| Joseph Friedlander, comp. The Standard Book of Jewish Verse. 1917. | | | | Vashti | | By Helen Hunt Jackson |
| | | 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 | 5 |
| 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: | |
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| “Ah me! My Lord could not this thing have meant! | |
| He well might loathe me ever, if I go | 10 |
| 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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