Esther 5

NEW JERUSALEM	BIBBIA RICCIOTTI
1 (a) On the third day, when she had finished praying, she took off her suppliant's mourning attire anddressed herself in her ful splendour. Radiant as she then appeared, she invoked God who watches over alpeople and saves them. With her, she took two ladies-in-waiting. With a delicate air she leaned on one, while theother accompanied her carrying her train. (b) Rosy with the full flush of her beauty, her face radiated joy andlove: but her heart shrank with fear. (c) Having passed through door after door, she found herself in the presenceof the king. He was sitting on his royal throne, dressed in al his robes of state, glittering with gold and preciousstones -- a formidable sight. (d) He looked up, afire with majesty and, blazing with anger, saw her. The queensank to the floor. As she fainted, the colour drained from her face and her head fel against the lady-in-waitingbeside her. (e) But God changed the king's heart, inducing a milder spirit. He sprang from his throne in alarmand took her in his arms until she recovered, comforting her with soothing words. (f) 'What is the matter, Esther?'he said. 'I am your brother. Take heart, you are not going to die; our order applies only to ordinary people. Cometo me.' (g) And raising his golden sceptre he laid it on Esther's neck, embraced her and said, 'Speak to me.'	1 - Al terzo giorno, Ester indossò le vesti reali, e si presentò nell'atrio interno della reggia, situata in faccia all'aula del re. Questi era seduto sul suo trono nella sala d'udienza del palazzo, di contro alla porta d'ingresso.
2 (a) 'Sire,' she said, 'to me you looked like one of God's angels, and my heart was moved with fear ofyour majesty. For you are a figure of wonder, my lord, and your face is ful of graciousness.' (b) But as she spokeshe fel down in a faint. The king grew more agitated, and his courtiers al set about reviving her.	2 Or quando vide che la regina Ester gli stava davanti, piacque essa ai suoi occhi, e stese verso di lei lo scettro d'oro che teneva in mano. Essa avanzatasi baciò la cima dello scettro,
3 'What is the matter, Queen Esther?' the king said. 'Tel me what you want; even if it is half my kingdom, Igrant it you.'	3 e il re disse: «Che vuoi, regina Ester? Qual è la tua dimanda? Anche se tu chiedessi metà del mio regno, ti sarà data».
4 'Would it please the king,' Esther replied, 'to come with Haman today to the banquet I have prepared forhim?'	4 Ma essa rispose: «Se piace al re, prego che tu venga oggi da me, insieme con Aman, al convito che v'ho preparato».
5 The king said, 'Tel Haman to come at once, so that Esther may have her wish.'	5 Subito il re ordinò: «Presto, chiamate Aman, acciò obbedisca alla volontà di Ester». Vennero dunque, il re ed Aman, al convito preparato loro dalla regina.
6 So the king and Haman came to the banquet that Esther had prepared and, during the banquet, the kingagain said to Esther, 'Tel me your request; I grant it to you. Tell me what you want; even if it is half my kingdom,it is yours for the asking.'	6 Ed il re, dopo ch'ebbe bevuto del vino in abbondanza, le disse: «Che cosa vuoi ti si dia, e qual è la tua dimanda? Anche se chiederai metà del mio regno, l'otterrai».
7 'What do I want, what is my request?' Esther replied.	7 Ester gli rispose: «Ecco la mia dimanda e la mia preghiera:
8 'If I have found favour in the king's eyes, and if it is his pleasure to grant what I ask and to agree to myrequest, let the king and Haman come to the banquet I intend to give them tomorrow, and then I shall do as theking says.'	8 se ho trovato favore dinanzi al re, e se al re piace darmi quel che dimando, ed appagare la mia richiesta, venga il re con Aman al banchetto da me preparato, e domani farò noto al re il mio desiderio».
9 Haman left full of joy and high spirits that day; but when he saw Mordecai at the Chancel ery, neitherstanding up nor stirring at his approach, he felt a gust of anger.	9 Quel giorno pertanto Aman uscì lieto e festante [dal palazzo reale]. Ma quando vide Mardocheo seduto davanti all'ingresso del palazzo, che non solo non s'alzò in piedi al suo arrivo, ma che nemmeno si mosse dal luogo dove sedeva, si sdegnò grandemente.
10 He restrained himself, however. Returning home, he sent for his friends and Zeresh his wife	10 Però, dissimulata la sua collera, tornato a casa sua chiamò a sè i suoi amici, e Zares sua moglie;
11 and held forth to them about his dazzling wealth, his many children, how the king had raised him to aposition of honour and promoted him over the heads of the king's officers-of-state and ministers.	11 espose loro la grandezza delle sue ricchezze, il gran numero de' suoi figli, e con quanta sua gloria il re l'avesse innalzato sopra a tutti i principi e ministri suoi.
12 'What is more,' he added, 'Queen Esther has just invited me and the king -- no one else except me -- toa banquet she was giving, and better stil she has invited me and the king again tomorrow.	12 Ed aggiunse: «Anche la regina Ester nessun altri ha chiamato al banchetto col re, fuori di me; ed anche domani sarò a pranzo da lei col re.
13 But what do I care about al this when al the while I see Mordecai the Jew sitting there at theChancel ery?'	13 Ma, per quanto io abbia tutte queste cose, mi par di non aver nulla, sinchè vedrò il giudeo Mardocheo star seduto davanti alla porta del re».
14 'Have a fifty-cubit gal ows run up,' said Zeresh his wife and all his friends, 'and in the morning ask theking to have Mordecai hanged on it. Then you can go with the king to the banquet, without a care in the world!'Delighted with this advice, Haman had the gallows erected.	14 Risposero Zares sua moglie, e gli altri amici: «Fai preparare una trave altissima, di cinquanta cubiti, e domattina di' al re che a quella venga appiccato Mardocheo; così, dopo, andrai lieto al banchetto col re». Gli piacque il suggerimento, ed ordinò che fosse preparato un patibolo altissimo.