Esther 5

1 Die autem tertio induta est Esther regalibus vestimentis, et stetit in atrio domus regiæ, quod erat interius, contra basilicam regis: at ille sedebat super solium suum in consistorio palatii contra ostium domus.

Now it came to pass on the third day, that Esther put on [her] royal [apparel], and stood in the inner court of the king’s house, over against the king’s house: and the king sat upon his royal throne in the royal house, over against the gate of the house.

2 Cumque vidisset Esther reginam stantem, placuit oculis eius, et extendit contra eam virgam auream, quam tenebat manu: Quæ accedens, osculata est summitatem virgæ eius:

And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, [that] she obtained favour in his sight: and the king held out to Esther the golden sceptre that [was] in his hand. So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the sceptre.

3 Dixitque ad eam rex: Quid vis Esther regina? quæ est petitio tua? etiam si dimidiam partem regni petieris, dabitur tibi.

Then said the king unto her, What wilt thou, queen Esther? and what [is] thy request? it shall be even given thee to the half of the kingdom.

4 At illa respondit: Si regi placet, obsecro ut venias ad me hodie, et Aman tecum ad convivium, quod paravi.

And Esther answered, If [it seem] good unto the king, let the king and Haman come this day unto the banquet that I have prepared for him.

5 Statimque Rex, Vocate, inquit, cito Aman ut Esther obediat voluntati. Venerunt itaque rex et Aman ad convivium, quod eis regina paraverat.

Then the king said, Cause Haman to make haste, that he may do as Esther hath said. So the king and Haman came to the banquet that Esther had prepared.

6 Dixitque ei rex, postquam vinum biberat abundanter: Quid petis ut detur tibi? et pro qua re postulas? etiam si dimidiam partem regni mei petieris, impetrabis.

And the king said unto Esther at the banquet of wine, What [is] thy petition? and it shall be granted thee: and what [is] thy request? even to the half of the kingdom it shall be performed.

7 Cui respondit Esther: Petitio mea, et preces sunt istæ:

Then answered Esther, and said, My petition and my request [is; ]

8 Si inveni in conspectu regis gratiam, et si regi placet ut det mihi quod postulo, et meam impleat petitionem: veniat rex et Aman ad convivium quod paravi eis, et cras aperiam regi voluntatem meam.

If I have found favour in the sight of the king, and if it please the king to grant my petition, and to perform my request, let the king and Haman come to the banquet that I shall prepare for them, and I will do to morrow as the king hath said.

9 Egressus est itaque illo die Aman lætus et alacer. Cumque vidisset Mardochæum sedentem ante fores palatii, et non solum non assurrexisse sibi, sed nec motum quidem de loco sessionis suæ, indignatus est valde:

Then went Haman forth that day joyful and with a glad heart: but when Haman saw Mordecai in the king’s gate, that he stood not up, nor moved for him, he was full of indignation against Mordecai.

10 et dissimulata ira, reversus in domum suam, convocavit ad se amicos suos, et Zares uxorem suam:

Nevertheless Haman refrained himself: and when he came home, he sent and called for his friends, and Zeresh his wife.

11 et exposuit illis magnitudinem divitiarum suarum, filiorumque turbam, et quanta eum gloria super omnes principes et servos suos rex elevasset.

And Haman told them of the glory of his riches, and the multitude of his children, and all [the things] wherein the king had promoted him, and how he had advanced him above the princes and servants of the king.

12 Et post hæc ait: Regina quoque Esther nullum alium vocavit ad convivium cum rege, præter me: apud quam etiam cras cum rege pransurus sum.

Haman said moreover, Yea, Esther the queen did let no man come in with the king unto the banquet that she had prepared but myself; and to morrow am I invited unto her also with the king.

13 Et cum hæc omnia habeam, nihil me habere puto, quamdiu videro Mardochæum Iudæum sedentem ante fores regias.

Yet all this availeth me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king’s gate.

14 Responderuntque ei Zales uxor eius, et ceteri amici: Iube parari excelsam trabem, habentem altitudinis quinquaginta cubitos, et dic mane regi ut appendatur super eam Mardochæus, et sic ibis cum rege lætus ad convivium. Placuit ei consilium, et iussit excelsam parari crucem.

Then said Zeresh his wife and all his friends unto him, Let a gallows be made of fifty cubits high, and to morrow speak thou unto the king that Mordecai may be hanged thereon: then go thou in merrily with the king unto the banquet. And the thing pleased Haman; and he caused the gallows to be made.