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| author | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-15 04:40:43 -0700 |
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| committer | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-15 04:40:43 -0700 |
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diff --git a/12792-h/12792-h.htm b/12792-h/12792-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..bdcec39 --- /dev/null +++ b/12792-h/12792-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,8381 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" +"http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> +<head> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=utf-8" /> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" /> +<title>The Young Captives | Project Gutenberg</title> + +<style type="text/css"> + +body { margin-left: 20%; + margin-right: 20%; + text-align: justify; } + +h1, h2, h3, h4, h5 {text-align: center; font-style: normal; font-weight: +normal; line-height: 1.5; margin-top: .5em; margin-bottom: .5em;} + +h1 {font-size: 300%; + margin-top: 0.6em; + margin-bottom: 0.6em; + letter-spacing: 0.12em; + word-spacing: 0.2em; + text-indent: 0em;} +h2 {font-size: 150%; margin-top: 2em; margin-bottom: 1em;} +h3 {font-size: 130%; margin-top: 1em;} +h4 {font-size: 120%;} +h5 {font-size: 110%;} + +.no-break {page-break-before: avoid;} /* for epubs */ + +div.chapter {page-break-before: always; margin-top: 4em;} + +hr {width: 80%; margin-top: 2em; margin-bottom: 2em;} + +p {text-indent: 1em; + margin-top: 0.25em; + margin-bottom: 0.25em; } + +p.poem {text-indent: 0%; + margin-left: 10%; + font-size: 90%; + margin-top: 1em; + margin-bottom: 1em; } + +p.letter {text-indent: 0%; + margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; + margin-top: 1em; + margin-bottom: 1em; } + +p.right {text-align: right; + margin-right: 10%; + margin-top: 1em; + margin-bottom: 1em; } + +div.fig { display:block; + margin:0 auto; + text-align:center; + margin-top: 1em; + margin-bottom: 1em;} + +p.caption {font-weight: bold; + text-align: center; } + +a:link {color:blue; text-decoration:none} +a:visited {color:blue; text-decoration:none} +a:hover {color:red} + +</style> + +</head> + +<body> +<div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 12792 ***</div> + +<h1>THE YOUNG CAPTIVES</h1> + +<h3>A Story of Judah and Babylon</h3> + +<h2 class="no-break">by ERASMUS W. JONES</h2> + +<div class="fig" style="width:100%;"> +<img src="images/img2.jpg" width="136" height="85" alt="" /> +</div> + +<h4>1907</h4> + +<hr /> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2>Contents</h2> + +<table summary="" style=""> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap00">PREFACE</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap01">CHAPTER I. </a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap02">CHAPTER II. </a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap03">CHAPTER III. </a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap04">CHAPTER IV. </a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap05">CHAPTER V. </a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap06">CHAPTER VI. </a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap07">CHAPTER VII. </a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap08">CHAPTER VIII. </a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap09">CHAPTER IX. </a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap10">CHAPTER X. </a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap11">CHAPTER XI. </a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap12">CHAPTER XII. </a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap13">CHAPTER XIII. </a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap14">CHAPTER XIV. </a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap15">CHAPTER XV. </a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap16">CHAPTER XVI. </a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap17">CHAPTER XVII. </a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap18">CHAPTER XVIII. </a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap19">CHAPTER XIX. </a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap20">CHAPTER XX. </a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap21">CHAPTER XXI. </a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap22">CHAPTER XXII. </a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap23">CHAPTER XXIII. </a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap25">CHAPTER XXV. </a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap26">CHAPTER XXVI. </a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap27">CHAPTER XXVII. </a></td> +</tr> + +</table> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="chap00"></a>PREFACE</h2> + +<p> +This volume is the fruit of my leisure hours; and those hours in the life of a +pastor are not very abundant. That the story has suffered from this, I do not +believe. Whatever its defects may be, they are not owing to “the pressure of +other duties.” So, dear reader, if this little work proves a failure, let not +that <i>deep calamity</i> be attributed to any lack but the lack of ability in +the author. +</p> + +<p> +The semi-fictitious style of the writing, while displeasing to some, will be +well-pleasing to others. “What I have written I have written;” perhaps in a way +peculiar to myself. I know of some who could write charming books on this +subject in a very different and perhaps a far superior style; but these I dare +not try to imitate. I must write in my own way. It may be inferior to the way +of others; but then it is much better to move around on your own limbs, even if +they <i>are</i> rather “short metre,” than to parade abroad on stilts in +mid-air. +</p> + +<p> +In the colloquies, I have not thought it best to follow strictly the Oriental +style. However pleasing this might have been to some, I am well persuaded that +it could not meet the approbation of the generality of readers; and as the +great design of the work is to bear with weight upon some of the corrupt usages +and wicked policies of the present day, I thought it advisable to shape the +phraseology in conformity with modern usages. +</p> + +<p> +In the prosecution of this work, I have consulted the following authorities: +Josephus, Rollins’ “Ancient History,” Smith’s “Sacred Annals,” “Daniel, a Model +for Young Men,” by Dr. Scott, Clarke’s, Henry’s, Scott’s, and Benson’s +Commentaries; with some other smaller works. +</p> + +<p> +In following the “Youths of Judah” through their various trials, at home and in +a land of strangers, I have received much genuine pleasure and lasting profit; +and that the reader, likewise, may be greatly pleased and benefited, is the +sincere desire of his unworthy servant, +</p> + +<p class="right"> +E<small>RASMUS</small> W. J<small>ONES</small>. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="chap01"></a>CHAPTER I.</h2> + +<p> +A clash of swords and the cries of excited men resounded through the streets of +the city. Two guardsmen were endeavoring to disarm and arrest a number of +boisterous youths. The latter, evidently young men of good social position, had +been singing bacchanalian songs and otherwise conducting themselves in a manner +contrary to the spirit of orderliness which King Josiah was striving to +establish in Jerusalem. The youths were intoxicated, and, when the two officers +sought to restrain them, they drew swords and made a reckless attack on the +guardians of the peace. +</p> + +<p> +Although the latter were outnumbered, they were courageous and skillful men, +and soon had three of the party disarmed, accomplishing this without bloodshed. +The fourth and last of the marauders, a handsome and stalwart young man +apparently about twenty-one years of age, although at first desirous of keeping +out of the mêlée, sprang to the aid of his companions. He cleverly tripped one +of the watchmen and grappled with the other in such a way that the officer +could not use his sword arm. This fierce onslaught gave the other members of +the party new courage, and they joined in the battle again. The conflict might +then have been settled in favor of the lawless party but for an unexpected +circumstance. As one of the guardsmen gave a signal calling for reinforcements, +the second made a desperate attempt to throw his young antagonist to the +ground, and, as they struggled, his face came in proximity to that of the +offending youth. He uttered an exclamation of surprise. +</p> + +<p> +“Ezrom! Ezrom!” cried he; “don’t add crime to your other follies! Do you +realize what you are doing? See how you are about to bring disgrace upon your +relatives. Make haste away from this place before the reinforcements come, or +nothing will save you from the dungeon. I beseech you in the name of the king +and your beloved family!” +</p> + +<p> +Instantly the plea had its effect. The young man drew back, and, hastily +uttering a few words to his companions, led them away before they could be +recognized by the gathering crowd. +</p> + +<p> +“The officer is a loyal friend of our house,” the youth explained, “and we have +him to thank for getting us out of this trouble, temporarily at least. But the +affair has attracted enough notice so that there is sure to be an inquiry +to-morrow, and I for one will put the city of my birth behind me before the +dawn of day. The son of Salome and the nephew of King Josiah will never again +bring disgrace upon those he loves. To-night I flee to parts unknown, and +bitter indeed will be the punishment of those of you who are apprehended for +our offenses.” +</p> + +<p> +In the vicinity of the Temple stood a beautiful dwelling. From outward +appearances one would readily conclude that the inmates of that fair abode were +not common personages. Wealth and taste were shown on every hand. To this +house, in the heart of Jerusalem, came the young man who had rendered himself +so conspicuous in the quarrel with the guard. He reached the place by a +circuitous route and hastily entered. Although the hour was late two Hebrew +maidens of rare beauty awaited his coming. They were in a state of anxious +solicitude for the return of their erring brother, whose conduct of late had +been such as to cause the most intense anxiety on the part of the pious +household, for Ezrom belonged to the nobility of Judah and was a blood relation +of the reigning monarch. Seeing his excited countenance, the sisters understood +that something unusual had befallen him, and the elder of the two sprang to his +side. +</p> + +<p> +“What calamity has occurred to you, my dear brother?” she cried. +</p> + +<p> +“Be calm, sweet Serintha,” he replied, “and I will tell you all.” +</p> + +<p> +He then informed his sisters that with his three friends he had been guilty of +taking up arms against the authorities—a crime punished with great severity. +</p> + +<p> +As Ezrom and his young men companions were connected with families of high +station in Jerusalem, even having royal blood in their veins, they had the +privilege of carrying weapons and were in the habit of going armed with swords. +This unfortunate custom had only served in the end to get them into serious +trouble, and Ezrom for one felt compelled to leave home during the night. +</p> + +<p> +These startling disclosures brought from both of his sisters a cry of agony. +They implored him to remain, promising to exert every influence to save him +from punishment. +</p> + +<p> +Ezrom’s mind was firmly made up, however, and he declared that he never would +face the impending exposure. He gathered together a few articles of clothing +while his sisters followed him from room to room with painful sobs. He was soon +ready. His younger sister, Monroah, fell on his neck in a paroxysm of grief. +Ezrom could utter but a few broken words when he essayed to bid them farewell. +His favorite harp stood by his side. +</p> + +<p> +“Take this, my sweet Monroah,” he said, in trembling accents, “and whenever thy +hand shall strike its chords of melody remember that thou art loved with all +the strong affection of a brother’s heart. And now, in the presence of Jehovah +I make the solemn vow that from this hour I shall reform my ways.” +</p> + +<p> +He then kissed his beloved sisters, and, with burning brow and tear-dimmed +eyes, rushed from his father’s house and away to a land of strangers. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="chap02"></a>CHAPTER II.</h2> + +<p> +Nearly a quarter of a century had rolled away, and again the city of Jerusalem +was ablaze with light and social gayety. But vastly different was the moral +tone of the government. The good King Josiah had been called to rest, and his +profligate son Jehoiakim was on the throne. Nightly the walls of the royal +palace rang with the sound of high revelry. Laughter and drunken song echoed +through every part of the proud edifice. Jehoiakim, following the example of +some of his predecessors, did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord and +filled the Holy City with his foul abominations. His counselors also lived in +forgetfulness of the God of Israel. They flattered the king’s vanity and +encouraged his excesses. Pride and infidelity promenaded together. Crimes of +the darkest hue were being perpetrated with official sanction, and, although +God’s prophets had the courage to rebuke the sinful rulers and warn them of +their fearful doom, the moral standard of the city went lower and lower. +</p> + +<p> +The night was serene and calm. The glorious orb shone brightly in the eastern +skies and shed her silvery beams on the glassy lakes of Judea. In the clear +moonbeams, those lofty towers of spotless white stood forth in majestic +grandeur on the walls of the great metropolis. Nature, with smiles of lovely +innocence on her fair countenance, was hushed to sweet repose; but not so the +busy thousands that thronged the wide thoroughfares of Jerusalem. This day was +one of the anniversaries of Jehoiakim’s reign, and at an early hour the city +presented a scene of excitement. The king’s vanity provided everything +requisite for a general display; and, although far from being loved by his +numerous subjects, yet because they could eat, drink, and be merry at the +expense of others, the streets of Jerusalem were thronged with those who cared +far more for the gratification of their appetites than they did for their vain +sovereign. +</p> + +<p> +The royal palace was thronged with the rich, the great, the gay, and the giddy. +Unholy excitement ran high. Wines and strong drinks flowed freely. Flattery +without measure was poured into the ears of the king. “Long live Jehoiakim!” +echoed from a thousand voices. The prophets of the Most High, who prophesied +evil against Jerusalem, were ridiculed and laughed to scorn; and those few +persons of influence who regarded them in a favorable light were made the +subjects of their keenest sarcasm and their most insulting wit. It was about +the third hour of the night. The king’s heart was merry with wine. A thousand +of Judah’s nobles, with their wives, their sons, and their daughters, sat at +the banquet table. Suddenly a voice, deep and solemn as the grave, was heard +below, as if in the garden at the rear of the palace, crying, “Woe unto +Jehoiakim, King of Judah! Woe! Woe to the Holy City!” The sound was of an +unearthly nature. The assembly heard it, the king heard it. For a moment, all +was still. Again the same deep minor sound was clearly heard. “Woe unto +Jehoiakim, King of Judah! Woe! Woe unto the Holy City!” +</p> + +<p> +“Seize the accursed wretch!” rang through the great apartment. +</p> + +<p> +The king’s countenance was flushed with anger, while he cried, “Who is this +vile dog that dares insult the King of Judah? Let the abominable one be dragged +into my presence and then receive his instant doom!” +</p> + +<p> +A thorough search was made for the mysterious author of the confusion; guards +and sentinels ran to and fro. Every corner of the enclosures was thoroughly +examined, but all in vain. No trace could be found of the unwelcome herald. +After a short interval, the agitation subsided and the company was again in the +midst of wild revelry and merriment. The king endeavored to be merry; but the +peculiar deep tone of that messenger of woe still sounded in his ears; and, +with all his efforts, he could not forget it. In the midst of his depravity and +wickedness, he still at times had some dread of that God whom he daily +insulted. He sought to drown his unpleasant thoughts in mixed wines, but the +King of Judah felt a presentiment of some awful calamity near at hand. With +desperation he struggled against it, and joined in the boisterous laugh and +merry song. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="chap03"></a>CHAPTER III.</h2> + +<p> +Higher and higher ran the excitement of the banquet-room. Loud peals of +laughter broke from the merry throng. Musical instruments poured forth rich +strains of melody. Jehoiakim was complimented on every hand, but the law of God +was ridiculed. +</p> + +<p> +Jehoiakim sat on a magnificent throne, gilded over with pure gold. A large +number of war officers sat near him. A royal herald passed through the throng, +crying, “Listen to the oration of Sherakim! Listen to the oration of Sherakim!” +Soon silence was obtained, and Sherakim the Orator stood before the vast +concourse, and began: +</p> + +<p> +“Princes and Nobles of Judah! With merry hearts, we assemble from different +parts of the kingdom to hail this festal day—the eleventh anniversary of the +reign of our illustrious sovereign. Ye will not think it strange, nor consider +it affectation, when I assure you that I tremble beneath the weight of honor +conferred upon me at this time. +</p> + +<p> +“The death of King Josiah, as ye well know, threw a partial gloom over Judah. +Not because all of us considered his measures expedient and prudent, but +because he was our king, and undoubtedly honest in his intentions, amid all his +imperfections. Let the infirmities and mistakes of past monarchs be buried in +their graves. We are not here to mourn over the past, but rather to rejoice in +the present. We are here assembled to congratulate one another on the +unprecedented happiness that flows to the nation from the reign of the truly +illustrious sovereign that now adorns the throne of Judah. The faults and +deficiencies of other-day kings are more than made up to the nation in the +bright reign of the most excellent Jehoiakim. We do not expect that even the +superior administration of our matchless monarch will suit the tastes and +desires of weak-minded and superstitious men. The King of Judah, with all his +superior powers, is not capable of satisfying the unreasonable demands of those +deluded creatures who are yet too numerous in our midst. What good can result +to anyone from spending half his time in yonder Temple, and there going through +a long list of senseless ceremonies, with sad and melancholy looks? +</p> + +<p> +“Princes and Nobles of Judah! We rejoice together under the happy reign of a +king who looks at those things with calm disdain, and smiles at the foolishness +and darkness of other ages. Let us, therefore, banish gloom and enjoy life. Let +deluded visionaries bow their heads, disfigure their countenances, and utter +their plaintive moans; but let <i>men</i> stand erect, with joyful countenances +and merry hearts! They tell us that Jerusalem is in danger; and they dwell with +solemn emphasis on what they please to call ‘forgetfulness of God.’ They tell +us that the Chaldeans are about to besiege the city, and take it! This old +story will answer well to terrify shallow brains and young children; but, with +men of sense, it will receive that silent contempt which it deserves. Let the +citizens of Judah give themselves no uneasiness on account of the silly +harangues of a wild and deluded fanatic who is a more fit subject to be +confined with unruly lunatics than to be heeded as a teller of future events. +However, I would not advise severity towards the followers of old Jeremiah. +They are rather to be pitied than blamed. As long as they keep their delusion +within their own circles, we shall let them alone; but let them be careful that +they step not too far and disturb the happiness and enjoyment of others. Among +themselves, let them talk about the ‘Law of their God,’ to their hearts’ +content; but as for us, we know of no <i>higher law</i> than the law of our +king—the edicts of our grand sovereign. To him, and him alone, we pledge our +undivided fidelity. Trusting in the King of Judah, we cheerfully go forward, +and bid defiance to every foe. In conclusion, I have only to say, Long live +Jehoiakim on the throne of Judah!” +</p> + +<p> +“Long live Jehoiakim!” echoed throughout the assembly. The king bowed and +smiled, and Sherakim the Orator’s countenance gave evidence that he considered +his efforts as crowned with success. All was again hilarity and mirth. The wine +passed freely around. Shouts of laughter rang through the spacious hall. A +strange person entered the apartment, at that end opposite to the spot where +the king sat on his golden throne. His singular appearance arrested the +attention of all present. The stranger had passed the meridian of life. His +figure was tall, his countenance striking. Deep solemnity rested on his visage, +which presented a very strange contrast to the countenances that surrounded +him. With a slow but firm step, he walked through the long passage and stood in +the presence of Jehoiakim. +</p> + +<p> +The vast assembly was soon hushed to silence, and spellbound from curiosity. +Sherakim the Orator gazed on the king. The king, with an angry brow, gazed on +the stranger. The stranger, in return, cast a withering glance on the king, and +stood in his presence with form erect and fearless. He lifted his hand on high, +and thus addressed the monarch: +</p> + +<p> +“Hear the word of the Lord, O King of Judah, that sittest upon the throne of +David. Woe unto him that buildeth his house by unrighteousness, and his +chambers by wrong; that useth his neighbor’s service without wages, and giveth +him not for his work. Did not thy father eat and drink and do justice, and was +it not well with him? He judged the cause of the poor, and then it was well +with him. ‘Was not this to know me?’ saith the Lord. But thine eyes and thine +heart are not but for thy covetousness, for to shed innocent blood, and for +oppression and for violence. Therefore, thus saith the Lord concerning +Jehoiakim, ‘He shall be buried with the burial of an ass, drawn and cast forth +beyond the gates of Jerusalem.’” +</p> + +<p> +The stranger turned his back on Jehoiakim, and with the same slow, firm step, +he marched through; and although the king in a rage gave orders for his arrest, +there was none to lift a finger against the man of God. He was gone! and the +assembly was left gazing in mute astonishment at one another. Such was the +unearthly aspect of that mysterious stranger, that even the great flow of +spirit was not proof against its effects. The deep tones of his mournful +predictions reached their ears and even their hearts. In spite of their +abominations and infidelity, they felt that there was a divinity in that awful +voice of warning, and for a short period, at least, their hearts throbbed with +guilty emotions of fear. Many a proud daughter of Judah trembled and turned +pale, as she gazed on the solemn visage of the uninvited stranger, and as she +listened to the deeptoned eloquence that fell from his lips. Others there were +who felt a strange throbbing of heart, but each one vied with his fellow to +hide his real feelings; and soon, by a show of bravado, the concourse fell back +to the usual hilarity, marked by more than an ordinary degree of unholy wit, +and blasphemous sarcasm. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="chap04"></a>CHAPTER IV.</h2> + +<p> +The night was far advanced, and there were indications that the great festival +was drawing to a close. The last feature expected was an address from the king. +The hour appointed had arrived, and expectation ran high, but Jehoiakim made +not his appearance. At last Sherakim appeared before the vast audience, and +commenced an apology for the absence of the monarch in the following strain: +</p> + +<p> +“Princes and Nobles of Judah! It is with heartfelt regret that I am compelled +to convey to you the painful intelligence that our illustrious sovereign, owing +to illness, will not be able to deliver the royal address. This no one can +regret more than your unworthy servant. Is it any wonder that—” +</p> + +<p> +Just at this time, the king himself, with a flushed countenance and a very +unsteady step, appeared on the stage. It was glaringly evident to all who were +not in the same condition themselves, that the King of Judah was altogether +incompetent for that important branch of business which, in despite of the kind +remonstrances of his personal friends, he was determined to undertake. +</p> + +<p> +The reader is already aware that the king had been twice disturbed by the dark +predictions of the persecuted Jeremiah. In the attempt to throw off his +embarrassment, and appear courageous before his friends, he sought relief in +mixed wines, of which he partook without restraint. These, in a measure, proved +sufficient to stupefy his guilty conscience, but they added to his vanity and +self-conceit. Long before the hour arrived for the delivery of the royal +address, the King of Judah’s conversation amounted to nothing more than drunken +babbling. +</p> + +<p> +A number of his most influential courtiers endeavored, with all their tact and +ingenuity, to dissuade their sovereign from the attempt, urging that the +excitement of the night had already so prostrated him that it would be unsafe +for his health to enter again into the uproar of the festive hall. Now, +Sherakim had come to the conclusion that their arguments had finally prevailed, +and that the king had been comfortably removed to his bed-chamber; hence his +remarks, which were cut short by the sudden appearance of the king. Jehoiakim, +without any ceremony, commanded the orator to fall back; which command was +instantly obeyed. Instead of ascending the throne, as usual, he took the stand +that had been vacated by Sherakim, waved his hand, and loudly laughed, while +the audience cheered; then, with violent gestures and faltering tongue, he went +on: +</p> + +<p> +“Princes and Nobles of Judah! I am here! I tell you I am here! Am I not +Jehoiakim, King of Judah? Is not this the glorious reign of my anniversary? +Where is the villain that dares to say it is not? Then that is a settled +question. I hear no contradiction. Who dares contradict? I hear no reply. Who +is afraid of the King of Babylon? If ye know of such an one, bring the cowardly +dog to me, and I will take off his head—Ha! ha! ha! Old Jeremiah! Where is he? +Ah, I’ll soon put him out of the way. Can there be any danger while the King of +Babylon is fighting with the King of Egypt? +</p> + +<p> +“Princess and Nobles of Judah! I perceive ye understand your sovereign. We are +all safe! He dethroned me three years ago—Ha! ha! ha! Will he do it again? +Shall I pay him any more tribute money? Never! I defy his power! And to-morrow +I shall punish the enemies of Judah who live in our midst. Tomorrow shall flow +rivers of blood!” +</p> + +<p> +The heavy blasts of trumpets were now distinctly heard without, which arrested +the king in his drunken speech. A number of officers rose to their feet. A +young officer in uniform rushed into the banquet-hall and cried at the top of +his voice: “To arms! To arms! To arms, O Judah! The legions of the Chaldeans +are approaching the Holy City! To arms! To arms! To arms!” and the officer +hurried again into the street. The confusion that ensued was indescribable. +Officers ran to and fro in wild haste. Wives and daughters wailed, lamented, +and clung to their husbands and fathers in the utmost dismay. Hilarity and +mirth were turned into sorrow and bitter lamentations. Those proud and lofty +arches that had so lately rung to the sound of the merry song and boisterous +laugh, now answered to the distracted cry of the fair daughters of Judah. Thus, +in “confusion worse confounded,” broke up the great festival of the last +anniversary of the reign of Jehoiakim, King of Judah. +</p> + +<p> +The dawn of day presented to the inhabitants of Jerusalem their true and +lamentable condition. A portion of the Chaldean army was already encamped on +the plains before the city, and nearby the remaining legions were on a rapid +march to the same spot. This sudden appearance of the forces of Nebuchadnezzar +before the walls of Jerusalem was owing to the King of Judah’s refusing to pay +the tribute money as agreed on another occasion. +</p> + +<p> +Three years before, the same king, who then reigned jointly with his father, +brought his forces before the city, and without any resistance they thought fit +to surrender. Jehoiakim was still permitted to reign, but subjected to be a +tributary to the King of Babylon. For two years this agreement was adhered to +by the King of Judah. On the third, the King of Babylon marched his forces into +Egypt, to bring into subjection the revolting inhabitants, whom he had +previously conquered. Jehoiakim, trusting that the Egyptians would be able to +stand their ground, and, peradventure, prove victorious, thought this a +favorable time to throw off the Chaldean yoke; and consequently, scornfully +refused to pay the tribute money, and treated the Chaldean ambassador with +haughtiness. But, contrary to the expectations of the King of Judah, the +Egyptians, when they beheld the powerful legions of the Chaldeans, gave up +their rebellion, and promised allegiance to the King of Babylon. +Nebuchadnezzar, enraged by the conduct of the King of Judah, ordered his forces +in Egypt to march and encamp before the walls of Jerusalem. +</p> + +<p> +Early in the morning of that fatal day, Jehoiakim called together a grand +council, in order to deliberate on the best measures to be pursued in the +painful emergency. Some advised a strenuous resistance; others said this would +be vain—that the city was not able to stand a siege for one month because they +were destitute of provisions, and, moreover, the army was in a very imperfect +condition. The king thought it advisable to show no resistance, but to treat +the King of Babylon with, civility. Finally, the grand council agreed that it +was not expedient to resist the entrance of the King of Babylon, and concluded +to throw open the gates of the city. +</p> + +<p> +As yet the Chaldeans remained stationary, about thirty furlongs to the south. +About the third hour they began to advance, their glittering arms, dazzling in +the bright sunbeams, giving them a grand and imposing appearance. The walls of +the city were thronged with anxious gazers, and all hearts throbbed with deep +and painful anxiety. Nearer and nearer they approached! The rumbling of their +war chariots fell heavily on the ear. The heavy hoofs of their spirited +chargers made the earth tremble. The loud blasts of their numerous trumpeters +were carried on the wings of the wind, while the echoes answered from the lofty +towers of ancient Salem. Suddenly the massive gates were thrown open. Then a +grand shout from the whole army rent the air. For hours they poured in through +the wide portals, and once more the gods of the Gentiles were escorted in +triumph through the wide thoroughfares of the “City of the Great King.” +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="chap05"></a>CHAPTER V.</h2> + +<p> +The King of Judah’s treatment of the Chaldean ambassador, in regard to the +tribute money, had so exasperated the King of Babylon, that he was determined +to chasten his audacity with rigor. This monarch, at this period of his reign, +was of rather a mild disposition, but, like his sires before him, a love of +conquest had become with him a strong passion. +</p> + +<p> +Three years before, he had dealt with much mildness toward the inhabitants of +Jerusalem. On taking the city, he charged his soldiers to show no indignity to +the inhabitants, under the severest penalty—which charge was well heeded. +Towards Jehoiakim he also evinced a kind disposition. With but few +restrictions, he was permitted to reign. Now that Jehoiakim had abused these +acts of kindness, had violated solemn obligations, and, in addition to all +this, had publicly ridiculed the ambassador, Nebuchadnezzar’s indignation was +kindled to a flame. +</p> + +<p> +The King of Judah on this occasion, as well as on all other occasions of +embarrassment and perplexity, sought relief in mixed wines. These stimulated +his courage for the time being, which, being left to its own resources, was of +a low order; but, under the effects of these deceitful liquids, he became +heroic. +</p> + +<p> +“Jared!” said Jehoiakim, “where is that Sherakim who was so full of fight at +the banquet hall last night?” +</p> + +<p> +“As my soul liveth, O king, I know not his whereabouts. I have not seen him +since early dawn; and then he appeared to be in haste, and was in no mood for +conversation.” +</p> + +<p> +“A curse on his cowardly head! I suppose these Chaldeans have put his valor to +flight. Jared! how many armed men have we within the royal enclosures?” +</p> + +<p> +“Two hundred of the royal guard, O king, are present—all armed and ready to +face death for their illustrious sovereign.” +</p> + +<p> +“It is well!” said Jehoiakim, filling his bowl. “Ha, ha, ha! Let the King of +Babylon beware of my vengeance? What does the fool desire? The King of Judah is +not to be frightened. Jared! where is Sherakim?” +</p> + +<p> +“Sherakim, O king, is not to be found.” +</p> + +<p> +“Ah, I had forgotten. Sherakim not to be found! Ha, ha, ha! Sherakim not to be +found! The cowardly babbler! Jared, command more wine! Sherakim has fled—he is +afraid of a shadow—he has not the courage of a maiden. Have I not known him of +old? Did not a thunderstorm always make him cry? Ha, ha, ha! Sherakim the +orator! fool! coward!” +</p> + +<p> +“A messenger, O king, from the King of the Chaldeans, desires to be introduced +into thy presence. Shall I conduct him to the apartment?” +</p> + +<p> +“Is he alone or accompanied?” +</p> + +<p> +“Accompanied by armed men.” +</p> + +<p> +“Let the messenger be admitted, but let the guard remain behind.” +</p> + +<p> +The messenger was accordingly ushered into the presence of Jehoiakim. +</p> + +<p> +“And what business of importance has brought thee into the presence of the King +of Judah?” asked Jehoiakim, with curling lip. +</p> + +<p> +“I stand in thy presence as a bearer of a message from my sovereign master, +King of Babylon.” +</p> + +<p> +“Methinks I have seen thee on another occasion.” +</p> + +<p> +“And was not my behavior honorable and becoming?” +</p> + +<p> +“Did the King of Judah say otherwise?” +</p> + +<p> +“Yea, otherwise.” +</p> + +<p> +“How?” +</p> + +<p> +“By his vile and haughty treatment of the king’s ambassador.” +</p> + +<p> +“Be sparing with thine insolence, or at this time thou mayest fare far worse.” +</p> + +<p> +“The Chaldean ambassador is not to be frightened by idle threats from one who +lives at the mercy of his master.” +</p> + +<p> +“Thinkest thou thyself safe because thou art surrounded with a few soldiers? +Knowest thou not that within my call there are hundreds of armed men, ready to +execute my will?” +</p> + +<p> +“And knowest thou not that Jerusalem is in the hands of the Chaldeans, and that +threescore thousand men of war are stationed in the city?” +</p> + +<p> +“Threescore thousand! But come, sir, what is the message of the King of Babylon +to the King of Judah? Let thy words be few.” +</p> + +<p> +“Then thou art commanded, without delay, to appear in my master’s presence, and +there learn his sovereign will concerning thyself and the city.” +</p> + +<p> +“<i>Commanded!