rank in golden cups, and the meats
were brought in divers vessels one after another. Wine also in abundance
and of the best was presented, as was worthy of a king's magnificence.

1:8. Neither was there any one to compel them to drink that were not
willing, but as the king had appointed, who set over every table one of
his nobles, that every man might take what he would.

1:9. Also Vasthi the queen made a feast for the women in the palace,
where king Assuerus was used to dwell.

1:10. Now on the seventh day, when the king was merry, and after very
much drinking was well warmed with wine, he commanded Mauman, and
Bazatha, and Harbona, and Bagatha, and Abgatha, and Zethar, and Charcas,
the seven eunuchs that served in his presence,

1:11. To bring in queen Vasthi before the king, with the crown set upon
her head, to shew her beauty to all the people and the princes: for she
was exceeding beautiful.

1:12. But she refused, and would not come at the king's commandment,
which he had signified to her by the eunuchs. Whereupon the king, being
angry, and inflamed with a very great fury,

1:13. Asked the wise men, who according to the custom of the kings, were
always near his person, and all he did was by their counsel, who knew
the laws, and judgments of their forefathers:

1:14. (Now the chief and nearest him were, Charsena, and Sethar, and
Admatha, and Tharsis, and Mares, and Marsana, and Mamuchan, seven
princes of the Persians and of the Medes, who saw the face of the king,
and were used to sit first after him:)

1:15. What sentence ought to pass upon Vasthi the queen, who had refused
to obey the commandment of king Assuerus, which he had sent to her by
the eunuchs?

1:16. And Mamuchan answered, in the hearing of the king and the princes:
Queen Vasthi hath not only injured the king, but also all the people and
princes that are in all the provinces of king Assuerus.

1:17. For this deed of the queen will go abroad to all women, so that
they will despise their husbands, and will say: King Assuerus commanded
that queen Vasthi should come in to him, and she would not.

1:18. And by this example all the wives of the princes of the Persians
and the Medes will slight the commandments of their husbands: wherefore
the king's indignation is just.

1:19. If it please thee, let an edict go out from thy presence, and let
it be written according to the law of the Persians and of the Medes,
which must not be altered, that Vas