“I’ll take the crown from off my head

And tread it ’neath my feet,

Before their rude and careless gaze

My shrinking eyes shall meet.

“A queen unveil’d before the crowd!—

Upon each lip my name!—

Why, Persia’s women all would blush

And weep for Vashti’s shame!

“Go back!� she cried, and waved her hand,

And grief was in her eye: