| Joseph Friedlander, comp. The Standard Book of Jewish Verse. 1917. | | | | Esther | | By Helen Hunt Jackson |
| | | 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 | 5 |
| 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; | 10 |
| 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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