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before； that both by her words and beauty she might succeed； for
the averting of the king's anger； in case he were at all
irritated against her； and for the consolation of those of her
own country； now they were in the utmost danger of perishing； as
also that he would excite a hatred in the king against the
enemies of the Jews； and those that had contrived their future
destruction； if they proved to be contemned by him。
9。 When Esther had used this supplication for three days； she put
off those garments； and changed her habit； and adorned herself as
became a queen； and took two of her handmaids with her； the one
of which supported her； as she gently leaned upon her； and the
other followed after； and lifted up her large train （which swept
along the ground） with the extremities of her fingers。 And thus
she came to the king； having a blushing redness in her
countenance； with a pleasant agreeableness in her behavior； yet
did she go in to him with fear； and as soon as she was come over
against him； as he was sitting on his throne； in his royal
apparel； which was a garment interwoven with gold and precious
stones； which made him seem to her more terrible； especially when
he looked at her somewhat severely； and with a countenance on
fire with anger； her joints failed her immediately； out of the
dread she was in； and she fell down sideways in a swoon： but the
king changed his mind； which happened； as I suppose； by the will
of God； and was concerned for his wife； lest her fear should
bring some very ill thing upon her； and he leaped from his
throne； and took her in his arms； and recovered her； by embracing
her； and speaking comfortably to her； and exhorting her to be of
good cheer； and not to suspect any thing that was sad on account
of her coming to him without being called； because that law was
made for subjects； but that she； who was a queen； as well as he a
king； might be entirely secure； and as he said this； he put the
scepter into her hand； and laid his rod upon her neck； on account
of the law； and so freed her from her fear。 And after she had
recovered herself by these encouragements； she said； 〃My lord； it
is not easy for me； on the sudden； to say what hath happened； for
as soon as I saw thee to be great； and comely； and terrible； my
spirit departed from me； and I had no soul left in me。〃 And while
it was with difficulty； and in a low voice； that she could say
thus much； the king was in a great agony and disorder； and
encouraged Esther to be of good cheer； and to expect better
fortune； since he was ready； if occasion should require it； to
grant her the half of his kingdom。 Accordingly； Esther desired
that he and his friend Haman would come to her to a banquet； for
she said she had prepared a supper for him。 He consented to it；
and when they were there； as they were drinking； he bid Esther to
let him know what she desired； for that she should not be
disappointed though she should desire the half of his kingdom。
But she put off the discovery of her petition till the next day；
if he would come again； together with Haman； to her banquet。
10。 Now when the king had promised so to do； Haman went away very
glad； because he alone had the honor of supping with the king at
Esther's banquet； and because no one else partook of the same
honor with kings but himself； yet when he saw Mordecai in the
court； he was very much displeased； for he paid him no manner of
respect when he saw him。 So he went home and called for his wife
Zeresh； and his friends； and when they were come； he showed them
what honor he enjoyed not only from the king； but from the queen
also； for as he alone had that day supped with her； together with
the king； so was he also invited again for the next day； yet；〃
said he； 〃am I not pleased to see Mordecai the Jew in the court。〃
Hereupon his wife Zeresh advised him to give order that a gallows
should be made fifty cubits high； and that in the morning he
should ask it of the king that Mordecai might be hanged thereon。
So he commended her advice； and gave order to his servants to
prepare the gallows； and to place it in the court； for the
punishment of Mordecai thereon； which was accordingly prepared。
But God laughed to scorn the wicked expectations of Haman； and as
he knew what the event would be； he was delighted at it； for that
night he took away the king's sleep； and as the king was not
willing to lose the time of his lying awake； but to spend it in
something that might be of advantage to his kingdom； he commanded
the scribe to bring him the chronicles of the former kings； and
the records of his own actions； and when he had brought them； and
was reading them； one was found to have received a country on
account of his excellent management on a certain occasion； and
the name of the country was set down； another was found to have
had a present made him on account of his fidelity： then the
scribe came to Bigthan and Teresh； the eunuchs that had made a
conspiracy against the king； which Mordecai had discovered； and
when the scribe said no more but that； and was going on to
another history； the king stopped him； and inquired 〃whether it
was not added that Mordecai had a reward given him？〃 and when he
said there was no such addition； he bade him leave off； and he
inquired of those that were appointed for that purpose； what hour
of the night it was； and when he was informed that it was already
day； he gave order； that if they found any one of his friends
already come； and standing before the court； they should tell
him。 Now it happened that Haman was found there； for he was come
sooner than ordinary to petition the king to have Mordecai put to
death； and when the servants said that Haman was before the
court； he bid them call him in； and when he was come in； he said；
〃Because I know that thou art my only fast friend； I desire thee
to give me advice how I may honor one that I greatly love； and
that after a manner suitable to my magnificence。〃 Now Haman
reasoned with himself； that what opinion he should give it would
be for himself； since it was he alone who was beloved by the
king： so he gave that advice which he thought of all other the
best； for he said； 〃If thou wouldst truly honor a man whom thou
sayest thou dost love； give order that he may ride on horseback；
with the same garment on which thou wearest； and with a gold
chain about his neck； and let one of thy intimate friends go
before him； and proclaim through the whole city； that whosoever
the king honoreth obtaineth this mark of his honor。〃 This was the
advice which Haman gave； out of a supposal that such a reward
would come to himself。 Hereupon the king was pleased with the
advice； and said； 〃Go thou therefore； for thou hast the horse；
the garment； and the chain； ask for Mordecai the Jew； and give
him those things； and go before his horse and proclaim
accordingly； for thou art；〃 said he； 〃my intimate friend； and
hast given me good advice； be thou then the minister of what thou
hast advised me to。 This shall be his reward from us； for
preserving my life。〃 When he heard this order； which was entirely
unexpected； he was confounded in his mind； and knew not what to
do。