</i> Ha, ha, ha! Go thy way, and inform thy master that if he +desires to see Jehoiakim, King of Judah, he must call at the royal palace, +where he may have his desires gratified.” +</p> + +<p> +“Then I go. Faithfully will I convey thy answer to my illustrious sovereign.” +</p> + +<p> +The minister hastened from the royal palace, to convey to the king the result +of the interview, while the King of Judah, waxing more desperate, still applied +himself to his cups. +</p> + +<p> +The King of Babylon, on his arrival in Jerusalem, ordered his magnificent royal +tent to be pitched in the center of a large square in the very heart of the +city. The great body of the army was stationed in another part—the royal guard +remaining near the royal tent. From this spot went forth the summons to the +King of Judah to appear in the presence of the King of Babylon. +</p> + +<p> +“Where is his Royal Highness, the King of Judah?” asked Nebuchadnezzar. +</p> + +<p> +“In his palace, O king, indulging in excess of wine, apparently perfectly at +ease.” +</p> + +<p> +“Is he not forthcoming?” asked the king, with a darkened brow. +</p> + +<p> +“He laughs to scorn thy commands, O king! and wishes to inform thee that if +thou hast aught to communicate he may be consulted at his palace.” +</p> + +<p> +“By all the gods, the fellow is mad!” cried Nebuchadnezzar in a passion. “I’ll +have to bend his stubborn will—yea, I <i>shall</i> do it. I thirst not for his +blood; but let the guilty monarch beware how he trifles with my commands! +Balphoras! haste thee back with a double guard, and inform Jehoiakim that my +orders are not to be trifled with; and moreover, that if he persists in his +stubbornness, I shall send sufficient force to drag him into my presence as a +guilty culprit.” +</p> + +<p> +The communication was in perfect accordance with the desires and expectations +of the Chaldean officer. Balphoras was in possession of an amiable mind. He was +respectful to his superiors, kind and gentle to his inferiors. Wherever he was +known among his countrymen he was greatly beloved. However, he was not +insensible to injury or indifferent to abuse. He felt deeply; but had learned +to be a greater conqueror than his master, inasmuch as he that governeth his +own spirit is greater than he that taketh a city. Balphoras, without being +unkind or selfish, desired to witness the humiliation of the King of Judah. The +command of his king, therefore, was put in immediate execution, and the +Chaldean minister, accompanied by a strong and imposing guard, once more was on +his way to demand admission into the presence of the King of Judah. +</p> + +<hr /> + +<p> +“Jared! Well would I have served those guilty dogs, if I had given orders to +have their heads taken off. What sayest thou, Jared?” +</p> + +<p> +“They richly deserved it, O king,” answered Jared, with his face in another +direction, on which played a suppressed smile. +</p> + +<p> +“Let them beware how they insult the King of Judah! Jared! hast thou learned +aught of Sherakim’s whereabouts?” +</p> + +<p> +“Naught, O king.” +</p> + +<p> +“Ungrateful dog! Cowardly fool! Miserable brawler!—Sherakim! Bah! Jared, order +more wine. Whom should Jehoiakim fear? Jared! what trouble is there in the +porch? Haste thee and see.” +</p> + +<p> +Jared hastened to obey the commands of his drunken sovereign, and presently +returned. +</p> + +<p> +“The same messenger from the King of the Chaldeans demands an interview with +the King of Judah.” +</p> + +<p> +“Let him be admitted. Ha! ha! What next?” +</p> + +<p> +Balphoras, with a firm, dignified step, walked into the presence of Jehoiakim, +who, in spite of his wine-propped courage, almost trembled beneath the +Chaldean’s penetrating glance. +</p> + +<p> +“And what hast thou to communicate at this time?” +</p> + +<p> +“My communication is short and decisive.” +</p> + +<p> +“The shorter the better—let it be delivered.” +</p> + +<p> +“My illustrious sovereign, the King of Babylon, wishes the King of Judah to +understand, that his commands are not to be trifled with; and, moreover, that +if the King of Judah persists in his stubbornness, he must be dragged into his +presence as a guilty culprit.” +</p> + +<p> +“Who dares to utter such words in my presence?” cried Jehoiakim, in a rage. +</p> + +<p> +“The Chaldean minister, as the words of his illustrious sovereign.” +</p> + +<p> +“Go and tell thine ‘illustrious sovereign’ that Jehoiakim spits upon his +insolent demands.” +</p> + +<p> +“Thy raving is in vain. Better far to bridle thy rage and comply. Be it known +to the King of Judah, that I have three hundred chosen men of war at my +bidding, who wait for the word of command. What is the choice of the King of +Judah?” +</p> + +<p> +“Be it known to thee, insolent fool,” cried the exasperated king, “that +Jehoiakim laughs to scorn thy threats, and spurns thy counsels.” +</p> + +<p> +“Alas for thine obstinacy, proud and reckless man!” answered Balphoras, as he +left the apartment; “thy doom is sealed!” +</p> + +<p> +After the departure of the Chaldean, Jehoiakim gave orders to his officers to +be ready, at all hazards, to defend the royal enclosures against all further +intrusion from the Chaldeans. +</p> + +<p> +“A curse upon his guilty head! Ha, ha! ‘Dragged into his presence,’ eh! Never! +Fools! Villains! Let them beware of Jehoiakim’s vengeance.” +</p> + +<p> +While the King of Judah thus indulged in his wild delirium, a strong detachment +of the Chaldean army was on a rapid march towards the royal palace, with orders +to make a prisoner of Jehoiakim, and bring him into the presence of the King of +Babylon. They soon reached the king’s gate, and demanded admittance; which +demand was promptly and haughtily refused. This was but the signal for attack, +and a furious combat followed. Both the Chaldeans and Jehoiakim’s men fought +valiantly. The passage was defended with extreme bravery and valor; but after a +most desperate struggle, the Chaldeans proved successful in forcing an +entrance. The sentry at the palace door was soon overcome, and a company of +Chaldeans rushed into the royal mansion; and, after some search, they found the +king. Without ceremony he was dragged from his hiding place, and ejected from +his palace. A shout of triumph broke from the Chaldeans, which only exasperated +their antagonists. Another desperate rush was made for the rescue of their +king, but it proved unavailing. He was conducted to the open street amid a +general fight. The din of battle brought together vast multitudes, who, seeing +their king a captive, added greatly to the strength of Judah’s forces; and the +Chaldeans found themselves continually attacked from unexpected quarters. Thus +the conflict waxed hotter and hotter as the Chaldeans desperately fought their +way through the exasperated men of Judah. +</p> + +<p> +Finally, the King of Judah was carried into the presence of Nebuchadnezzar and +had he, even then, humbled himself, he might have escaped an awful doom. The +behavior of Jehoiakim in the presence of the Chaldean monarch was that of a +madman. To every inquiry he replied in the most insulting and abusive epithets; +and to seal his own fate he madly rushed on the King of Babylon with his sword, +and had it not been that this potentate was on his guard, it would have gone +hard with him. This was beyond endurance. Nebuchadnezzar, stung to the quick, +grasped his sword, commanded his officers to stand aloof, and faced his enraged +foe. They made a few passes, and the sword of the Chaldean was plunged into the +heart of the King of Judah.” +</p> + +<p> +“Take the ungrateful dog,” said the excited Babylonian, “and drag his worthless +carcass, and throw it outside the city walls.” +</p> + +<p> +The command was immediately put in execution. +</p> + +<p> +Thus perished the wicked king, according to the word of the Lord, by the mouth +of his servant Jeremiah. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="chap06"></a>CHAPTER VI.</h2> + +<p> +Nebuchadnezzar called together a number of the leading men of Judah and +explained his intentions with regard to the government. He also described the +killing of Jehoiakim. It was not the policy of the conqueror to establish any +rigorous system of public control. He required that Judah should remain as a +tributary power, but he desired the country to make progress in its own way, +and he took occasion to proclaim that Jeconiah should reign in the place of his +father, Jehoiakim, who had just met his fate at the hands of the invader. Those +who listened to Nebuchadnezzar were well pleased with his words and also with +the elevation of Jeconiah to the throne. +</p> + +<p> +The Babylonian ruler, having now fully accomplished his ends, gave orders for +the early departure of the victorious army for the plains of Chaldea. He +decided to take with him, as prisoners of war, a number of youths of Judah. He +had the twofold object of showing to his people some tangible evidence of his +victory and of gaining for his court the advantage of having as aids and +attendants some of the more cultured young men of Judea. With the aid of +Jeconiah a list of suitable youths was soon prepared by the victorious +monarch’s officers. These chosen ones were notified, the day of departure was +fixed, and all energies were bent toward the speedy return of the army to the +land of the Euphrates. +</p> + +<hr /> + +<p> +Let us now visit some of the homes of Judah, where the mandate of the +Babylonian king had fallen as a pall upon the inmates. With one of these homes, +located centrally and bearing evidence of prosperity and culture, the reader is +already somewhat acquainted. In the room where young Ezrom took leave of his +sisters, twenty-five years before, an interesting group had gathered. Monroah, +the last survivor of Salome’s children, had wedded Amonober, and four lovely +children blessed their union. These youths were now orphans, however, the +youngest being a maiden of sixteen, who possessed the rare beauty for which the +family was noted. Her name was Perreeza. The three brothers were named +Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. The love of these brothers for their sister was +returned with all the ardor of an affectionate and sincere girl. These youths +were among those selected as prisoners of war. +</p> + +<p> +In company with the young men, when they broke the news of the king’s decision +to Perreeza, was Jeremiah the Prophet. +</p> + +<p> +“Oh, brothers!” exclaimed the distressed maiden, “must ye be torn away from an +only sister? Oh, man of God! What will Perreeza do? My heart will break. Oh, my +brothers! We cannot part!” and she fell on the neck of Hananiah and wept +bitterly. +</p> + +<p> +“We think it not strange, dear damsel,” said the prophet, “that thy young heart +is made sad. But the things that are enshrouded in mystery to-day will yet beam +forth in wondrous wisdom.” +</p> + +<p> +“If to Babylon my brothers go, I must accompany them,” said Perreeza, with much +decision. “It must be so! Jerusalem will have no charms for me when those I +love dearer than life are far away!” +</p> + +<p> +“Surely that would be our joy and desire,” replied Azariah, “but alas! I fear +it will not be possible to have such a request granted. The exact number is +selected and no females are marked on the captive list.” +</p> + +<p> +“But dear brother, an effort must be put forth without delay to procure thy +sister permission.” +</p> + +<p> +“Yea, beloved, and an effort will be put forth, promptly and urgently.” +</p> + +<p> +This answer of the brother partly soothed the troubled spirit of the young +damsel, and the suggestion on her part opened a little door of hope before the +brothers. +</p> + +<p> +Amonober, father of these interesting youths, was a brother of King Josiah. +Another brother was Baromon, who had died leaving a widow, Josepha, a son, +Daniel, and two daughters. The two families stood among the foremost in the +religious and social life of the Holy City. Young Daniel was one of the noble +youths chosen by Nebuchadnezzar to go to Babylon. His pious and noble mother +and sisters, after their first outburst of grief, committed him to God’s care. +They became reconciled to their bereavement through the counsel of Jeremiah, +who declared that the God of Israel was shaping the whole affair for the +advancement of his kingdom on earth. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="chap07"></a>CHAPTER VII.</h2> + +<p> +Daniel and the Amonober children, from their first interview with the officers +of the King of Babylon, had left a very favorable impression on the minds of +those high dignitaries; and although, in reality, they were but captives of +war, they were treated with that high civility due to nobility and rank. This +caused much astonishment to the youths themselves, and served in part to calm +and reconcile them to their lot. The ardent desire of Perreeza to accompany +them to the land of their captivity had been made the subject of their +thoughts, and served if possible to deepen in their minds the fountain of pure +affection. +</p> + +<p> +Early next morning, the brothers bent their footsteps towards the temporary +residence of one of Nebuchadnezzar’s officers, with whom, at this time, they +had to do. The manner in which they formerly had been received gave them some +encouragement to hope that their mission would be crowned with success. They +soon reached the “spot, and were admitted. +</p> + +<p> +“And what is the pleasure of these young noblemen of Judah?” asked Barzello, +with a pleasant smile. +</p> + +<p> +“Let thy young servants find favor in the sight of their kind and noble +master,” said Hananiah, “while with deep humility they make known their +request. The illustrious Barzello, we trust, will pardon us for this intrusion +upon the time of the King of Babylon’s noble officer, and listen patiently to +their urgent prayer. Thy kind deportment towards thy servants, for these many +days, has given them courage thus to stand in thy presence without any painful, +distracted fears. We are the sons of Amonober, the brother of King Josiah, +under whose reign, for many years, Judah smiled amid peace and plenty. Thy +servants were early instructed in the religion of our sainted father, who, with +our beloved mother, feared the God of Israel, and worshiped in his holy Temple. +While thy servants were yet young, Amonober our father died, and was gathered +to his fathers, and today he calmly rests by the side of his illustrious +brother, King Josiah. Thus the best of mothers was left a widow with her +fatherless children. Thy servants, feeling it no less a pleasure than a duty, +endeavored to comply with our father’s dying request, by being ever kind to our +beloved mother. Thus time passed away for two years, and our pathway once more +seemed to be bright and pleasant, when suddenly our mother died. Thy servants +were called to stand by the side of her couch before she departed, and these +were her parting words: +</p> + +<p> +“‘To you, my sons, I commit my sweet Perreeza! Let her youthful feet be +tenderly watched by the eyes of love. Whisper words of sweet, brotherly +affection in her youthful ears. Oh, deal gently and kindly with the dear, +motherless lamb! Remember the dying request of a mother, and throw your arms of +protection around your orphan sister.’ +</p> + +<p> +“Having concluded these words, our mother closed her eyes, and gave up the +ghost. This beloved object of a mother’s dying request has been, for many +years, the center of thy servants’ joy and happiness, and one smile from our +own Perreeza will often turn our darkness into day. Our love for her is +returned with all the ardor of a sister’s pure affection. The sad news of our +destined departure from this our native land has well-nigh overwhelmed her +heart with sorrow. The thought of parting makes her spirit faint; and thy +servants are sincere when they assure their compassionate master that they +greatly fear that, if compelled to be separated from her brothers, Perreeza +will sink under the deep weight of sorrow, and pass away to the spirit land. In +compliance with her very urgent request, thy servants at this time stand as +petitioners before their benevolent superior. We are not here to ask to be +released from any demand. We patiently yield to the stern necessity that calls +us away; but we are here, O most excellent Barzello! to ask a favor for +another, which, if granted, will always live in our grateful memories: it is, +that Perreeza, our beloved sister, be permitted to accompany us to the land of +the Chaldeans.” +</p> + +<p> +“And how old is this young sister, of whom ye speak in such terms of +commendation?” +</p> + +<p> +“Perreeza has but just commenced her seventeenth year.” +</p> + +<p> +“This request must be presented before my lord, the king. Call again at the +setting of the sun, and ye shall learn his pleasure in this matter. Be assured +that my influence shall be exerted in your behalf.” +</p> + +<p> +“And the prayers of thy servants shall always ascend to the God of Judah for +ten thousand blessings on the head of Barzello;” and in the most respectful +manner, they left the apartment. +</p> + +<hr /> + +<p> +“Barzello,” said the King of Babylon, in a pleasant mood, “are my chosen +captives in a ready trim for their departure?” +</p> + +<p> +“All ready at the word of command, O king.” +</p> + +<p> +“But what thinkest thou of those brothers? Hast thou had an opportunity of +testing their merits?” +</p> + +<p> +“The brothers and cousins, O king, have been repeatedly in my presence, and +have given me positive proof that they are youths of very superior abilities +and great worth. Their amiable deportment and truly noble bearing have left on +my mind a very favorable impression. Indeed, the youths of Babylon, who pride +themselves so much on their superior learning and high attainments, might learn +precious lessons of wisdom from these very youths of Judah.” +</p> + +<p> +“By the gods! Barzello,” said the king, laughing heartily, “if at this rate +these youths continue to grow upon thy good opinion, before many days thou wilt +be a convert to the religion of Judah!” +</p> + +<p> +“Of the religion of Judah I know but little; but if these children are a fair +specimen of its operations, I cannot think that there is anything very +dangerous or offensive in it.” +</p> + +<p> +“Well, when we arrive in Chaldea, we shall give their powers a fair trial. But +are there any more brothers in that family?” +</p> + +<p> +“No more, O king,” replied the officer, inwardly thanking the king for the +question. “There are but three brothers and one young sister.” +</p> + +<p> +“She will be a comfort to her mother in the absence of her sons,” said the +king, in a thoughtful mood. +</p> + +<p> +“But the young damsel has no mother. For many years the children have been both +fatherless and motherless.” +</p> + +<p> +“Then there must be bitter parting there, Barzello! This young damsel, an only +orphan sister, must be bound to her brothers by more than common ties.” +</p> + +<p> +“True, O king,” answered Barzello, somewhat animated. “The thought of parting +grieves them beyond description. It was but this morning that the brothers +sought an interview with me on this very point, and pleaded in her behalf with +such melting eloquence as well-nigh robbed me of all my generalship. I +dismissed them by stating that I would lay their petition before my lord the +king, and that I would give them his answer at the setting of the sun.” +</p> + +<p> +“Barzello!” said the king, in a firm tone, “I cannot change my purpose in +regard to those brothers. Nothing shall prevail upon me to give them up. To +Babylon they must go! I have spoken the word! Let there be no pleading in their +behalf—I cannot grant their petition.” +</p> + +<p> +“I humbly beg my lord the king’s forgiveness,” replied the officer, with a +smile; “but let me assure him that the noble youths have made no petition of +that nature.” +</p> + +<p> +“But what <i>do</i> they ask?” asked the king, with some astonishment. +</p> + +<p> +“They ask, O king, as the greatest favor, that this their young orphan sister, +be permitted by the king to accompany her brothers to the land of the +Chaldeans.” +</p> + +<p> +“And has not this small favor been granted?” +</p> + +<p> +“Barzello now stands in the presence of his sovereign in behalf of the Hebrew +damsel, asking for her a permission.” +</p> + +<p> +“And the permission is granted. And furthermore, Barzello, see that she is well +provided for, and dealt gently with, for the maiden is of kingly line.” +</p> + +<p> +“All this shall be strictly attended to, O king,” said the well-pleased +officer, as he respectfully left the presence of the monarch. +</p> + +<p> +It was now late in the afternoon. The “regent of day” was gradually fading from +the sight of the inhabitants of the valley, and was smilingly sinking beyond +the western hills, and Barzello hastened his footsteps toward his headquarters. +After having reached his apartment, he seated himself, and indulged in some +reflections, which, if we might judge from his countenance, we might pronounce +to be of a pleasing nature. +</p> + +<p> +While thug musing, he was roused by the entrance of one of his servants. +</p> + +<p> +“What now, Franzo?” +</p> + +<p> +“Three young men and a damsel stand below, desiring the favor of an interview +with my master.” +</p> + +<p> +“Let them be conducted into my presence; and see thou to it that they receive +due respect from all below. They are persons of distinction.” +</p> + +<p> +The sister and brothers were conducted into the presence of Barzello, where +again they were received with peculiar attention. +</p> + +<p> +“The officer of the king of the Chaldeans is always happy to meet his young +friends, and will consider it a great pleasure to add to their comfort and +happiness. And this young damsel, I am led to believe, is your sister of whom +ye spake this morning.” +</p> + +<p> +“This is Perreeza, our sister,” replied Azariah; “her sense of obligation to +our noble friend for his generous feelings in her behalf, has prompted her to +embrace the privilege of appearing in person, to acknowledge her deep +gratitude.” +</p> + +<p> +“It gives me much pleasure to behold your sister, but I am not aware of any +service rendered that calls for a great amount of gratitude.” +</p> + +<p> +“Thy servants,” said Azariah, “in compliance with the directions received this +morning, are in thy presence to learn the will of the king, in regard to thy +servants’ request, as made known to him through the intervention of his +generous officer.” +</p> + +<p> +“Ye did well to come at the appointed hour. I am always well pleased with +strict punctuality. I am happy to inform you, that your request in regard to +your sister is very readily granted; and, moreover, the king has given me +particular directions to see that she has everything requisite to her perfect +comfort in journeying, which directions will be obeyed with the utmost +pleasure.” +</p> + +<p> +Silent tears of joy coursed down the cheeks of both sister and brothers. They +were so affected by the result of their effort, together with the unaffected +tenderness of Barzello, that for a short interval they could in no wise give +utterance to their feelings. Perreeza was the first to break the spell. +</p> + +<p> +“The most excellent Barzello will please accept the humble thanks of an orphan +maiden of Judah, for his kind regards. The God of the fatherless and motherless +will surely reward his servant, and cause blessings and prosperity to rest on +his household. Thy kindness shall not be forgotten. Our daily prayers shall +ascend to the God of Judah in thy behalf, with the smoke of our morning and +evening sacrifices.” +</p> + +<p> +“And I trust the youthful maiden of Judah,” said the officer, in a voice far +from being firm, “will live to see many happy years in the fair land of the +Chaldeans.” +</p> + +<p> +The interview was at an end, and the youths of Judah quietly directed their +footsteps to that beautiful mansion which was well known in that vicinity as +the “House of Amonober.” +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="chap08"></a>CHAPTER VIII.</h2> + +<p> +On the journey to Babylon, nothing of note transpired. The royal captives +continued to receive peculiar marks of attention and very clear demonstrations +of regard. They readily and justly concluded that all this originated in the +generous heart of Barzello; and thus he became more and more endeared to them. +</p> + +<p> +The King of the Chaldeans’ return to Babylon, at the head of his victorious +army, was hailed with loud acclamations of joy. The great capital of his +extensive empire was filled to overflowing with exulting thousands, to welcome +the victorious monarch from a brilliant campaign. Proud banners floated in +triumph on the high turrets, while a thousand minstrels filled the air with +their high-sounding melody. +</p> + +<p> +Nebuchadnezzar was as yet but a young monarch. He spared no pains to render +himself acceptable to his people, by a worthy deportment and a liberal +encouragement of all improvements throughout his realm, and especially within +the city of Babylon. At this period, he was greatly beloved by his subjects, +and his popularity was plainly visible in the unbounded welcome with which he +was received and escorted to the royal palace. +</p> + +<p> +Not far from the king’s palace stood a splendid mansion of broad and lofty +dimensions. Within the enclosures, everything was arranged with faultless +taste. In front, large beds of roses unveiled their charms, and sent forth +their sweet fragrance. Each side was well ornamented with shrubbery, and the +rear beautified with a garden abundantly filled with delicious fruits. With the +permission of the reader, we will now enter. In a richly-furnished apartment +within this noble edifice, sat a man of commanding exterior, attired in rich, +military official costume. Caressingly on his bosom leaned a young damsel, over +whose head sixteen summers might have gently rolled. Joy and gladness beamed in +every feature of her lovely countenance. +</p> + +<p> +“Oh, happy day! Father is home again! Jupheena will now be happy. The time of +thy absence seemed long and dreary; but thou art back again in our happy home!” +</p> + +<p> +“Yea, my child, I am really home again, and am happy to find my sweet Jupheena +as well and as sprightly as ever.” +</p> + +<p> +“But my dear father has happily returned sooner than we expected; thy stay in +Egypt was but short.” +</p> + +<p> +“Short, indeed, my daughter. Pharaoh-Necho, when he saw our powerful legions, +soon came to terms of peace; and in this I admire his wisdom. From Egypt, we +marched into the capital of Judah, and gained an entrance without resistance. +</p> + +<p> +“My stay in Jerusalem, thou knowest, was but short, and my facilities for +observation were not very favorable; but owing to peculiar circumstances, I +became partially acquainted with those in Judah who left deep and happy +impressions on my mind. I found a few young men of the kingly line, who, in my +opinion, were far superior in mind to any I ever had the pleasure of +beholding.” +</p> + +<p> +“Dear father! that is saying much. Then they must have been very different from +their royal relation, of whom thou speakest.” +</p> + +<p> +“Thou hast well said, my daughter. Happy would it have been for that distracted +nation if one of those youths had graced the throne of Judah, instead of the +profligate Jehoiakim.” +</p> + +<p> +“Then it appears, surely,” said the daughter smilingly, “that true excellence +and superiority are not confined to Chaldea. But I hear nothing in praise of +Judah’s <i>maidens</i>.” +</p> + +<p> +“The maidens of Judah are fair—some of them exceedingly fair. Thou wilt wonder, +perhaps, to hear that the peculiar grace and artless eloquence of one of these +maids of Judah so affected thy father’s heart, that he could not refrain from +shedding tears.” +</p> + +<p> +“And have these interesting captives arrived in the city?” +</p> + +<p> +“Yea, my daughter, they are already in Babylon.” +</p> + +<p> +“And shall not thy daughter have the pleasure of seeing this orphan maid of +Judah?” +</p> + +<p> +“Yea, verily! this day thou shalt see her; and if thou art well pleased with +her and with her society, she may be an inmate of my house, and a companion for +my daughter.” +</p> + +<p> +“But can the young maiden converse in Chaldee?” +</p> + +<p> +“She speaks our language, my daughter, with a degree of fluency that is really +astonishing. It is evident that her attainments are quite superior, and that +all the advantages which Judah’s capital could afford have been lavished upon +her.” +</p> + +<p> +“Oh! it will be delightful to learn beautiful stories of other lands, and have +such a sweet and lovely creature for my companion; I am almost impatient to see +her.” +</p> + +<p> +“I will have her conveyed hither without delay. If I mistake not, the maiden +will be delighted to tarry under the roof of one whom she calls her ‘bountiful +benefactor.’ Thy father will now leave for a short season, to attend to some +business matters of importance. In two hours I return.” And kissing his sweet +Jupheena, the soldier hurried out of the apartment. A chariot stood ready at +his door, into which he stepped, and was hurried away to another part of the +city. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="chap09"></a>CHAPTER IX.</h2> + +<p> +The royal captives, on arriving in the city, were conveyed, according to the +strict orders of Barzello, to certain appropriate apartments, prepared for +their reception, and nothing requisite to their comfort and entertainment was +left wanting. On the very first day of their arrival the God-fearing youths +found themselves to be favorites in a land of strangers. The God in whom they +trusted gave them adequate strength for their peculiar trials. They found +themselves in possession of energy of spirit and courage, that was truly a +source of wonderment to themselves. They thought of friends and home with all +the fervor of pure affection; but it was not accompanied with those painful, +agonizing emotions that are wont to accompany the remembrance of native land +and absent friends; in regard to which state of mind they could well adopt the +language of one of their happiest monarchs: “This is the Lord’s doing, and it +is marvelous in our sight.” +</p> + +<p> +It was about the ninth hour. The youthful group were seated together. +</p> + +<p> +“Well, cousin,” said Azariah, smiling and looking round the apartment, “this +has more the appearance of being guests of royalty than poor captives of war.” +</p> + +<p> +“Yea, truly,” replied Daniel; “and in this we clearly see the loving-kindness +of our God, by whom princes rule and kings govern.” +</p> + +<p> +“Our kind friend, Barzello,” said Hananiah, “has promised to call on us ere the +sun sets.” +</p> + +<p> +“And he will certainly fulfill his promise,” said Mishael. +</p> + +<p> +“We have proved him a genuine and a wise counselor,” said Daniel. +</p> + +<p> +“And his loving-kindness shall ever remain deeply graven on our memories,” said +Azariah. +</p> + +<p> +“Perreeza hopes,” said the sister, “that it may be her good providence to be +always near the good man, where she may often see his smiling face.” +</p> + +<p> +“Our excellent master, under the direction of the King of kings, will order all +things for the best,” said Hananiah. +</p> + +<p> +“Let us always remember the parting admonitions of our good Prophet,” said +Mishael, “and calmly submit our all to the wisdom of the Keeper of Israel.” +</p> + +<p> +“Even so, amen!” replied the others. +</p> + +<p> +Quick footsteps were heard without. The door opened, and Barzello entered the +apartment. The youths unitedly arose, and bowed low, in humble token of respect +to the noble officer. +</p> + +<div class="fig" style="width:100%;"> +<img src="images/img3.jpg" width="470" height="627" alt="[Illustration: ]" /> +<p class="caption">Barzello entered the apartment +</p> +</div> + +<p> +“I trust my young friends from Judah find these apartments a comfortable +resting place.” +</p> + +<p> +“Thy servants,” replied Daniel, “are overwhelmed with thy kindness, and hope, +in some sphere, by a true and honest deportment, to be able to show their +benefactor that his kindness is duly appreciated.” +</p> + +<p> +“And how does our young maid of Judah feel after her long journey?” asked +Barzello, as he smilingly approached Perreeza. +</p> + +<p> +“Thy maid of Judah is in good health; and being so well provided for on her +journey, she experienced but a very slight inconvenience.” +</p> + +<p> +“But she must be further provided for. She must have a permanent home in the +vicinity of her brothers. An officer of the king, in the city, with whom I am +well acquainted, having learned something of the history and deportment of this +your sister, would desire her, if not contrary to her wishes, to be an inmate +of his house, and a companion for his only child—a maiden of sixteen summers. +Would this be acceptable to the young damsel?” +</p> + +<p> +“Abundantly acceptable, most kind Barzello!” said Perreeza. “Thy young handmaid +is ready at any time to do the pleasure of her protector.” +</p> + +<p> +“Then I will accompany thee thither without any delay.” +</p> + +<p> +Perreeza withdrew to another apartment, and in a short time, returned, attired +in her rich native costume, and giving Barzello a sign that she was ready, they +both left the apartment. Soon Perreeza found herself by the side of her kind +friend, in a richly-ornamented chariot, that hurried them through the wide and +busy thoroughfares. Perreeza was somewhat astonished at the greatness and +grandeur of this Gentile metropolis. +</p> + +<p> +“Your Babylon is truly a great city,” said she. +</p> + +<p> +“The greatest on record. How in thine eye compares its beauty with the capital +of Judah?” +</p> + +<p> +“In the ornamental—in splendid gardens and bubbling fountains—Babylon surely +stands far superior.” +</p> + +<p> +The chariot halted, and Perreeza found herself in front of one of the most +beautiful mansions she had ever beheld. +</p> + +<p> +“And is this the officer’s mansion?” asked Perreeza, gazing with a degree of +astonishment at the great structure. +</p> + +<p> +“Yea, this is it, fair damsel. But thou appearest somewhat embarrassed. Let the +maid of Judah have no fears, for I have every confidence that she will do +well.” +</p> + +<p> +“Is the noble officer at home?” asked the maid, endeavoring to appear composed. +</p> + +<p> +“He is about the premises, and will soon be in,” replied Barzello, with a +smile. +</p> + +<p> +“What delicious flowers!” cried Perreeza, breathing a little easier. +</p> + +<p> +“Babylon abounds with the like, fair damsel. But come, let us enter, for the +officer’s daughter is in haste to behold the youthful maid from the land of +Judah.” +</p> + +<p> +Barzello ascended those steps of spotless marble, and, with a degree of freedom +that seemed to surprise his young companion, he entered a spacious apartment, +richly furnished and beautifully ornamented, where Jupheena was ready to +receive them, with loving smiles of welcome. +</p> + +<p> +“Jupheena, this is the young maid from the land of Judah, of whom thy father +spoke,” and, directing his language to Perreeza, at the same time giving +Jupheena a glance that was readily understood, he said, “and, young damsel, +this is the officer’s daughter of whom I spoke.” +</p> + +<p> +The two maidens, as if by a magic spell, were drawn to each other’s arms. +</p> + +<p> +“I shall leave you for a short period, Jupheena,” said the officer; “thy father +will soon return; when he comes, thou wilt be most happy to present to him thy +young companion,” and Barzello left the apartment, and thus the two fair ones +were left together. +</p> + +<p> +“I am happy to see my young friend from Judah,” said Jupheena. “I have been +deeply affected by thy history, and that of thy noble brothers. I trust, that +in the absence of thy friends, we shall be able to make thee happy.” +</p> + +<p> +“Since we left our beloved Jerusalem, and even before, we have experienced +naught but kindness from the noble officers of the king, especially the most +excellent Barzello. His sympathies have well-nigh overwhelmed us, and we shall +love him as long as we live, and implore the blessing of the God of Israel to +rest upon his household. Was it not he that kindly spoke of thy young +handmaiden to thy father?” +</p> + +<p> +“I am not aware who it was that first spoke to my father of the maid of Judah,” +replied Jupheena, smiling, “but Barzello, surely, is deeply interested in thy +welfare.” +</p> + +<p> +Barzello again entered, and Perreeza looked for the other officer, but no other +officer was present. Jupheena arose, and, taking her young companion by the +hand, led her to her father. +</p> + +<p> +“Maid of Judah, I have now the pleasure of presenting thee to my own dear +father, the king’s officer, under whose roof I trust thou wilt find a welcome +home.” +</p> + +<p> +“And this is his only daughter, Jupheena, of whom he spoke,” said Barzello, +highly delighted. “I trust the maid of Judah will find her a pleasant +companion.” +</p> + +<p> +Such was the effect of this innocent piece of deception on the mind of young +Perreeza, that all the response she could make, was to fall on the neck of her +young companion, and weep aloud. But those tears were tears of joy; and those +lofty walls were witnesses to the fast falling of other tears than those shed +by the maid of Judah. +</p> + +<p> +“Blessed be the Lord God of Israel!” cried Perreeza, when partially recovered, +“who hath given me favor in the eyes of this people! May Jehovah smile upon his +servant Barzello, and upon his lovely daughter, who thus throw open their door +to welcome an orphan maid of Israel.” +</p> + +<p> +“Thou shalt find under this roof a welcome home,” said Barzello, affectionately +taking Perreeza by the hand; “in Jupheena thou wilt find a worthy companion and +an affectionate friend.” +</p> + +<p> +“Thy daughter,” answered Jupheena, “will always esteem it a high pleasure to +add to the happiness of her young friend.” +</p> + +<p> +“And Jehovah assisting me,” cried the Hebrew maid, “I will endeavor so to walk +before my kind protectors as to be always worthy of their friendly regard.” +</p> + +<p> +“If it be pleasing to thy young friend,” said Barzello, addressing himself to +his daughter, “she may be again conducted to inform her brothers of her new +home.” +</p> + +<p> +“My brothers will be overjoyed,” answered Perreeza, “to learn of the happiness +of their sister; and to me, it will afford the greatest pleasure to convey to +them the joyful intelligence.” +</p> + +<p> +“If it will please my daughter,” said Barzello, “she may accompany us. What +sayest thou, Jupheena?” +</p> + +<p> +“Thy daughter most gratefully accepts thy kind offer.” +</p> + +<p> +“Our young friend, peradventure, will be pleased to see her brothers and cousin +without any delay, while Jupheena will accompany her father on an errand of +business at the house of an officer nearby. Thou mayest inform thy brothers and +cousin that we shall call and see them presently.” +</p> + +<p> +Perreeza embraced the opportunity, and, thanking the officer with one of her +peculiar smiles, hurried to their apartment. +</p> + +<p> +“Back again, precious Perreeza!” cried Azariah, hastening to meet her. “And did +our sister see the king’s officer and his young daughter, of whom Barzello +spoke?” +</p> + +<p> +“I did!” exclaimed his sister, while unusual joy beamed in her countenance. +</p> + +<p> +“And from thy countenance I am prepared to judge that the interview has been a +happy one,” said her cousin Daniel. +</p> + +<p> +“Never was there a happier interview, cousin. The noble officer’s kindness is +unbounded, and his daughter is one of the loveliest beings I ever beheld.” +</p> + +<p> +“Perreeza, I trust, will not forget the kindness of Barzello, in the warmth of +her gratitude to her new friend,” said Azariah. +</p> + +<p> +“Never fear that, my dear brother. The remembrance of Barzello’s kindness is +too deeply graven on Perreeza’s heart to be ever forgotten; and while I remain +under the roof of the king’s officer, I shall daily become more and more deeply +indebted to the kind Barzello.” +</p> + +<p> +“It must be that through his kind interposition our beloved sister found so +good a home,” said Mishael, “and if this officer, under whose roof she has +found a shelter, partakes of the spirit of Barzello, her home must be a happy +one. Perreeza, does he appear like unto our noble friend?” +</p> + +<p> +“The very image of him!” said the sister, laughing heartily. “Now, brothers and +cousin, let Perreeza undeceive you on this point. This noble officer, whose +house is to be my future home, is none other than our own illustrious Barzello +himself. This truth was made known to me in a way that well-nigh prostrated me. +Oh, brothers, is not this delightful?” +</p> + +<p> +“Praised be Jehovah!” broke from the lips of the youths of Judah. +</p> + +<p> +“For conversation we have but a short time,” said Perreeza; “Barzello and his +lovely Jupheena are below, and will be here in a few moments, and from hence I +accompany them to their home. Hark ye! I hear their footsteps.” +</p> + +<p> +Barzello, with a smiling countenance, entered the apartment, leading by the +hand his beautiful daughter. Perreeza ran to meet her young companion, while +the four youths were not wanting in appropriate obeisance to the noble officer; +all of which was closely watched by the smiling young Chaldean maid. +</p> + +<p> +“Have our young friends received any communications from any of the king’s +officers since our last interview?” +</p> + +<p> +“Thy servants have received no communication from any source, since the +departure of their kind friend, about the ninth hour,” answered Daniel. +</p> + +<p> +“To-morrow morning, peradventure, ye shall learn the pleasure of the king in +regard to your future course; and I trust ye will find that our noble monarch +is not wholly unmindful of your former rank and station in your own land.” +</p> + +<p> +“Permit thy unworthy servants once more,” said Azariah, “to acknowledge, with +grateful hearts, thy kind regards for their beloved sister, whom thou hast +taken as an inmate of thy hospitable mansion. Perreeza will always delight to +do thy pleasure, and to be the obedient servant of thy amiable young daughter.” +</p> + +<p> +“Your sister, while under my roof, shall not be looked upon in an inferior +light. The chosen companion of my daughter will command due respect from those +in high circles. The maid of Judah need not feel embarrassed, for her literary +attainments will compare favorably with the most polished maidens of her own +age in Babylon. She is not a <i>captive</i>. With the noble feeling of a +sister’s heart, and of her own accord, she accompanied her brothers to a land +of strangers. She is as free as any daughter of Chaldea; and therefore my +Jupheena will be happy to introduce her to her friends in her real character, +as a youthful maid of the royal line of Judah. In thus drawing a line of +distinction between yourselves and your sister, far be it from me to think that +your present relation to our government renders you, in any <i>real</i> sense, +inferior to others—’tis but a name, and will soon be forgotten; for it is in +the power of the king to elevate you, not only to proper citizenship, but to +high rank and prominent stations in the government. +</p> + +<p> +“Your sister will now accompany us home. Any article she wishes conveyed +thither, shall be sent for without delay. Now, my daughter, are we ready?” +</p> + +<p> +“All ready, father, unless Perreeza has aught unfinished.” +</p> + +<p> +“I have naught to hinder,” answered Perreeza, with a trembling voice. