[The lovers meet and embrace.]
Cupid (in doorway)
Warm lip to lip, and heart to beating heart,
The cast is made—My Lady has her part.
CURTAIN
THE REVOLT OF VASHTI
(FROM THE DRAMA OF MIZPAH)
Ahasueras
Is this the way to greet thy loving spouse,
But now returned from scenes of blood and strife?
I pray thee raise thy veil and let me gaze
Upon that beauty which hath greater power
To conquer me than all the arts of war!
Vashti
My beauty! Ay, my beauty! I do hold,
In thy regard, no more an honoured place
Than yonder marble pillar, or the gold
And jewelled wine-cup which thy lips caress.
Thou wouldst degrade me in the people’s sight!
Ahasueras