Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, ESTHER, by HELEN MARIA HUNT FISKE JACKSON


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

ESTHER, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: A face more vivid than he dreamed who drew
Last Line: Honor no second place for truth can keep.
Alternate Author Name(s): H. H.; Holm, Saxe; Jackson, Helen Hunt
Subject(s): Courts & Courtiers; Fear; Hearts; Jews; Memory; Royal Court Life; Royalty; Kings; Queens; Judaism


A face more vivid than he dreamed who drew
Thy portrait in that thrilling tale of old!
Dead queen, we see thee still, thy beauty cold
As beautiful; thy dauntless heart which knew
No fear, -- not even of a king who slew
At pleasure; maiden heart which was not sold,
Though all the maiden flesh the king's red gold
Did buy! The loyal daughter of the Jew,
No hour saw thee forget his misery;
Thou wert not queen until thy race went free;
Yet thoughtful hearts, that ponder slow and deep,
Find doubtful reverence at last for thee;
Thou heldest thy race too dear, thyself too cheap;
Honor no second place for truth can keep.





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