ESTHER. So then be strong through coward fearsomeness. Yet call I others what I was myself. For when their coming roused me from my sleep, And I went hurrying to my sister's aid, Into the last, remote, and inmost room, One of them seizes me with powerful hand, And hurls me to the ground. And coward, I, I fall a-swooning, when I should have stood And offered up my life to save my sister, Or, at the very least, have died with her! When I awoke, the deed was done, and vain My wild attempt to bring her back to life. Then could I weep, then could I tear my hair; That is, indeed, true cowardice, a woman's. ISAAC. They tell me this and that. But 'tis not true! ESTHER. Lend me thy chair to sit upon, old man! [_She pulls the chair forward._] My limbs grow weak and tremble under me. Here will I sit and here will I keep watch. [_She sits down._] Mayhap that one will think it worth his while To burn the stubble, now the harvest's o'er, And will return and kill what still is left. ISAAC (_from the floor_). Not me! Not me!--Some one is coming. Hark! No, many come!--Save me--I flee to thee! [_He runs to her chair, and cowers on the floor._] ESTHER. I like a mother will protect thee now, The second childhood of the gray old man. And, if death comes, then childless shalt thou die-- I following Rachel in advance of thee! _The KING appears at the centre door, with his page, who carries a torch._