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="chap10"></a>CHAPTER X.</h2> + +<p> +In a royal apartment, decorated in superlative grandeur, sat the powerful +monarch of Chaldea. He was alone. His countenance bespoke a degree of +self-complacency and satisfaction. Around him, on a rich carpet, were several +large scrolls of manuscript, while, in his hand, he held carelessly what +appeared to be a well-arranged map of battle fields and grand points of attack. +Chaldea, at this time, was the seat of science and learning. Thither the great +of other nations resorted to acquire literary distinction. Nebuchadnezzar, from +his childhood, had been initiated into all the arts and sciences; and, as he +was a youth possessing a superior mind, he made great proficiency in all his +numerous studies. Before he ascended the throne, he was pronounced to be one of +the brightest scholars within the whole realm; and now, although a monarch, +surrounded by a thousand cares and perplexities, he bestowed much thought on +his own favorite studies; and one of his most prominent desires was the +perpetuity and advancement of learning among his subjects. A dull individual, +however high in his rank, could never share the company of the young King of +Babylon. All who moved within the royal enclosures, whether as courtiers, +under-officers, or domestics, had to be those of discerning minds and +intelligence. What exact train of thought occupied the monarch’s mind at this +time we may better judge, perhaps, from the sequel. He rose from his reclining +posture and lightly touched a shining key, which instantly answered in a remote +part of the royal palace. The door opened, and an officer bowed himself into +the apartment. +</p> + +<p> +“And what is the pleasure of my lord the king?” +</p> + +<p> +“Ashpenaz,” said the king, in a familiar voice, “thou knowest well that there +is a painful scarcity of waiters to stand in the presence of the king; and even +those we have are not what I could desire them to be in point of intelligence +and cultivation. This must be remedied without delay. My father’s taste in this +matter was somewhat different from mine. Far be it from me to cast any +reflection on the judgment of my illustrious father; but the glory and splendor +of my empire are on the forward march, and things at the royal palace must not +be permitted to fall in the rear. I am about to lay a foundation to a measure +that will yet shed glory and luster on my reign. What is more mortifying, +Ashpenaz, while endeavoring to entertain our own dignitaries, and the visiting +nobles of other nations, than to witness the blundering ignorance of our +attendants? In this I cast no blame on my worthy and noble officer—by no means. +</p> + +<p> +“In my last campaign I gave orders to convey to Babylon a number of young men +of the kingly line, both from Egypt and Judah. From the conversation I had with +Barzello, I am led to believe that there are among them some very superior +minds. Now, it is the wish of thy king that a number of these youths be taken, +and, in company with some of our own young men, be trained up in the knowledge +of our arts and sciences, and receive, moreover, particular instruction in all +the laws of etiquette, and court customs and maxims, so as to be of efficient +service to the king, and at the same time reflect honor on their stations. +About their instruction there must be nothing shallow or superficial. There +must be thorough work. For this they must have reasonable time. I therefore +appoint the period of their studying to be three years, at the end of which let +them be brought before the king for examination; and let those who will be able +to give satisfaction be permitted to stand before the king. Moreover, as diet +of the best sort contributes both to the beauty of the body and the improvement +of the mind, let them have their daily portion of the king’s meat and the wine +which he drinketh. Now, Ashpenaz, for further information thou art to consult +Barzello. He will select a certain number of young men, and deliver them over +to thee, and thou art to lose no time in placing them under suitable +instructors.” +</p> + +<p> +“Thy servant,” replied Ashpenaz, “is ever happy to obey the orders of his +illustrious sovereign, which are always issued in that profound wisdom derived +only from the gods.” +</p> + +<p> +This officer stood high in the estimation of the king. He was calm, dignified, +and deeply experienced in all things pertaining to the duties of his office. +For a long time he had served as a confidential servant of the king’s father, +and was highly honored by young and old at the court. This dignitary was soon +on his way towards the house of his friend Barzello. +</p> + +<p> +“Good-morning to my friend Ashpenaz,” said Barzello, with a welcome smile. +</p> + +<p> +“And a good-morning to our excellent Barzello,” was the hearty response. +</p> + +<p> +“And how do things move on at the palace?” +</p> + +<p> +“Oh, pleasantly. Our young monarch is bent on thorough reform in all deficient +quarters.” +</p> + +<p> +“Babylon needs reforming; and may he never pause until the work is perfected. +Long life to our good monarch!” +</p> + +<p> +“Ah! my good Barzello, if all that is to be accomplished, he needs a long life +indeed. But I have but a short time to tarry. The king desires a number of the +royal captives of Judah and Egypt to be placed under proper instructions to +prepare them, after three years’ training, to be royal waiters at the palace. +In thy wisdom thou art to select from among them the most perfect in body and +mind, and deliver them over to my charge; and, according to the orders of his +majesty, I shall immediately place them under suitable teachers.” +</p> + +<p> +“This will be attended to without delay,” answered Barzello. “Of those from +Egypt, there are quite a number of youths of high origin, and who, for aught I +know, may possess superior powers of mind. I have had no great facilities to +test their capacities. Of those from Judah, there are only four that I can with +confidence recommend to the care and charge of my worthy friend. These four are +noble specimens of humanity—beautiful in bodily form and complexion, and truly +amiable and excellent in mind. I will assure my worthy friend that, of all the +acquaintances I ever formed among men, and they have been quite numerous in +different lands, none ever impressed me so favorably as these four youths from +the land of Judah. They worship no god but the God of the Hebrews. In this they +show but their faithfulness and their consistency. My worthy friend will pardon +my warmth in speaking of these children, for there are incidents connected with +their history, which I need not now mention, that have greatly endeared them to +thine unworthy friend; and I have no doubt that thou wilt find them to be all +they are recommended to be.” +</p> + +<p> +“I have all confidence in the judgment and wisdom of my worthy friend,” +answered Ashpenaz, “and it affords me much pleasure to hear such a favorable +report of those who are to be placed under my charge; and I assure my good +Barzello, that their worth and excellence will be duly noticed and +appreciated.” +</p> + +<p> +“If thou art in haste, I will accompany thee without delay to the young men’s +apartments; perhaps thou wouldst be pleased to see them.” +</p> + +<p> +“After such a warm recommendation, it will certainly be quite a favor—but where +is thy sweet Jupheena? This call will hardly recompense me, if I must leave +without a glance at that little beauty.” +</p> + +<p> +“Ah, indeed! Perhaps our good friend Ashpenaz will have no objection to gaze on +<i>two</i> beauties instead of one.” +</p> + +<p> +“All the better, my friend.” +</p> + +<p> +A female servant was sent to the young ladies’ room to inform them that they +were wanted below, and in a few minutes the two girls were seen, side by side, +marching into the presence of the delighted officers. Perreeza never appeared +lovelier. Attired in the rich, flowing simplicity of her Hebrew costume, with a +degree of blushing modesty on her yet animated countenance, she appeared almost +angelic. Jupheena, perfectly acquainted with her father’s friend, felt not the +least embarrassment. +</p> + +<p> +“Two beauties instead of one, surely,” said Ashpenaz, gazing with wonder on the +fair form of Perreeza. +</p> + +<p> +Barzello took the maid of Judah by the hand, and, approaching his friend, said: +</p> + +<p> +“This is young Perreeza, of the royal line of Judah, who, of her own accord, +accompanied her brothers to the land of the Chaldeans, and has seen fit to +favor us with her company.” +</p> + +<p> +“No very small favor, Barzello,” cried Ashpenaz, bowing low. “I hope the +partiality of the gods will not make us quarrel.” +</p> + +<p> +“Let not my noble friend be unjust to the gods. If the maid of Judah is an +inmate of the house of Barzello, I trust that three brothers and a cousin, +given to the sole charge of Ashpenaz, will convince him that the gods are not +partial.” +</p> + +<p> +“Ah! that will do,” said Ashpenaz, still gazing on the maid of Judah. +</p> + +<p> +“Perreeza,” said Barzello, “from pure love for her three brothers, of whom I +spake, saw fit to leave her native land and venture her future destiny among +strangers.” +</p> + +<p> +“I trust,” answered Ashpenaz, “they are indeed worthy of such a sister’s pure +affection.” +</p> + +<p> +“That is a point soon settled in the minds of all who have the pleasure of +their acquaintance.” +</p> + +<p> +“Permit me to congratulate my young friend, Jupheena, on the happy addition to +the number of her youthful friends.” +</p> + +<p> +“Our beloved Ashpenaz may well congratulate,” replied the young beauty; “and +let him be assured that his congratulations are warmly appreciated.” +</p> + +<p> +“And how does our young friend from Judah enjoy the society of her Chaldean +friends?” +</p> + +<p> +“Thy young handmaiden enjoys their society much,” modestly replied Perreeza. +“If she stands in any danger, it must be from an excess of kindness.” +</p> + +<p> +“I trust the maid of Judah will sustain no material injury from any amount of +kindness received in my house,” said Barzello, laughing. “If she does, she must +charge it to herself; for, under the circumstances, to be less kind is entirely +out of our power.” +</p> + +<p> +“Barzello,” cried the visitor, “thy house is a famous spot for officers to +forget their great hurry. Come, my good friend, business is pressing; let us be +away. A good-day to the ‘two beauties instead of one.’” +</p> + +<p> +And the two officers hurried from the apartment, entered a chariot, and were on +their way to the appointed place. +</p> + +<p> +“A charming damsel that, Barzello.” +</p> + +<p> +“All of that, my worthy friend.” +</p> + +<p> +“What are her literary attainments?” +</p> + +<p> +“All that Judah’s capital could bestow.” +</p> + +<p> +“How will she compare with the refined maids of Babylon?” +</p> + +<p> +“She will compare favorably with the most polished in Chaldea.” +</p> + +<p> +“Verily. And the brothers?” +</p> + +<p> +“All thy richest fancies could paint them.” +</p> + +<p> +“And yet captives of war!” +</p> + +<p> +“Yea—captives of war.” +</p> + +<p> +“The captivity of genius must be of short duration.” +</p> + +<p> +The chariot halted. The two officers alighted, and without delay they hastened +to the apartments of the Hebrew youths. +</p> + +<p> +“A happy day to the youths of Judah,” said Barzello, in a lively tone. “This is +my noble friend, Ashpenaz, a high officer of the king at the palace. From this +hour ye are to be under his special directions.” +</p> + +<p> +“Thy servants,” replied Daniel, bowing gracefully, “will be greatly delighted +to be placed in any spot where they can be of service to their worthy +superiors.” +</p> + +<p> +“To-morrow, then,” said Ashpenaz, “ye shall enter upon new duties, and commence +your important studies. Your teachers are in readiness—men of superior powers +of mind, and well versed in the art of teaching. The king himself will be +greatly interested in your progress, and therefore has prepared apartments for +the students within the royal enclosures, where he will at times appear +personally to learn of their advancement. To-morrow, at the third hour, ye will +hold yourselves in readiness to be conveyed thither.” +</p> + +<p> +“Thy servants will be in readiness at the appointed hour,” said Daniel. +</p> + +<p> +“Now for the Egyptians, Barzello,” said Ashpenaz, smiling, as they left the +apartment. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="chap11"></a>CHAPTER XI.</h2> + +<p> +At the appointed hour, our youths, in company with many others, were conveyed +to their new habitation, which was a beautiful building, erected in the +vicinity of the king’s palace. Here all the students were received with great +civility, and commended to their different apartments. The four Hebrews were +not separated, but were permitted to remain as heretofore. They found that +everything conducive to their comfort and enjoyment had been provided here as +well as at the apartments they had left. Hitherto they had no knowledge of the +manner in which they were to receive instruction, or the precise nature of +their studies. They knew the Chaldeans to be noted for their learning, and they +were not without their fears lest the Babylonian youths who were to be their +fellow-students should outstrip them, and leave them far in the distance; +however, they were fully determined to acquit themselves to the utmost of their +ability, and leave the result with the God of their fathers. Nothing could have +given them greater satisfaction than the course marked out for them by the +king. Indeed, if it had been left to their own choice to select, it could not +have been otherwise. From the days of their early childhood they had been close +students, and they had become well versed in Hebrew lore, and had a fair +knowledge of Chaldee, which was often studied in Judah, as an ornamental branch +of education. This proved a very favorable item in their experience, but there +were numerous studies before them, to which, as Jews, they were utter +strangers, and to acquire even a respectable knowledge of which demanded much +time and perseverance. The king was aware of this when he appointed the time of +their probation to be three years. The Egyptian youths were of royal descent, +and had some knowledge of the Chaldee, and were well acquainted with several +branches of learning pertaining to their native land. The Chaldean portion of +the students were mostly of the city of Babylon, and already somewhat advanced +in what was considered the higher branches. +</p> + +<p> +When conducted to their respective rooms, they were given to understand that, +at a certain signal, they were all to assemble below, where Ashpenaz would meet +them, address them, and enlighten them in regard to the duties of their future +course. +</p> + +<p> +The four Hebrews were quietly seated in one of their apartments, each one +engaged in satisfying his curiosity by gazing at the richly carved casings and +highly ornamented articles of furniture. +</p> + +<p> +“Well, cousins,” said Daniel, with a smile, “I trust they will not un-Hebrew us +with their Chaldean mysteries.” +</p> + +<p> +“If I forget thee, O Jerusalem!” said Azariah, with feeling, “let my right hand +forget her cunning.” +</p> + +<p> +“Let my tongue be palsied if I forget, for a day, the loved ones at home,” said +Hananiah. +</p> + +<p> +“When the sweet memories of our beloved Prophet shall be obliterated from this +bosom,” said Mishael, laying his hand upon his breast, “then let me be utterly +forsaken.” +</p> + +<p> +“The law of Jehovah shall be the rule of our actions,” said Daniel; “to him we +yield our hearty and willing obedience.” +</p> + +<p> +The grand signal was heard below, and, without delay, the young men, from +different parts of the building, were seen hurrying to the commodious apartment +set apart for the occasion. Here they found a number of the king’s officers +assembled, among whom the youths of Judah recognized the pleasant countenance +of Barzello. They were soon seated in perfect order, and Babylon never +witnessed, in personal appearance, a more interesting group of youths. They +were received by the officers with a smile of satisfaction, and with a look of +admiration. Presently, the dignified form of Ashpenaz was seen moving slowly +towards the rostrum; he ascended, gracefully bowed to the officers on either +side, and proceeded: +</p> + +<p> +“It is of the utmost importance that those who are destined to minister in the +king’s presence should be well initiated into the ways and manners, maxims and +customs of our nation, and be well versed in all the learning of the Chaldeans. +Nothing short of this can meet the demands and reasonable expectations of our +great monarch; and for this he has carefully provided every facility. Your +teachers are of the most superior in the realm, and an ample period is +appointed for the perfection of your accomplishments. +</p> + +<p> +“In addition to literary attainments, the king looks for moral integrity, +uprightness of character, and true amiability of deportment. Without these, the +most learned can never add to the real dignity of the court, nor to the +stability of the Empire; but, on the contrary, such a one destitute of moral +principle must prove a dangerous element in any and all communities. Let this +be deeply impressed on your youthful minds, and seek earnestly to cultivate +those nobler powers of the mind, as well as the intellectual faculties. +</p> + +<p> +“Those of you from Egypt, and especially those of you from Judah, have no faith +in our gods, or sympathy with our mode of worship. From your infancy ye have +been taught to do homage to the God of your fathers and to his worship ye have +pledged your future lives. The King of Babylon, in his great wisdom, has seen +fit to put no obstacles between you and the worship of your deities. Ye are at +liberty to serve your gods and adore after the dictates of your own +consciences; and, moreover, ye are not required to perform any act that may be +contrary to your religious convictions. I trust that this great favor will be +rightly appreciated, and never abused. While ye are thus kindly permitted to +worship your own gods, show no disrespect to those who may differ from you, and +on whose good-will and favor your future success must greatly depend. +</p> + +<p> +“As a proof of his high regard for your physical and intellectual prosperity, +the king has appointed your meat and drink to be conveyed from his own table. +This, indeed, is an honor conferred on but few in Babylon. Thus, ye readily +perceive that nothing is wanting that is in the least calculated to enhance +your comfort or speed your literary progress. Ye have but to apply yourselves +diligently to your studies and be careful to maintain a correct deportment, and +ye shall reap the reward of fidelity, in being permitted to stand in the +presence of the king. +</p> + +<p> +“It is the desire of your sovereign that those from Egypt and Judah be known +hereafter by names more suitable to the country in which ye now abide. These +names ye shall hereafter learn from your teachers. Ye may now return in perfect +order to your respective apartments. To-morrow at the second hour, at a given +signal, ye will appear at this place again, and formally enter upon your +studies.” +</p> + +<p> +The four youths, after having reached their rooms, for a while sat in silence; +and from the countenance of Daniel it might have been easily gathered that all +was not well. The brothers were not slow to notice this, and it caused them +some uneasiness. Usually their cousin took the lead in all conversation, but at +this time Daniel was mute. +</p> + +<p> +“Well, cousin,” said Azariah, “how wast thou pleased with the address of our +new master?” +</p> + +<p> +“Highly pleased, upon the whole. He surely is a man of kind feelings and +refined taste.” +</p> + +<p> +“But my dear cousin seems somewhat disconsolate and much less cheerful than +when we left this apartment one hour ago. We are at a loss to find a cause for +this sudden change.” +</p> + +<p> +“I perceive that a certain part of the address, which struck me as rather +unfortunate for us, was not looked upon in that light by my worthy cousins.” +</p> + +<p> +“I suppose thou hast reference to that part relating to the change of names. +For my part, I am not overtenacious on that point, for to me thou wilt always +remain ‘Cousin Daniel,’ and to thee, I trust, I shall always be ‘Cousin +Azariah;’ and if the Chaldeans prefer to call me Bel-sha-bo-raze-ba-phoo, and +my Cousin Daniel Sha-go-mer-zalta-ba-phee, or some other long name, let them by +all means be gratified.” +</p> + +<p> +“My worthy cousin is mistaken in regard to this point,” said Daniel, smiling, +while the three brothers, for the first time in Babylon, joined in a hearty +laugh. “As far as names are concerned, they are welcome to add on the syllables +to their hearts’ content; but, seriously, cousins, there is a point that, if +not rightly managed, will entangle us in serious difficulties. I have reference +to that part which made mention of our meat and drink. How can we, as Hebrews, +defile ourselves with meats, portions of which are offered to idols, and with +wine sacrificed to the gods of Chaldea? This would be in direct violation of +the law of our God. To this we can never consent; and, moreover, we are not +accustomed to these dainties, and such high living can never be conducive to +our health and happiness. Ye know, cousins, that from beholding the drunken +degradation of those in high authority in Judah, our parents, many years ago, +arrived at the wise conclusion that their children, in order to escape the +pit-falls into which others had fallen, should never be counted among +wine-drinkers. To this desire of our fond parents we strictly adhered while in +Jerusalem, although often ridiculed by drunken wit, and frowned upon by +countenances flushed with strong drink. Shall we, then, in a strange land, +forget the covenant of our God, and violate our sacred obligations to our +beloved parents? No, cousins, this must <i>never</i> be. I trust we may yet be +excused, for we were informed that we would not be required to perform any act +against our religious convictions. Our food must remain simple, as in Judah; +and by this we shall not only adhere to the requirements of Jehovah, but we +shall also be better able to master those arduous studies which stand before us +in such formidable array.” +</p> + +<p> +“Right, noble cousin,” cried Azariah, hastening up to Daniel and grasping him +affectionately by the hand; “<i>always</i> right! On thee be the sole +management of the business; and we are confident that, as usual, under the +blessing of our God, we shall come forth triumphantly.” +</p> + +<p> +“First of all, then, I must have an interview with our kind master.” +</p> + +<p> +Footsteps were now heard approaching their apartment. Daniel opened the door, +and, finding there a servant of Ashpenaz, addressed him: +</p> + +<p> +“Will the servant of our noble master have the kindness to convey to him a +message, in few words, from one of the youths of Judah?” +</p> + +<p> +“The servant of my lord Ashpenaz will always be happy to do all in his power +for the comfort and happiness of those from Judah; and any message to my lord I +am ready to convey.” +</p> + +<p> +“The message is this: Daniel, of the captivity of Judah, asks the favor of a +short interview with his kind lord, Ashpenaz.” +</p> + +<p> +The servant respectfully bowed and departed, and, in a few moments, Daniel +stood in the presence of his kind friend. +</p> + +<p> +“And what is the pleasure of my young friend from Judah?” +</p> + +<p> +Here Daniel explained, in an eloquent manner, the objections he and his three +companions had to partaking of the portion of the king’s meat and the wine +which he drank. +</p> + +<p> +“This is rather a delicate point, my young friend,” answered Ashpenaz, with a +degree of perplexity visible on his countenance. “If your meat and drink were +of my own appointment, your request could be granted with the greatest ease and +pleasure; but since the order comes from the king, I see not how it can be +granted without disobedience to superior orders. The king desires to give you +every opportunity to improve, if possible, your appearance. I fear my lord the +king. For why should he see your faces worse looking than the children which +are of your degree? Then shall ye make me endanger my head to the king.” +</p> + +<p> +“Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days,” said Daniel, turning towards +Melzar, “and let them give us <i>vegetable</i> food, and <i>pure cold water</i> +to drink. Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the +countenances of the children that eat of the portion of the king’s meat; and as +thou seest, deal with thy servants.” +</p> + +<p> +“Well,” replied Ashpenaz, smiling, “if the king’s object is accomplished, I +trust he is not tenacious about the article of food; so, Melzar, let our young +friends be gratified in this respect. Let them have a trial of ten days, and, +if at the end of that time they have retained their beauty and freshness, let +them be fed with vegetables.” +</p> + +<p> +“Permit me, in the absence of my three cousins, to offer their gratitude, with +my own, to our noble lord for his kind favor,” said Daniel, gracefully bowing +himself out of the apartment. +</p> + +<p> +The morning of the tenth day dawned upon our Hebrew captives. Their days of +trial were soon over, and they felt no fear of the scrutinizing gaze of Melzar. +Health and beauty played on their fair cheeks, and they were well prepared for +the inspection; and Melzar declared, with due humility, in their presence, that +such countenances were not to be found in all Babylon. Now, Melzar was an +excellent judge of beauty. +</p> + +<p> +Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should +drink, and gave them pulse. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="chap12"></a>CHAPTER XII.</h2> + +<p> +As both Barzello and his daughter were highly esteemed in Babylon, Perreeza +made many delightful acquaintances and was much sought after. She was happy in +her new life, and by her many accomplishments and sweet disposition greatly +endeared herself to her new found friends. +</p> + +<p> +Among the acquaintances of Barzello, with whom the king’s trusted officer had +been on terms of intimacy for a long term of years, was one Joram, a rich +merchant of the city. Joram was understood to have great influence at court, +owing to the fact that he had traveled all over the then known world and +possessed a valuable knowledge of many nations. His life was a mysterious one, +and, while he was credited with being the richest man in Babylon, he was little +seen outside of his place of business; but many politicians consulted him, and +the king had been known to send his chariot for Joram day after day when great +affairs of state were on hand. It had also leaked out that people of +distinction from other countries visited the great merchant, and it was +correctly surmised in political circles that Joram had helped to shape many a +commercial treaty in the interests of the Babylonian monarch. +</p> + +<p> +With all his mystery and reticence and secret power, Joram was a loyal subject +of Nebuchadnezzar and ably seconded the king’s efforts for advancing the +greatness of Babylon. His family consisted of his wife and an adopted son. The +latter was a young man of fine attainments, and was being educated in +statecraft as well as mercantile affairs. +</p> + +<p> +Early one evening Barzello had succeeded in persuading Joram to accompany him +home. He had spoken of the young captives and the beautiful Perreeza, and +wished the merchant and his family to know them. The two elderly men were +accompanied to the officer’s house by Mathias, the adopted son of Joram. They +were warmly greeted by Jupheena, who smilingly conducted Mathias to another +part of the house for the purpose of introducing him to Perreeza. +</p> + +<p> +“Maid of Judah,” said Jupheena, “I have the pleasure of presenting thee to the +honorable Mathias, son of our most excellent Joram.” +</p> + +<p> +At these words the maid arose with calmness and beautiful dignity, appearing +like an angel in human form, and gently responded to the very low bow of the +young Babylonian. The conversation soon became animated. Mathias talked with +all the warmth of his noble nature, producing a very favorable impression on +the mind of the maid of Judah. +</p> + +<p> +“To me it is quite refreshing,” said Perreeza, “to hear a name that is familiar +in Israel. I have many relatives in Judah who are called by thy name.” +</p> + +<p> +“Our national feelings are strong,” said the young man, “and, if I have learned +correctly, this feeling is said to be stronger in the Hebrew heart than in all +others.” +</p> + +<p> +“I am not so well prepared to vouch for the correctness of the sentiment,” said +Perreeza, “but if my own feelings be an index to the sentiments of others of my +nation, the saying is abundantly true.” +</p> + +<p> +“It is certainly an admirable trait of character,” said the young man, “and the +individual in a foreign land who can think of the home of his fathers without +strong emotion is not, in my opinion, an individual to be envied.” +</p> + +<p> +“Permit the maid of Judah to thank her friend for that noble sentiment.” +</p> + +<p> +Here the conversation was arrested by a signal from Barzello, and the young +people went forward to join the other members of the family. +</p> + +<p> +“This is Perreeza, of the royal line of Judah,” said Barzello, taking the maid +gently by the hand, “whom I have the great pleasure of presenting to my +illustrious friend Joram.” +</p> + +<p> +The blushing maid modestly bowed while Joram took her by the hand and said, +with unusual feeling, “May the blessing of the God of thy fathers, dear maid, +accompany thy footsteps in a foreign land.” +</p> + +<p> +This blessing from the lips of a Babylonian was deeply appreciated by the young +woman, who was already touched by the kindness with which she was met on every +hand. +</p> + +<p> +“The Lily of the Valley,” said Joram, referring to Jupheena, “has found a sweet +companion, and the maid of Judah, I trust, will not be displeased if, by the +request of my good friend Barzello, I give her the name of an appropriate +rose.” +</p> + +<p> +“On the contrary,” said Perreeza, “thy young handmaiden is very grateful to the +noble friend of Barzello for every token of his notice and kind regard.” +</p> + +<p> +“Then, maid of Judah,” said Joram, “thy floral name, from this hour, is the +Rose of Sharon.” +</p> + +<p> +“The Rose of Sharon!” cried Jupheena. “Oh, Perreeza, is not that delightful? +<i>Rose of Sharon!