es which the
Jews paid him, Haman promised to give him out of his own estate forty
thousand talents whensoever he pleased; and he said he would pay this
money very willingly, that the kingdom might be freed from such a
misfortune.

6. When Haman had made this petition, the king both forgave him the
money, and granted him the men, to do what he would with them. So Haman,
having gained what he desired, sent out immediately a decree, as from
the king, to all nations, the contents whereof were these: "Artaxerxes,
the great king, to the rulers of the hundred twenty and seven provinces,
from India to Ethiopia, sends this writing. Whereas I have governed
many nations, and obtained the dominions of all the habitable earth,
according to my desire, and have not been obliged to do any thing that
is insolent or cruel to my subjects by such my power, but have showed
myself mild and gentle, by taking care of their peace and good order,
and have sought how they might enjoy those blessings for all time to
come. And whereas I have been kindly informed by Haman, who, on account
of his prudence and justice, is the first in my esteem, and in dignity,
and only second to myself, for his fidelity and constant good-will to
me, that there is an ill-natured nation intermixed with all mankind,
that is averse to our laws, and not subject to kings, and of a different
conduct of life from others, that hateth monarchy, and of a disposition
that is pernicious to our affairs, I give order that all these men, of
whom Haman our second father hath informed us, be destroyed, with their
wives and children, and that none of them be spared, and that none
prefer pity to them before obedience to this decree. And this I will to
be executed on the fourteenth day of the twelfth month of this present
year, that so when all that have enmity to us are destroyed, and this
in one day, we may be allowed to lead the rest of our lives in peace
hereafter." Now when this decree was brought to the cities, and to the
country, all were ready for the destruction and entire abolishment of
the Jews, against the day before mentioned; and they were very hasty
about it at Shushan, in particular. Accordingly, the king and Haman
spent their time in feasting together with good cheer and wine, but the
city was in disorder.

7. Now when Mordecai was informed of what was done, he rent his clothes,
and put on sackcloth, and sprinkled ashes upon his head, and went about
the city, crying o