The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1874-08-27
For the anderson MtclHgcnccr.
TIL Tootoio

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scenes; the pcrsonation CT characters who
have lived and acted ages ago, and over whose
graves monuments and mausolcums have
crumblcd to dust, is q most novel and bcautl-
ful conception and reflects great credit upon
its orignators.
A recent perusal of the book of Esther had
in measure prepared me for the coming
scenes, and like an humble subject leaned for
ward to catch the first glimpse of Ahasuerns
brilliant court A bright, dazzling scene it
was-that entrance of proud, disdainful, prince
! " lIaman his regal, triumphant wife, and love-
" child, and the rosc-clad, brilliant band Of
attendants, all triumphantly smiling, bowling
and giving homage to the 'favored one" The
charming Ze DcaMs closes abruptly on the en-
trance of Mortleca who alone refuses to yield
the proud Agagitc his homage. The curtains
are here drawn. sink back with deep in
spration, my thoughts again flying backward
backward to the dim and shadowy Past, until
a new scene opens to my view, and in fancy |
am in the presence of royalty itself The
King here appears upon his starry throne with
crown and sceptre. Haman offers gold that
certain people whose laws are diverse, and who
keep not the Kings laws, may be destroyed
King refuses the god but invests Haman with
power to destroy the rebellious people, and
seals the compact with Il ring. After the COM
pact, King descends from his throne, grows
jublant, and drinks wine with Haman. En-
trance of the Prophecies here cuts short their
hilarity, and even the King stands aghast, as
her clear, soft, silvery voice, is heard in solemn
warning. Next scene, "Esther the beautiful
Queen" is introduced. Jews kneel with up
raised hands and eyes, and all hearts are
touched as the sad and thrilling lamentation
for down-trodden Israel falls from the Queens
lips. Then Mordccai's earnest appeal for her
| TO ego to the King" in her peoples behalf, her
hesitation and fears, lest the unlawful act Of
going unbddcn, mi ght subject her to royal
vengeance, her final resolve to fast and pray
and go, though she perish, and piaintyc, touch
inc refrain of her Jewish attendants, was
among the most thrilling and beautiful Of the
performances. Next scene grows dramatic
Queen retres and returns in elegant court cos
tumc-adorned perhaps for the sacrifice King
reclines with armed guards about him, and into
his royal presence Queen and her maids .ad-
vance with timid, faltcring steps. Guards rush
towards her, when the golden sccptrc is extern
ded. She is saved. Royal favor is obtained,
and the King asks her petition. She invites
the King and Haman to her banquet 4
charming duet follows by King and Queen
splendidly sung. The invitation 10 the ban
quct is certain evidence Of royal favor, and the
Pcrsians proclaim their triumph in the splen-
did song, Haste to the Banquet Hall" Zcrsh
and her maids, with the song of triumph still
on their lips, hastily array Haman in princely
robes to attend the royal banquet. One shadow
alone clouds the fair scene NIordccai sits in
gloomy silence at the Kings gate. Exaspera-
ted and Jealous of her Lords honor, Zerish
turns dictator, and urges him to build 4 gallows
fifty cubits high, on which to hang the obdu-
rate Hebrew. Next scene foreshadows the
downfall of Haman, and the cyaltalon Of the
Jews-lIaman's chagrin and distress and the
beautiful, plaintiyc solo Of Icrish in which
she holds before him the Ormud. Other beau
tiful scenes follow, and one | have perhaps
omitted in its proper place-the scattering of
flowers at tie Queens feet by a band Of lovely
little girls; two ro>c-clad, fairylike ones, cross
the stage in graceful waltz-step to present
wine to the King and Queen. Then comes the
closing and most tragic part Of the perform
ance. Queen Esther and her maids of honor
PROSTATE themselves before the King, who, i'll
astonishment, listens to the Queens petition to
spare her own life and the lives of her people,
who are to be sold, destroyed and slain. King
asks WHO is the adversary and enemy OF her
race. She bctrays Haman, and CONSERVATION
and dismay follow. Haman and Zcrish kneel
in suppication before the Queen, who spurns
them with queeny dignity. For a last hope
they send forward beautiful, graceful little Ina,
the favorite, pcttcd child of the royal house
hold She advances with childish confidence
and grace, sinks upon her knees and clasps her
dimped hands. This seems truly trying mo-
ment for the youthful Queen. She bends for
ward, gracefully, and fixes her dark eyes on
the upturned face of the little supplant. Lift
ing her eyes she beholds Haman-the adverse
ry and enemy of her race. The dimplcd hands
arc dropped and she turns sadly away, and
Humans last dream of ambition is over. King
returns and hurs malcdictions on Haman's
head guards snatch the royal robes from his
person, and the crown from his princcly brow.
Mordccai is invested with the royal apparel,
and the Kings signet placed upon his finger
Haman is hurried away, and three solemn taps
of the bcll is the signal for his execution.
Zcrish swoons in the arms of her attendants,
while King, Queen and maids of honor join in
| the beautiful quartet, "DO | wake, or ann |