Ahasuerus [In his sleep].
O no! Spare me! Spare me!
Loose me my hands. O they have tied my feet!
I cannot get from bed, and now they come.
Merciful Gods! my thigh-bones are both broken.
I cannot stir. Who is it gibbering there?
Who are you? Who?
Thares [In a disguised, piping voice].
The shadow of what I was,
Come for your blood.
Ahasuerus.
I’ll give you gold—my kingdom—
But let me go!
Thares [Creeping slowly across, hands out].
I cannot, Ahasuerus,
I want your life, the soul out of your body.
See, I come nearer and a little nearer,
A little nearer still, and put out hands—
Lean, skinny hands, that used to serve your food,
Thin hands to put your powerless hands aside
And take you by the throat as now I do,
And squeeze, and squeeze the life out of your flesh!
[He begins to strangle Ahasuerus.]
Ahasuerus [With effort].