John Trapp on Esther 4:2

Verſe 2. And [illegible: 1 word] even before the Kings gate] Which ſhould have been alwayes open to poor Petitioners, (as the gate of the Romane Aedilis was) but was now ſhut againſt ſuch Mourners as Mordecai. A night-cap was an ill ſight at Court: Jolly ſpirits cannot endure ſadneſſe: ſo great enemies they are to it, that they baniſh all ſeriouſneſſe, like as the Nicopolites ſo hated the braying of an Aſſe, that for that cauſe they would not abide to heare the ſound of a trumpet.

For none might enter into the Kings gate clothed with ſackcloth] Behold, they that weare ſofts are in Kings houſes, Mat. 11.8. and thoſe that are altogether ſet upon the merry pin. Jannes and Jambres (thoſe Juglers) are gracious with Pharaoh, when Moſes and Aaron are frown'd upon. Baals Prophets are fed at Jezabels Table, when Elias is almoſt pined in the deſert. [non-Latin text not transcribed]. Mat. 14.6. The dancing Damoſel trippeth on the toe, and triumpheth in Herods Hall, when the rough-coated Baptiſt lieth in cold irons: and Chriſts company there is neither cared for, nor called for, unleſſe it be to ſhew tricks, and do miracles for a paſtime, Luke 23.8. The Kings and Courtiers of Perſia muſt ſee no ſad ſight, leſt their mirth ſhould be marred, and themſelves ſurprized with heavineſſe and horrour. But if Mourners might not be ſuffered to come to Court, why did thoſe proud Princes ſo ſty up themſelves, and not appear abroad for the relief of the poor oppreſſed? How much better the moderne Kings of Perſia; whom I have ſeen (ſaith a certain Traveller) to alight from their horſes; to do juſtice to a poor body? How much better the great Turk, who whenſoever he goeth forth by land, doth alwayes ride on horſeback, upon the Friday eſpecially, (which is their Sabbath) when he goeth to the Temple. At which times they that go along by his Stirrup, have charge to take all Petitions that are preferred to his Majeſty, and many poor men, who dare not preſume by reaſon of their ragged apparel to approach near, ſtand afar off with fire upon their heads, holding up their Petitions in their hands; the which the grand Signior ſeeing, (who never deſpiſeth, but rather encourageth the poor) ſends immediately to take the Petitions, and being returned home into his Seraglio, reades them all, and then gives order for redreſſe, as he thinks fit. By reaſon of which complaints, the King oft-times taketh occaſion ſuddenly to puniſh his greateſt officers, either with death or loſſe of place.Grand. Sign. Serag. 148. Which maketh the Baſhaws and other great Officers, that they care not how ſeldome the grand Signior ſtirres abroad in publike, for fear leſt in that manner their bribery and injuſtice ſhould come to his eares. 'Tis probable that Haman had got this alſo to be decreed, that none ſhould enter into the Kings gate clothed in ſackcloth; leſt paſſion might be moved thereby in any of the Courtiers, or that be a meanes to make a complaint to the King of his cruelty.