every land and clime! May the sacred tree of liberty never lose a branch in contending for religious superiority; but all be free to worship as he pleases. Let that man be for ever despised who dares interfere between his fellow man and his creed. Oh, people of my own nation, may the heart promised home you've sighed for present you golden hours of freedom; and down to posterity may the sons of Judah in every clime celebrate this time in happy Purim! [The Band strikes up the Chorus—Mordecai enters on Horseback, accompanied by numerous Characters—a Transparency descends with the word "PURIM!" on it—the whole form a Grand Tableau.]THE CURTAIN FALLS.
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