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


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

VASHTI, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: In all great shushan's palaces was there
Last Line: "he will but bless me when he doth repent!"
Alternate Author Name(s): H. H.; Holm, Saxe; Jackson, Helen Hunt
Subject(s): Courts & Courtiers; Jews; Love; Tears; Royal Court Life; Royalty; Kings; Queens; Judaism


In all great Shushan's palaces was there
Not one, O Vashti, knowing thee so well.
Poor uncrowned queen, that he the world could tell
How thou wert pure and loyal-souled as fair?
How it was love which made thee bold to dare
Refuse the shame which madmen would compel?
Not one, who saw the bitter tears that fell
And heard thy cry heart-rending on the air:
"Ah me! My Lord could not this thing have meant!
He well might loathe me ever, if I go
Before these drunken princes as a show.
I am his queen; I come of king's descent.
I will not let him bring our crown so low;
He will but bless me when he doth repent!"





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