Esther: Oh, what shall I do? Dost thou not know that for one who dareth to go before the presence of the King, if the King hath not called him, there is certain death; except to whom the King shall hold out the golden scepter—he may live? I have not been called to come in unto the King these thirty days. He will surely put me to death for such boldness.
Mordecai: Thou must go unto the King even so. Think not that thou wilt escape death from Haman because thou art in the King's house. Who knoweth but that thou hast been made Queen for such a time as this!
Esther [after thinking deeply]: Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day, I also and my maidens will fast likewise—and so I will go in unto the King, which is not according to the law, and if I perish, I perish.
Mordecai: May the Lord go with thee!
SCENE IV
Place: In the court of the King's palace.
Characters: King Ahasuerus, Esther, Haman, Courtiers, Servants.
[The King sits on his throne. Queen Esther enters and bows before the King. The King looks at her in astonishment.]
Courtiers [in loud whispers]: The Queen! It is the Queen!