1 And upon the third day, when she had ended her prayer, she laid away her mourning garments, and put on her glorious apparel.

1 Et mandavit ei (haud dubium quin esset Mardochæus) ut ingrederetur ad regem, et rogaret pro populo suo et pro patria sua.

2 Memorare, inquit, dierum humilitatis tuæ, quomodo nutrita sis in manu mea, quia Aman secundus a rege locutus est contra nos in mortem:

3 et tu invoca Dominum, et loquere regi pro nobis, et libera nos de morte.

4 ¶ Die autem tertio deposuit vestimenta ornatus sui, et circumdata est gloria sua.

2 And being gloriously adorned, after she had called upon God, who is the beholder and saviour of all things, she took two maids with her:

5 Cumque regio fulgeret habitu, et invocasset omnium rectorem et salvatorem Deum, assumpsit duas famulas,

3 And upon the one she leaned, as carrying herself daintily;

6 et super unam quidem innitebatur, quasi præ deliciis et nimia teneritudine corpus suum ferre non sustinens:

4 And the other followed, bearing up her train.

7 altera autem famularum sequebatur dominam, defluentia in humum indumenta sustentans.

5 And she was ruddy through the perfection of her beauty, and her countenance was cheerful and very amiable: but her heart was in anguish for fear.

8 Ipsa autem roseo colore vultum perfusa, et gratis ac nitentibus oculis, tristem celabat animum, et nimio timore contractum.

6 Then having passed through all the doors, she stood before the king, who sat upon his royal throne, and was clothed with all his robes of majesty, all glittering with gold and precious stones; and he was very dreadful.

9 Ingressa igitur cuncta per ordinem ostia, stetit contra regem, ubi ille residebat super solium regni sui, indutus vestibus regiis, auroque fulgens, et pretiosis lapidibus: eratque terribilis aspectu.

7 Then lifting up his countenance that shone with majesty, he looked very fiercely upon her: and the queen fell down, and was pale, and fainted, and bowed herself upon the head of the maid that went before her.

10 Cumque elevasset faciem, et ardentibus oculis furorem pectoris indicasset, regina corruit, et in pallorem colore mutato, lassum super ancillulam reclinavit caput.

8 Then God changed the spirit of the king into mildness, who in a fear leaped from his throne, and took her in his arms, till she came to herself again, and comforted her with loving words, and said unto her,

11 Convertitque Deus spiritum regis in mansuetudinem, et festinus ac metuens exilivit de solio, et sustentans eam ulnis suis donec rediret ad se, his verbis blandiebatur:

9 Esther, what is the matter? I am thy brother, be of good cheer:

12 Quid habes, Esther? ego sum frater tuus: noli metuere.

10 Thou shalt not die, though our commandment be general: come near.

13 Non morieris: non enim pro te, sed pro omnibus hæc lex constituta est.

11 And so he held up his golden sceptre, and laid it upon her neck,

14 Accede igitur, et tange sceptrum.

12 And embraced her, and said, Speak unto me.

15 Cumque illa reticeret, tulit auream virgam, et posuit super collum ejus, et osculatus est eam, et ait: Cur mihi non loqueris?

13 Then said she unto him, I saw thee, my lord, as an angel of God, and my heart was troubled for fear of thy majesty.

16 Quæ respondit: Vidi te, domine, quasi angelum Dei, et conturbatum est cor meum præ timore gloriæ tuæ.

14 For wonderful art thou, lord, and thy countenance is full of grace.

17 Valde enim mirabilis es, domine, et facies tua plena est gratiarum.

15 And as she was speaking, she fell down for faintness.

18 Cumque loqueretur, rursus corruit, et pene exanimata est.

16 Then the king was troubled, and all his servants comforted her.

19 Rex autem turbabatur, et omnes ministri ejus consolabantur eam.