Act 3 — SCENE IV
Reading edition
Place: In the court of the King's palace.
Characters: King Ahasuerus, Esther, Haman, Courtiers, Servants.
[The King sits on his throne. Queen Esther enters and bows before the King. The King looks at her in astonishment.]
Courtiers [in loud whispers]: The Queen! It is the Queen!
King: Esther, hast thou dared to come before my presence when I have not called thee? Thou surely dost not know what thou art doing! This act of boldness can mean thy death! But thou art so beautiful, Esther, I cannot be hard with thee. Rise! [He holds out the golden scepter.] What is the request that has brought thee here? It shall be given thee, even though it be half of my kingdom.
[Esther touches the scepter and rises.]
Esther: If it seemeth good unto the King, let the King and Haman come this day unto the banquet that I have prepared for them.
[She turns and goes out.]
King: Hearest thou, Haman? Make haste and let us do as Esther hath said. Come, we will prepare for this banquet.
[Haman bows. The King and Haman go out. Others follow.]
Fig. 5.—The king holds out the scepter to Esther
