Comedy of Haman and Mordechai

Unknown

Comedia de Amán y Mordochay

1699

About This Entry

Isaac Cohen de Lara, descendant of the Spanish de Lara family, was a bookseller in Amsterdam. He published this anonymous Spanish Purim play, dedicating it to his friend David de Souza Brito. In the introduction, de Lara describes the author as “a clever writer from Hamburg.” An appendix includes riddles, or “enigmas,” in Spanish and Dutch, as well as a toast and a Spanish ballad.

Enter David, Moses, and Samson, all singing:

Blessed Adonai,

may Haman always die,

viva Mordechai,

Esther my lady.

Viva my lady,

blessed Adonai,

may Haman always die,

viva Mordechai.

David:

It is well that all see

our joy without measure,

for Mordechai and Esther

have brought us great pleasure,

and blessed may they be.

Moses:

Let no one stint on praise

for these adventurers brave:

our praise to them we raise,

from Haman we are saved.

Thus gaily we cavort

with bells to dance and sport.

Samson:

And thus together now

the three of us so order.

David:

I will lead as dancing guide,

you two following behind.

Moses:

All is well, so ring us in

and let the Follies here begin.

[After each one sings, all respond.]

David:

Those who honor Adonai

night after night, day after day,

let them now to Mordechai

sweet homage pay.

All:

Thanks to him we are free.

David:

From the murderous fiend

who wanted to slay us,

our praise, let us sing.

Moses:

Sing now to Esther

all night and all day,

our praises we pay

to honor and bless her.

All:

To Esther, who freed us.

Moses:

From the murderous fiend

who wanted to slay us,

praises we sing.

Samson:

For she saw that Haman,

the villain vile,

to the devil would send us

with spite and guile.

All:

Destroy us all, the order came down

Samson:

To the murderous fiend

who wanted to slay us;

yet she intervened.

David:

And so today

we have rung in the Follies,

everyone jolly,

spending this day

rejoicing and gleeful.

Moses:

Then, too, we shall eat,

for it is well known

that to truly feast

there must be meats.

Samson:

You are right, but take pleasure

with reason and measure.

David:

Yes of course, as you say,

but today we are gay,

so those in excess

must be pardoned no less

for that extra bite.

And so it must be

that no one today

may cease to be joyful—

the Rich will donate

to friends and brothers,

with alms to the poor

and gifts to each other.

Remembering the fear

from which we were saved,

let there be celebration

two days every year:

fourteen, fifteen Adar.

For thirteen Adar,

a day of despair,

now gives us cause

for mirth and elation.

Moses:

Let us not be the last,

but the first in this matter.

Samson:

And so let us go

find more guests for the party.

[They exit, as the King, Mordechai, and Esther enter.]

Mordechai:

Great thanks I owe

for your Highness’s mercy.

King:

And I for the grace

you yourself have shown.

Esther:

May the lord ever bless

your Highness’s throne.

King:

The star-studded sky

is a timely reflection

of Esther’s resplendence.

Now, how did you manage

your vengeance?

Esther:

May your life be enhanced

for the aid you extended.

King:

And so may the heavens

reveal your great virtue:

the world must see

that the Hebrew nation

owes you their salvation.

[All those inside are singing]:

Long live those three,

King, Mordechai, and Esther.

May heaven bless them,

and earth give them pleasure.

Ever be it so,

for their greatness is such

that we must proclaim:

Long live those three.

King:

What news do I hear,

what things do I see?

Mordechai:

My lord, we the Hebrews

have come to give thanks.

King:

You have already given me

comfort abundant

to sense your great pleasure

and see you triumphant.

Mordechai:

May heaven bless

your Royal Highness.

King:

But enough of these compliments.

Three hearts today

are beating as one.

And so, may the two of you

long life enjoy

and well-earned renown.

[The King exits.]

Esther:

After lauding God,

this I propose,

that this joyous day

be yearly remembered

with dancing and praise.

Mordechai:

So shall it be,

The lord will be praised

with many a psalm,

For we saw the traitor

reclaimed by the devil.

Now let us go

and give thanks to the lord.

Esther:

We shall go joyfully,

all night and day,

giving thanks and praise.

Mordechai:

Now sing the glory

of the lord divine,

keeping ever in mind

this triumphant day

and the death of cursèd Haman.

Translated by Michelle McKay Aynesworth.

Credits

Isaac Cohen de Lara, ed., Comedia famosa de Amán y Mordochay (Comedy of Haman and Mordechai) ([Leiden]: 1699), 43–48.

Published in: The Posen Library of Jewish Culture and Civilization, vol. 5.

Comedy of Haman and Mordechai

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