Chapter Esther 15

And upon the third day, when she had ended her prayers, she laid away her mourning garments, and put on her glorious apparel.

²And being gloriously adorned, after she had called upon God, who is the beholder and saviour of all things, she took two maids with her:

³And upon the one she leaned, as carrying herself daintily;

⁴And the other followed, bearing up her train.

⁵And she was ruddy through the perfection of her beauty, and her countenance was cheerful and very amiable: but her heart was in anguish for fear.

⁶Then having passed through all the doors, she stood before the king, who sat upon his royal throne, and was clothed with all his robes of majesty, all glittering with gold and precious stones; and he was very dreadful.

⁷Then lifting up his countenance that shone with majesty, he looked very fiercely upon her: and the queen fell down, and was pale, and fainted, and bowed herself upon the head of the maid that went before her.

⁸Then God changed the spirit of the king into mildness, who in a fear leaped from his throne, and took her in his arms, till she came to herself again, and comforted her with loving words and said unto her,

⁹Esther, what is the matter? I am thy brother, be of good cheer:

¹⁰Thou shalt not die, though our our commandment be general: come near.

¹¹And so be held up his golden sceptre, and laid it upon her neck,

¹²And embraced her, and said, Speak unto me.

¹³Then said she unto him, I saw thee, my lord, as an angel of God, and my heart was troubled for fear of thy majesty.

¹⁴For wonderful art thou, lord, and thy countenance is full of grace.

¹⁵And as she was speaking, she fell down for faintness.

¹⁶Then the king was troubled, and ail his servants comforted her.