</i>” +</p> + +<p> +“Beautiful, indeed!” said Perreeza, “and better than all, it is the sweet rose +of my own native land.” +</p> + +<p> +“True, young maid, true,” said Joram, “’tis the favorite rose of Judah.” +</p> + +<p> +“The noble friend of Barzello will accept the thanks of his unworthy young +acquaintance for his very happy compliment,” said Perreeza. +</p> + +<p> +“Well,” responded Joram, “one Hebrew lay, accompanied by the harp of Judah, +will recompense us a thousand times.” +</p> + +<p> +“That shall be attended to with pleasure,” said Perreeza, and the two young +women left to bring the harp. +</p> + +<p> +“Now, my good friend, what thinkest thou of the maid of Judah?” asked Barzello. +</p> + +<p> +“The Rose of Sharon is all loveliness,” said Joram. “Ah, my friend, sawest thou +not the majestic glance of that dark eye, the inimitable hue of those fair +cheeks, the full perfection of those lips, the glossy richness of the profuse +curls, and the marble whiteness of that model neck? Add to this, my friend, the +amiability of her character and her ripe accomplishments, and in her we find a +charming and suitable companion for the daughter of Barzello.” +</p> + +<p> +“Joram, are the Hebrew women noted for their beauty?” +</p> + +<p> +“Perhaps no nation can boast of greater fairness of complexion among their +females than the Jews.” +</p> + +<p> +“Now the youthful maid of the royal line of Judah will make us happy with one +of her Hebrew melodies, she having brought her favorite harp,” said Barzello. +</p> + +<p> +“My kind friend may well say favorite harp,” replied Perreeza, with deep +emotion; “for to me, surely, it is a very precious treasure. For many years it +has been in our family. To me it was left by the dearest of mothers, and to her +it was given by a brother beloved, who found an early grave.” +</p> + +<p> +This was received by the company in silence, but it was noticed that Joram was +deeply affected. +</p> + +<p> +Perreeza took the instrument in her arms, swept her delicate hand over the +well-tuned strings, and, after a moment’s pause sang in seraphic tones a +plaintive melody peculiar to her life in Jerusalem. +</p> + +<div class="fig" style="width:100%;"> +<img src="images/img4.jpg" width="478" height="636" alt="[Illustration: ]" /> +<p class="caption">Perreeza took the instrument in her arms and sang a +plaintive melody +</p> +</div> + +<p> +Profound silence fell on the assembly after her song was finished. The +performance and its effect were such that applause or compliments would have +sounded ill-timed. All gazed with solemn delight on Perreeza as she laid aside +her harp and took her seat beside Jupheena. +</p> + +<p> +Suddenly, the disappearance of Joram was noticed, and Barzello sprang up in an +agitated manner. The merchant was not in the room, and none had seen him +depart. +</p> + +<p> +“In the name of the gods, what has befallen my good friend!” cried the officer, +as he went to the adjoining apartment. +</p> + +<p> +“Be calm,” faintly replied the voice of Joram, as the host came to where he was +reclining. +</p> + +<p> +“Barzello,” said the guest, “thou hast given me reason these many years to +believe in thy friendship.” +</p> + +<p> +“Thou art not in the least mistaken,” responded Barzello. +</p> + +<p> +“Then I shall proceed without delay to explain my singular conduct, and, in +making these developments, I am confident I shall share the sympathies of my +kind friend. To-night my heart has been almost rent with contending emotions. I +have been well-nigh overwhelmed with both sadness and joy. During my long +residence in this part of the world a degree of mystery has hung over myself +and family, and even to-day my country and origin are not known. For many years +past I have had strong doubts in regard to the wisdom of this course of +secrecy. The time has at last arrived when my life history must be divulged. +</p> + +<p> +“In the first place, then, let me inform you that I am a Hebrew. I was born of +noble and wealthy parents who lived within the metropolis of Judah. I was the +pride of my father, and by my mother I was almost idolized. Being of a lively +temperament I was fond of company and overfond of amusements. I was sent to one +of the city’s leading halls of learning and found but little trouble in +mastering my studies. I was early thrown into the companionship of those who +had not the fear of God before their eyes. I drank in their spirit, and, +consequently, the yoke of parental authority became painful to my youthful +neck. My affection for parents and near relatives was strong, and it was not +without a hard struggle that I yielded to the enticements of older +transgressors. Gradually I became the willing companion of youths whose chief +object was amusement. +</p> + +<p> +“One night we tarried together until a late hour and several of my companions +indulged freely in wine. Before we left the scene of our carousal they had +become quite boisterous. I was more sedate than usual, though entering into the +spirit of the occasion. At that late hour the watchmen, or guards, of the city +found it necessary to interfere and check our hilarity. A fight ensued in which +I took part. Being recognized by one of the officers, I fled the city rather +than face the disgrace of trial and punishment. Taking leave of my sisters, I +was soon far from the land of my birth. My last act was to present to my +favorite sister the harp which thou hast seen and heard to-night. +</p> + +<p> +“My dear friend, judge of my surprise and joy when I recognized in the maid of +Judah one of my own relatives. The beautiful and noble orphan who is your +daughter’s companion in this house is none other than my own niece. +</p> + +<p> +“I feel that my long neglect of my surviving relatives makes me unworthy even +to serve them, but I am determined now that this sweet damsel shall share in my +wealth and enjoy all the advantages which my efforts can obtain for her, +together with her worthy brothers. In this way I can make partial atonement for +the mistakes of the past.” +</p> + +<p> +This remarkable revelation was soon made known to the excited company. With a +cry of joy the fair maid of Judah fell into the arms of her uncle. Tears fell +from every eye. The “Lily of the Valley” wept, and so did the brave soldier, +her father, and so did young Mathias. The scene was one that pen cannot +adequately describe, but happiness was supreme in the household. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="chap13"></a>CHAPTER XIII.</h2> + +<p> +At the school, agreeable to the expectations of Barzello, the four Hebrews made +astonishing progress in their multiform studies. Those profound sciences which +had cost their teachers years of ceaseless toil were, by these four young men, +mastered with apparent ease. They soon became objects of wonder to their +instructors, and were pronounced favorites of the gods. Ashpenaz often would +have an interview with them, and soon they became the objects, not only of his +admiration, but also of his friendship. This became visible to their +fellow-students, and jealousy, accompanied by malice, found a ready entrance to +more than one heart. Alas, for poor fallen humanity! +</p> + +<p> +Among the students from the city of Babylon there were two young men, brothers, +whose father, by a sudden freak of fortune, had arrived at the possession of +much wealth. For some years these young men’s advantages had been quite +favorable, and withal they had not been negligent in their studies. They were +exceedingly vain of their acquirements, and their pride and arrogance kept pace +with their vanity. The success of others, to them, was invariably a source of +mortification. +</p> + +<p> +They had already heard complimentary reports of the youths of Judah from no +mean sources; and they became their foes, and were determined to see them +humbled. As students, they met but seldom, and the real acquirements of the +Israelitish youths were not known to these envious Chaldeans. With these two +victims of vanity and envy was cast the unhappy lot of another youth, their +cousin. He was of “humbler birth,” as the term is used, but almost infinitely +their superior in everything that beautifies and adorns humanity. He was frank, +generous, noble, and endowed with no small share of natural wit. For his +conceited cousins he was anything but a pleasant companion; and daily was their +arrogance rebuked by his far-searching repartees. Thus have we introduced to +the reader three young Chaldeans, Scribbo and Shagoth, with their Cousin +Apgomer. +</p> + +<p> +“I cannot, for my part,” said Scribbo, “see the propriety of elevating these +contemptible captives to share equal privileges with the native sons of +Chaldea. Surely the king, in this, has betrayed a lamentable lack of +discernment.” +</p> + +<p> +“Truly!” replied Shagoth, with an air of consequence. “And if he does not ere +long see his folly, and retrace his steps, he will lose <i>my</i> confidence, +and that of all the members of our house.” +</p> + +<p> +“May the gods pity the king!” cried Apgomer, with a feigned solemn visage. +“Peradventure, that in the great pressure of business he forgot that the +confidence of my illustrious cousins was so essential to his well-being, as +well as the safety and perpetuity of the empire.” +</p> + +<p> +“My remarks were called forth by the sensible statement of my brother,” said +Shagoth, peevishly; “and it would have been perfectly excusable in thee to have +remained silent, until I should have thought fit to make some remarks suitable +to the capacity of thy mind.” +</p> + +<p> +“My worthy cousin will, I trust, in the plenitude of his overflowing +generosity, pardon the officiousness of his unworthy servant of limited +capacities, and believe him when he assures thee that those remarks were +offered as an humble apology for the great sovereign of the Chaldean empire; +and I still hope that, in the richness of thy clemency, thou wilt forgive him.” +</p> + +<p> +“I trust,” replied Scribbo, “we are able to appreciate thy remarks, and +undoubtedly they will receive the respect they deserve. If thou couldst have +thy quarters removed to the society of these pretending foreigners, methinks it +would better suit thy groveling taste.” +</p> + +<p> +“Such a sudden bereavement might be more than my tender-hearted cousins could +well endure. May the gods forbid that I should be the means of overwhelming you +with unnecessary sorrow! And, besides, I fear I am not such a favorite of the +gods as to receive such a marked favor.” +</p> + +<p> +“A prodigious favor to be the companions of illiterate captives!” cried +Scribbo, with a disdainful curl of his lip. “The Chaldean who calls that a +favor, is anything but an ornament to his country.” +</p> + +<p> +“We may have different tastes in regard to ornament,” replied the good-natured +cousin, looking with an arch smile on his cousin’s heavy and useless jewelry. +“As for me, I am a plain young man. I value the useful far above the +ornamental. I consider healthy ablutions and clean linens far more desirable +than the decoration of our persons with ornamental trash. And why may it not be +so in the government? So much in regard to <i>ornaments</i>. ‘Ignorant and +illiterate captives.’ Ah, cousin! Believest thou this? Dost thou not rather +hope that this is so? Hope on! The day of trial hastens apace! Hope vigorously +and diligently; for such hope is of short duration. Ye expect, by your superior +learning, to humble the youths of Judah in the presence of the king and his +nobles. Ye are sanguine in your expectations. Already ye see their heads bowing +with shame and embarrassment, while your own brows are decorated with +well-earned laurels. Do ye not already enjoy the bliss of the prophetic vision, +until the bursting in of the reality? Ah, ye do! Now think it not +over-officious in your cousin of low capacity to assure you that your hopes are +but the baseless fabrics of vain minds. The day of examination will reveal to +your astonished sensibilities that ye have dreamed the dream of fools. Those +noble young men, who are the objects of your hatred, will soar above you +triumphantly, and their enemies will be covered over with shame. Let me give +you fair warning! Ye are ignorant of the strength of those youths, over whom +your vain imaginations appear to triumph with such ease.” +</p> + +<p> +“Our forbearance, brother, I fear, only encourages the insolence of this, our +ungrateful relative,” said Shagoth, in anger. “How soon these upstarts forget +their poverty when they are permitted to mingle in good society.” +</p> + +<p> +“And how soon they forget the kind hands that lifted them up from their low +estate!” answered Scribbo, casting a reproachful glance in the direction of +Apgomer. +</p> + +<p> +“Now, cousins,” said Apgomer, smilingly, “since these charges are thrown out +against me, without going through the usual form of asking permission, I shall +at once take the liberty of repelling them. +</p> + +<p> +“In the first place, I am charged with being an ‘upstart,’ and of too soon +forgetting my poverty. This I deny. I have, by no means, forgotten my own +poverty, or the low condition of my ancestors. Let us look at this for a +moment. Painful as it may be, I believe ye do occasionally admit that I am your +cousin. Well, then, be it remembered that I am your cousin. Our fathers were +brothers, and our grandfather was one and the same person. It is well known to +you that our respected grand-sire was an individual who had to plod his way +along through the very steeps of poverty, and procure a little bread for his +family by humble employments. In poverty he lived, and in deep poverty he would +have died, had it not been for the grateful regard of <i>one</i> of his sons; +of the other, I have nothing to say at present. Now to some, who have suddenly +risen from poverty to a degree of affluence, it proves a source of deep +mortification to remember that they sprang from a low origin. But is this the +case with your cousin Apgomer? Have I forgotten the source whence I sprang? +Does it create a blush on this cheek to remember that my grandfather was poor, +and that my father had to win his bread through the sweat of his brow? Whoever +has forgotten the poverty of his father and grandfather, be it known that +Apgomer is not that youth. +</p> + +<p> +“So much in regard to the first charge. Now for the second. I am accused of +forgetting those ‘kind friends, who lifted me up from my low estate.’ Those +friendly hands who helped me to the situation I now hold are, by no means, +forgotten; they are deeply graven upon a grateful memory. While this pulse +shall beat, and while this heart shall throb, the names of Barzello and Joram +will, by me, be fondly cherished. Then there was much opposition from certain +quarters. There were those who could not discern the propriety of my being +elevated to an equality with those of greater wealth; and I am not sure, since +the king has not seen fit to retrace his steps, but that he has lost the +confidence of those concerned. Cousins! I am ever grateful to those kind +friends who so nobly took me by the hand. I know well who they are, and I know +well who they are not.” +</p> + +<p> +“Surely our young instructor is becoming eloquent,” said Scribbo, rather +crestfallen. +</p> + +<p> +“Yea, verily,” replied his brother; “and who can withstand such a mighty +torrent of oratory? Let us away to the groves!” And Apgomer was left, for the +time being, the sole occupant of the apartment. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="chap14"></a>CHAPTER XIV.</h2> + +<p> +Days, weeks, months, and years, have passed away, and the great day of +examination has arrived—that day for which that youthful group has looked so +long, with mingled feelings of pleasure and embarrassment. This day broke on +the capital of Chaldea with unusual brightness. The sun shone brightly in a +cloudless firmament, and Nature had put on her sweetest smile. In the vicinity +of the king’s palace it was evident that something of more than ordinary +interest was that day to be attended to. Officers hurried to and fro. +Dignitaries bowed to one another with additional smiles. Groups of citizens of +the better class appeared here and there, in earnest conversation. Magnificent +chariots, drawn by fiery steeds, halted at the king’s gate about the third +hour. A splendid national flag proudly waved on the high pinnacle of the +students’ building, while each window presented ingenious mottoes appropriate +for the occasion. +</p> + +<p> +The place appointed by the king for the public examination of the students, was +a magnificent audience room that stood within the royal grounds, and in close +proximity to the palace. This apartment was finished in the highest perfection +of art, and, in addition, on this occasion, was decorated with ornaments +suitable for the day. +</p> + +<p> +At an early stage, the room was well filled with the first of Babylon’s +aristocracy, together with some few who had no just claim to title. Appropriate +seats were reserved for the king and his attendants, who were soon expected to +make their appearance. Among the number assembled there were many of the +students’ parents. With but two or three exceptions, joy and good feeling +appeared to be the expression of every countenance, while, with hearts free +from envy and malice, they gazed on the comely forms of those before them. +Among these smiling countenances might have been seen three individuals—a +father, mother and daughter—who smiled, indeed, but whose smiles would never +have convinced the beholder that they were an index to noble and generous +hearts. +</p> + +<p> +“’Twas a strange notion of the king, surely,” said the daughter, “to bring +these Hebrew captives in competition with the refined minds of Chaldea; I +cannot account for it, unless it is purposely done to show them their great +inferiority, and thus, by to-day’s exercises, teach them a lesson of humility +that they will not soon forget; for no one can be so unwise as to think that +such illiterate foreigners can appear to any advantage in a place like this.” +</p> + +<p> +“Thy remarks, daughter, are perfectly correct,” answered the mother. “I am at a +loss, myself, to understand the king in this. But thy brother, Shagoth, has +learned, of late, that these Jews are far from being dull scholars; and he +fears that, by some strange contrivance, they have worked themselves into the +graces of Ashpenaz. I have my fears that these reports are too true. Yet I have +strong hopes that in this trial of learning, they will fall entirely below thy +accomplished brothers. I am quite sure it cannot be otherwise.” +</p> + +<p> +The sound of music from without, gave them to understand that the king was +approaching. Presently the illustrious monarch of Chaldea made his grand entry, +accompanied by a brilliant escort, and amid the flourishing of trumpets and the +loud acclamations of his subjects he took his seat, and beckoned to the +enthusiastic throng to be seated. Perfect stillness being secured, Ashpenaz +arose with dignity, and, bowing low to the sovereign, proceeded: +</p> + +<p> +“According to appointment, O king, behold these young men are conducted hither +for public examination in the presence of their illustrious sovereign, and in +the presence of these, his nobles.” +</p> + +<p> +To which the monarch replied in an interesting address: +</p> + +<p> +“Citizens of Babylon! the king taketh much pleasure in greeting you on this +occasion. To witness your smiles is truly refreshing to my mind amid all the +pressing duties of my extensive empire. I trust I shall always merit your +smiles and good wishes. Long may the Chaldean empire continue to shine a +superior orb in the firmament of nations. +</p> + +<p> +“The stability of government must greatly depend on the wisdom and intelligence +of the people; and ever since I have had the honor of presiding over the +destinies of this vast empire, I have not for a day lost sight of this +important truth. Whether since the beginning of my reign the cause of education +has been advanced, I leave to the judgment of my worthy subjects. Three years +ago, I thought it advisable to establish a school at the expense of the +government, where a number of young men might be placed under the care of +superior instructors, and so be prepared to serve with distinguished ability in +the different spheres in which they might be called to move. Those youths are +now before you; and if their mental culture will well compare with their fair +countenances and manly forms, my most sanguine expectations are more than +realized. I am happy to know, from vigilant observation, that the teachers, +without any exceptions, have nobly proved themselves worthy of the unreserved +confidence of their king; and let them now be assured that such unwearied +faithfulness will not go unrewarded. The king has been well pleased also, from +time to time, to hear of the great proficiency and rapid advancement of many of +the scholars.” +</p> + +<p> +It cannot be expected, on an occasion like the present, that all scholars will +exhibit precisely the same amount of ability and cultivation. While all may +give satisfaction, some, I trust, will even excel. Those who shall at this time +give the clearest proof of ripe scholarship, shall, according to agreement, be +permitted to remain at the palace, and minister in the presence of the king, +with the prospect of promotion as the fruit of faithfulness. I trust there are +no unpleasant feelings to arise from the final result of this day’s exercises. +True, there may be some disappointment among both parents and scholars; but let +not the king be grieved by witnessing any signs of displeasure on the +countenance of young or old; for, hitherto, no partiality hath been permitted +in any of our councils. Those whom the king promotes must therefore be promoted +on the strength of their own worth and merit. +</p> + +<p> +“My worthy and noble friend, Ashpenaz, will now commence the examination; after +which, if I think it expedient, I may ask a few questions myself.” +</p> + +<p> +Ashpenaz then, according to direction, commenced the examination, the king, in +the meanwhile, earnestly facing the students, and paying particular attention +to every answer, and the source whence it proceeded. After an examination of +one hour, the king gave to Ashpenaz a signal, by which he understood that he +might dispense with any further questioning. +</p> + +<p> +The king then, as he had previously intimated, became the examiner. Being +somewhat astonished, as well as delighted, by the perfect ease with which the +youths of Judah answered every question, he purposed, within himself, to make a +further trial of their skill, by propounding questions to the school which were +far more difficult to answer than those asked by Ashpenaz. The reader is +already aware that the king was one of the ripest scholars within the empire, +and, therefore, was fully prepared for the undertaking. The first problem was +directed to Shagoth. Shagoth colored, and, in endeavoring to answer, stammered +out something which the king could not understand. The same question was +directed to Apgomer. Apgomer, with steady voice and correct emphasis, answered; +and it was pronounced to be correct. The next question was directed to Scribbo. +He, greatly alarmed at the result of the other question, became confused, and +gave no answer. The same question was directed to Daniel, and was promptly +answered, with marked ease and great clearness. The next was directed to a +young student who sat in the vicinity of Shagoth, but it was not answered to +the satisfaction of the king. The same was directed to Hananiah, and the answer +was such as to astonish the examiner. Another perplexing question was directed +to a young student, a resident of the city; but it was of too profound a nature +for the young man to answer. The king having asked the same question of several +without receiving an answer, at last directed it to Azariah. The young Hebrew +hesitated—it was but for a moment—then, in a clear, silvery tone, he gave the +answer, without the least degree of confusion. It was beyond the expectation of +the king. He gazed on the youth for a moment in silence, and then pronounced +the answer to be a correct one. Another question of the same nature, requiring, +perhaps, some additional knowledge, was asked, the king remarking, at the same +time, that his good opinion of their abilities did not depend upon their +answering those questions, for they were of such a nature as would puzzle more +experienced heads; but such was the readiness with which some of the scholars +had answered all the questions hitherto asked, that he was anxious to know if +it were in his power to ask a question which they could not answer; and in +order to give all an equal opportunity, he would direct his questions to each +one. So the king commenced on the left, and deliberately pointed to each +scholar; but no answer was heard until he came to young Mishael. With +promptness, and in a few words, he gave a perfect answer to a question which +the King of Babylon considered beyond the capacity of any student present. +</p> + +<p> +By this time it was evident to the king that the number of those who truly +excelled was four; and that these four sat together. To these, therefore, he +would direct his remaining questions. And now, in earnest, commenced a regular +contest for the mastery. On one hand, behold the great sovereign of the +Chaldean empire, noted for the depth of his learning. On the other, behold four +young men, from the land of Israel, whom, three years before, he had brought as +captives of war from the metropolis of Judah. All the king’s powers of mind +were called forth. From the occasion he gathered a degree of enthusiasm, and he +was glad of an opportunity to show himself to such pleasing advantage before so +many of his nobles and influential subjects. With the four Hebrews he was +highly delighted. Their great knowledge astonished him; but still he thought +that soon he would be able to bring them to a dead stand. Question after +question was asked, and question after question was answered, to the utter +astonishment of the large audience. The contest was long, and of a thrilling +nature; and not until the king was convinced that he was dealing with his +superiors did he cry out, in a loud voice: +</p> + +<p> +“It is enough!” +</p> + +<p> +Every eye rested on Ashpenaz, as he stood ready to announce the names of those +whom the king wished to honor. +</p> + +<p> +“Belteshazzar!” +</p> + +<p> +Daniel, with calm dignity and genuine modesty, left his seat, walked to the +place appointed, and bowed low in the presence of the king. +</p> + +<p> +“Shadrach!” +</p> + +<p> +Hananiah, with a slight blush, that rendered him but the more comely, left his +seat, and stood by the side of his cousin, in the presence of the king. +</p> + +<p> +“Meshach!” +</p> + +<p> +Mishael, with a smile on his lip, and an unfaltering step, found his place by +the side of his brother. +</p> + +<p> +“Abednego!” +</p> + +<p> +Azariah, with a degree of paleness spread over his youthful countenance, left +his seat, and joined his comrades. +</p> + +<p> +“Apgomer!” +</p> + +<p> +Apgomer was startled. The contented youth looked for no such result. Delighted +with the triumph of the Hebrews, and the punishment of his cousins’ vanity, he +considered himself well rewarded. But, remembering himself, he quickly left his +seat, and, with a pleasant smile upon his countenance, he took his place by the +side of Azariah. +</p> + +<p> +The parchment was rolled up and delivered over to the king. +</p> + +<p> +The king arose, and thus addressed the five: +</p> + +<p> +“Young men! Your honor cometh not from the king. It is the result of your own +industry and perseverance. By the favorable interposition of the gods, ye have +arrived at a perfection in knowledge never exhibited before on any occasion in +the presence of the king. Four of your number are from another country. The +hills of Judah are yet fresh in your memories, and Jerusalem is far from being +forgotten. I have been well pleased, from time to time, to learn of your +amiable deportment and noble bearing. Justice requires me to say that a +peculiar perfection has been visible in all your past performances; and now, +Belteshazzar, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, youths of Judah, ye are, through +the power and word of the king, elevated to share in all the immunities and +privileges of Chaldean citizens. Long, by your superior wisdom and knowledge, +may ye continue to shed additional luster on my already shining empire. +</p> + +<p> +“Apgomer! Thou hast well sustained thyself throughout the examination; and, +although thou hast not reached that lofty perfection manifested in the uniform +answers of these, thy young friends from Judah, yet thou hast convinced the +king that thou standest far above the level of thy fellows—as such thou art +rewarded. +</p> + +<p> +“The king findeth no fault with any. Ye have given proof of a good degree of +mental strength, and I trust that from this place ye shall go forth to add to +the stability and perpetuity of my empire. +</p> + +<p> +“In conclusion, I command that Belteshazzar, Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego, and +Apgomer be decorated with their appropriate badges, and conducted, with due +honor, to their apartments at the palace. The examination is closed.” +</p> + +<p> +The merry blasts of trumpets followed this announcement. The king and his +attendants first left the apartment; then followed the five youths, next the +other students. Then the concourse dispersed as their various fancies dictated. +The grand result was known, and, with few exceptions, it gave universal +satisfaction. The superior wisdom of the young Hebrews was so abundantly +evident, that no room was left for caviling; and each one was compelled to +unite in the righteous verdict of the king. The amiable and modest deportment +of the young Hebrews so won the affections of the spectators that when they +were adorned with their badges of honor, they were loudly cheered. +</p> + +<p> +Before they all disperse let the reader have the pleasure of a glimpse at a +group of countenances that give unmistakable signs of genuine delight. +</p> + +<p> +“Charming!” cried Joram, in ecstasies. “The reward of fidelity and +perseverance, Barzello!” +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="chap15"></a>CHAPTER XV.</h2> + +<p> +The stately mansion of Barzello was brilliantly illuminated. Streams of light +poured forth from every window. Sweet melody floated on the wings of the gentle +zephyrs. Chariot after chariot arrived, and halted before the massive portals. +It was evident to the passer-by that it was not an event of common occurrence +that called forth such unusual movements and peculiar displays. +</p> + +<p> +From the first moment of Mathias and Perreeza’s introduction to each other, +there was a warm attachment formed, and from the subsequent revelations, this +sentiment greatly increased. +</p> + +<p> +On this night the maid of Judah was to become the happy bride of Mathias; and +from the smiles that greet smiles on the happy countenances of those who hurry +to and fro through the richly furnished apartments, it is evident that their +union is hailed as a joyous event. +</p> + +<p> +The marriage was not, in all its parts, so strictly after the customs of the +Hebrews as if it had been solemnized in the land of Judah. The long residence +of Joram in Babylon, together with the very high regard he cherished for his +friend Barzello and his family, gave the features of the occasion an admixture +of Hebrew and Chaldean customs. +</p> + +<p> +Never did the “Rose of Sharon” bloom fairer. Three years have added ripeness to +her beauty, and dignity to her charms. She is no longer the timid maid of +seventeen, but a blooming damsel, having reached her twentieth year, with a +finish stamped on all her words and actions; and no one who has had the +pleasure of her acquaintance can envy such a choice spirit the heart and hand +of one of the most brilliant young men in the great metropolis. +</p> + +<p> +The “Lily of the Valley” has but one thing to diminish her full share of +enjoyment—and that is by no means a trifling one. Her sweet Perreeza, her +constant companion for the last three years, whom she loves as her own sister, +is about to leave her father’s house and take her abode with another. This, at +times, makes her sad. The same cause produces the same effect on Perreeza. She, +also, is about to impress the parting kiss on the fair cheek of one who has +proved herself worthy of her ardent love—one who gave her such a warm welcome +to her large heart, when a stranger in a foreign land—one who has continued to +love her with a pure affection. But these gloomy feelings are not to +predominate at this time; so the “Lily” ceased to droop, and the “Rose” bloomed +fresh and gay. +</p> + +<p> +The announcement that Mathias, with his attendants, had arrived at the +entrance, caused an exclamation of joy. Jupheena and a merry group of her +maiden acquaintances formed themselves in procession, to meet them, and to +escort the company, with warm congratulations, to the parlors, where they were +received by Barzello with enthusiastic welcome, and conducted with appropriate +honors to their apartments. +</p> + +<p> +The ceremony was performed in a spacious room, extending throughout the length +of the grand edifice. The services were conducted by a Hebrew priest, who was +brought to Babylon with other captives at the close of Jeconiah’s reign of +three months. +</p> + +<p> +In entering the wedding apartment, one part of the company appeared at one end, +while the rest at the same time appeared at the other end. Thus Mathias, with a +band of young men, and Perreeza, with a group of damsels, slowly marched, met, +and formed into a circle in the center of the room, the officiating priest, +with a small altar, in the midst. +</p> + +<p> +“Ye who are to take upon you the holy and solemn vows of matrimony, draw nigh,” +said the priest. +</p> + +<p> +Without delay, the loving twain left the circle, and stood side by side before +the sacred altar, when the priest, after a brief marriage ceremony, gave them +this blessing: “God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, keep, bless, and preserve +you, and so fill you with all benediction and grace, that ye may walk before +Him in the beauty of true perfection and holiness. Perreeza, daughter of +Amonober, of the royal line of Judah, behold thy husband! Mathias, son of the +illustrious Joram, behold thy wife! Take her as thine own, and convey her to +thine own habitation, and there make merry with thy numerous friends.” +</p> + +<p> +At the house of Joram, preparations on a magnificent scale were made for the +return of the bridegroom with his bride. A large number of the flower of the +young men and maidens of Babylon were assembled, to congratulate the young pair +on their happy union. +</p> + +<p> +The bridegroom and bride led the train. They were seated in a superb chariot, +drawn by two spirited, snow-white steeds. The next was that of Barzello, +containing himself and daughter, while a merry company brought up the rear. +Nothing could have exceeded the beauty and brilliancy of the occasion. A +flashing light from a hundred flaming torches completely banished the gloom of +night, while hundreds of delighted spectators made the welkin ring with cheers. +They soon reached the wide portals of Joram’s mansion. The charioteers +alighted. The bridegroom and bride first entered, the guests following in +regular order. “They that were ready entered with him into the marriage, and +the door was shut.” +</p> + +<div class="fig" style="width:100%;"> +<img src="images/img5.jpg" width="476" height="636" alt="[Illustration: ]" /> +<p class="caption">The bridegroom and bride led the train +</p> +</div> + +<hr /> + +<p> +The celebration was over. The company had retired. Quietude was restored. The +Joram family, with one additional gem, was once more left to the peacefulness +of its own mansion. They were all quietly seated. Joram arose, and slowly +approached the old harp, the friend of his early days, and inspected it with +fondness, while the thoughts of other years fast crowded upon his memory. +</p> + +<p> +“My dear father, and my dear Uncle Esrom!” said Perreeza, smiling, “now that +they are all gone, let us have one dear little song from <i>thee.</i>” +</p> + +<p> +“Ah, precious child!” said Esrom, at the same time brushing away a fugitive +tear, “I play so seldom nowadays, I fear I would not appear to very good +advantage among such fine performers.” +</p> + +<p> +“Nay, father! but thy playing is far superior to our best performances.” +</p> + +<p> +“Well, Perreeza, I will try; but I fear my song will make thee sad.” +</p> + +<p> +“Sadness at times, dear father, is far more profitable to the mind than +hilarity.” +</p> + +<p> +“True, my daughter! True! We both know it by experience.” +</p> + +<p> +The Hebrew took the harp, and, in tones peculiar for their sweetness, sang a +plaintive melody. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="chap16"></a>CHAPTER XVI.