Esther 5

NEW JERUSALEM	BIBBIA VOLGARE
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 Il terzo giorno si vestì la regina delle vestimenta regali, e istette in uno cammino del palagio del re, lo qual era di dentro contro alla sala del re, dove stava il re (a tenere il giudicio, e lo re istava) sopra la sua sedia in quella parte dirimpetto all'uscio,
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 per lo quale egli vedeva la regina istare ritta; e piacquegli molto, e porsegli la virga dell' oro che tenea in mano. Ed ella la prese, e basciò la punta della virga regale.
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 lo re le dimandò quello che ella volea, e che chiedesse securamente; chè se ella domandasse mezzo lo reame, sì l' avrebbe.
4 'Would it please the king,' Esther replied, 'to come with Haman today to the banquet I have prepared forhim?'	4 Ed ella rispose, che se (ella dovesse essere esaltata, e se) piaceva al re, ch' ella domandava che lo re ed Aman dovessono andare oggi a desinare con lei; però ch' ella avea bene apparecchiato.
5 The king said, 'Tel Haman to come at once, so that Esther may have her wish.'	5 E lo re fece chiamare Aman, che ubbidisse alla volontà d'Ester. E lo re ed Aman insieme andarono a desinare con la 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 E (avendo desinato ed) essendo egli pieni di vino, il re disse alla regina: dimmi quello che tu mi vogli dimandare; e che s' ella domandasse mezzo il reame, ch' ella l'avrebbe.
7 'What do I want, what is my request?' Esther replied.	7 E la regina disse: la mia petizione e li miei prieghi sono:
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 io ho trovato grazia nel tuo cospetto, e io debbo essere esaudita, priegoti che domani veniate voi e Aman al convito ch' io faroe apparecchiare, e allora manifestaroe la mia intenzione.
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 E in quello giorno ne andò Aman molto allegro. E trovato alla porta del palazzo sedere Mardocheo, lo qual non solo non fece reverenza, ma anche non si mosse punto dove sedea, s' indignò molto (e turbossi in sè medesimo).
10 He restrained himself, however. Returning home, he sent for his friends and Zeresh his wife	10 E tornando a casa, non dimostrando l' ira chiamò tutti gli amici suoi, 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 E cominciò a narrare tutte le sue grandezze delle ricchezze, e i figliuoli, e gli onori che gli avea fatti lo re sopra tutti quelli del suo regno, o prìncipi o maggiori che sieno.
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 E dopo questo [disse che] la regina Ester non avea invitato alcuno altro uomo, che lo re e lui, a desinare; e anco, domani debbono andare a desinare con lei.
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 tutti questi onori io hoe per nulla, insino a tanto ch' io veggio stare Mardocheo [giudeo] 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 Rispose Zares la moglie sua, e tutti i suoi amici: fai apparecchiare una trave lunga cinquanta cubiti, e quando tu vai domattina al re, di'gli che ti conceda di fare impiccar Mardocheo a questa trave; e poi va col re al convito. Piacque ad Aman questo consiglio, e fece apparecchiare una trave così grande, e fece fare la croce.