The .xv. Chapter.
1 Mardocheus moueth Hester to go in vnto the kyng, and make intercession for her people. 9 And she perfourmed his request.
[unspec A] 1 MArdocheus also bade Hester go in vnto the kyng, and pray for her people, and for her countrey.
2 Remember (saith he) the dayes of thy lowe estate, how thou wast nourished vnder my hande: For Aman whiche is next vnto the kyng, hath geuen sentence of death against vs:
3 Call thou therefore vpon the Lorde, and speake for vs vnto the king, and de∣liuer vs from death.
4 And vpon the thirde day it happened that Hester layde away the mourning garmentes, and put on her glorious ap∣parell,
5 And deckt her selfe goodly (after that she had called vpon God, whiche is the beholder and sauiour of all thinges) [and] toke two maydens with her:
6 Vpon the one she leaned her selfe, as one that was tender:
7 The other folowed her, and bare the [unspec B] trayne of her vesture.
8 The shine of her beautie made her face rose coloured, the similitude of her face was chearefull and amiable: but her heart was sorowfull for great feare.
9 She went in thorowe all the doores, and stoode before the kyng: The kyng sate vpon the trone of his kyngdome, and was clothed in his goodly aray, all shining with golde, and set with preci∣ous stones, and he was very terrible.
10 He lyft vp his face that shone in the clearnesse, and looked grimly vpon her: Then fel the Queene downe, was pale and faynte, leaned her selfe vpon the head of the mayde that went with her.
11 Neuerthelesse, God turned the kinges minde that he was gentle, that he lea∣ped out of his seate for feare, and gate her in his armes, and helde her vp tyll she came to her self againe, he gaue her louing wordes also, and said vnto her: