[The servants show them where to sit. Enter second messenger.]
Second Messenger: The King! The King!
[Enter King and Haman. King sits on his throne.]
Second Servant [bowing before the King]: O King, the maidens from all parts of the country have arrived and await thy pleasure.
King: Let them come before my presence one at a time, and I will choose from among them the one that seemeth most fair.
[The musicians begin playing and, one by one, the maidens come out. They bow and dance. Esther comes last of all. As Esther dances the King speaks.]
King: What marvelous beauty! Surely this maiden is fair enough to be my Queen.
Haman: Yea, O King, thou art right; she should be thy Queen.
King [takes Esther's hand]: What is thy name, fair maid?
Esther: My name is Esther, O King.