</h2> + +<p> +Great success attended the reign of the King of Babylon. His powerful legions +had proved victorious in every clime. In addition to Judea, he had subjugated +Egypt, Syria, Phoenicia, and Arabia. Peace once more was proclaimed, and the +great body of the army was called home. The monarch’s popularity was unbounded, +and his praises were loudly trumpeted on the wings of every breeze, from east +to west, and from north to south. The Chaldean empire rose still higher in +glory, while numerous tributaries continued to pour their streams of gold into +its already rich treasuries. +</p> + +<p> +The afternoon was warm and sultry. The king reclined on an easy couch within a +bower, in the palace garden. His mind was occupied with reflections on the past +and thoughts of the future, and thus ran the soliloquy of the mighty potentate: +</p> + +<p> +“Yea, the years are passing! On looking back they seem but short. But where has +more been accomplished in so short a period? Ah, King of Babylon, thy career, +hitherto, has been a brilliant one. My armies have clothed themselves with +glory, which glory reflects back on their king. Surrounding nations do me +homage. My coffers are filled from the wealth of Judah, Egypt, Syria, +Phoenicia, and Arabia. What hinders my success? Babylon is but in the infancy +of her greatness. Her glory shall yet reach the heavens! Tea, I will make her a +fit place for the residence of the gods. Selfish? Yea, truly. And who ever +succeeded without being selfish? Yea, the King of Babylon is selfish; but may +the gods assist me to hide it from the people. To them, may it appear that all +my efforts are put forth in <i>their</i> behalf. But have I no regard for the +welfare of my people aside from my own glory? I have! The gods know I have. And +yet, I have a strong desire that my name shall be carried down to posterity +surrounded by a halo of glory. Is this selfishness? Be it so. It must be done! +Am I not deep in the affections of my people? In this I cannot be mistaken. +Never was the Chaldean empire so firmly established. It will stand forever. +Forever? Ah, that word has a long meaning. But what power <i>can</i> overthrow +us? Is not Babylon the mistress of the world? Is not Chaldea the queen of +nations? Will not her prosperity be perpetual? Alas for our brief knowledge! +The gods, in this, have not elevated the king above the beggar. The future is +enshrouded in gloom and hid from the gaze of mortals. My wise men say that they +can penetrate this gloom. Can they? I have my doubts. The future—the far, far +future of Chaldea—I should be glad to know: but who shall sit on the throne one +hundred years from to-day, and what shall be the greatness of Babylon in two +hundred years, are questions which time alone must solve. Surely, this is a +sultry day! Well, the future we cannot know. It may be all in wisdom. +Peradven—Ah, sleep! thou art the great conqueror of conquerors. I surrender. +Thy powers are irresistible. Let me not long be thy captive. In one hour, I +pray thee, strike my chains asunder, and restore me to my friends.” +</p> + +<p> +And the king, quietly yielding to the stern demands of Nature, was soon in the +fast embrace of slumber. +</p> + +<hr /> + +<p> +“Oh, ye gods that dwell in light, what a dream!” cried the king, hastily +leaving his couch, in agitation. “Oh, what a dream! But, alas, it has gone from +me! Oh, ye gods, why have I not retained it? But can I not recall it to mind? +Alas, it has fled! It has vanished! How perplexing! It was not a <i>common</i> +dream. Nay, it bore particularly upon the future of my vast empire. And yet not +one clear circumstance is retained in my memory. What shall I do? How shall the +lost dream be restored? My astrologers profess to give the +<i>interpretation</i> of dreams. If they can do <i>this</i>, why not as well +restore the dream entire?” +</p> + +<p> +And the king, in an agitated state of mind, left the garden and entered the +palace. +</p> + +<p> +“Arioch!” cried the king, “haste thee, and without delay let the most noted of +the wise men and astrologers of Babylon be commanded to appear in my presence. +Let there be no useless tarrying. My demands are urgent. Haste thee! Away!” +</p> + +<p> +Without asking any questions, the astonished and half frightened officer +hastened from the presence of his king, and gave all diligence in the +performance of his urgent duty. He found ready access to the prince of the +magicians, delivered to him the message of the king, and retired. The +astrologer soon sent the message to his numerous companions, and in a short +time the concentrated wisdom of the great metropolis stood in the presence of +the king. +</p> + +<p> +“Ye have done well,” said the king, eying them with a degree of severity, “to +be thus punctual; a failure on this point might have involved you in serious +difficulties. Ye stand before the king as the representatives of wisdom. Ye +profess to be able to bring to light hidden mysteries, and to make known the +transactions of the future. The correctness of your professions is about to be +tested. If it stands the ordeal, well; if not, woe be unto you!” +</p> + +<p> +“All this thy servants profess,” replied the chief astrologer, “and all this +they can perform. Let them but learn the desire of the king, and they stand +ready to execute his pleasure.” +</p> + +<p> +“This day,” replied the king, “while slumbering on my bed, I dreamed a peculiar +dream, and my spirit is troubled to know the vision.” +</p> + +<p> +“Oh, king, live forever!” replied the magicians, well pleased with the nature +of their task. “Tell thy servants the dream, and we will show thee the +interpretation thereof.” +</p> + +<p> +“Will ye, indeed!” answered the king, ironically. “But the thing has gone from +me. I have no distinct remembrance of the various features of the dream. And +now, as a proof that ye are able to give a correct interpretation, I demand +that ye restore to my mind the dream in all its parts. Remember that ye are not +able to impose on me a false vision. Now, proceed with your divination, and if +in this ye fail, by the gods, ye shall be cut to pieces, and your houses shall +be made a dunghill.” +</p> + +<p> +“Tell thy servants the dream, and we will show the interpretation thereof,” +answered again the now astonished magicians. +</p> + +<p> +“Ah, indeed!” said the king, disdainfully. “And have I not already told you +that the thing is gone from me; and how can I tell you the dream? If I were +able to do this, ye would readily produce your lying and corrupt +interpretations. Do ye not profess to derive your knowledge and power of +interpretation from the gods? Then let the same gods reveal unto you the dream +itself.” +</p> + +<p> +“This is a strange demand, indeed,” answered the alarmed astrologers. “There is +not a man on earth that can grant thy desire, and show thee this matter. Be +assured, O king, that thou requirest impossibilities at the hands of thy +servants; and there is none other that can show it before the king, except the +gods, whose dwelling is not in the flesh.” +</p> + +<p> +“And do ye not profess to hold intercourse with those gods?” answered the king, +in a passion; “thus ye have proved yourselves to be a band of lying hypocrites. +Begone from my presence, ye corrupt deceivers, and learn that your guilty +career is near its close!” +</p> + +<p> +So the terrified magicians were hurried from the presence of the passionate +king, and by his orders were confined; and, moreover, a decree was issued, that +all the wise men of Babylon should be put to death. Such was the unholy impulse +of a king who had hitherto manifested, on most occasions, a commendable degree +of self-possession. +</p> + +<p> +The next day, while Daniel was walking in the vicinity of the palace, he was +suddenly accosted by the captain of the guard, who informed him that it was his +painful duty to apprehend him as an individual who was condemned to die by a +late edict of the king. +</p> + +<p> +“My worthy friend must certainly be mistaken in regard to the person,” answered +Daniel, with a smile; “for I am happy to know that in nothing have I +transgressed the law of my sovereign.” +</p> + +<p> +“It would give me much pleasure on this occasion to find myself mistaken,” +replied Arioch, “but I fear that it will prove otherwise. Art thou not +Belteshazzar, of the captivity of Judah, and art thou not numbered among the +wise men?” +</p> + +<p> +“And what can be the nature of my offense?” asked the young Hebrew, nothing +daunted. “If in anything I have offended, I ask not to be spared.” +</p> + +<p> +“And hast thou not heard the decree?” +</p> + +<p> +“No new decree has reached my ears.” +</p> + +<p> +“Then I shall communicate to Belteshazzar all I know concerning the matter.” +Which he proceeded to do. +</p> + +<p> +“Many thanks to thee, kind officer. I have no desire to escape thy vigilance. +Only permit me to see the king, and, peradventure, things may take a different +course.” +</p> + +<p> +“Any favor I can show, without violating positive orders, will readily be +granted. So I will make thy pleasure known to the king.” +</p> + +<p> +Arioch hastened into the presence of the sovereign, and informed him that one +of the wise men prayed to be admitted into his presence. +</p> + +<p> +“I desire not to see any of the vile race!” answered the king, with a frown. “I +was satisfied yesterday that they are a band of lying impostors.” +</p> + +<p> +“May the king pardon his unworthy servant,” replied Arioch; “but the young man +that seeks thy face to-day was not among the number yesterday.” +</p> + +<p> +“And by what name is he known?” frowningly inquired the king. +</p> + +<p> +“His name, O king, is Belteshazzar, of the captivity of Judah.” +</p> + +<p> +“<i>Belteshazzar! Belteshazzar!</i>” exclaimed the king, suddenly rising to his +feet. “May the gods forgive me! <i>Belteshazzar</i>, whose wonderful display of +wisdom astonished the city on the day of examination? Why did I not think of +him sooner? Yea, and his three companions! and all at the palace! close at +hand! and far superior in wisdom to all others! <i>Belteshazzar!</i> Yea, +Arioch! By all means let the young Hebrew be admitted.” +</p> + +<p> +The captain of the guard hastened from the presence of the king to inform +Daniel of his success. +</p> + +<p> +“Belteshazzar, the king grants thy petition, and thou art requested to appear +before him.” +</p> + +<p> +Daniel, with his usual calmness and dignity, walked into the presence of the +king, while Arioch was beckoned to retire. +</p> + +<p> +“Belteshazzar,” said the king, “thou art thus admitted into my presence, and +thou art at perfect liberty to speak freely on whatever subject mostly occupies +thy mind. I have heretofore been well pleased with thy superior knowledge and +wisdom, as well as that of thy comrades. The army has of late occupied the most +of my attention, and among the various affairs of importance it is nothing +astonishing if some of my best subjects are partially overlooked. Proceed with +thy request.” +</p> + +<p> +“A little over four years ago, O king, according to thy direction, thy servant, +with his three companions, was brought from the land of Judah to the great city +of Babylon. Hitherto, we have been the subjects of thy kind regards. At thy +expense we have been taught in all the learning and wisdom of the Chaldeans; +and, in the presence of hundreds of thy worthy nobles, thou sawest fit to +pronounce us superior in the various branches of learning, and, amid +enthusiastic cheers, we were escorted to the palace of the king. We have +endeavored to prove ourselves worthy of the favors and regard. We have spared +no pains to render ourselves agreeable in the eyes of our superiors; and never +have we heard a word of complaint. We have made no pretensions to superior +wisdom. We are numbered among the wise by the direction of the king. In all +things have we aimed to be thy faithful, loyal subjects. Judge then, O king, +the astonishment of thy servant when, not half an hour ago, he was apprehended +by the captain of the guard as one already appointed to death, according to the +direction of the king. I wonder not that thine anger is kindled against the +false pretensions of the magicians. But why should the innocent suffer with the +guilty? And why, especially, should thy Hebrew servants die without, at least, +a trial of their ability through the direct agency of their God, to restore to +the king his lost dream? I, therefore, pray thee, O king, to give thy servant +time, and the God that I worship will give me the knowledge of the dream and +its interpretation.” +</p> + +<p> +“Belteshazzar,” cried the king, “thy request is granted. Go! and may thy God +give thee the knowledge of the vision.” +</p> + +<p> +Daniel left the presence of the king and hastened to join his comrades at their +apartments. +</p> + +<p> +“What now, fair cousin?” said Azariah. “What am I to learn from such a +countenance? Nothing of a joyful nature, I fear!” +</p> + +<p> +“Alas, comrades!” answered Daniel, “unless Jehovah interfere with a miraculous +hand, we are undone. The decree has already gone forth from royal lips that all +the wise men of Babylon must perish by the sword.” +</p> + +<p> +He then gave his companions a full history of the thing, as he had received it +from the mouth of Arioch, the captain of the guard. +</p> + +<p> +“In all our trials hitherto,” said Hananiah, “we have found Jehovah to be our +sure refuge. In him we trust, and he will surely open to us a way of escape.” +</p> + +<p> +“Already I feel the strange assurance that from this conflict we shall come +forth triumphant,” said Daniel. +</p> + +<p> +“Most humbly will we all bow before our God, and pray that a clear revelation +of the lost dream may be made on the mind of our beloved Daniel,” said Azariah. +</p> + +<p> +In solemn silence, the youths of Judah departed, and retired to their +respective apartments, there to prostrate themselves before the Lord in humble +devotion, with full confidence that the God in whom they trusted would hear +their prayer and grant their petition. +</p> + +<p> +Many hours had already passed away. Stillness prevailed throughout the +thoroughfares of the great metropolis. Silence reigned throughout Babylon. The +faithful night guardians solemnly paraded the streets in the performance of +their important duties. The queen of cities was hushed to repose; its vast +thousands had, for a while, forgotten their toil and sorrow. Old midnight was +left far in the rear, and some faint signs in the eastern skies betokened the +distant approach of day. But yonder, on their bended knees, see the trembling +forms of Amonober’s children! For many hours they have wrestled with God. Does +He hear them? But where is Daniel? Let us silently enter his chamber. The son +of Baramon is asleep! Mark his countenance! +</p> + +<p> +Still the three brothers, “<i>with their faces toward Jerusalem</i>,” are bowed +before the Lord. But hark! Ah! it is the well-known voice of Daniel. It rings +melodiously throughout every apartment and it falls on the ears of the cousins. +Hark! +</p> + +<p> +“Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, for wisdom and might are his. And +he changeth the times and seasons. He removeth and setteth up kings. He giveth +wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that seek understanding. He +revealeth deep and secret things. He knoweth what is in the darkness, and the +light dwelleth with him. I thank Thee and praise Thee, O God of my fathers, who +hast given me wisdom and might, and hast made known unto me now what we desired +of Thee; for Thou hast made known to us now the king’s matter.” +</p> + +<p> +Early in the morning, Daniel sought an interview with Arioch, and besought the +reversing of the sentence against the wise men, and assured him that he was +fully prepared to appear before the king, and restore to him the lost vision. +</p> + +<p> +“Let Belteshazzar be assured,” said the captain of the guard, “that I shall not +move a finger against the wise men but by the positive orders of the king, and +I am happy to say that he hath ordered me to delay execution until I receive +further directions. I have just learned by chance that the merchant Joram has +had an interview with the king in behalf of thee and thy friends. If I can be +of any service to Belteshazzar, I am at his pleasure.” +</p> + +<p> +“In one hour, then, I will call on thee again, and thou shalt accompany me into +the presence of the king,” and Daniel departed. +</p> + +<p> +Daniel found his companions sunk into calm slumber, from which they were not +then awakened. He partook of a slight repast, bowed once more in adoration +before God, and returned to seek Arioch, the captain of the guard. +</p> + +<p> +They were soon on their way to the palace. Arioch first entered. +</p> + +<p> +“O king, live forever! Belteshazzar is without, desiring to see thee; and—” +</p> + +<p> +“No more from thee at this time,” interrupted the king. “Retire, and send the +young man hither.” +</p> + +<p> +The officer, well used to the manner of his sovereign, bowed low and retired. +</p> + +<p> +“Belteshazzar,” said Arioch, “thou are admitted; and may the gods give thee +success.” +</p> + +<p> +With a firm step, and a calm look, and with full confidence in the God of +Israel, the Hebrew youth once more marched into the presence of the King of +Chaldea. +</p> + +<p> +“Belteshazzar,” cried the king, “art thou able to make known unto me the dream +which I have seen, and the interpretation thereof?” +</p> + +<p> +“The secret which the king demandeth of his servant is far above the knowledge +and comprehension of all his wise men, astrologers, magicians, and soothsayers. +But the God of heaven—that Jehovah who dwelleth in light—he revealeth secrets, +and maketh known to the king, Nebuchadnezzar, what shall come to pass in the +latter days. Be it known, therefore, to the king, that this secret is not +revealed to me through any wisdom that I have more than any living, but it is +the kind interposition of Jehovah in behalf of thy servant and his companions +in tribulation, who are doomed to die; and, moreover, to show the king that +Jehovah is the only God. +</p> + +<p> +“Thy dream, and the vision of thy head, are these: As for thee, O king, thy +thoughts came into thy mind upon thy bed, what should come to pass hereafter; +and He that revealeth secrets maketh known to thee the grand events of the +future. +</p> + +<p> +“Thou, O king, sawest a great image. This great image, whose brightness was +excellent, stood before thee, and the form thereof was terrible. This image’s +head was of fine gold, his breast and arms of silver, his belly and thighs of +brass, his legs of iron, his feet part of iron and part of clay. Thou sawest +that a stone smote the image upon the feet which were of iron and clay, and +brake them to pieces. Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and +the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer +threshingfloor, and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for +them; and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled +the whole earth. This is the dream. Now, O king, listen to the interpretation +thereof. +</p> + +<p> +“Thou, O king, art a king of kings: for the God of heaven hath given thee a +kingdom, power, strength, and glory; and wheresoever the children of men dwell, +the beasts of the field, and the fowls of the heaven, hath he given unto thine +hand, and hath made thee ruler over them all. Thou art this head of gold. And +after thee shall arise another kingdom inferior to thee; and another third +kingdom of brass, which shall bear rule over the earth. And the fourth kingdom +shall be strong as iron, forasmuch as iron breaketh in pieces and subdueth all +things; and as iron that breaketh all these, shall it break in pieces and +bruise. And whereas thou sawest the feet and toes, part of potter’s clay and +part of iron, the kingdom shall be divided, but there shall be in it of the +strength of the iron; forasmuch as thou sawest the iron mixed with clay, so the +kingdom shall be partly strong and partly broken. And whereas thou sawest iron +mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men; but +they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay. And +in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom which shall +never be destroyed; and this kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it +shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand +forever. Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain +without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the +silver, and the gold, the great God hath made known to the king what shall come +to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof +sure.” +</p> + +<p> +For a while the king, in silent astonishment, gazed on the wonderful being +before him; then he arose and fell prostrate at the feet of the captive Hebrew, +and paid him adoration suitable only to a divine being. +</p> + +<p> +“Let thy adoration be paid to Jehovah, O king!” cried Daniel, “for it is he +that revealeth secrets, and bringeth to light the hidden mysteries.” +</p> + +<p> +“Of a truth, your God is a God of gods,” cried the king, “and a revealer of +secrets, seeing thou couldest reveal this mystery. And now, Belteshazzar, thou +art exalted to be a ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and chief of the +governors over all the wise men of Chaldea; and if thou desirest any particular +favor, let it not be hidden from the king; for thou art worthy of all honors, +and the full desire of thy heart shall be given thee.” +</p> + +<p> +“For himself, thy servant has nothing to ask; but be it known to thee, O king, +that thou art as much indebted for the restoration of the vision to my three +companions as to thy servant, for in answer to our <i>united</i> prayers the +secret was made known. I pray thee, therefore, that while I am thus honored, my +companions may share in it.” +</p> + +<p> +“Wisely remarked. Thy three companions shall be promoted to posts of honor and +trust in the empire. Let them, under thee, preside over the province of +Babylon.” +</p> + +<p> +Thus Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, through the miraculous +interposition of that Jehovah they loved, and whose law they honored, were +elevated to be the chief personages in the Chaldean empire. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="chap17"></a>CHAPTER XVII.</h2> + +<p> +Years passed by, and uninterrupted success attended the reign of the king of +Babylon. The aggrandizement of the city was without a parallel in history. It +appeared to have become the leading passion of the monarch’s mind. The reader +may have a faint idea of the glory of the city when he remembers that it was a +regular square, forty-five miles in compass, enclosed by a wall two hundred +feet high, and fifty broad, in which there were one hundred gates of brass. Its +principal ornaments were the Temple of Belus, and the famous “hanging gardens.” +</p> + +<p> +The Temple of Belus was most remarkable for a prodigious tower that stood in +the midst of it. According to Herodotus, it was a square, of a furlong on each +side—that is, half a mile in the whole compass; and according to Strabo, it was +a furlong in height. It consisted of eight towers, built one above the other; +and because it decreased gradually towards the top, Strabo calls the whole a +pyramid. It is not only asserted, but proved, that this tower far exceeded the +greatest of the pyramids of Egypt in height. +</p> + +<p> +The ascent to the top was by stairs round the outside. Over the whole, on the +top of the tower, was an observatory, by means of which the Babylonians became +more expert in astronomy than any other nation, and made, in a short time, the +great progress in it ascribed to them in history. +</p> + +<p> +In addition to these magnificent works, the public buildings of Babylon were +counted by thousands, and its splendid mansions by tens of thousands. +</p> + +<p> +The four Hebrews still continued in power, and more than retained their former +excellence. Daniel was highly esteemed by the king for his great wisdom and +skill in the affairs of government; but the impressions of the superiority of +Jehovah, made upon the monarch’s mind at the interpretation of the dream, had +well-nigh been obliterated. Pride rebelled against the thought of the future +overthrow of the empire; and fain would he have persuaded himself that +uneasiness brought about by a troublesome dream was unworthy of him. +</p> + +<p> +The three brothers, in their spheres, performed their duties with a degree of +perfection and exactitude that greatly pleased the king; and for this, more +than on account of their genuine excellence, were they regarded by him in a +favorable light. Those pleasing qualities so apparent in the earlier history of +the king were fast disappearing, to give way to pride, vanity, peevishness, and +even cruelty. +</p> + +<p> +The bold and impetuous declaration of the king, in regard to the sovereignty of +the God of Israel, and the peculiar circumstances under which the poor Hebrews +were promoted, were far from being forgotten by the Babylonians. There was a +deep and abiding dissatisfaction in the minds of thousands in the realm, not so +much on account of the elevation of the Hebrews, as on account of the +conviction that the sovereign was not a sincere worshiper of the gods of the +empire. The king, by occasional remarks from his nobles, had noticed more than +once that there was something in their language that indicated a lack of +confidence in his fidelity to the gods. Nebuchadnezzar, notwithstanding his +increasing vanity, was far from being indifferent to the estimation in which he +was held by his subjects. He knew that his safety was based on the confidence +and friendship of his people, and he was determined, if by his former +professions he had unwisely magnified the God of Daniel, and thereby lost the +confidence of his Chaldean subjects, to give them unmistakable proof that he +still was a worshiper at the shrine of Belus. +</p> + +<p> +Summoning Belrazi, one of his most trusted officers, to his side, the king +said: +</p> + +<p> +“From the nature of thy position, thou art called to mingle in very numerous +circles, and no man at the palace is better qualified than thou to judge of the +feelings of the subjects toward their king. Come, now, be frank and plain with +thy sovereign, and tell me how I stand in the estimation of my nobles.” +</p> + +<p> +“O king, live for ever!” replied the officer, highly delighted with this +unusual mark of the king’s confidence. “Thou livest in the warm affections of +thy nobles, and in the pure regard of all thy numerous subjects. Thou art the +peculiarly favored of the gods. All the nations of the earth fear thee, and pay +their homage at thy feet.” +</p> + +<p> +“True. But art thou not aware that on one point my subjects are not as fully +satisfied with their king as they might be? Behold, I have placed unusual +confidence in my servant, and in return the king requireth equal sincerity.” +</p> + +<p> +“As thy soul liveth, O king, I shall hide nothing from thee. In mingling with +thy nobles, I find that, without distinction, they are abundantly loyal. In a +very few instances I have heard language that indicated that my lord the king +was favorably inclined toward the God of the Hebrews, and less ardent in his +devotion to the gods of Chaldea. But in this, has not my lord the king the +perfect right to do as seemeth good in his sight?” +</p> + +<p> +“The King of Babylon can do as seemeth good in his sight; and it shall seem +good in his sight, not many days hence, to give abundant proof that the gods of +Chaldea are the gods of the king. I am well satisfied with thy words. Let this +interview, and others of the same nature which we may have, remain a secret. +Thou mayest now leave, and to-morrow at the third hour be punctual to meet me +again at this apartment.” +</p> + +<p> +The dignitary retired, and the king was left alone in his apartment. +</p> + +<p> +“My suspicions were well founded! And, indeed, have they had no cause? Well, I +was then young, and without experience. But was not the recovery of that dream +a wonderful thing? Will anyone dare deny that? Had the God of Belteshazzar +nothing to do with it? Again my thoughts are on the God of Israel! ’Tis hard to +banish it from my mind! The interpretation was natural, and perfectly +consistent. But I swear by the gods, that it shall not come to pass! I will +establish my empire on such a sure foundation that it shall not be in the power +of mortals to shake it. Are not the nations at my command? Are not my armies +stationed on every shore? Is not Babylon the terror of kings? Ah! where is the +power that can compete with Chaldea? My nobles are jealous of my fidelity to +the gods. Yea, truly, and have I not given them reason? +</p> + +<p> +“This must go no further. If I have some lingering fears of the God of +Belteshazzar, it must not be made manifest. In this I must regain the full +confidence of the nation. Are they jealous of the four Hebrews? In this I fear +them not. They are worth more to my empire than any chosen score of their +fellow-officers. And of the wisdom of my wise men—is not more than one half of +it centered in Belteshazzar? If they are envious of these young men, let it not +be known to the king, or by the powers of Belus I will let them feel my +vengeance! +</p> + +<p> +“But for the <i>king</i> to be suspected of being a believer in their God is of +a more serious nature. What measure shall I resort to in order to satisfy the +mind of the nation? Deny the insinuation in a proclamation? Shall the King of +Babylon ever stoop to this? Never! Something more consistent with royal dignity +than this must be found. An image? Yea! That will do, O king! Thou hast well +thought. An image of Bel. What? ‘With the head of gold, the breast and arms of +silver, the belly and thighs of brass, the legs of iron, the feet of iron and +clay?’ Nay! The image of Bel which I shall set up for public worship, shall be +all of gold. Why otherwise? My wealth is inexhaustible. Who, after such a +display, would ever suspect the King of Babylon of adhering to the God of the +Hebrews? This, then, is my purpose. I shall build a great image of Bel, made of +pure gold, and set it up in some favorable spot, and appoint a day for its +public dedication.” +</p> + +<p> +The next morning, at the appointed hour, Belrazi was punctual to meet the king +at his apartment. The monarch, well pleased with his scheme of the image, +manifested a pleasant countenance. +</p> + +<p> +“Thou art punctual, Belrazi. The king is well pleased to meet thee. Thy frank +sincerity yesterday was an additional proof of thy worth. I have seen fit, +since we parted, to bestow some thought on the subject on which we conversed. +It is of the utmost importance to the well-being and security of the empire +that the people have unbounded confidence in their king in all things—in +matters of religion as well as in matters of state. Now, in order to expel all +doubts from the minds of my nobles in regard to my fidelity to the gods of my +fathers, I have thought of a measure which, I trust, must prove successful. It +is this: Let an image of our god Bel be made of gold. Let it be of large +dimensions, and far superior to any image heretofore seen in any country. Let +it be set up in some favorable spot; and on the day of its dedication, let all +who hold office under the government, be commanded, by a royal decree, to +appear on the spot, and, at the appointed hour, fall down and worship it; and +let the penalty of disobedience be death. Let those who dare set at naught the +will of the king be taken and thrown into the burning fiery furnace. What +thinkest Belrazi of this?” +</p> + +<p> +“O king, live forever! Thy goodness is unbounded. Thy design is dictated by +that wisdom that cometh from the gods. The measure shall be hailed throughout +the empire with shouts of rejoicing, and the day of its dedication will be a +day of days in the future history of Chaldea.” +</p> + +<p> +“Let no time be lost, then,” replied the king. “Let my head goldsmith be +called, and from the lips of the king let him receive instructions in regard to +the making of the image. This is my desire. Let the measure be known but to a +few, until the proclamation shall go forth.” +</p> + +<p> +The head goldsmith was soon in the presence of the king, and after much +deliberation the exact dimensions of the great image were settled upon; and, +moreover, it was agreed, that by a certain day it should be completed. +</p> + +<p> +According to the direction of the king, no publicity was given to the measure. +Few of the king’s confidential friends were apprised of it. In the meantime, no +pains were spared by the chief goldsmith to have everything in readiness by the +time appointed. Hundreds of the craft were called together to speed the great +undertaking; and, even before the time agreed upon, the idol was ready to be +set up. Word was sent to the king, and immediately the proclamation was +trumpeted far and wide, throughout the length and breadth of the vast empire: +</p> + +<p class="letter"> +“Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, to all his Princes, Governors, Captains, +Judges, Treasurers, Counselors, Sheriffs, and all rulers of his provinces: Ye +are hereby commanded to appear on the twenty-third day of the eighth month, at +the third hour of the day, in the plain of Dura, within the province of +Babylon, to witness the dedication of the great image which I have set up in +honor of Bel, the god of the Chaldeans. Ye are, moreover, hereby commanded, at +the hour appointed, to fall down and worship the golden image. Disobedience +will be punished with the utmost rigor. Those who shall refuse to bow and +worship shall in that same hour be taken and thrown into a burning fiery +furnace.<br/> + “Given under my hand and seal, at the great City of Babylon, on this the +fourth day of the seventh month. +</p> + +<p class="right"> +“Nebuchadnezzar.” +</p> + +<p> +The dedication of the great image now became the chief theme of conversation. +In city and village, on hill and in dell, in the palace and cottage, it was the +leading subject; and throughout the empire it gave universal satisfaction. The +measure for the time being had its desired effect—to establish in the minds of +the Chaldeans the conviction that the king was faithful to the gods. +</p> + +<p> +This proclamation was received by the three Hebrews with profound astonishment +and deep regret. For many years now they had enjoyed tranquility and Worshiped +the God of their fathers in calm simplicity; and this was the first time, since +they came to Babylon, that they were required to do violence to their +conscience by worshiping a false god. Daniel, on business of great importance, +was sent to Egypt. +</p> + +<p> +The three worthies soon met for the special purpose of deciding upon a course +of action to be followed in the approaching emergency. No fearful apprehensions +could be read in those countenances. No fainting fear took hold of their +spirits. Their eyes sparkled with holy courage, their cheeks flushed with noble +emotions, their forms were unusually erect. They were fully prepared for the +worst. +</p> + +<p> +The opening remarks were from Hananiah. +</p> + +<p> +“Well, brothers, another cloud seems to darken our skies, and to hang +threateningly over our heads; but I trust that, as servants of the Host High, +we have by this time learned to gaze upon such things without terror or alarm. +We are now assembled together to take a calm, sober look at the thing as it +really is, and decide on our future course. We are surely much indebted to the +king. For a number of years, we have been the recipients of his bounty and the +objects of his kind regard, for which, undoubtedly, we all feel grateful. But +the question is this: is it our duty, as the professed worshipers of the God of +Israel, to yield obedience to the demand of an unholy and wicked law, that +throws insult into the face of the God of heaven, and the Jehovah of the +universe? In this case, either obedience or disobedience must be pleasing to +God. Is it the will of Jehovah that we should obey this law, or disobey it? To +my mind, it is clear that, in this case, nothing short of a manly +<i>disobedience</i> can be agreeable to the will of our God. Brothers, we must +have decision of character. In this matter there must be no compromise with +iniquity.” +</p> + +<p> +And Hananiah took his seat with a smile of holy satisfaction playing on his +lips, when Mishael arose, and said: +</p> + +<p> +“The question rests here, brothers! Can any edict from any king, potentate, or +human power, make null and void the laws of the eternal God? To this question, +from us, there is but one short answer, and that is, ‘<i>Nay!