Page:A Biographical Dictionary of the Celebrated Women of Every Age and Country (1804).djvu/366

352 dominions, out of which he might choose his future queen. He accordingly did so, and fixed on Esther, an orphan, of the tribe of Benjamin, who was brought up by an uncle, one of the principal men among the Jews. She was exceedingly beautiful; and messengers were dispatched unto every nation in that wide monarchy, to ordain a general rejoicing; while the king feasted the chief persons of the Medes and Persians, a whole month, on account of his marriage.

Esther was brought to the royal palace, and a diadem placed upon her head, without the king's knowing what country she was of. Her uncle, Mordecai, with whom she had been brought up, removed from Babylon to Shushan, being every day about the palace, that he might behold his niece, whom he loved as a daughter. An Amalekite, who, from his nation, was enemy to the Jews, and bore personal hatedhatred [sic] to Mordecai, was in great favour with the king; and, by slandering that people as vile and seditious, persuaded him that it would be an act of policy to extirpate them, and in the end be beneficial to the state.

Accordingly a decree was given, and a day fixed for this purpose. Mordecai sent a copy of the proclamation to Esther, and besought her to petition the king. She sent him word, that unless her presence was demanded, it was death for her to present herself before him, guards always standing on each side of the throne, with axes to cut down such intruders: but desired him to gather all the Jews at Shushan together, and to fast with them; she and her maidens would do the same; and thus she would go to the king. She, accordingly, put on mourning garments, cast herself upon the earth, prayed and fasted three days, at the end of which, she changed her habit, attired herself in rich robes, and