Esther

SWEET Jewish maid, crown’d with a monarch’s love,

Thy gentle grace

Sought for no glory, for no sov’reign pow’r,

No pride of place.

“If thy handmaiden hath good favour found

In the king’s eyes,

Grant but my people’s lives (e’en tho’ I be

The sacrifice);

For we are sold, my people and myself,

To cruel foe.

How can I bear to see my kindred’s wrong,

My race’s woe?”

So thou art honoured and thy name shall live

While Time shall be,

O queenly heart! Our homage and our love

We bring to thee.