</i>’ Is He not +higher than the highest? Are not His commands far superior to all human edicts? +The law of Jehovah is supreme, and let the <i>higher law</i> be obeyed, though +the heavens should fall! Azariah, what sayest thou?” +</p> + +<p> +“I say I shall not bow to any god but the God of Israel! In Him I trust. If we +perish by the hand of our enemies, so let it be! Better death than a base +betrayal of our sacred trust. But is not that God who saved us once from death +able to deliver us again? Is his arm shortened, that he cannot save? Then let +them heat the fiery furnace! That God in whom we trust will yet deliver us from +this calamity, and overrule this dark providence to his glory.” +</p> + +<p> +A knock was heard. The door was opened, and the pleasant voice of the newcomer +gave them to understand that he was no other than the kind-hearted Apgomer. +</p> + +<p> +“I trouble you, at this time, as a bearer of dispatches from my kind master, +Belteshazzar, who is now in Egypt, on government business of pressing +importance. Before he left, he gave me positive orders to deliver all messages +to his cousins without the least delay.” +</p> + +<p> +“Thou art ever welcome, dear Apgomer!” answered Hananiah. “and especially +to-day, as a bearer of a dispatch from one we love so well.” +</p> + +<p> +“And here is another, from one that, peradventure, ye love the more. Ye +perceive that the children of Judah have some confidence in their Chaldean +friend.” +</p> + +<p> +“And great is the confidence thou deservest, as one that has proved himself a +genuine friend in every trial,” said Azariah. +</p> + +<p> +“Let not my noble friend speak thus!” said the modest Chaldean, “for I deserve +it not. I must return, and any further dispatches that may be sent to my care +shall, without delay, be conveyed hither. Adieu!” +</p> + +<p> +These dispatches proved to be letters. The last delivered was confidentially +handed to Apgomer by Mathias, and was written by Perreeza. +</p> + +<p> +The letter from Daniel was first considered. It was read aloud by Azariah. +</p> + +<p class="letter"> +“<i>Ever Dear Cousins:</i> I have this moment read the wonderful proclamation +of the king, in regard to the great image of Bel, to be dedicated on the plains +of Dura. By some strange providence, he saw fit to send me hither, with +imperative instructions to remain until some unpleasant affairs between the two +governments are amicably adjusted; and before this can be accomplished, the +great idolatrous display will have passed. Your minds, undoubtedly, have been +much troubled in view of the unpleasant position in which ye are placed. So +hath the mind of your beloved cousin. Already I know full well that, with holy +courage, ye are ready for the trial. The flames of a fiery furnace must fail to +frighten a true Israelite from the worship of the God of his fathers. Past +favors are not to be repaid by proving traitors to the God of Israel. We are +the <i>temporal</i> subjects of the King of Babylon it is true, and in anything +that interferes not with the command of Jehovah, we are happy to render him +willing obedience: but with us obedience to the <i>higher law</i> is paramount +to all other considerations. The words of a loving mother are yet fresh in my +mind. The morning on which we left our beloved Jerusalem, she called me to her +apartment, and, among a multitude of other good things, she said, ‘The same +integrity to the law of thy God will certainly secure thy prosperity among +strangers. Thy path may occasionally be obstructed; but trust in God, my son, +and all will be well. The land whither thou goest is a land of universal +idolatry, where the God of thy fathers is not known, and where his worship may +cause universal ridicule. Heed them not. With thy face toward Jerusalem, let +thy petitions daily ascend to the God of Abraham, and he will direct thy paths. +Never prove a traitor to the religion of thy fathers. My son will be obedient +to the laws of his king that do not come in contact with his religion; but if +ever thou art required to render obedience to any law that clashes with the law +of thy God, remember, my son, that <i>disobedience</i> to that law must be +rendered, even unto death if required. Let “Obedience to the Higher Law” be thy +motto; for thy mother would sooner hear of thy death as a martyr to the +religion of Judah, than of thy promotion to a throne by apostasy.’<br/> + “These burning words of your Aunt Josepha, to her son Daniel, are the words +of Daniel to his cousins. Prove true to your religion! and if in this ye die, +it shall be but the will of your God. But, cousins, ye shall not die! That same +Jehovah who appeared in our behalf years ago, in the revelation of the king’s +dream, will again stretch out his arm to save. If Jehovah interferes in your +behalf, there is not fire enough in all Chaldea to injure a hair of your head. +I long to be with you! Nothing would give me greater pleasure than to be +immediately called back to Babylon. Then side by side would we stand erect, and +scorn to bow before a golden image. But it appears to be the will of Jehovah +that I should be absent. I have confidence that I shall soon embrace you in +Babylon: but if in this I am mistaken, we soon shall meet in the better +Jerusalem above. +</p> + +<p class="right"> +“Daniel.” +</p> + +<p> +It was with some difficulty that Azariah commanded sufficient control over his +feelings to enable him to read the letter aloud; but with a trembling accent it +was done. +</p> + +<p> +“Thanks be to Jehovah.” cried Mishael, “for such consolation in the midst of +sore affliction.” +</p> + +<p> +“But what says our beloved Perreeza?” said Hananiah. +</p> + +<p> +No one felt willing to read aloud their sister’s letter, so it was read by each +in silence. It ran thus: +</p> + +<p class="letter"> +“<i>Dear Brothers:</i> With emotions indescribable, Perreeza endeavors to write +these few lines, that may impart some consolation to her dear brothers while +strong waves of affliction pass over their souls. Being much confined of late +to my dwelling, it was but yesterday that I derived any knowledge of that awful +proclamation of the king in regard to his great image. Uncle Esrom is at +present traveling in a far country on important business, and I am deprived of +his counsel and ye are deprived of his aid in this crisis. Ob, my brothers! the +companions and guardians of my juvenile hours, into whose care and warm +affections I was committed by the parting words of a dying mother! How ardently +does your sister love you! how deep for you is the affection of Perreeza’s +heart! What can I say that will cause one sweet ingredient to drop into your +bitter cup? Nothing better do I know, than the favorite sentence of our beloved +Jeremiah. If the good prophet were here would he not say, ‘Jehovah is the +strength of all his saints; trust in him and be at peace!’ Oh, how sweetly +flowed the gentle words of the man of God! Brothers! dear as ye seem to my +throbbing heart, terrible as the fiery furnace may rage, Perreeza has no desire +that your safety should be purchased at a dishonorable price. Nay, brothers! if +for a moment I should indulge in such an unholy desire, that moment I should +forfeit all right to call you brothers. I shall not even <i>advise</i> you to +stand firm in the fiery trial. Ah! too well do I know that your noble souls +already scorn the command of an apostate king, who once acknowledged the +supremacy of the God of Israel.<br/> + “My precious Jupheena came to see me this morning, and she is very +confident that the God in whom we trust will bring you through this trial +triumphantly. Dear brothers, accept this hasty dispatch as an offering of pure +affection. Farewell, until our next meeting.” +</p> + +<p class="right"> +“Perreeza.” +</p> + +<p> +With full hearts, the brothers bowed before the Lord and rolled their burdens +upon the Almighty. The entire consecration was now made, and they were ready +for the trial. The struggle was over and their minds became as calm and +tranquil as a summer evening. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="chap18"></a>CHAPTER XVIII.</h2> + +<p> +In an extravagantly furnished apartment of a fine-looking mansion in the heart +of the city, sits a family group, consisting of a father, mother, two sons, and +one daughter. They are far from exhibiting in their countenances that +contentment of mind which is a “continual feast,” and yet something has +transpired that gives them, for the time being, an unusual degree of +pleasurable emotion. +</p> + +<p> +The father leaves his seat, and with folded arms he begins to pace slowly +backward and forward the length of the apartment with an air of pompous +dignity, while ever and anon a smile of extreme selfishness plays on his lips. +He has received intelligence which he considers by no means displeasing. +</p> + +<p> +The mother, to whom nature has been rather niggardly in the endowment of +outward charms, is loaded with a superabundance of golden ornaments, in the +vain attempt to supply the lack of the natural with the artificial. In her eye +you look in vain for intelligence, or in her countenance for benevolence; but +she smiles! yea, indeed, with something the mother is evidently pleased. +</p> + +<p> +The two sons, in making a declaration of their brotherhood to a stranger, would +stand in no danger of being suspected on that point as deceivers. The +resemblance is quite striking. +</p> + +<p> +The daughter is beautiful—in her own estimation. To this she clings as an +essential part of her creed—that she constitutes a very important share of the +beauty of Babylonia, but in getting it implanted into the creed of others, she +proves unsuccessful—her converts being wholly confined to her father’s +household. She also, with the rest, on this night manifests an unusual degree +of hilarity. +</p> + +<p> +“Ah! they are ensnared at last!” said Scribbo, with an air of triumph. “They +must either deny their religion or face the furnace. This is right, and happy +am I that the king has at last seen fit to enact a law that will bear with +stringency on those pretending foreigners who fill the most important stations +in the government.” +</p> + +<p> +“But, brother,” said the sister, eagerly, “which thinkest thou they will +choose—the worship of our gods or the fiery furnace?” +</p> + +<p> +“I am in hopes they are fanatical enough to choose the latter,” answered the +brother; “for in case they should choose the former, they would be as much in +our way as ever. But then it would be some consolation to know that they had +been compelled to worship and bow before the gods of the Chaldeans.” +</p> + +<p> +“There is one thing to be deeply regretted,” said Shagoth. “I am informed that +Belteshazzar, the great Rab Mag, is now in Egypt, and is not expected to return +for some weeks. He also ought to bear them company and share the same fate. But +if only we can put these three out of our way we shall have abundant reason to +adore the gods.” +</p> + +<p> +“But, my sons,” said the mother, “will not these Hebrews elude notice among so +many? The gods know how I fear lest after all they may escape.” +</p> + +<p> +“Fear not that, mother,” answered Scribbo. “Shagoth and myself will so arrange +matters as to be near them; and if they bow not with us we will on the spot +report them to the king.” +</p> + +<p> +“This is a matter of ponderous importance, and of immense consequence,” said +the promenading father. “From this, Chaldea shall hereafter reap abundant +harvests. These proud and insolent foreigners who insinuate themselves into +offices which native Chaldeans ought to fill, will now learn a lesson of +modesty to which they have hitherto been strangers. Far better for our beloved +Chaldea if the superstitious brood had been left in their own country. May the +gods grant that every Hebrew office-holder may so cling to his imaginary god as +to walk straight from office into sure destruction. My motto is ‘Chaldeans for +Chaldea!’ Personally, I have no hostility toward these young men. Nay! But, O +my country! my country! it is for thee my heart bleeds! Sons! ye shall do well +to be on your guard, and see to it that they escape not your vigilance. If they +die, their offices will be vacant, and must soon be supplied by some persons of +ability. O my country! It is for thee, O Chaldea! my heart bleeds!” +</p> + +<p> +“But,” said the anxious mother, “are not these important offices at the +disposal of the Rab Mag? If he still remains, can we expect any favors from +him? Alas! my husband may well cry, ‘O my country!’” +</p> + +<p> +“Perhaps,” said the daughter, “if he hears of the death of his companions, he +will never return, but flee over the mountains to his own country.” +</p> + +<p> +“A trivial mistake, my daughter,” said the patriot; “his country would lie in +an opposite direction.” +</p> + +<p> +“But could he not change his course?” asked the half-offended daughter. +</p> + +<p> +“Yea, verily, my child, if he should find that he was in the wrong path; +peradventure, this would constitute his first business.” +</p> + +<p> +“I can hardly hope for such a happy result, sister,” said Shagoth. “The +conniving demagogue will cling to his office until compelled by a stringent law +to abandon it.” +</p> + +<p> +“Before many days, the Rab Mag will return,” said the erect promenader. “And +will not the king ere long set apart another day for the public worship of the +gods? And if this foreign pretender escapes now, justice will overtake him +then. The vengeance of our deities will not always slumber, and these +worshipers of other gods shall soon know that the best offices in our +government and the best interests of our beloved country are not to be +entrusted to a horde of superstitious foreigners. O my country! Sons! let me +caution you again to be on the watch for these three rulers. They hold +important offices, and such a favorable opportunity is not to be lightly +regarded. O my country, my country!” +</p> + +<hr /> + +<p> +The day appointed for the dedication of the great image at last arrived. Its +ushering in was hailed by the populace with universal enthusiasm, marked by +shouts of rejoicing. The day was fair and beautiful. No threatening cloud was +visible in the heavens. The metropolis, at a very early stage, presented one +grand scene of activity and preparation. The soldiery were out by thousands, +their glittering panoply dazzling in the clear sunbeams. Officers of all grades +hurried to and fro with excitement visible on their countenances. Those +swarming thousands were evidently expecting some signal, at which they were +ready to march. The word of command was at last given, and the multitude moved +forward. +</p> + +<p> +Onward the mighty concourse moved through the principal thoroughfares, amid the +ringing of bells, the blasts of trumpets, and the waving of banners, until they +arrived in a spacious square in front of the royal palace. Here they halted. +</p> + +<p> +At last, the massive portals were thrown open, and the king, in a magnificent +chariot, surrounded by an imposing guard, made his appearance. He waved his +hand in the direction of the multitude, when, with one voice, the people +exclaimed: +</p> + +<p> +“O king, live forever!” +</p> + +<p> +The procession was soon on its way to the plains of Dura, the king leading the +pompous train, while eager thousands brought up the rear. On the way, they were +joined by thousands more, who at different places waited their arrival, and at +every stage the high praises of the King of Babylon echoed from ten thousand +voices. +</p> + +<p> +The great image far surpassed anything of its kind within the realm. Its +dimensions were large and well proportioned, its height being twenty cubits, +and its breadth six cubits, elevated on a richly gilded pedestal, forty cubits +in height, thus being perfectly visible to all the worshipers. Around its base +stood the officiating priests of Belus, with solemn visages, their long flowing +robes adorned with numerous articles of rich regalia. +</p> + +<p> +Scribbo and Shagoth, faithful to their revengeful promise, were on the keen +alert for the three Hebrews. In their wanderings they came across Apgomer. +</p> + +<p> +“We are in search of thy three Hebrew friends,” said Shagoth. “Canst thou +inform us where we may find them?” +</p> + +<p> +“I can,” promptly replied Apgomer. “I know the exact spot on which they stand.” +</p> + +<p> +“This is truly gratifying,” replied Scribbo. “Now lead us to the spot without +delay.” +</p> + +<p> +“To my Hebrew friends your presence would be anything but agreeable; and, as I +am under far more obligations to them than to some others, I am very happy to +disregard your request.” +</p> + +<p> +“Thou art in command of the same daring insolence as characterized thy +school-days,” said Scribbo, in an angry tone. +</p> + +<p> +“To be accused of insolence by the envious sons of Skerbood, is fully +equivalent to being called noble and gentle by a worthy citizen,” answered +Apgomer, with a smile of contempt playing on his lip. “So permit me to thank +you for the high compliment.” +</p> + +<p> +“Speakest thou so to us, thou insulting pretender!” cried Shagoth, in a rage. +“Thou hadst better depart ere we punish thy insolence with the edge of the +sword.” +</p> + +<p> +“Terrible words, surely, from mighty swordsmen!” said Apgomer, smiling. “Is it +any wonder I tremble beneath your gaze? Even from the days of your childhood +your courage and valor have been proverbial. My cousin Scribbo, at the early +age of ten years, would, without fear, push headlong into the water little +girls years younger than himself; while the brave Shagoth, at the early age of +twelve, could find no more pleasing recreation than to scourge his poor +relatives of eight years old and under. Then ye were heroes in embryo; and now, +having grown up, is it any wonder that the whole realm quakes beneath your +tread? Hail! all hail, ye mighty sons of Skerbood! This is the day in which ye +look for the full realization of your guilty hope, in the death of three of the +choicest noblemen that ever adorned the Chaldean realm. Be not too sure of your +prey. Strange things have appeared in those young men’s histories, and more +strange manifestations may yet appear.” +</p> + +<p> +“Too long already have we listened to thy insolent and silly harangue,” said +Scribbo. “Right glad are we that these foreign pets, who have so long been +dandled on the lap of royalty, are at last brought to the test. We only hope +that their fanaticism may lead them to disobedience. In that event, we would +ask for no greater pleasure than to be permitted to throw them into yon blazing +furnace.” +</p> + +<p> +“Ye are surely well adapted for such an undertaking. By all means, volunteer +your services; and remember that, in the midst of your burning patriotism, +these young foreigners hold responsible offices, that must be filled by some +competent personages.” +</p> + +<p> +“Away, Scribbo, from the sound of this barking dog!” said Shagoth. And the two +office-seekers hurried away in search of the doomed Hebrews. +</p> + +<p> +They had gone but a little distance when they saw the three brothers together, +a few rods on the left from the throne. The two Chaldeans, unobserved, +stationed themselves close behind them, and there waited for the grand result. +</p> + +<p> +Soon, a signal was given for the throng to come to silence and order. This was +not easily accomplished. At length, however, order was fully gained, and +breathless silence reigned over half a million of idolaters. This silence was +broken by the loud accents of heralds, who passed through all parts of the +assembly, crying at the top of their voices: +</p> + +<p> +“To you it is commanded, O people of all nations and languages, that at what +time ye hear the sound of the flute or harp, ye fall down and worship the +golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up. And whoso falleth not +down and worshipeth shall the same hour be cast into a burning fiery furnace.” +</p> + +<p> +The heralds returned to their places, and their voices were no longer heard. +</p> + +<p> +The grand signal was given! The musical instruments poured forth their loud +strains, and the great mass fell prostrate before the glittering idol. But, +yonder, behold those champions of moral integrity! Only three among five +hundred thousand! While all besides have bowed the knee, there they stand! +Their figures are heroic, their forms are erect, their arms folded, while an +involuntary smile of contempt plays on their lips. +</p> + +<p> +“By the gods, we have them!” whispered Shagoth, in ecstasies. “Behold, Scribbo, +how erect their posture!” +</p> + +<p> +“Hold thy peace!” whispered Scribbo, in return, “or they will hear us. When we +rise, then we will confront them to good advantage. Thanks to the gods, they +have well favored us.” +</p> + +<p> +The signal for the vast throng to arise from their worshiping attitude was +given. No sooner was it heard, than Scribbo and Shagoth walked with an air of +conscious triumph and stood before the three Hebrews. +</p> + +<p> +“And who are these presumptuous and rash mortals,” said Shagoth, “who thus dare +to set the laws of the king at defiance? Tremble, ye daring wretches! for who +are ye to withstand the vengeance of our sovereign?” +</p> + +<p> +“To the king, then, we are accountable; and not to thee, thou crawling +reptile,” answered Hananiah. “So haste thee away; and if thou hast any +authority, let it be displayed within its own sphere.” +</p> + +<p> +“Ah!” cried Shagoth, “ye are doomed to die! See ye not the heated smoke of the +fiery furnace? Your guilty and rash conduct shall be made known to the king +without delay. Your guilty career is well-nigh run; and Chaldea shall soon be +delivered from the curse of foreign office-holders.” +</p> + +<p> +“But not from the curse of a groveling, envious, unprincipled horde of +office-<i>seekers</i>,” said Azariah, casting a withering glance on the two +brothers. +</p> + +<p> +“Away, brother!” cried Scribbo. “For why should we hear the abusive harangue of +these overfed demagogues?” +</p> + +<p> +And away the patriots hurried with their complaint to the king. +</p> + +<p> +The monarch was surrounded by a large number of his nobles, who were loud in +their congratulations at the complete success that had crowned the day. +</p> + +<p> +An officer in uniform came forward, and bowed low in the presence of the king. +</p> + +<p> +“What is thy pleasure, Arioch!” asked Nebuchadnezzar. +</p> + +<p> +“Two men have approached the guard, O king, greatly desiring to be admitted +into thy presence.” +</p> + +<p> +“Let them be admitted!” was the answer. +</p> + +<p> +With anything but ease of manner, Scribbo and Shagoth walked into the royal +presence. +</p> + +<p> +“And what have ye to communicate?” inquired his majesty, eying them as if not +quite satisfied with their appearance. +</p> + +<p> +“O king, live forever!” replied the Chaldeans. “Thou, O king, hast made a +decree that every man shall fall down and worship the golden image; and whoso +falleth not down and worshipeth should be cast into a fiery furnace. There are +certain <i>Jews</i> whom thou hast set over the affairs of the province of +Babylon—Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—these men, O king, have not regarded +thee; they serve not thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set +up.” +</p> + +<p> +Then was the king full of wrath and fury. “What!” said he, “is my royal decree +to be thus set at defiance? Is this the return they make to the king for their +high promotion in the government? By all the gods, I will bend their stubborn +wills, or they will suffer my vengeance to the uttermost! Let them be summoned +into my presence without further delay!” And officers were soon on their march +to bring the offenders. +</p> + +<p> +The king, from his elevation, saw them approaching. An innocent smile rested on +each countenance; and in spite of his haughty arrogance, the king’s heart was +touched, and his better feelings for a while triumphed. They stood in his +presence, and respectfully, as usual, made their obeisance. +</p> + +<p> +“Am I rightly informed, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego,” said the king, +“when I hear that ye do not serve my gods, nor worship the golden image that I +have set up? It may be true; yet for your sakes, I will give you one more +trial: but beware that ye further provoke not my displeasure! The king’s +command is not to be trifled with!” +</p> + +<p> +Without the least betrayal of fear, Hananiah, in a firm tone of voice, +addressed the monarch: +</p> + +<p> +“O king, it requireth no careful deliberation in this matter. In so plain a +case the answer is ready at hand. Thy servants, as thou well knowest, are +natives of Judah, and we worship no god but the God of our fathers. As +foreigners, we have at all times been careful to use no disrespectful language +in regard to the gods of Chaldea, or those who pay them homage; and hitherto, +unmolested, have we paid our simple adoration to the Lord God of Israel. The +law of our God, with us, is regarded as infinitely superior to all human +edicts. In all things pertaining to the government, we have faithfully +endeavored to do thy will, and obey the directions of our sovereign. But not +until this day have we been required to deny our religion, and insult our God. +To thee, O king, we are much indebted. For many years have we been the objects +of thy kind regard. But be it known to Nebuchadnezzar, that the continuance of +his favor is not to be purchased by a base betrayal of our principles, or a +denial of our God. We cannot serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which +thou hast set up. We bow the knee to God Most High alone! To us thy fiery +furnace has no terrors! Jehovah, in whom we trust, is able to deliver us. That +God who divided the Red Sea in two parts and made Israel to pass through the +midst of it, and who parted the waves of the swelling Jordan, is able to +preserve thy servants alive in the midst of the devouring flames! Yea, +<i>he</i> will deliver us out of thy hand, O king! But, if in this we are +mistaken, be it known unto thee, that <i>we can never obey any law of man that +requireth a violation of the law of God</i>. Therefore, we refuse to serve thy +gods, or worship this golden image which thou hast set up.” +</p> + +<p> +“Seize the ungrateful wretches!” cried the king, in a rage, while paleness +spread over his countenance. “Seize all who set my authority at naught, and who +thus insult their king! By the gods, now shall they feel the weight of my +displeasure, and reap the reward of their daring insolence! Let the furnace be +heated seven times hotter than usual. Let the worthless dogs be thrown in, and +let their God, if he be able, prove himself superior to the gods of Chaldea! +Bind them now, in my presence!” +</p> + +<p> +The three brothers were seized on the spot by several strong men, and bound +hand and foot with cords. When this was done, they were conveyed in the +direction of the fiery furnace. The news soon spread throughout the assemblage, +and pressing thousands urged their way towards the place of execution. The fire +raged with fury. Fagot after fagot was thrown in. The flames leaped high above +the top of the black walls that surrounded them. The executioners were strong +men of the royal guard. To these were added a number of others, who, to show +the strength of their patriotism, volunteered their services. Foremost among +these were Scribbo and Shagoth. With what triumphant malignity they gazed on +the bound Hebrews! How complete they considered their own victory! +</p> + +<p> +The word of command was given, and the victims were dragged up the massive +steps that led to the upper edge of the burning pit. In this the volunteers +showed more than an ordinary degree of patriotism. The Hebrews were laid side +by side, ready for their awful doom. The stout hearts of the soldiers were +touched with pity as they gazed on the noble forms of their victims, of whom +they had never heard aught but good; and they felt loath to perform the awful +deed. But not so the patriotic sons of Skerbood. +</p> + +<p> +“Why not throw the guilty rebels in?” cried Shagoth, with an air of importance. +</p> + +<p> +“As ye appear to take far more pleasure in this transaction than we do, we are +very willing to bestow the honor of throwing them in on yourselves. So proceed +with your delightful performance,” said an officer, at the same time giving +way, while his companions followed him some two or three steps downward. +</p> + +<p> +“With all pleasure!” answered Scribbo, while, with fiendish eagerness, they +both turned to perform the foul deed. With a firm grasp they first laid hold on +Azariah, and he was thrown into the midst of the flames. The same was done to +Mishael; and, finally, as Hananiah dropped to the burning depth below, the +ascending flames became doubly fierce; at the same moment the wind shifted and +became strong, and, as sudden as a flash of lightning, the flames poured their +awful vengeance on the guilty heads of Scribbo and Shagoth. For a moment they +whirled in the midst of God’s avenging scourges, crying loudly for help; but no +help could be administered! In another instant they became bewildered, and soon +their blackened forms fell on the edge of the furnace, where a few moments +before had lain the sons of Judah! +</p> + +<div class="fig" style="width:100%;"> +<img src="images/img6.jpg" width="461" height="618" alt="[Illustration: ]" /> +<p class="caption">The ascending flames became doubly fierce +</p> +</div> + +<p> +The king had not accompanied the prisoners to the fatal spot, but continued, in +a surly mood, to sit on his elevated throne. He was far from being satisfied, +and he inwardly regretted his severity toward the best of his officers. +</p> + +<p> +The furnace was a roofless inclosure, twenty feet square, built of very thick +walls in solid masonry. At the height of about twenty-five feet from the +ground, on the inside, there were ponderous bars of iron, which were made to +cross each other at right angles, and which fastened in the walls, forming the +bottom of the furnace into which the victims were thrown from above. Below, in +different parts, were appropriate places for fagots and light combustibles +wherewith to heat the furnace. To the lower story there were eight doors or +openings, two on each square, through which easy access was obtained to the +fireplaces. On the outside there was but one entrance to the top. This was by +means of massive stone steps. The depth from the edge of the furnace to the +crossbars below was fifteen feet, making the whole height, from the ground, +forty feet. From above also, there were steps to descend into the bottom. To +spectators, on the ground, the victims were not visible after they had been +thrown over the edge. +</p> + +<p> +The king unwillingly turned his eyes towards the fiery furnace, and from his +elevation he could see its interior. He suddenly sprang to his feet, lifted his +hands on high, and exclaimed, in affrightened tone: +</p> + +<p> +“O ye gods, what do I behold! What do I behold, O ye gods!” Then, turning to +his nobles, he exclaimed: “Do I fancy, or is it real? Turn your eyes on yonder +flames! In their midst what behold ye? Speak!” +</p> + +<p> +The nobles tremblingly replied: +</p> + +<p> +“We see men walking unhurt in the midst of the fire, O king!” +</p> + +<p> +“It is even so!” cried the monarch, in deep agitation. “It is <i>not</i> a +delusion! It is a marvelous reality! But did we not cast in three men bound? +And I see four men loose walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no +hurt! And the form of the fourth is like unto a son of the gods! Arise, let us +hasten to the spot!” +</p> + +<p> +The king, attended by a number of his nobles, and surrounded by the royal +guard, was soon on his way towards the furnace. The thronging masses divided to +give way to their sovereign. There were but few there that knew the cause of +the king’s agitation. Those who witnessed his countenance attributed it to the +awful death of Scribbo and Shagoth. +</p> + +<p> +All eyes are fastened on the king. With a hurried pace he ascends the steps of +the furnace. He has nearly reached the top. He stops. Now the vast assembly +eagerly listen for a royal address. But why turns he not his face toward the +throng? Regardless of the swaying masses, he lifts his hand on high—he speaks! +Hark! “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, ye servants of the most high God, come +forth and come hither!” +</p> + +<p> +At the conclusion of this, which seemed to the multitude an incomprehensible +speech, there were but few present who did not inwardly pronounce the king to +be laboring under a sudden fit of insanity. +</p> + +<p> +While all is still and solemn, behold, arm in arm, the forms of Shadrach, +Meshach, and Abednego! A heavenly smile rests on their countenances. Already +they have reached the top, and they stand in the presence of the wondering +thousands. For a moment they cast a smiling glance on the throng below; then, +with that ease of manner which always characterized them, they approach the +king, and make their obeisance, with as much apparent good feeling as if +nothing of an unkind nature had ever transpired. The king grasps them by the +hand, and a mighty shout of good feeling and gladness resounds from thrice ten +thousand tongues. The king then, turning to the multitude, in a loud voice +exclaims: +</p> + +<p> +“Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who hath sent his angel +and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have yielded their bodies +that they might not serve nor worship any god except their own God. Therefore I +make a decree, that every people, nation, and language, which speak anything +amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, shall be cut in +pieces; because there is no other god that can deliver after this sort. And +now, by the command of the king, let that image be taken down, and let it be +carried to the temple of Belus, and there, in a secluded part, let it remain.” +</p> + +<p> +The assembly was now disbanded and broken up by royal authority. The masses +began to move homeward with deep astonishment. The golden image was lost sight +of, and the miraculous deliverance of the three Hebrews was the all-absorbing +theme. The priests of Belus were utterly confounded. This mighty demonstration +of the power of Jehovah soon spread throughout the land. The numerous Hebrew +captives were treated with much more kindness; thousands of Chaldeans lost all +confidence in their gods, and learned to pay their homage at the shrine of +Jehovah. +</p> + +<p> +Daniel returned from the court of Pharaoh, after having arranged all things to +the satisfaction of his sovereign, in whose estimation he now stood higher than +ever. The three brothers were held in awe and reverence by all, and the king +communed with them freely on all subjects. Their lives were rendered +comfortable, and, according to the late decree of the king, whosoever dared to +speak disrespectfully of their God did so at his imminent peril. +</p> + +<p> +The priests of Belus kept much within their temple, and whenever they appeared +in public, it was with far greater modesty and much less arrogance. They were +fast losing the confidence of the populace, and the worship of the gods was +greatly disregarded. The great Rab Mag was universally admired, and his three +companions stood above reproach. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="chap19"></a>CHAPTER XIX.</h2> + +<p> +For some years after that wonderful display of Divine power, as exhibited +before vast thousands on the plains of Dura, Chaldea was comparatively free +from wars. +</p> + +<p> +The king contented himself with adding to the already magnificent grandeur of +the seat of his empire. Thousands were continually employed in carrying out the +schemes developed by his inventive mind, and no sooner was one mighty +enterprise completed, than another project was brought forward. But the +monarch’s vast ambition was not to be satisfied by the erection of massive +walls and costly edifices. The fire of war and the love of conquest were not +yet quenched in his soul. He had a strong passion for the din of battle. +</p> + +<p> +Tyre was a strong and opulent city on the Mediterranean coast of Syria. It was +one of the most celebrated maritime cities of antiquity, and remarkable for its +power and grandeur. Hitherto, it had never been subject to any foreign power. +It was built by the Sidonians, two hundred and forty years before the Temple of +Jerusalem. For Sidon being taken by the Philistines of Askelon, many of its +inhabitants made their escape in ships, and founded the city of Tyre; and for +this reason we find it called in Isaiah, the “Daughter of Sidon.” But the +daughter soon surpassed the mother in grandeur, riches, and power. +</p> + +<p> +Toward this proud city of Syria, the King of Babylon, in the twenty-first year +of his reign, led his conquering legions, with full confidence of a speedy +surrender. With a powerful army he encamped before the city, and soon commenced +his attack, which was vigorously repelled. It became evident to the Chaldeans +that the subduing of Tyre was not the work of a few days, or even a few months. +His troops suffered incredible hardships, so that, according to the Prophet’s +expression, “every head was made bald, and every shoulder was peeled.” Not +until after a protracted siege of thirteen years was the city conquered, and +even then Nebuchadnezzar found nothing to recompense him for the suffering of +his army and the expense of the campaign. +</p> + +<p> +Soon after the surrender of Tyre, the King of Babylon led his forces into +Egypt, where he was much more successful than on the shores of the +Mediterranean. A large number of provinces were brought to subjection, and +thousands of captives were carried to Chaldea and distributed along the shores +of the Euphrates. +</p> + +<p> +The king of Babylon “was at rest in his own house, and flourishing in his own +palace.” The thoughts of the past, present, and future deeply occupied his +mind. The past of his own history had been crowned with unparalleled success. +The present was all that his heart could wish. He found himself surrounded with +glory and magnificence that completely eclipsed the splendor of all other +nations combined. The future—ah, the future! Who could penetrate its darkness? +Could it be possible that the predictions of Belteshazzar, in regard to the +future, were true? Was the glory of Chaldea to be trampled in the dust? Was the +kingly line of Nebuchadnezzar to be broken? Was not the kingdom at last +established on an immovable foundation? But, had he not, at different times, +been convinced that Belteshazzar had been instructed by the God of heaven in +regard to the future? Tea, truly! But many years had passed since then, and his +greatness had been daily increasing. The king would have gladly persuaded +himself that all was clear in the future, but it was beyond his power, and +under a degree of perplexity he threw himself upon his couch. A few wandering +thoughts, and the king was asleep. +</p> + +<hr /> + +<p> +“Another dream of troubles!” cried the king, while his countenance bespoke +alarm. “Do the gods, indeed, delight in my misery? Why must I be thus +tormented? Aye! a dream big with meaning! A vision surcharged with great +events! But who will show me the interpretation thereof? Where is Belteshazzar! +But why may not my Chaldean wise men answer the purpose? Yea! Let them have the +first trial. Why do I thus tremble? Whom shall I fear? ‘Hew down the tree!’ O, +ye gods, how that voice sounded! ‘Let his portion be with the beasts, in the +grass of the earth!’ What meaneth it? Why do I fear to call Belteshazzar +<i>first?</i> Is it not best at once to know the worst? But let my Chaldeans +have the first trial;” and the king called a young page into his presence. +</p> + +<p> +“Young man, where is thy father?” +</p> + +<p> +“My father is in the adjoining chamber, O king.” +</p> + +<p> +“Call him hither without delay.” +</p> + +<p> +The page hastened from the presence of the king, and presently a +venerable-looking person walked into the apartment, and bowed in reverence +before the king. +</p> + +<p> +“Arioch, it is my desire to see the wise men of Babylon as soon as possible at +this apartment. Go! Haste thee! for the command of the king is urgent. Let them +be native Chaldeans who appear before me at this time; trouble not +Belteshazzar. If I need his services I shall call for him hereafter.” +</p> + +<p> +The officer, faithful to his charge, was soon on his way to summon the wise men +to appear before the king. +</p> + +<p> +It was not long before a number of the Chaldeans stood in the presence of the +king, ready to learn his will and do his pleasure. +</p> + +<p> +“Are ye able to give me the correct interpretation of a wonderful dream?” asked +the king, in a doubtful tone. +</p> + +<p> +“We surely can, O king!” replied the chief of the wise men; “we derive our +knowledge from the gods, and the interpretation of the dream must be sure.” +</p> + +<p> +“But what proof do your gods give of their own existence?” asked the king, +looking sternly on the chief. +</p> + +<p> +“Our gods made the world, O king!” +</p> + +<p> +“<i>Some</i> gods, or God, made the world; but why not the God of Israel? Can +you point to any miraculous interference of <i>your</i> gods in the affairs of +mortals? If I have forgotten my dream, can ye, through <i>your</i> gods, +restore it? And if, in case ye fail, I should cast you all into a fiery +furnace, would your gods preserve you unhurt in the midst of the fire? Answer +me!” +</p> + +<p> +“Thy servants,” said the trembling magician, “from their youth up have been +taught to reverence and adore the gods of Chaldea. That there is a God in +Israel, we are ready to admit; and far be it from us to hide from the king our +convictions that this God has given us infallible proofs of his power. This we +do not admit before the populace: but why should we dissemble before our king? +Since the issuing of thy decree on the plains of Dura, we have never said aught +against the God of the Hebrews. Let thy servants, I pray thee, find favor in +thy sight, and deal not with us harshly!” +</p> + +<p> +“At this time,” said the king, “ye are not required to restore a lost dream. I +have the vision in all its parts, and, if ye are able, ye may give me the +interpretation. If ye are not able, confess your ignorance, or, by the God of +Israel, I will pour my vengeance on every head!” +</p> + +<p> +The king then carefully rehearsed his dream in their presence. When he had +finished he arose, and, approaching the head magician, with a look that made +him tremble, he asked: +</p> + +<p> +“Canst thou or thy comrades give me the interpretation of this wonderful +dream?” +</p> + +<p> +“The king’s dreams are at all times of a very peculiar nature, and far +different from ordinary dreams,” replied the prince of the magicians. “The king +demands honesty at our hands, and may the gods forbid that we should be +otherwise. We are not able to give thee the interpretation of thy wonderful +dream. We fall on thy mercy! Oh, deal not harshly with thy servants!” +</p> + +<p> +“Thy simple honesty hath at this time saved thy life and the lives of thy +companions! Go your way, and bear in mind that ye are a band of hypocritical +pretenders. I have demanded your service for the last time!” +</p> + +<p> +The magicians hurried away from the palace, thankful that they had escaped so +well; and nevermore were their services required in the presence of the king. +</p> + +<p> +“Much as I expected! The vile, deceitful race! The <i>gods!</i> Much +<i>they</i> know about the gods. <i>Have</i> we any gods? I have no proof of +any god but the God of the Hebrews. Belteshazzar must at last explain the +vision! Why do I dread the knowledge of it? Is this trembling the result of +fear? The day is damp and cold. ‘Hew down the tree!’ That voice was solemn! Why +must I remain in this suspense? I will know the worst! If the God of the +Hebrews has a quarrel with the King of Babylon, let me know it! Without delay +I’ll send for Belteshazzar.” +</p> + +<p> +The prime minister, always obedient to the demands of his sovereign, hastened +into the presence of Nebuchadnezzar, where he was received with the most +profound respect. +</p> + +<p> +“O Belteshazzar, master of the magicians, because I know that the spirit of the +holy gods is in thee, and no secret troubleth thee, tell me the visions of my +dream that I have seen, and the interpretation thereof. Thus were the visions +of my head on my bed: I saw a tree in the midst of the earth, and the height +thereof was great. The tree grew, and was strong, and the height thereof +reached unto heaven, and the sight thereof to the end of all the earth; the +leaves thereof were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was meat for +all; the beasts of the field had shadow under it, and the fowls of the heaven +dwelt in the boughs thereof, and all flesh was fed of it. I saw in the vision +of my head upon my bed, and behold a watcher, and a holy one came down from +heaven! He cried aloud, and said thus, ‘Hew down the tree and cut off his +branches, shake off his leaves, and scatter his fruit; let the beasts get away +from under it, and the fowls from his branches. Nevertheless, leave the stump +of his roots in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass in the tender +grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his +portion be with the beasts in the grass of the earth. Let his heart be changed +from man’s, and let a beast’s heart be given unto him; and let seven times pass +over him. This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the +word of the holy ones, to the intent that the living may know that the Most +High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth to whomsoever he will, and +setteth up over it the basest of men.’ This dream I, King Nebuchadnezzar, have +seen. Now thou, O Belteshazzar, declare the interpretation thereof, forasmuch +as all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to make known unto me the +interpretation; but thou art able, for the spirit of the holy gods is in thee.” +</p> + +<p> +Daniel was astonished, and his thoughts greatly troubled him. +</p> + +<p> +“Belteshazzar,” said the king, “let not the dream or the interpretation thereof +give thee pain or uneasiness.” +</p> + +<p> +“My lord,” said Daniel, “the dream is to them that hate thee, and the +interpretation thereof to thine enemies. The tree that thou sawest, which grew +and was strong, whose height reached into the heavens, and the sight thereof to +all the earth, it is thou, O king, that art grown and become strong; for thy +greatness is grown and reacheth unto heaven, and thy dominion to the end of the +earth. And whereas the king saw a watcher and a holy one coming down from +heaven, and saying, ‘Hew down the tree and destroy it, yet leave the stump of +the roots thereof in the earth, even with the band of iron and brass in the +tender grass of the field, and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let +his portion be with the beasts of the field till seven times pass over him,’ +this is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree of the Most High +which is come upon my lord the king: that they shall drive thee from men, and +thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make thee +eat grass as oxen, and they shall wet thee with the dew of heaven; and seven +times shall pass over thee, till thou know that the Most High ruleth in the +kingdom of men, and giveth to whomsoever he will. And whereas they commanded to +leave the stump of the tree roots, thy kingdom shall be sure unto thee, after +that thou shalt have known that the heavens do rule. Wherefore, O king, let my +counsel be acceptable to thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and +thine iniquities by showing mercy to the poor, if it may be a lengthening of +thy tranquility.” +</p> + +<p> +The king, conscious that the Hebrew was under peculiar inspiration, bowed in +solemn reverence, dismissed him in the most respectful manner, and then threw +himself on his couch, in the deepest agony of mind. +</p> + +<p> +“The fates are against me! What shall I do? Shall I weep like a woman, and sob +like a corrected child? Shall the King of Babylon, the great conqueror of +nations, turn at last to be a coward? Shall the great sovereign of Chaldea say +he is sorry, beg pardon of the gods, and thus reduce himself to the level of a +common subject? Never! Let all the gods hear it! Never! ‘<i>Driven from among +men!</i>’ Who shall be able to drive Nebuchadnezzar? ‘<i>Eat grass as +oxen!</i>’ O, ye gods, is not that laughable? And yet I cannot laugh! Let it +come! I fear not the gods! Ah, do I not? I fear not the <i>gods</i>, but still +I have a dread of that <i>one</i> God. I destroyed his temple, I plundered his +sanctuary, I carried his vessels to the house of my god, in the land of Shinar. +Is he about to retaliate? I shall see. Shall I humble myself before a strange +god? Shall I now, after having reached the very pinnacle of fame and glory, +dishonor myself in the eyes of my nobles? Nay! Sooner than this, I will brave +the vengeance of all the gods and nobly perish in the unequal conflict!” +</p> + +<hr /> + +<p> +Twelve months passed after the King of Babylon was troubled by his wonderful +dream. His grief was not of long duration, and this period had been one of more +than usual gayety and hilarity in the great city. The king gave entertainments +on a magnificent scale; and, in the midst of his dazzling splendor, the +mournful predictions of Belteshazzar were well-nigh forgotten. Occasionally +they would rush to the monarch’s mind, but with a desperate effort they would +be banished as troublesome intruders and unwelcome guests. +</p> + +<hr /> + +<p> +The day was beautifully clear. The king, about the ninth hour of the day, +walked upon the roof of his high palace. Babylon, in all its glory, stood +before him, its massive walls bidding defiance to all the surrounding nations. +The temple of Belus, with its famous tower, stood forth in majestic grandeur, +together with the hanging gardens, decorated with all that was beautiful and +lovely in nature. The city’s famous buildings he could count by thousands, and +its rich palaces by tens of thousands. The predictions of Daniel found way to +the monarch’s mind; but they were expelled by a proud spirit and stubborn will. +His soul laughed to scorn the dark prophecy. +</p> + +<p> +“What!” said the proud monarch, “does this look like ‘eating grass like an ox’? +Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by +the might of my power, and for the honor of my majesty? Who shall—” Hark! A +voice speaks from the heavens! “O King Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken: +The kingdom is departed from thee, and they shall drive thee from among men; +and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field; they shall make thee +eat grass as oxen; and seven times shall pass over thee, until thou knowest +that the Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men.” +</p> + +<p> +The voice ceased. The king uttered a loud, hysterical laugh, descended from his +palace, and ran into the park, a raving maniac. +</p> + +<hr /> + +<p> +Stillness reigns in the home of Joram. No merry voices fall on the ear of the +passer-by. The few that move around the premises tread carefully and silently, +while solemnity settles on each countenance. The voice of song is hushed; the +loud peals of melody are no longer heard; and for many a day the “Harp of +Judah” has remained in its corner, and no delicate hand has swept its +well-tuned strings. Inside of that mansion to-day you witness not that joy +which is wont to pervade it. You perceive cheeks wet with tears, and bosoms +heaving with sighs. The inmates converse together in whispers, and tread +lightly. In an apartment richly furnished, into which the beams of the sun are +not permitted to enter, we find assembled a large company of relatives and near +friends. It is not an occasion of small import that calls them thus together. +There we find Mathias, Perreeza, and their children. The amiable Jupheena is +there, with her husband and sons and daughters. Venerable men and women are +seen here and there. +</p> + +<p> +But where to-night is Joram? Where is that benign countenance? Hush! Speak low, +tread lightly! Disturb not the last moments of the dying Israelite! Joram is at +the banks of Jordan. Already his feet are touching the cold waters. +</p> + +<p> +The sick man turns on his pillow and faintly +</p> + +<p> +“Mathias, why comes he not? Shall I not once more see my most excellent +friend?” +</p> + +<p> +“My dear father, he will ere long be here. The messenger is trustworthy, and +will soon return.” +</p> + +<p> +“The journey of life is near its close. The holy hill is in sight. I pass +through the vale of death on my way to the better land. Yonder is the home of +the faithful. Sorrow and mourning shall flee away.” +</p> + +<p> +“He is here! He is here!” cried Jupheena. +</p> + +<p> +“Has he arrived?” asked the sick man, in faint accents. +</p> + +<p> +“Yea, father,” replied Mathias, in soothing tones, “he has arrived.” +</p> + +<p> +“Thanks be to Jehovah!” +</p> + +<p> +Presently, a man of venerable appearance, his hair silvered over with age, +apparently a Chaldean, walked into the apartment. Jupheena was the first to +greet him. +</p> + +<p> +“Jehovah bless my lovely daughter!” whispered the aged man, as the tears +coursed down his furrowed cheeks. For a moment he looked around upon the +company with an earnestness of affection not easily described; then looking up +to heaven, in trembling accents he broke forth: +</p> + +<p> +“Oh, Jehovah, let the smiles of Thy countenance rest on these Thy chosen ones!” +</p> + +<p> +The venerable man was then gently led by Mathias to the bedside. +</p> + +<p> +A smile passed over the pale countenance of Joram, the fountain of his tears +overflowed; he looked up to the face of his old friend, reached out his +trembling hand, and cried: +</p> + +<p> +“Ah! my good Barzello! thou hast come once more to see thy friend Joram, before +he leaves for the spirit land.” +</p> + +<p> +“If thou art to go first,” replied the old soldier, “we shall not long be +separated; with me, also, the battle of life will soon be closed.” +</p> + +<p> +“I find, Barzello, that my race is well-nigh run! I am fast passing away. I +have a strong impression that this day I shall join the society of immortals; +therefore I thought fit to send for my best friend, to be with me in my dying +moments. I am spared to see a good old age. For the last forty years my cup of +joy has been often filled and running over. Jehovah has dealt with his servant +in great kindness. The iniquities of my youth are forgiven—I am at peace with +the God of Israel.” +</p> + +<p> +The sick man desired to be raised a little higher on his pillow. +</p> + +<p> +“That is better. Now I can see you all. We must soon part; my sun is fast +sinking, and in a few hours Joram will be gone. The chariot will soon call. I +chide you not for your tears, for here on earth I know too well their value. In +that bright world above where Jehovah dwells, and where angels spread their +wings, no tears are found.” +</p> + +<p> +Joram, quite exhausted, closed his eyes, and deep silence for a while +prevailed. He soon revived, and called for Perreeza. +</p> + +<p> +“What can I do for my ever-dear uncle?” whispered Perreeza. +</p> + +<p> +“One more little song, accompanied by the harp of Judah,” said Joram, with a +smile, “and I ask no more.” +</p> + +<p> +“Perreeza greatly fears that it will disturb thee.” +</p> + +<p> +“Nay, my sweet child, thy Uncle Esrom was never yet disturbed by the sound of +melody. Sing to me that little song thy aunt so dearly loved.” +</p> + +<p> +“Oh, my dear uncle,” whispered the weeping Perreeza, “I fear it is beyond my +power to sing. I am filled with weeping. Yet, at thy request, I will make the +effort. Oh, God of my fathers, help me!” +</p> + +<p> +“He will, my child,” faintly answered the old Israelite; “get thy harp and +sing.” +</p> + +<p> +Once again the old harp was brought from its corner. Perreeza wiped away her +tears, and succeeded in conquering her emotions. She took the familiar +instrument in her arms, and sat at a little distance from the dying man. Joram +cast one look on the old harp, smiled, and gently closed his eyes. Perreeza +softly touched the chords and sang: +</p> + +<p class="poem"> +“Father, send Thy heavenly chariot,<br/> + Call Thy weeping child away;<br/> +Long I’ve waited for Thy coming,<br/> + Why, O why, this long delay?<br/> +Of this earth my soul is weary,<br/> + Yonder lies the better land;<br/> +Fain my soul would leave its prison,<br/> + Glad to join the glorious band.<br/> +<br/> +“Thrice ten thousand happy spirits<br/> + Sing Thy praise in heaven above;<br/> +All arrayed in robes of glory.<br/> + Crowned with righteousness and love;<br/> +Old companions wait to greet me,<br/> + Smilingly they bid me come.<br/> +Father, send Thy heavenly chariot,<br/> + Call Thy weary pilgrim home.<br/> +<br/> +“Earth is fading from my vision;<br/> + Brightness gathers o’er my head:<br/> +Thrilling strains from heavenly harpers<br/> + Sound around my dying bed.<br/> +Blessed land of saints and angels!<br/> + Here I can no longer stay;<br/> +Yonder comes my Father’s chariot;<br/> + Rise, my soul, and haste away!” +</p> + +<p> +The song was ended. The harp was laid aside. +</p> + +<p> +“Did my father enjoy the song?” soothingly inquired Mathias. Joram made no +reply. The “chariot” had arrived, and Joram had departed! As the last +vibrations of the “harp of Judah” died on the ear, his soul was wafted on +angelic pinions, and introduced to the melody around the throne of God. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="chap20"></a>CHAPTER XX.</h2> + +<p> +After the insanity of Nebuchadnezzar, Evil-Merodach, his son, acted as regent. +The misfortune of the Chaldean monarch cast a deep gloom over the vast empire. +He fell at the zenith of his popularity, and the government throughout felt the +shock. Evil-Merodach was far from being a favorite, and among all classes in +the nation there seemed to be a growing dissatisfaction. This feeling would +have been immeasurably greater had it not been for the wisdom and vigilance of +Belteshazzar, his prime minister. Of Daniel’s wisdom the regent had no doubt. +From his father he had learned all the particulars in regard to Daniel’s +interpretation of the dream; and, seeing before his eyes daily a literal +fulfillment of its awful predictions, he could not but hold the interpreter in +much reverence. +</p> + +<p> +Nearly seven years passed without witnessing events of special importance in +the empire. During most of this time Nebuchadnezzar exhibited all the signs of +a maniac. As he showed no disposition to injure those around him, he was +permitted to go at large, within royal inclosures. His treatment was much +according to the direction of Daniel, who was the only person at the palace of +whom the maniac king appeared to have the least recognition. He carefully +shunned the presence of every one, and the only thing that appeared to give him +satisfaction and check his raving was the permission to be a companion of his +oxen, that quietly fed in the palace park. Here it may be well to remark that +the peculiar feature of the king’s insanity was the strange conviction that he +was an ox; and, under this conviction, he would endeavor to imitate that animal +in all its motions and voices. He was never confined or bound with chains, but +permitted to enjoy himself as his maniac fancies might dictate. This was not +the result of indifference, but quite the contrary. The king was held in much +respect at the palace, even in his deplorable insanity; and there was much +faith placed in the opinion of Daniel in regard to the king’s final restoration +to his reason and the kingdom. Among many of Daniel’s Chaldean friends at the +court the opinion was becoming prevalent that the interesting occasion was not +far distant. +</p> + +<hr /> + +<p> +The afternoon was fair and beautiful. It was about the ninth hour of the day. +Daniel, weary with his arduous duties within, thought fit, in order to +invigorate both his body and mind, to take a walk in the beautiful groves of +the palace park. So he laid his papers aside, and was soon under the refreshing +breezes of the open skies. The scene was truly delightful. The sun was +gradually losing the intensity of its heat, and slowly sinking toward the +western hills. Nature was adorned in beauty and innocence. The sweet choristers +of the trees chanted their melodious sonnets on the high branches, and the +parks rang with the sound of praise from the feathered tribe. The river rolled +majestically along, while its shores were strewed with the choicest roses and +flowers. On the banks of “proud Euphrates’ stream,” the Rab Mag sat down and +gave freedom to his thoughts. +</p> + +<p> +“His paths are unsearchable, and His ways past finding out! He reigns in heaven +above, and on earth beneath. Jehovah is God alone. By him kings rule and +princes govern. He taketh down one and setteth up another. O Lord, thou art +very great, and highly exalted above all gods. In thy hands are the deep places +of the earth: the strength of the hills is thine also. I adore thee, O my God! +I praise thee, O Jehovah! From my youth the God of Israel has been my help. He +has brought me through ways I have not known. How terrible is his wrath toward +those who rebel against him! How great his love to all that fear him! He +bringeth down the proud look, and causeth his enemies to be ashamed. The +scepters of kings are broken in pieces. Jehovah is King of kings! Babylon, with +all her glory, shall become a desolation. Her lofty towers shall fall, her +walls shall be destroyed, her palaces shall become heaps of ruin, and her idol +temples shall be no more!” +</p> + +<p> +Such were the meditations of Daniel, when his attention was called to a +rustling noise in the foliage, on his right, a short distance from the spot on +which he sat. He looked, and beheld the uncouth form of the maniac king slowly +approaching him. The sight affected the Hebrew’s heart. His eyes became +moistened with tears. The punishment was just, he knew; but in the history of +that degraded monarch, he could find many things to admire. In other days he +had a heart that throbbed with kind and warm emotions. Had he not in the main +been kind to him and his three companions? And, in the midst of envy and +jealousy, had he not kept them, foreigners as they were, in the highest offices +in the gift of the government? He had. And Daniel’s heart throbbed with pity as +he beheld the brutish antics of one who was once so powerful and intelligent. +The king gradually approached the spot where Daniel sat, without observing him, +sometimes standing erect, other times running on all fours, sometimes uttering +incoherent expressions, other times bellowing like an ox. +</p> + +<p> +“God of my fathers,” silently cried Daniel, “let this suffice! According to thy +promise restore the unhappy king to his reason, and let his courtiers know that +there is no God like unto thee.” +</p> + +<p> +By this time the maniac stood close by the side of his courtier, but as yet he +had not observed him. +</p> + +<p> +“Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon!” cried Daniel, with a loud voice. +</p> + +<p> +The maniac was startled, looked up to the face of the minister for a moment, +and cried, in loud accents, “Belteshazzar! Belteshazzar!” and, as if greatly +terrified, ran. He soon stopped and stood at a distance, with his wild, +flashing eyes steadfastly fixed on the form of the Rab Mag. +</p> + +<p> +Daniel arose, and slowly directed his footsteps towards the spot. He was glad +to find that the king remained stationary. He approached within a respectful +distance of the maniac, uncovered his head, made his humble obeisance as in +days of yore, and cried: +</p> + +<p> +“O king, live forever!” +</p> + +<p> +The king, in silence, continued to gaze on Daniel, with a wild, vacant stare. +</p> + +<p> +“Jehovah, the God of Israel!” cried Daniel, pointing with his finger to the +skies. +</p> + +<p> +“J-e-h-o-v-a-h!” slowly whispered the king, gazing upward. +</p> + +<p> +The Hebrew now ventured nearer the king, fell upon his knees, and “with his +face toward Jerusalem,” sent his urgent, silent petition to the God of Israel, +in behalf of his unfortunate sovereign. Daniel had not been long in prayer +before the king, with restored reason, fell down by his side and loudly +rejoiced and praised the God of heaven. The set time had come; the prayer of +the man of God had, indeed, prevailed; the lost was found, the maniac was +restored. +</p> + +<p> +The restoration of reason to the king was brought about by the same miraculous +power that had deprived him of it, and it was accomplished in the same sudden +manner. He was not only restored to the right use of his faculties, but also to +a perfect recollection of the past. The dream, its interpretation, with all +subsequent transactions up to the very day of his insanity, were brought +clearly to his mind; but since that moment all was one dark void. In mercy, not +a vestige was permitted to remain to embitter his after years. +</p> + +<p> +The most important thing that now appeared to occupy the monarch’s mind was the +life and health of his family, and the length of the period of his insanity. +</p> + +<p> +“Tell me, O Belteshazzar, how long has the king of Babylon remained in this +degraded condition?” +</p> + +<p> +“Seven years of deep calamity, O king, have passed over thy head!” +</p> + +<p> +“Seven years!” cried the king, with a trembling voice, while his tears were +fast falling. “O thou God of heaven, thou art just in all thy ways! But are the +members of my family spared to see the restoration of the king?” +</p> + +<p> +“They are all spared and in good health, O king, and will be overjoyed to see +thee restored to thy throne.” +</p> + +<p> +“Jehovah is the only God! He ruleth among the armies of the heavens, and the +inhabitants of the earth. Let all nations praise the God of Israel! But come, +Belteshazzar, let us bend our footsteps towards the palace.” +</p> + +<p> +Daniel threw one of his loose garments over the almost naked form of the king, +side by side, they started towards the palace royal. On their way thither, they +were met by the captain of the guard. The old soldier was overwhelmed with joy +to hear once more the familiar voice of his beloved king. He fell before him, +and would have embraced his feet if permitted. He begged of the king to remain +where he was with Belteshazzar, and permit him to hasten to the palace to +herald the joyful news, and return with the king’s old guard to escort him +home. The measure struck the king favorably, and Arioch, with a bounding heart, +was on his way. The regent, Evil-Merodach, was first apprised of the fact, +which he received with demonstrations of joy. +</p> + +<p> +The news was quickly learned by hundreds, and the palace rang with shouts of +rejoicing. The regent, with the guard, was soon on the march for the place +where Arioch had left the king. When they reached the spot, the monarch arose +and gently bowed. His son now ran up to his father, fell on his neck, and they +warmly embraced each other. The old royal guard, as soon as their emotions were +partially subsided, approached as near their sovereign as they could, and, at a +given signal from their captain, they broke forth in one grand shout that made +the forest ring. The king was deeply moved; he endeavored to speak, but was not +able. +</p> + +<p> +The procession was on its way. The king with his son and the prime minister, +was drawn in the royal chariot. Shouts of joy echoed on the high turrets of the +royal mansion as the restored monarch entered once more through its massive +portals, to sit on the throne of his empire. Heralds were hurried into every +part of the city to acquaint officials with the king’s restoration, and on that +night the great metropolis of Chaldea was brilliantly illuminated, and loud +shouts of rejoicing burst forth from thousands of gladdened hearts. +</p> + +<p> +The king resumed the responsible duties of his government amid the warm +congratulations and the best wishes of his courtiers and subjects. New life was +infused into every department of state, and the metropolis once more appeared +to breathe the breath of former years. +</p> + +<p> +Belteshazzar was now to the king a constant and confiding friend. They +conversed together freely on all points, and no measure was put forth without +the consent and approbation of the Rab Mag. +</p> + +<p> +In regard to the God of Israel no doubt remained longer in the mind of the +king. At last he was wholly saved from idolatry. The process of his conversion +had been a severe one, but in the hands of Jehovah it had proved successful. +His vanity was conquered, his haughtiness slain, the pride of his heart +subdued; he was a meek and lowly worshiper at the shrine of the God of Israel. +</p> + +<p> +The king was getting well stricken in years, and he was conscious that he was +not long for earth. Therefore, like a wise man, he bestowed much thought on +that world into which he was fast hastening. His worldly ambition was at an +end, he appeared but seldom in public, and was much given to retirement and +meditation. He had at last learned to see the things of earth in their true +light, and the enthusiasm of his younger friends was viewed with a smile and a +sigh. He clearly saw in the distance the glory of Babylon brought to the dust, +and its majestic halls resounding with the voice of revelry from the sons and +daughters of strangers. Of this the reformed king could not think without +painful emotions; but with resignation he bowed to the Will divine. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="chap21"></a>CHAPTER XXI.</h2> + +<p> +On the death of Nebuchadnezzar, Evil-Merodach took the throne. Of this man we +have said but little. He acted as regent during his father’s Insanity. He was a +person of a low, groveling mind, and no sooner was he established on his throne +than he began to give signs that the scepter was in the hands of a profligate +tyrant. Contrary to the request of his dying father, he neglected the weighty +matters of the empire, and plunged into dissipation and gluttonous revelry. +</p> + +<p> +As with the commencement of Nebuchadnezzar’s reign began the real glory of +Chaldea, so with his death the glory departed, and the empire was soon in a +rapid decline. No feature in the character of the new king was in the least +calculated to command either the love or the admiration of his subjects. He was +inwardly cursed by the nation, and feared only on account of his cruelty. Of +Daniel he had some dread, and over him the Hebrew had some control. He was well +convinced, from what he had seen in his father’s history, that Daniel was not +to be slighted, and that among all the wise men of the realm, there was none +like him. And, moreover, he was well aware that his superior wisdom had had +much to do in elevating the empire to its present high position. Through the +influence of this man of God, the wicked king dealt with comparative mildness +toward the captive Hebrews so numerous within the realm. +</p> + +<p> +The reign of this monarch was of short duration. Some of his own relatives, +conspiring against him, put an end to his existence; and so died Evil-Merodach, +unwept by the nation, and Nerriglisser, one of the chief conspirators, reigned +in his stead. +</p> + +<p> +The three brothers, since the death of Nebuchadnezzar, had seen best to retire +from public life. In Babylon they were greatly beloved, and considered as the +peculiarly favored of the gods, and over whom no mortal had control. +</p> + +<p> +Nerriglisser, immediately on his accession to the throne, made great +preparations for war against the Medes, which preparations lasted for three +years. Cyaxeres, king of the Medes, seeing the hostile attitude of the +Babylonians, sent to Persia, imploring the help of his young nephew, Cyrus, the +son of Cambyses, king of Persia, who had married his sister Mandana. Now Cyrus +was beautiful in person, and still more lovely in the qualities of his mind; +was of sweet disposition, full of good nature and humanity, and always had a +great desire to learn and a noble ardor for glory. He was never afraid of +danger nor discouraged by any hardship or difficulty. He was brought up +according to the laws and customs of the Persians, which were excellent in +those days with respect to education. With the consent of his father, he +readily complied with the wish of his uncle, and, at the head of 30,000 +well-trained Persians, he marched into Media and thence to Assyria, to meet the +forces of Nerriglisser, king of Babylon, and the forces of Crœsus, king of the +Lydians. The armies met. The Chaldeans were routed. Crœsus fled, and +Nerriglisser, the king of Babylon, was slain in the action. His son, +Loboros-barchod, succeeded to the throne. +</p> + +<p> +This was a very wicked prince. Being naturally of the most vicious +inclinations, he now indulged them without restraint, as if he had been +invested with sovereign power only to have the privilege of committing with +impunity the most infamous and barbarous actions. He reigned but five months; +his own subjects, conspiring against him, put him to death, and Belshazzar, the +son of Evil-Merodach, reigned in his place. +</p> + +<p> +Since the death of Evil-Merodach, and during the reign of his two successors, +Daniel had retired to private life, and was but little spoken of at public +places. This king, following in the footsteps of his predecessors, led a life +of dissipation and profligacy. +</p> + +<p> +In the meantime, the fame of the Persian prince was spreading far and wide. His +armies proved victorious on every shore; and, to the faithful Hebrews, who +discerned the signs of the times, his conquests were hailed with inward joy. +Cyrus for some years had tarried in Asia Minor, and had reduced all the nations +that inhabited it to subjection, from the Ægean Sea to the River Euphrates. +Then he proceeded to Syria and Arabia, which he also subdued. +</p> + +<p> +The fortifications of Babylon, since the death of Nebuchadnezzar, had been +strengthened, and now the work of fortifying was carried on with great vigor. +Belshazzar, if from no other motive than fear, gave all encouragement to this +kind of improvement, and during his reign prodigious works of this nature were +completed. He was well aware that the famous Persian had his eye upon him, and +that the besieging of the city was but a question of time. He therefore made +all preparations for a formidable attack. Provisions of all kinds, from all +parts of the country, were stored within the city in great abundance, and +everything was put in readiness to withstand a protracted siege. +</p> + +<p> +Cyrus, whom divine Providence was to make use of, was mentioned in the +Scriptures <i>by his name</i> one hundred and fifty years before he was born in +these words: +</p> + +<p> +“Thus saith the Lord to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, +to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the loins of kings, to open +before him the two-leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut. I will go +before thee and make the crooked places straight; I will break in pieces the +gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron; and I will give thee the +treasures of darkness and hidden riches of secret places; that thou mayest know +that I, the Lord, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel. For Jacob +my servant’s sake, and Israel mine elect, I have even called thee by thy name: +I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known me” (Isa. 45: 1-4). +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="chap22"></a>CHAPTER XXII.