And the man said he had had nought, and still kept watch at the king's gate.
Then the king heard a step and sent one of his men to see who it was.
Now Ha-man had come to the king's house to ask him to hang Mor-de-ca-i. And the man came back and said that Ha-man stood in the court. And the king said, Let him come in.
So Ha-man came in. And the king said to him, What shall be done to the man who has won the praise of the king?
And Ha-man thought, That means me, of course, and no one else.
And he said to the king, Let the robes be brought that the king wears, and the horse he rides, and the crown which is set on his head. And let the robes and the crown be put on the man whom the king has in mind, and bring him on horse-back through the street of the town, and have men cry out, Thus shall it be done to the man who has won the praise of the king.
And the king said to Ha-man, Make haste and take the robes and the horse as thou hast said, and do thus and no less to the Jew at the king's gate.
But Ha-man went home, and was full of shame. And he told his wife and his friends of his hard fate. And while they yet spake the king's men came for him to go to the queen's feast. And while they ate and drank, the king bade the queen make known her wish. Ask what thou wilt; were it half my realm, I would give it to thee.
Then the queen said, If it please thee, O king, take my life and spare the lives of all the Jews. For we have been sold and the truth has not been told of us, and we are to be put to death. The king said, Who is he, and where is he who has dared to do this thing?
And the queen told him it was Ha-man. And Ha-man was in great fear as he stood face to face with the king and queen.