Esther and the King (1960)

Walter Williams: Hegai

Quotes 

• Hegai : A plain white gown. Such simplicity! Was it your choice?

  Esther : Yes.

  Hegai : Indeed. One might think you have no desire to win a queen's crown. A most becoming modesty. It pleases me. An unassuming virtue that needs rewarding.

  [to the servants] 

  Hegai : Fetch me the cloak of gold!

  [to the maidens] 

  Hegai : You may rest, my little doves.

  [Hegai brings the golden cloak] 

  Esther : I am grateful, but I don't wish to be so favored.

  Keresh : I will accept it.

  Esther : Oh, yes. Yes, give it to her.

  Hegai : [to Keresh]  Speak only when you're spoken to!

  Keresh : Take care, eunuch! I have mighty friends.

  Hegai : In the brothels of the street of the soldiers, no doubt!

  [to Esther] 

  Hegai : Here, my child. I ask you to wear it. Please.

  [wraps the cloak around Esther] 

• Hegai : [Keresh steals Esther's golden cloak, wraps it around herself, and leaves the harem to go to the throne room]  Vanity! Avarice! That cloak won't hide your wickedness!

• Hegai : [Keresh has stolen Esther's golden robe and now it is Esther's turn to present herself to the King]  Do not grieve that you've lost the splendor of the golden robe. Nothing can prevail against the King's mistrust of female ambition. What a squandering of beauty! The fairest from all the provinces and now they will be sent home to milk goats.

• King Ahasuerus : I choose you, Esther, but I do not command you. I ask you to remain here for a while. Let time be the king. Let it command your heart to go or to stay.

  [to Hegai] 

  King Ahasuerus : Attend her, Hegai, as if she already wore the crown.

  Hegai : My Queen to be!