Of grief? The fool!
Well, let the younger minstrel, Saadi sing.
Saadi
[Sings.]
Lift the voice and let us sing,
The monarch's on his throne;
Xerxes is the greatest king
The world has ever known.
Women, wine and happy song,
Let the revels ring,
Lift your voices loud and long,
For Xerxes is our king.
[Much revel and dancing. The trumpet sounds.]
Ahasuerus
Ahafid's death was only Persia's gain.
[Meditatively.]
Could Vashti look upon this gorgeous scene
The bitter tears would scald her faded cheeks
At thoughts of her own folly.
[Confusion and much disturbance. Ahasuerus, surprised, cries in angry passion.]