The Holy State, Book 4 · Chapter 2
CHAP. 2. The life of HAMAN.
HAman the sonne of Amedatha, of the kinred of Agag, and people of Amalek, was highly favoured by Ahasuerus Emperour of Persia. I find not what pretious properties he had, sure he was a pearl in the eye of Ahasuerus, who commanded all his subjects to do lowly reverence unto him: onelyonly Mordecai the Jew excepted himself from that rule, denying him the payment of so humble an observance.
I fathome not the depth of Mordecai's refusall: perchance Haman interpreted this reverence farther then it was intended, as a divine honour, and therefore Mordecai would not blow wind into so empty a bladder, and be accessary to puff him up with self-conceit; or because Amalek was the devils first-fruits, which first brake the peace with Israel, and God commanded an antipathy against them; or he had some private countermand from God not to reverence him. What ever it was, I had rather accuse my self of ignorance, then Mordecai of pride.
Haman swells at this neglect. Will not his knees bow? his neck shall break with an halter. But oh, this was but poore and private revenge: one lark will not fill the belly of such a vultur. What if Mordecai will not stoop to Haman, must Haman stoop to Mordecai to be revenged of him alone? wherefore he plotteth with the Kings sword to cut off the whole Nation of the Jews.
Repairing to Ahasuerus, he requested that all the Jews might be destroyed. He backs his petition with three arguments: first, It was a scattered Nation; had they inhabited one entire countrey, their extirpation would have weakned his empire, but being dispersed, though kill'd every where, they would have been missed no where; secondly, his Empire would be more uniform when this irregular people, not observing his Laws, were taken away; thirdly, ten thousand talents Haman would pay into the bargain into the Kings Treasure.
What, out of his own purse? I see his pride was above his covetousnesse; and spightfull men count their revenge a purchase which cannot be overbought: or perchance this money should arise out of the confiscation of their goods. Thus Ahasuerus should lock all the Jews into his chest, and by help of Hamans Chymistry convert them into silver.
See how this grand destroyer of a whole Nation pleads the Kings profit. Thus our punie depopulatours alledge for their doings the Kings and countreys good; and we will believe them, when they can perswade us that their private coffers are the Kings exchequer. But never any wounded the Commonwealth, but first they kiss'd it, pretending the publick good.
Hamans silver is drosse with Ahasuerus: onelyonly his pleasure is currant with him. If Haman will have it so, so it shall freely be; he will give him and not sell him his favour. 'Tis wofull when great Judges see parties accused by other mens eyes, but condemne them by their own mouthes: and now Posts were sent thorow out all Persia to execute the Kings cruell decree.
I had almost forgotten how before this time Mordecai had discovered the treason, which two of the Kings Chamberlains had plotted against him; which good service of his, though not presently paid, yet was scored up in the Chronicles, not rewarded but recorded, where it slept till a due occasion did awake it. Perchance Hamans envy kept it from the Kings knowledge; and Princes sometimes to reward the desert of men want not mind, but minding of it
To proceed: See the Jews all pitifully pensive, and fasting in sackcloth and ashes, even to Queen Esther her self, which (unknown to Haman) was one of that nation. And to be brief, Esther invites Ahasuerus and Haman to a banquet (whose life shall pay the reckoning) and next day they are both invited to a second entertainment.
Mean time Haman provides a gallows of fifty cubits high to hang Mordecai on. Five cubits would have serv'd the turn; and had it took effect, the height of the gallows had but set his soul so much the farther on his journey towards heaven. His stomach was so sharp set, he could not stay till he had din'd on all the Jews, but first he must break his fast on Mordecai; and fit it was this bell-weather should be sacrificed before the rest of the flock: wherefore he comes to the Court to get leave to put him to death.
The night before Ahasuerus had passed without sleep. The Chronicles are called for, either to invite slumber, or to entertain waking with the lesse tediousnesse. Gods hand in the margin points the Reader to the place where Mordecai's good service was related; and Ahasuerus asketh Haman (newly come into the presence) what shall be done to the man whom the King will honour?
Haman being now (as he thought) to measure his own happinesse, had been much too blame if he made it not of the largest size. He cuts out a garment of honour, royall both for matter and making, for Mordecai to wear. By the Kings command he becomes Mordecai's Herauld and Page, lacquying by him riding on the Kings steed (who he hoped by this time should have mounted the wooden horse) and then pensive in heart hasts home to bemoan himself to his friends. Hamans wife proves a true Prophetesse, presaging his ruine. If the feet of a Favourite begin to slip on the steep hill of Honour, his own weight will down with him to the bottome: once past noon with him, it is presently night.
For at the next feast Ahasuerus is mortally incens'd against him for plotting the death of Esther, with the rest of her people. (For had his project succeeded, probably the Jew had not been spared for being a Queen, but the Queen had been killed for being a Jew.) Haman in a carelesse sorrowfull posture, more minding his life then his lust, had cast himself on the Queens bed. Will he force the Queen also (said Ahasuerus) before me in the house? These words rang his passing-bell in the Court, and according to the Persian fashion they covered his face, putting him in a winding sheet that was dead in the Kings favour. The next news we hear of him is, that by exchange Haman inherits the gibbet of Mordecai, and Mordecai the house and greatnesse of Haman, the decree against the Jews being generally reversed.