The Historie of Ester: Section 5

Faire Virgin, brought to Hege's hand,
The custome of the Persian Land;
Esters neglect of rich attire,
To whet the wanton Kings desire.

ANd when the lustfull Kings Decree was read
In ev'ry eare, and Shire proclam'd, & spread,
Forthwith unto the Eunuch Hege's hand
The Bevy came, the pride of beauties band,
Armed with joy, and warring with their eyes,
To gaine the conquest of a princely prize;
But none in peerlesse beauty shin'd so bright,
As lovely Ester did in Hege's sight:
In loyall service he observed her;
He sent for costly Oyles, and fragrant Myrrh,
To it her for the presence of the King:
Tyres, and change of vesture did he bring
Seven comely maids he gave to tend upon her,
To shew his service, and increase her honour:
But she was watchfull of her lips, and wise,
Disclosing not her kinred, or alyes:
For trusty Mardoches tender care
Gave hopefull Ester Items to beware
To blaze her kin, or make her people knowne,
Lest for their sake, her hopes be overthrowne.
Before the Gates he to and fro did passe,
Wherein inclos'd the Courtly Ester was,
To understand how Ester did behave her,
And how she kept her in the Eunuchs favour,
Now when as Time had fitted ev'ry thing,
By course, these Virgins came before the King.
Such was the custome of the Persian soyle,
Sixe months the Virgins bath'd in Myrh & Oyle,
Sixe months perfum'd in change of odours sweet,
That perfect lust, and great excesse may meet;
What costly Robes, rare Iewels, rich attire,
Or curious Fare, these Virgins did desire,
'Twas given, and freely granted, when they bring
Their bodies to be prostrate to the King:
Each Virgin keepes her turne, and all the night
They lewdly lavish in the Kings delight,
And soone as orning shall restore the day,
They in their bosomes beare blacke night away,
And (in their guilty breasts, as are their sinnes
Close prisoners) in the house of Concubines
Remaine, untill the satiate King shall please
To lend their pamper'd bodyes a rlease.
Now when the turne of Ester was at hand,
To satisfie the wanton Kings command,
Shee ought not (as the rest) with brave attire,
To lend a needlesse spurre t' unchast Desire,
Nor yet endeavours with a whorish Grace,
T'adulterate the beautie of her face:
Nothing she sought to make her glory braver,
But simply tooke what gentle Hege gave her:
Her sober sage daily wan her honour:
Each wandring eye inflam'd, that look'd upon her.