Parshandatha
He
Should never live to see the rising sun.
Zeresh
The rising sun! My dear, he shall not see
The Pleiades again, and they are up
At nine. When cornet and the trumpet bruit
The entry of the queen, a hundred blades
Like this [disclosing dagger] shall be unsheathed.
Parshandatha,
You know whose blood my blade shall drink!
My hour has come! Ah, Esther, you shall sup
Once more with Haman and your drunken lord,
While Zeresh keeps her lonely watch
Beneath the silent, glittering stars. Come on!
[Exeunt Zeresh and Parshandatha.]
[Curtain.]
Scene II
Place—Outer hall to throne room, curtain back.
Time—The following evening.