Lincoln telegraph. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1836-1846, 1838-11-29

htdi VI Ills tiihe, diiu now, surrounded Dy
his MOBILES, alfred in crimson and blue, the
favorite colors of Persian a magnificent
saloon of marble, inlaid with ivory, and
hung with cloth Of tissue-his throne over
Swallowed with an immense plane-tree
wrought in gold, he presented glorious
and imposing spectacle.
Queen Esther and her train entered the
saloon. When King Araxerxes beheld
his present queen, nnawed by the fate of
her predecessor, thus daring to set his laws
at defiance By boldly coming unbidden in.
to his presence, his wrath was aroused,
and he turned towards her countenance
flaming With anger. At this sight, the
heart Of the gentle queen sunk within hers
she fell fainting into the arms of her maid
ems. The princes and assembled mobiles
looked upon the scene with silent sympa-
thy for the lovely Esther was general
favorite in the court, and they would have
knelt and pleaded for her if they dared. Al
the king gazed upon her. his heart softened,
for he loved his genta queen, and the
Lord SO wroush; upon him by means of her
beauty, that his heart was changed.
While each eye was watching him with
intense interest, he stretched out his gol-
den sceplre towards her. In mild voice
he said, "What wouldst thou, Queen Els,
Their? Come naar--Icos upon me as q
brother and be of good cheer!'
Tears of JOY were in every eye. and
smiles upon every face when the king pro-
nounced these words. The queen, revi-
wing with an effort, advanced and touched
the sceptre.
Moved by her loveliness, and her distress,
Artaxerxes descended from his throne. and
embracing her, babe her be comforted, and
speak freely her mind, and he would grant
her request, were i: half of his kingdom,
81 humbly thank my lord for this favor"
said the queen. "When l entered, and
behed the kings terrible majesty, /
thought to see an avenging angel before
me, and my heart was troubled within me-"
"Thou shalt net die, Esther, although
our commandment is not regarded, but
speak thy request and it shall be granted"
"If it seemetA good TO the king, let my
lord come to the banquet tomorrow and
bring with him the lord Hannah, where
will demand my boon, which is of great
Importance, touching even my lyc" The
king promised TO. be there, and queen Es7
ther with glad and grateful heart, with
drew.
Great was the pride of Haman then. He
was invited to feast with the king and
queen! he, a stranger and adventufer, had
arrived at the high honor of being the
guest of the queen, at her own request
an honor she had not conferred on any Of
the PRICES aad mobiles Of the court In
hated with vanity and triumph, Hannah
looked forward to q course of honors and
prosperity. Alas for thee, Haman! Thy
fabric of happiness is brayely built, there
lacketh not costly stone, nor gliding, nor
devise of cunning workman, but when the
sky is cearest, and the sun nhineth bright
ly, and thou sccurAst, then suddenly shall
it fall, and bury thee in its ruin!
Joy in his eye, land exultation in his STEP
Hannah was passing from the palace, TO
give orders for new and sumptuous attire
for the banquet, when. beh old ! there, in
the kings gate sat Mordecai, who. when
others around kissed the dust at his feet,
stood erect unmoyed What a check to
all his greatness what a spectre in bis
path 10 remind him Of his mortality! With
a groan of anguish no fed to his own
house Zeresh, his wife, gazed aghast at
his sudden eatrance, and apparent destruc-
ton. Pale as marble, his eyes burned
fiercely, and tearing his beard, he paced tho
room in violent agitation. Zeresh and
WASN'T, gazed in alright upon him, but to-
all his wiie's soothing words and anxious
inquiries, he replied by bitter curses upon
Mordecai and the Jews. AT length throw.
ing himself upon the ground. he cast dust
upon his head "Cursed bethe day was
born!' he cried "May the sun never
rise to bless it! May it be struck from time
foyeverP'
"What hath befallen my lord" asked
his wife in alarm. Yesterday hewas boast
ing of his riches and his favor at court
and now he bewaileth his fate in dust and
ashes. = Z.
Eyes, my wealth is unboundedp' he
exclaimed. ~ have wives aud "a multitude
Of children. j have ilocks offriends. and
slaves to do my bidding. | stand high III
royal favor, for am placed above the prn-
ces of the court, yea. Esther the queen.
asks no ore to come inwith the king to the
banquet, except myself. Yet all this avail
eth me nothing while Mordecai, the Jew.
stitch at the kings gate and reiuseth 70
do me honor !" Vashti turred from him
with gesture Of scorn, and his wife es-
sayedto comfort him. but he refused to be
comiorted. s'What am with all my
greatness" he said, ''if there lives man