Addition D
1 Esther appears before the king
1 On the third day, when she had finished praying, she removed her mourning clothes and put on her royal robes.
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Calling on the all-seeing God and savior, she appeared in full view of the court. She took along with her two female servants,
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delicately leaning on the one,
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while the other followed behind, carrying her train.
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She was blushing in the full bloom of her beauty, and her face was delightfully cheerful, but her heart was tense with fear.
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When she had passed through all the doors, she stood in the presence of the king. He was seated on his royal throne, clothed in all his majesty—all in gold and precious stones—and was terrifying.
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He lifted his face, which blazed gloriously, about to explode in anger, and looked at her. The queen collapsed. Her color turned pale, and she fell face forward onto the female servant who was walking ahead of her.
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Then God changed the king's spirit to tenderness. He leaped anxiously from his throne, and took her up in his arms until she was calm. He tried to comfort her with reassuring words,
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saying to her: "What is it, Esther? I'm your brother. Take heart!
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You won't die, for the order only holds for ordinary people.
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He then lifted his gold scepter and placed it on her neck. He embraced her and said: "Speak to me."
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She said to him, "I saw you, Master, as if you were one of God's angels, and my heart was struck with terror at the sight of your glory.
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You inspire awe, Master, and your face is full of divine grace."
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But while she was speaking, she collapsed again. The king was distressed, and all his servants tried to comfort her.