Short Stories Old and New | Page 3

a hundred and seven
and twenty provinces,)
2. That in those days, when the king Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his
kingdom, which was in Shushan the palace,
3. In the third year of his reign, he made a feast unto all his princes and
his servants; the power of Persia and Media, the nobles and princes of
the provinces, being before him:
4. When he shewed the riches of his glorious kingdom and the honour
of his excellent majesty many days, even a hundred and fourscore days.
5. And when these days were expired, the king made a feast unto all the
people that were present in Shushan the palace, both unto great and
small, seven days, in the court of the garden of the king's palace.
6. Where were white, green, and blue hangings, fastened with cords of
fine linen and purple to silver rings and pillars of marble: the beds were
of gold and silver, upon a pavement of red, and blue, and white, and
black marble.
7. And they gave them drink in vessels of gold, (the vessels being
diverse one from another,) and royal wine in abundance, according to
the state of the king.
8. And the drinking was according to the law; none did compel: for so
the king had appointed to all the officers of his house, that they should
do according to every man's pleasure.
9. Also Vashti the queen made a feast for the women in the royal house
which belonged to king Ahasuerus.
10. On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with
wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, and Abagtha,
Zethar, and Carcas, the seven chamberlains that served in the presence
of Ahasuerus the king,

11. To bring Vashti the queen before the king with the crown royal, to
shew the people and the princes her beauty: for she was fair to look on.
12. But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king's commandment
by his chamberlains: therefore was the king very wroth, and his anger
burned in him.
13. Then the king said to the wise men, which knew the times, (for so
was the king's manner toward all that knew law and judgment:
14. And the next unto him was Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish,
Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, the seven princes of Persia and Media,
which saw the king's face, and which sat the first in the kingdom,)
15. What shall we do unto the queen Vashti according to law, because
she hath not performed the commandment of the king Ahasuerus by the
chamberlains?
16. And Memucan answered before the king and the princes, Vashti the
queen hath not done wrong to the king only, but also to all the princes,
and to all the people that are in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus.
17. For this deed of the queen shall come abroad unto all women, so
that they shall despise their husbands in their eyes, when it shall be
reported, The king Ahasuerus commanded Vashti the queen to be
brought in before him, but she came not.
18. Likewise shall the ladies of Persia and Media say this day unto all
the king's princes, which have heard of the deed of the queen. Thus
shall there arise too much contempt and wrath.
19. If it please the king, let there go a royal commandment from him,
and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and the Medes, that
it be not altered, That Vashti come no more before king Ahasuerus; and
let the king give her royal estate unto another that is better than she.
20. And when the king's decree, which he shall make, shall be
published throughout all his empire, (for it is great,) all the wives shall

give to their husbands honour, both to great and small.
21. And the saying pleased the king and the princes; and the king did
according to the word of Memucan:
22. For he sent letters into all the king's provinces, into every province
according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their
language, that every man should bear rule in his own house, and that it
should be published according to the language of every people.


CHAPTER II
ESTHER MADE QUEEN
1. After these things, when the wrath of king Ahasuerus was appeased,
he remembered Vashti, and what she had done, and what was decreed
against her.
2. Then said the king's servants that ministered unto him, Let there be
fair young virgins sought for the king:
3. And let the king appoint officers in all the provinces of his kingdom,
that they may gather together all the fair young virgins unto Shushan
the palace, to the house of the