And there is such language in her hair As the sun's self doth talk.

King, let them see her! lest they return unwise Of thy true kingship, and among themselves Imagine that they are even as thou, Save in the height of throne. Let them perceive That, having Vashti, there is none like thee: Others are men; but thou art he whose spirit Is station'd in the beauty of the queen, Whose flesh knows such amazement as before Never beneath the lintels of man's sense Came, an especial messenger from Heaven.

_Ahasuerus_.

Bring her! let the Queen come crowned before us!

Slaves, fetch here all your light to shine upon My Vashti's beauty; let there be clear floor; Make the air worthy her with camphire lit And frankincense; and fill the hall with flames.

Then gaze, kings, and stare, hunger with your eyes Upon her face; but within brakes of fear Fasten your wills, and move not from your seats.

Exult, you thron'd nations, that to your sight She shall be lent, the pleasure of the king, She whom to visit so inflames my soul, That I can judge how G.o.d burns to enjoy The beauty of the Wisdom that he made And separated from himself to be Wife to the divine act, mother of heavens.-- Let Vashti come and stand before the kings!

III

VASHTI AND THE KING'S WOMEN AT THEIR FEAST

_1st Woman_.

Queen, is it well to be so sorrowful?

_2nd Woman_.

And when the King our lord spendeth on us This festival out of his rich heart, to shoot Thy looks upon us as thou wouldst rebuke us?

_Vashti_.

Your pardon: do I trouble your greed?

_1st Woman_.

Our greed?

Rather our grat.i.tude----

_2nd Woman_.

That we have share In these devices of the King's own cooks, These costly breads,--

_1st Woman_.

And these delicious meats, These sauces mixt of spicy treacle and balm.

_3rd Woman_.

And wines, purple and blue and like gold fire, Made of the colours of the morning sea And fragrance wild as woman's need of love.

_Vashti_.

Enjoy them then: who lets you?

_3rd Woman_.

Thou dost, Queen.

Thou sittest with hands folded in thy robe, And in the midst of delicacies wilt fast.

_1st Woman_.

We see thine eyes upon them as they were Wickedness.

_2nd Woman_.

'Tis rare bounty that we women Halve with the King his festival.

_3rd Woman_.

And thou, It seems, scarce findest it thankworthy.

_Vashti_.

Again, Your pardon: but ye need not gaze on me.-- And yet, why am I sorrowful? In truth, Is it a sorrow that so leans upon me?

I know not. But my soul knoweth right well That I am watched.

_3rd Woman_.

Then in thy conscience, Queen, Thou feelest the King requiring thanks of thee.

_Vashti_.

Be careful of thy tongue,--and of the wine.-- Who watches me? Eyes are fixt on my soul, Eyes of desire. I think some great event Hath pusht its spirit forward of its time, To stand here quietly waiting, into my mind Inflicting its strange want of me, and ready To fetch my heart, and ready to take my hand And lead me away shrinking: is it Death?

It is some marvellous thing: for I know surely Behind it crowd out of their discipline The coming hours to watch me seized, and stare With questioning brows on me, and lift lean hands From under gowns of shadow to point me out One to another, saying: "This is she: How will she bear it, think ye?"--Is it not cold?

Was there not wind just then?--The flames are steady.

_1st Woman_.

No wind at all: the air's like one closed room.

_2nd Woman_.

There is no talk like this at the King's feast, I warrant. Were we not best be merry, And thank the King so for these wines and sweets?

_Vashti_.

Yes, let us not forget our thankfulness; For is not, sisters, everything we have Mere gift?

_2nd Woman_.

My beauty pays for what I get.

_Vashti_.

I would, 'twere not so.

_2nd Woman_.

Queen, I doubt thee not.

_Vashti_.

Pert little fool, where lies thy beauty, then?

Thou hast it not: its place is not thy flesh, But the delighting loins of men, there only.

Thy beauty! And thou knowest not that man Hath forged in his furnace of desire our beauty Into that chain of law which binds our lives-- Man, please thyself, and woman, please thou man.

But thou wilt have thy beauty pence, thou sayest?

And what's thy purchase? Listen, I will tell thee: Just that thou art not whipt and drudged: the rest, All that thou hast beyond, is gift.

_2nd Woman_.

Why not?

_Vashti_.

Truly, for thee, why not?

_2nd Woman_.

Wouldst thou, 'twere yours?

_1st Woman_.

Thou shudderest again; what ails thee, Queen?