That they are heathen men, Brought from beyond the desert in the wars; Not desert savages, nor civilised, But enemies of both. AHASUERUS. Who told you this? HYDASPES. Prince Haman told me. AHASUERUS. They are now condemned; They have been plotting here. You do not know Any of their rebellious stock, by chance? HYDASPES. No, Lord, not one. AHASUERUS. Go to that door, Hydaspes. Is someone listening to us, as we speak? HYDASPES [_Going to door_]. No, Lord; the guard is at the door beyond. AHASUERUS. Come nearer me. That captain of the guard, Is he a Jew? HYDASPES. No, Lord, a Persian, surely, Pordánatha, from lovely Arisai, The city white like snow; Persian as you. AHASUERUS. Thank you, Hydaspes. These times are dangerous. Go now from here, See the guards doubled at Queen Esther’s doors. These Jews are secret like that desert tribe Whom none has seen, who walk the moonless night And strike men dead, and go, and leave no trace Save the dead body. HYDASPES. I will place the guards Myself, great King. [_Exit_ HYDASPES.] AHASUERUS. Esther, the Queen, not yet a trusted Queen. Not lightly can an Emperor put his trust In man or woman. She is proud, and pride Is slow to give or take in confidence. How the Queen Vashti comes into my mind! She disobeyed my order at the feast, So she is put away, and lives in exile. How little quiet have I known since then! Plot, plot and counter-plot, and none to comfort, Nor to advise, as Vashti used to do. Was it a plot that made her disobey? I sent Prince Memucan to bring her to me: He brought back word that she refused to come. How if Prince Memucan were lying to me? Misquoting what she said, to make me rage And put her from her place beside my throne? For since she went, Prince Memucan has been About me day and night, and grows in power. Who are the comrades of Prince Memucan? Meres, Adathan; but his chiefest friend Is Haman, my most trusted councillor. Haman, my friend, to whom I love to give Princedoms and palaces and silver mines. And yet, what if the two conspired together To rid me of the Queen, that they might rule me? I will send Memucan beyond the seas Upon some dangerous mission of great honour: He shall away to-morrow in all haste. But Haman I can trust. [_He tries to compose himself to sleep._] Princedoms, and palaces, and silver mines, Pomps, glories, splendours, princedoms, palaces-- Vashti the Queen, and enemies, and princedoms-- A long, long life, and heavy hours of time! [_He sleeps. A clink of metal to mark passage of time._]