Ester, 15

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2. «Acuérdate, le mandó a decir, de cuando eras pequeña y recibías el alimento de mi mano. Porque Amán, el segundo después del rey, ha sentenciado nuestra muerte.

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3. Ora al Señor, habla al rey en favor nuestro y libranos de la muerte.»

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4. Al tercer día, y una vez acabada su oración, se despojó de sus vestidos de orante y se revistió de reina.

4. And upon the third day, when she had ended her prayers, she laid away her mourning garments, and put on her glorious apparel.

5. Recobrada su espléndida belleza, invocó a Dios, que vela sobre todos y los salva, y tomando a dos siervas,

5. And being gloriously adorned, after she had called upon God, who is the beholder and saviour of all things, she took two maids with her:

6. se apoyó blandamente en una de ellas,

6. And upon the one she leaned, as carrying herself daintily;

7. mientras la otra la seguía alzando el ruedo del vestido.

7. And the other followed, bearing up her train.

8. Iba ella resplandeciente, en el apogeo de su belleza, con rostro alegre como de una enamorada, aunque su corazón estaba oprimido por la angustia.

8. And she was ruddy through the perfection of her beauty, and her countenance was cheerful and very amiable: but her heart was in anguish for fear.

9. Franqueando todas las puertas, llegó hasta la presencia del rey; estaba el rey sentado en el trono real, revestido de las vestiduras de las ceremonias públicas, cubierto de oro y piedras preciosas y con aspecto verdaderamente impresionante.

9. Then having passed through all the doors, she stood before the king, who sat upon his royal throne, and was clothed with all his robes of majesty, all glittering with gold and precious stones; and he was very dreadful.

10. Alzando su rostro, resplandeciente de gloria, lanzó una mirada tan colmada de ira que la reina se desvaneció; perdió el color y apoyó la cabeza sobre la sierva que la precedía.

10. Then lifting up his countenance that shone with majesty, he looked very fiercely upon her: and the queen fell down, and was pale, and fainted, and bowed herself upon the head of the maid that went before her.

11. Mudó entonces Dios el corazón del rey en dulzura, angustiado se precipitó del trono y la tomó en sus brazos y en tanto ella se recobraba, le dirigía dulces palabras,

11. Then God changed the spirit of the king into mildness, who in a fear leaped from his throne, and took her in his arms, till she came to herself again, and comforted her with loving words and said unto her,

12. diciendo: «¿Qué ocurre, Ester? Yo soy tu hermano, ten confianza.

12. Esther, what is the matter? I am thy brother, be of good cheer:

13. No morirás, pues mi mandato alcanza sólo al común de las gentes.

13. Thou shalt not die, though our our commandment be general: come near.

14. Acércate.»

14. And so be held up his golden sceptre, and laid it upon her neck,

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15. And embraced her, and said, Speak unto me.

16. Ella respondió: «Te he visto, señor, como a un ángel de Dios y mi corazón se turbó ante el temor de tu gloria.

16. Then said she unto him, I saw thee, my lord, as an angel of God, and my heart was troubled for fear of thy majesty.

17. Porque eres admirable, señor, y tu rostro está lleno de dignidad.»

17. For wonderful art thou, lord, and thy countenance is full of grace.

18. Y en diciendo esto, se desmayó de nuevo.

18. And as she was speaking, she fell down for faintness.

19. El rey se turbó,, y todos sus cortesanos se esforzaron por reanimarla.

19. Then the king was troubled, and ail his servants comforted her.