Yes, you pale ghosts, I mastered you in life,
And will in death. I hold an Empire up,
A thing that IS; no glimmering dream of boys
Or what might be, but will not till men change;
No phantom Paradise of vengeance glutted
By poor men upon rich men, but a world
Rising and doing its work and lying down
Because my fierceness keeps the wolves at bay.
And yet, those Jews, even at my palace door,
So Haman said, have had my death contrived.
What if that captain be in league with them?
Guard! Is Hydaspes there?
Guard.
He is here, great King. Hydaspes, the King calls.
[Hydaspes enters.]
Hydaspes.
Lord! Do you call?
Ahasuerus.
Come in. Let fall the hanging. Come you there
Into the moonlight, that I see your face.
[Hydaspes comes down Left.]