Vashti. I must!
3rd Woman.
Thou must indeed: words such as thine
Never were impudent in men's ears before.
2nd Woman. We will not have thee disobedient.
1st Woman.
Here comes another: gentle words, my Queen,
Let him take from thee now, and swiftly follow
Contrite, and let the beauty of thy grief
Bend pleading against the King's furious eyes.
[The POET comes in, and kneels.
Poet.
I will not ask thee what strange anger sent
That blaze of proud contempt in the King's face:
But ere the voice of the King seals up thy life
In an unalterable judgment, I
Am granted now to come as his last message:
And, as I will, to speak. Here then I am
Not as commanding, but on my knees beseeching,
And for myself beseeching.
Vashti. What hast thou To do with this? and wherefore wert thou chosen?
Poet.
I was to praise the splendour of the King;
And I made thee his splendour; and the King,
Knowing my truth, would have thee brought, to break
All the pride of his under-kings, already
Desperate with his riches, and now seeing
What marvellous fortune also hath his love,
How marvellously delighted.
Vashti. Get thee back: And tell the King 'tis time his judgment fell.
Poet. Not till thou hearest me.