The Taming of Vashti.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLII, Issue 20, 19 May 1909, Page 67

The Taming of Vashti.

Into the hall swept Vashti, And the courtiers trembled with fear, As the fee when the axe is laid to the root, As the roe when the hounds bay near. For Vashti the Queen was lustful Of homage and worship and pow’rj But love she scorned as a thing for serfs, Who lore and tremble and eow’r. 'And she smiled when she saw in a vassal’s She smiled with a humour grim,— A warmer glow than a vassal’s show When his Queen’s but a Queen to him. And there was no tongue of the many tongues, That praised when her wish was seen. That dared to speak in a fiery burst Of love to the Goddess Queen. Into the hall swept Vashti, And a thousand necks were bowed, And she cast her eyes with a mocking glanee Over the servile crowd To the ancient throne of her fathers She passed with a haughty tread. And her heart beat high with the though', “When I Draw near men quake with dread!" The cymbals clashed, and the heads were raised, And an ancient priest stepped forth. “Ail hail to the Queen who reigns between The east and west and north!” Be spoke, -‘All hail to the mighty Queen!” The voices echoed loud, And the knees were bent till they touched the ground, And the stiffest necks were bowed. “All hail to the fairest woman In the land that she rules o’er!" And the words were caught on a mighty wave,

And the knees were bent onee more. “AH hail to the Goddess deigning To dwell with the race of men!’’ And the echo sprang from the throuts and rang, And the heads were bowed again. With flashing eye the Queen gianeed round: Then started from her ehair; For, see! one stands in haughty mood, And his head is high in air! “Seise, seize yon man)” she cries, and straight They drag him to her throne. “Step back!” she saye, and with her eyes Probes deep into his own.

A moment thus. “Hast thou not beard Me hailed as GoddeeaJ Say? And yet thou didst not bend the knee! Wouldst thou then die to-day?** “O Queen.” the stranger answered, “I neither wish nor fear To meet the God whom thou dost make A god of mockery here. I bow my knee to the Queen in thee, My heart to the woman fair; Not to flesh or stone, but to God alone, Do I bow my soul in prayer!” He spake, and a silence followed; And the Queen nor moved nor stirred; But the hands of al! were on their ewords, Athirst for the Queen’s first word.

“I do not know thy God,” she said In a voice that soft had grown, “But a brave man’s God is the God fofl me, And I take Ilins for mine own; And thou who know’st not tear or dread, Unlike the cat’ll crowd, Who wouldst not bend the knee to me, To thee my heart is bowed.” She spake, and her band in his was laidf Then she turned, with her pride restored. “Bow downi,” she cried, "to us side by side, Bow down to your Overlord!”