14
But now, since it was nearly the middle of the tenth hour, the person who was in charge of the invitations, seeing that the guests were assembled, approached the king and nudged him.
15
And when he had with difficulty roused him, he pointed out that the hour of the banquet was already slipping by, and he gave him an account of the situation.
16
The king, after considering this, returned to his drinking, and ordered those present for the banquet to recline opposite him.
17
When this was done he urged them to give themselves over to revelry and to make the present portion of the banquet joyful by celebrating all the more.
18
After the party had been going on for some time, the king summoned Hermon and with sharp threats demanded to know why the Jews had been allowed to remain alive through the present day.
19
But when he, with the corroboration of his friends, pointed out that while it was still night he had carried out completely the order given him,
20
the king, possessed by a savagery worse than that of Phalaris, said that the Jews were benefited by today's sleep, "but," he added, "tomorrow without delay prepare the elephants in the same way for the destruction of the lawless Jews!"
21
When the king had spoken, all those present readily and joyfully with one accord gave their approval, and each departed to his own home.
22
But they did not so much employ the duration of the night in sleep as in devising all sorts of insults for those they thought to be doomed.
23
Then, as soon as the cock had crowed in the early morning, Hermon, having equipped the beasts, began to move them along in the great colonnade.
24
The crowds of the city had been assembled for this most pitiful spectacle and they were eagerly waiting for daybreak.