Smerdis
Ahafid seems to harp upon his strings.
Ahafid
It seems Ahasuerus means to drink
The cup of revel to its bitter lees.
Smerdis
The deeper in the cup he goes
The sweeter is the wine that flows;
The closer to the lees, he thinks,
The purer is the wine he drinks.
Ahafid
Messengers from every province bring
Reports of mutterings and dangerous
Revolt. But Xerxes, heedless still, declares
This night shall dim the glories of the past.
Smerdis
[Sings.]