Song: Music, "Hail to the Monarch." (See Longer Version.)
(Cantata of Esther)
(Enter King Solomon followed by Two Women and Baby, also by Pages and more Soldiers if desired for effect. The Children bow low.)
Solomon (lifting his hand): The Lord be with you!
All: And with thee also, O thou son of David!
Child (offers silver basket of oranges): O king, a word fitly spoken is like apples of gold, in baskets of silver, and the king that faithfully judgeth the poor, his throne shall be established forever.
Solomon (in delight): Ha! Who said that?
Child (courtesies demurely): Your Majesty!
Solomon: Well done! Well spoken! I shall strive to be indeed a king whose judgments shall be like apples of gold in baskets of silver. (He turns to altar and prays.) O Lord God of my fathers, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father, and I am but a little child. I know not how to go out or to come in. Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad. For who is able to judge this, thy so great a people?