</h2> + +<p> +The army of Cyrus had already reached the capital of Chaldea. The vast plain +before the city swarmed with moving thousands of Medes and Persians. At this +time no warriors were finer in appearance than the battlemen of the Persian +prince. Their discipline had reached to an almost inconceivable degree of +perfection. The wishes and desires of their great commander had become their +law; and each one vied with the other in rendering obedience to his orders. +Their fame had spread throughout lower Asia, and through many parts of Assyria. +</p> + +<p> +But the Babylonians thought themselves so well prepared for this emergency that +the numerous legions of Cyrus failed to alarm them. Their walls they considered +proof against any attack, and they had a sufficient amount of provision in the +city for twenty years. They laughed to scorn the demand of the Persians, and +loudly ridiculed them from the city walls. Belshazzar and his counselors, +considering themselves secure, gave way to their depraved appetites. The palace +was one scene of debauchery and revelry by day and by night. +</p> + +<p> +The Persian general soon saw that an assault on such formidable defenses would +be useless. A project was conceived in his mind. He made the inhabitants +believe that he intended to reduce the city by famine. To this end he caused a +line of circumvallation to be drawn quite around the city with a large and deep +ditch; and, that his troops might not be over-fatigued, he divided his army +into twelve bodies, and assigned to each of them its month of guarding the +trenches. The great ditch was completed, but the reveling Babylonians little +thought of its real design. +</p> + +<p> +Belshazzar, the king, made a feast to a thousand of his lords, and drank wine +before the thousand. This feast was one of great splendor. The most spacious +and magnificent rooms in the richest city in the world were crowded with rank +and beauty. Learning, aristocracy and royalty were there. Precious stones and +costly perfumery filled the salon with dazzling luster and sweet fragrance. Wit +sparkled with the sparkling of the cups, and reason flowed with the flowing of +the wine. They drank toasts of enthusiastic patriotism; they sang songs of +unbounded loyalty, and shouted defiance to every foe. Strains of melody poured +forth from an hundred instruments, and hilarity and excessive mirth beamed +forth from every countenance. The high praises of the gods of Chaldea, with +rapturous shouts in honor to their king, mingled together and broke forth from +a thousand tongues. The besieging army and its commander, together with the God +of the Hebrews, were made the subjects of their keenest sarcasm. +</p> + +<p> +This feast was given in honor of Belshazzar’s birth; and we may easily judge +that flattery without measure was poured into his willing ear. On this +occasion, from the very nature of the festival, much was expected from the +monarch himself, and it was very evident that he was fully determined that in +this they should not be disappointed. He spoke in this vein: +</p> + +<p> +“All hail, brave Babylonians! Welcome! Thrice welcome to the presence of your +king! Before me on this night I behold the pride and glory of Babylon. Here are +my nobles who have at all times distinguished themselves by their valor and +great bravery. Let us banish gloom, and let our hearts overflow with mirth! We +may well congratulate ourselves on the perfect safety of Babylon. Our walls are +impregnable and our possessions are abundant. We laugh to scorn the silly +movements of the Persians that parade before the city. Dark predictions there +are, I know, in regard to the future of Chaldea, but these Hebrew delusions +have well-nigh vanished. I am sorry to confess that my royal grandsire gave too +much countenance to these groundless delusions, in the preferment of the Hebrew +Belteshazzar with his three companions to high offices within the province of +Babylon. This, my lords, was a great mistake of the past, for which we have +already too dearly paid. Since I came to the throne, this intermeddling of +foreigners with the affairs of the nation has received no countenance; and +happy am I to know that to-day all offices under the government are entrusted +to none but native Chaldeans. In this I do not wish to cast a shade on the +memories of the illustrious dead, for truly no monarch ever distinguished +himself more than my lamented grandfather. The trophies of his victories are +to-day visible throughout the empire. To him, indeed, the gods of Chaldea were +propitious, and unmistakable proof they gave of their superiority to the gods +of other nations. We have heard much of the renowned God of the Hebrews! But, +under the protection of our own, we bid defiance to all other gods! Who is the +God of Israel that I should fear him? Did not my grandfather, under the +guidance of the gods of Chaldea, enter into his territory, destroy his city and +burn his temple? Why did he not then vindicate his power and glory? Why permit +the vessels of his temple to be carried into Babylon, and there deposited in +the temple of Belus? Ah, my lords, those vessels were worthy of a more trusty +god! They are beautiful to behold, and would well become an occasion like the +present. Surely this is well thought! Let the vessels of the temple of the God +of Israel be brought hither, and from them let us drink wine in honor of the +gods of Chaldea! Bring them hither in haste! My thirst increases with the +thought! All praise to our matchless gods! Again I say, let us banish gloom, +and let us be filled with mirth! But here, indeed, come the temple vessels of +the God of Israel! Bring them hither. Look ye here, Babylonians! Saw ye ever +anything more beautiful? Such fine specimens of art as these must be rendered +serviceable in the employ of more worthy gods! Let them be filled with wine! +Let us drink to the gods of the empire; and, if there is a God in Israel, let +him come to the rescue! We defy his power, Chaldeans! These Hebrews among us +must be limited in their privileges. The worship of their imaginary God, if at +all permitted, must be on a more private scale. They are corrupting in their +influence, and their liberties must be restricted. This I have accomplished in +a measure, and, by the gods, I swear that in this my pleasure must be realized +to the full! These foreigners have too long lived in ease, and many of them +have been unwisely elevated to fill the most responsible offices in the gift of +the government, to the exclusion of Chaldeans and more worthy men. Of this We +shall hear no more complaint. I have cut short the work, and not one Hebrew +remains in office within the empire. Babylonians, in this has not the king met +your wishes? Your joyous looks and merry countenances answer ‘yea!’ Let this +then be our motto, ‘Chaldeans to rule Chaldea!’ Drink! Drink freely! Drink to +the gods! Is there a God in Israel? Let him come and claim the vessels of his +sanctuary! Oh, the wine tastes delicious from these thy golden goblets! Oh, +thou God of Israel! Ha! ha! ha! More wine! Let us rejoice and be glad, and +drink defiance to all gods save the gods of Chaldea! Who shall Belshazzar fear? +What god can alarm the king of Bab—” +</p> + +<p> +The vessel fell from the monarch’s hand! Paleness gathered on his brow! A +sudden trembling shook his whole frame! A cry of terror broke from his lips! +</p> + +<p> +On the wall, over against the candlestick, there appeared the fingers of a +man’s hand, which wrote on the plaster. This was the mysterious sight that gave +terror to the king and alarmed the merry throng. +</p> + +<p> +“Haste ye!” cried the terrified king, “and bring hither my wise men, and let +them give me the signification of the writing. Go in haste!” +</p> + +<p> +Messengers were speedily hurried to summon the magicians and wise men into the +presence of the monarch, and within a short period the whole “college” stood +before the agitated sovereign in the midst of the banqueting hall. +</p> + +<p> +“Look ye yonder!” said the king, with a trembling voice, pointing to the +mysterious writing. “Whosoever shall read this writing, and show me the +interpretation thereof, shall be clothed with scarlet and have a chain of gold +about his neck, and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom.” +</p> + +<p> +The wise men gazed in silent astonishment on the writing, cast solemn glances +at one another, and at last frankly confessed that it was written in a language +with which they had no acquaintance—peradventure, understood only by the gods. +</p> + +<p> +“What shall I do?” cried the king, in deep agony. “I fear some awful calamity +is about to befall me! A curse upon you pretenders’ Depart from my presence! O +ye gods, what shall I do?” +</p> + +<p> +The great fear of the king had been made known to the queen-mother, the famous +Nitocris, wife of Nebuchadnezzar. She hastened to the banquet chamber, where +she found all in the greatest consternation, especially the king. +</p> + +<p> +“O king, live forever!” cried the queen-mother. “Let not thy thoughts trouble +thee, nor thy countenance thus be changed in the presence of thy mighty lords, +lest hereafter they despise thy fear. There is a man in thy kingdom in whom is +the spirit of the holy gods; and, in the days of thy grandfather, light and +understanding and wisdom, like the wisdom of the gods, were found in him, whom +the king, Nebuchadnezzar, thy grandfather—I say <i>the king himself</i>—made +master of the magicians, astrologers and soothsayers; and this was a sure sign +of his superior wisdom. This great man is not found among <i>thy</i> nobles. +Since in thy great wisdom thou didst see fit to deprive all Hebrews of office, +this mighty Daniel, whom thy grandfather called Belteshazzar, has been seen but +seldom. But be it known to thee, O king, that he is not utterly forgotten.” +</p> + +<p> +Without delay messengers were sent to the house of Daniel, and in a short time +a venerable person, with his hair silvered over, slowly marched into the +banqueting hall, and, without the least embarrassment, stood in the presence of +the pale and trembling Belshazzar. +</p> + +<p> +“Art thou that Daniel who art of the captivity of Judah, whom the king my +grandfather brought from Judah? I have even heard of thee that the spirit of +the gods is in thee, and that light and understanding and excellence are found +in thee. And now the wise men, the astrologers, have been brought in before me, +that they should read this writing and make known unto me the interpretation +thereof; but they could not show the interpretation of the thing. Now, if thou +canst read the writing and make known to me the interpretation thereof, thou +shalt be clothed with scarlet, and have a chain of gold about thy neck, and +shall be the third ruler in the kingdom.” +</p> + +<p> +Then Daniel answered and said before the king: +</p> + +<p> +“Let thy gifts be to thyself, and give thy rewards to another. Yet I will read +the writing to the king, and make known unto him the interpretation. +</p> + +<p> +“O thou king! the Most High God gave Nebuchadnezzar a kingdom, and majesty, and +glory, and honor. All people, nations and languages trembled and feared before +him. Whom he would he slew, and whom he would he kept alive; whom he would he +set up, and whom he would he put down. But when his heart was lifted up, and +his mind hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne and his glory +was taken from him; and he was driven from the sons of men, and his heart was +made like the beasts, and his dwelling was with the wild asses. They fed him +with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till he knew +that the Most High God ruleth in the kingdom of men, and that he appointeth +over it whomsoever he will. And thou, O Belshazzar, hast not humbled thy heart, +though thou knewest all this, but hast lifted up thyself against the Lord of +heaven; and they have brought the vessels of his house before thee, and thou +and thy lords, thy wives and thy concubines, have drunk wine in them; and thou +hast praised the gods of silver and gold, of brass, iron, wood and stone, which +see not, nor bear, nor know; and the God in whose hand thy breath is, thou hast +not glorified. +</p> + +<p> +“This is the interpretation of the thing. M<small>ENE</small>—God hath numbered +thy kingdom and finished it; T<small>EKEL</small>—thou art weighed in the +balances and found wanting; P<small>ERES</small>—thy kingdom is divided and +given to the Medes and Persians.” +</p> + +<p> +Then commanded Belshazzar, and they clothed Daniel with scarlet, and put a +chain of gold about his neck, and made a proclamation concerning him, that he +should be the third ruler in the kingdom. +</p> + +<hr /> + +<p> +As soon as Cyrus saw that the ditches, which they had long worked upon, were +finished, he began to plan for the execution of his vast design, which as yet +he had communicated to no one. He was informed that, in the city, on a certain +day, a great festival was to be celebrated, and that the Babylonians, on +occasions of that solemnity, were accustomed to pass the whole night in +drunkenness and debauchery. Of this impious feast we have already spoken. Thus +Providence furnished him with as fit an opportunity as he could desire. He +therefore posted a part of his troops on that side where the river entered the +city, and another part on that side where it went out, and commanded them to +enter the city that very night by marching along the channel of the river as +soon as ever they found it fordable. Having given all necessary orders, he +exhorted his officers to follow him—that he was under the direction of the +gods. In the evening he gave orders to open the great receptacles, or ditches, +on both sides of the town, above and below, that the waters of the rivers might +run into them. By this means the Euphrates was quickly emptied and its channel +became dry. Then the two bodies of troops, according to their orders, went into +the channels, the one commanded by Gobryas and the other by Gadates, and +advanced toward each other without meeting any impediment. +</p> + +<p> +Thus did these two bodies of troops penetrate into the very heart of the city +without opposition. According to agreement, they met together at the royal +palace, surprised the guard, and slew them. The company, hearing the tumult +without, opened the door. The Persian soldiers rushed in. They were met by the +king with his sword in hand. He was slain, and hundreds of his drunken +associates shared the same fate. Thus terminated the great banquet of +Belshazzar, where the God of heaven was wickedly blasphemed; and thus +terminated the Babylonian empire, after a duration of two hundred and ten years +from the first of Nabonassar’s reign, who was the founder thereof. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="chap23"></a>CHAPTER XXIII.</h2> + +<p> +Immediately after the taking of Babylon, Cyrus ordered a day of public +thanksgiving to the gods, for their wonderful favors and their kind +interposition; and then, having assembled his principal officers, he publicly +applauded their courage and prudence, their zeal and attachment to his person, +and distributed rewards to his whole army. He also reviewed his forces, which +were in a spirited condition. He found they consisted of 120,000 horse, 2,000 +chariots armed with scythes, and 600,000 foot. +</p> + +<p> +When Cyrus judged he had sufficiently regulated his affairs at Babylon, he +thought proper to take a journey into Persia. On his way thither he went +through Media, to visit Darius, to whom he carried many presents, telling him +at the same time that he would find a noble palace at Babylon ready prepared +for him whenever he should please to go thither. After a brief stay in Persia, +he returned to Babylon, accompanied by his uncle, where they counseled together +a scheme of government for the whole empire. +</p> + +<p> +The fame of Daniel, as one who had served under so many kings in Babylon, and +also as one to whom the gods had imparted a miraculous degree of wisdom, was +spread throughout the city and provinces of Babylon; and, since his appearance +before the king as the interpreter of the mysterious handwriting on the night +of the fatal banquet, his name was held in great reverence by all the +dignitaries of that city. +</p> + +<p> +In a magnificent apartment of the king’s palace in the conquered city of +Babylon, sat together, in earnest conversation, Darius the Mede, and Cyrus the +hero of Persia. +</p> + +<p> +“Thou well sayest that he is neither a Mede nor a Persian,” said Cyrus, +“neither is he a Chaldean. He was brought from the land of Judah, a captive, +about the commencement of Nebuchadnezzar’s reign. From what I can learn of his +history, he was soon placed under tutors, and outstripped all his companions +and became a great favorite of the, king. He was soon elevated to posts of +honor, and, with the exception of short intervals, he has been the first +officer in the kingdom for more than threescore years. He receives wonderful +revelations from the gods, and the fall of Babylon came to pass according to +his predictions. Now, uncle, to me it appears far more important to secure the +services of an individual, be he even a foreigner, whose head is filled with +wisdom and his heart with charity, than to place far inferior personages to +fill important offices because they are Medes or Persians. We have many wise +men among us, but among this people, whose manners and customs are so different +from our own, I fear we have none that can rule with that profound wisdom which +has always marked the course of this Hebrew sage. I consider him by far the +safest man to appoint as the chief president.” +</p> + +<p> +“In this most surely the illustrious son of my brother shall be gratified,” +replied the Mede. “But why may we not have a short interview with this +wonderful man, who appears to have more the attributes of a god than a mortal? +Wouldst thou not be pleased to see him?” +</p> + +<p> +“Well pleased.” +</p> + +<p> +“Then I shall send for him without delay.” +</p> + +<p> +A messenger was, therefore, hurried to the house of the ex-Prime Minister of +the Babylonian empire. +</p> + +<p> +The Hebrew soon made his appearance, and such was the calm dignity of his +bearing, as he slowly walked into the presence of his superiors, that both the +Mede and the Persian unconsciously found themselves on their feet to receive +him. +</p> + +<p> +“Our distinguished friend has readily complied with our request,” said the +Persian, beckoning Daniel to a seat on his right. +</p> + +<p> +“Throughout the days of my pilgrimage it has been my great pleasure to render +strict obedience to the will of my superiors in all things consistent with the +law of my God.” +</p> + +<p> +“Then thou considerest the law of thy God as having stronger claims on thy +obedience than the laws of thy king?” +</p> + +<p> +“The law of Jehovah is supreme! By that law my life has been shaped; and now, +at its close, it is surely my joy and consolation.” +</p> + +<p> +“Precious sentiments from a noble Hebrew!” cried Cyrus, with feeling. “And how +long hast thou been a resident of Babylon?” +</p> + +<p> +“Threescore and six years have passed away since thy servant bade adieu to his +native hills in the land of Judah, and came to this great city of Babylon. The +companions of my early days have mostly passed away, and soon thy servant shall +follow them.” +</p> + +<p> +“I trust that such a life shall be precious in the sight of the gods for many +years to come. Such is thy deep experience in the affairs of state, that we +have purposed in our hearts to appoint thee first president of the provinces. +Is Belteshazzar willing to serve the king in this capacity, and shed honor upon +the joint reign of the Medes and Persians?” +</p> + +<p> +“My life, for the short period I may tarry among mortals, if ye consider me +worthy, will be consecrated to your service.” +</p> + +<p> +“Then, O Belteshazzar,” answered Darius, “thou art, by our united power and +authority, appointed chief of the presidents. May the gods be thy support!” +</p> + +<p> +Soon after his appointment, Daniel, in humble reverence, left the presence of +the royal dignitaries, and slowly directed his footsteps towards his own +mansion. +</p> + +<p> +“The praises of this man have not yet reached his real merits, Cyrus,” said +Darius. “Thou well sayest. There is a striking peculiarity in all his movements +that convinces the beholder that he is one among ten thousand.” +</p> + +<p> +“Thy stay in Babylon must be of short duration. Thou art soon off to the wars. +I also must soon return to Media; therefore, this appointing of the presidents +must be attended to without delay. On thee, I pray, let this business rest; and +whomsoever, in thy wisdom, thou shalt appoint, be assured the appointment will +receive my cordial approbation.” +</p> + +<p> +“In this I will strive to do the will of my kind uncle. I will call together my +council, and the thing shall soon be accomplished.” +</p> + +<hr /> + +<p> +In the mansion of one of the presidents, in a delightful part of the city of +Babylon, sat together two men in deep and earnest conversation. One of these, +whose name was Kinggron, was the owner of the superb mansion. The other, whose +name was Fraggood, was his fellow president, under Daniel. On some point of +great moment they appeared to be well agreed; while envy, mingled with anger, +rested on each countenance. +</p> + +<p> +“The king will soon be again in Babylon,” said Kinggron, “and there is no time +to be lost. Whatever measure we resort to in order to replace this old Hebrew, +whose eye is upon us continually, must be attended to without delay, for the +king’s stay among us will be of short duration.” +</p> + +<p> +“As soon as our companions come, I trust we shall be able to contrive some +measure that will remove this ever-watchful old Israelite far out of our way. +Does it not ill become the wisdom of Cyrus the Persian to place over our heads +this exacting old stranger, who is neither a Persian, Mede, nor even a +Chaldean, but a <i>Hebrew</i>, brought to the country as a captive of war—and +behold, surely he stands next to the king! One year has gone. We have borne our +grief in painful silence. The time for action has arrived—he <i>must</i> be +removed. Our combined wisdom must be brought to bear on this one point, and no +rest must we find until it is fully accomplished.” +</p> + +<p> +The door opened and four persons silently walked into the apartment. They were +of middle age, and appeared to be on familiar terms with the two presidents. +They were all Medes, and appeared to be princes of the provinces, and it was +very soon evident that with the two superior officers they were favorites. +</p> + +<p> +“Let it be well understood,” said Kinggron, “that this Daniel is greatly in the +favor of Cyrus; and, moreover, that he stands high in the estimation of the +king. Of Cyrus we have no present fear, seeing he is out in the wars. This is +well, for before <i>him</i> we would not dare to complain. The king is in +possession of far less power of discernment than he, and with him, I trust, we +must be successful.” +</p> + +<p> +“But,” answered Bimbokrak, “we must have some cause—something specific to offer +as a ground of complaint against him before the king, or the movement will +utterly fail, and prove disastrous to ourselves.” +</p> + +<p> +“Thou art right, my good friend,” answered the president, “perfectly right. +There must be a ground of complaint, and I trust we shall be able to find it. +We <i>must</i> find it!” +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="chap25"></a>CHAPTER XXV.</h2> + +<p> +Again the great city of Babylon was all excitement, and expectation was raised +to its highest pitch. The long-expected day had arrived, and the grand entry of +Darius the Mede was momentarily expected by an enthusiastic and curious throng. +By the Babylonians generally, their new king was regarded in a favorable light. +Such had been the profligacy and tyranny of their late kings, that any change +was hailed with gratitude; and, moreover, the mildness of Darius toward them on +a previous visitation, when accompanied by Cyrus the Persian, had won their +regard and affection. Thousands of the people had gone without the walls to +meet him, and tens of thousands were seen thronging the public grounds in the +vicinity of the royal palaces. At last the monarch’s triumphal train appeared +in the distance, the shining spears and bright armor of his guard glittering in +the clear sunbeams. Nearer and nearer they approached, and entered the city; +and, amid enthusiastic shouts, the monarch was escorted to the royal palace. +</p> + +<p> +Darius the Mede was far from being a man of stern moral worth and true decision +of character. He was rather weak in mind and easily flattered. Nevertheless he +was a man of tender feelings, and cruelty was no part of his nature. He was +greatly elated with the warm reception he had received at the hands of the +Babylonians, and now or never was the time for the foul conspirators to try +their power with the king. +</p> + +<p> +The two presidents, accompanied by the four princes, soon made their appearance +in the presence of the king. +</p> + +<p> +“Welcome into the presence of your sovereign!” said the king in a pleasant +mood. “Let the full desires of your hearts be made known to the king, and with +pleasure he will grant your every wish.” +</p> + +<p> +“O king, live forever!” replied President Fraggood. “Thou art a mighty ruler. +Thy dominions are unbounded. Thy rich possessions are found in every clime. The +name of Darius falls on the ears of the kings of the earth, and they tremble. +In thy wisdom thou hast set over the provinces of Babylon an hundred and twenty +princes, and over these thou hast set three presidents, the first of whom is +Daniel, a man mighty in wisdom and understanding. Now, O king, thou knowest +that these provinces are united, and may the gods forbid that anything should +ever transpire to dissolve this glorious union. Thy servants have some reason +to fear that among some of the inhabitants of these <i>northern</i> provinces +there is a disposition to think that the commands of the king are not absolute, +and that in certain cases they may be disregarded. Far be it from us to think +that this feeling prevails to any serious extent. We are happy to know that, in +all the <i>southern</i> provinces, they are abundantly loyal; and, indeed, in +the northern provinces this rebellious and dangerous disposition is confined to +a few mischievous fanatics; but it is a poisonous plant, O king, that must be +destroyed in the bud. If such looseness is permitted to go unpunished, how long +will it be before our beloved union is shivered to ruined fragments? We have +had this subject under our most serious consideration. We have thought over it +with throbbing hearts. Some measure must be resorted to that will impress the +inhabitants with the matchless greatness of our king, and convince them that, +when he commands, he intends to be obeyed. Therefore, O king, with nothing but +the good of the nation at heart, thy servants the three presidents, with all +the princes, have enacted this law, and it is now presented to thee for thy +royal signature and seal: +</p> + +<p class="letter"> +“‘It is hereby enacted, <i>for the safety of the Union:</i> Let no person offer +any prayer or petition to any god or man, except the king, for the space of +thirty days; and whosoever shall violate this decree shall be taken and thrown +into the den of lions.<br/> + “‘Given under my hand, at the city of Babylon, on this twelfth day of the +ninth month, and sealed with the seal of the Medes and Persians, which changeth +not.’” +</p> + +<p> +“In this, surely, there is nothing unreasonable,” said the easily flattered +king. “My wise presidents and faithful princes could never propose and advocate +a measure that was not highly beneficial in its results. That which has any +tendency to weaken the glorious bond of our union must be put down, and the +safety of the united provinces must be placed on an immovable basis. If, in +your superior wisdom, ye have judged that this law is called for, may the gods +forbid that I should refuse to give it countenance.” +</p> + +<p> +“The measure shall be hailed with universal joy, O king, among all thy loyal +subjects, and let those who dare disobey suffer the consequence! From this day +the name of Darius the Mede shall be a terror to every evil doer, and all his +enemies shall be put to shame.” +</p> + +<p> +“Let the king have the writing.” +</p> + +<p> +The writing was delivered over to the monarch by a hand that trembled with +excitement. +</p> + +<p> +“It is surely a peculiar enactment,” said the king, as he took the pen in his +hand. “I fail to see its strong points, but at this stage of my reign I am not +prepared to oppose a measure that is the offspring of the combined wisdom of +the realm. If my Persian nephew were present, I would deem it advisable to have +his opinion; but, as he is out in the wars, I cannot avail myself of that.” +</p> + +<p> +So the king’s name was given to the fatal parchment; and, moreover, it was +sealed with the seal of the Medes and Persians. +</p> + +<p> +“The thing is done,” said Darius. “Is there anything more that ye wish to +communicate to the king?” +</p> + +<p> +“Thy goodness is ever abundant, O king,” answered Fraggood. “This is all that +we have to present this day. Will the king accept our united gratitude for the +kind manner in which we have been received into the presence of the mightiest +monarch that ever swayed a scepter? Long live our matchless king! We shall no +longer trespass on thy time. We return to our respective stations, to carry out +the pleasure of our king.” +</p> + +<p> +The conspirators, with bounding hearts, made their way in haste and entered the +house of President Fraggood, and there gave vent to the fiendish joy of their +malicious hearts at the success of their nefarious scheme. +</p> + +<p> +“Now we must be on the watch,” said Kinggron, “or he will, after all, escape. +Let three of our number be appointed, and let them be called ‘The Union Safety +Committee,’ whose business it shall be to mark well the movements of the old +Hebrew, and prepare, for all emergencies, ready answers for the ears of the +king.” +</p> + +<p> +“Thou hast well thought,” answered Fraggood, “for I apprehend that as yet we +are not quite out of danger. I fear this measure will be repulsive to the king, +when he thinketh of it in all its parts; and more repulsive still, when he +finds the first transgressor to be none other than the first president. Let us +be prepared for the mighty contest! This is a movement that will justify +desperate measures. Things must be resorted to that, in other matters, would be +justly condemned. The object in view must justify our every step. Our words +have gone forth to the king that this law is the fruit of the calm +deliberations of <i>all</i> the presidents. Now, in regard to the future of +this matter, there must be no cowardly apologies, no lame explanations, no +faltering embarrassment, nor weak equivocation. Let us still unitedly adhere to +every statement that we have made. And shall the testimony of one be strong +enough to impeach the testimony of six men? Nay, verily! Let us, therefore, be +firm, and we shall not only succeed in condemning the old Israelite, but also +prove him a liar. Are we now ready to swear solemnly, in the presence of the +gods, that our testimonies, if called before the king, shall say that this +Daniel was concerned in framing this law?” +</p> + +<p> +“All ready, most noble Fraggood!” was the united reply. +</p> + +<p> +“Then we swear!” +</p> + +<p> +The next day, by order of the presidents, the streets of Babylon rang with the +proclamation of the new law. Heralds were sent to and fro, who, at the top of +their voices, sounded the peculiar edict throughout every thoroughfare. At +first it was thought by many to be a mischievous hoax, but it was soon found to +be stern reality. Nothing could exceed the astonishment and consternation +produced among the inhabitants when they first heard it; it was so unlike +anything they could expect from the mild Mede. Not only among the Hebrews, who +were numerous in the city, was this singular law looked upon as monstrous in +its nature, but also by the great body of Chaldeans, many of whom were warmly +attached to the worship of their gods. The shortness of the period in which it +was to be enforced, however, served to quiet them in a manner. Thirty days +would soon be over, and then they would closely watch the future movements of +their new king. +</p> + +<p> +The “Union Safety Committee” acted well their part. Daniel, perfectly +acquainted with all their movements, gave himself no uneasiness. With full +confidence in his God, he rolled his burden upon Jehovah, and felt the perfect +assurance that all would be well. +</p> + +<p> +To Fraggood and Kinggron the devotional hours of the first president were well +known; and at such hour it was necessary that they should, under some pretense, +find their way into his worshiping chamber. To find such an excuse was but the +work of a moment to those so expert in mischievous plots as the two presidents. +</p> + +<p> +Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, when the loud voices of the +heralds proclaiming the peculiar enactment fell on his ears, he laid by his +parchment, closed his eyes for a moment in silent devotion, then rose and +calmly entered that little chamber, where he had so often, for so many years, +bowed before the God of his fathers. There he had sat for many hours in silent +meditation on the length of Judah’s captivity, and cried, “How long, O Lord, +how long!” A dear spot to the man of God that little chamber had been for many +a long year. +</p> + +<p> +“From the days of my childhood I have prayed to the God of my fathers,” +soliloquized Daniel. “I well remember when, by the side of my mother, while I +was yet but a little child, I bowed the knee in humble adoration of my God. +From that day to this, throughout my long, weary pilgrimage, I have always +prayed and offered my petitions to the Most High. And am I now to be frightened +in my old age from the worship of my God through the fear of the lions? Is this +the strength of Daniel’s faith? I laugh to scorn their blasphemous law!” +</p> + +<p> +Soon after Daniel had left for his devotional exercises, the members of the +“Union Safety Committee” (Fraggood, Bimbokrak and Scramgee) were seen on their +way from the house of Kinggron, moving in the direction of the house of the +first president. +</p> + +<p> +“If we find him in prayer before his God,” said Fraggood, “we shall not be +called upon to offer any excuse for our calling. We will ask forgiveness for +the intrusion and retire. But if we find him otherwise, our object seems +reasonable indeed.” +</p> + +<p> +“May the gods grant that we need not speak of our object,” said Bimbokrak. +</p> + +<p> +By this time the “committee” had arrived at the door of the mansion. Fraggood +led the way into the office; but the first president was not there. +</p> + +<p> +“Hark ye!” whispered Fraggood. “Hark!” +</p> + +<p> +“It is the voice of prayer!” said Bimbokrak. +</p> + +<p> +“Silently! Silently!” answered Scramgee, “or he will surely hear us.” +</p> + +<p> +“Follow me!” said the president. “Tread lightly!” +</p> + +<p> +The “committee,” with beating hearts and light footsteps, sought the chamber +whence came the sound of prayer. They soon found the spot; the door was open, +and the man of God, on his bended knees, was engaged in solemn devotion. +</p> + +<p> +They gazed upon him for a moment; he saw them not, for his countenance was +turned in another direction. Fraggood did not wish to return without +acquainting Daniel of his presence, but still he wished to escape an interview. +Therefore, in a voice that the first president would surely hear, he said: +</p> + +<p> +“We beg pardon for this intrusion. Let us not disturb our most excellent friend +whilst he <i>makes his petitions</i> to his God.” +</p> + +<p> +The Hebrew prophet gently turned his head, but he saw only the receding forms +of the members of the “committee” as they hastened to the street below, and so +he continued his supplications to the God of his fathers. +</p> + +<p> +The “Union Safety” men were soon back again at the house of President Kinggron, +and great was the demonstration of joy at the promised success of their +malignant plot. +</p> + +<p> +The next morning witnessed again the guilty form of the leading conspirator, +with his two accomplices, on the way towards the king’s palace. They were +admitted, and were soon in the presence of their king. +</p> + +<p> +“And what good thing do the presidents desire of the king?” asked Darius, in +rather a surly mood, for, the more he thought of their new statute, the more +repulsive it appeared in his sight. +</p> + +<p> +“O king, live forever!” replied Fraggood, with a deceitful smile on his +countenance. “Hast thou not signed a decree that every man that asketh a +petition of any god or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, shall be cast +into the den of lions?” +</p> + +<p> +“The thing is true,” answered the king, “according to the laws of the Medes and +Persians, which altereth not.” +</p> + +<p> +“Then it is made our painful duty to inform thee that Daniel, which is of the +children of the captivity of Judah, regardeth not thee, O king, nor the decree +that thou has signed; but maketh his petition three times a day.” +</p> + +<p> +“<i>Daniel!</i>” replied the king. “I know of no Daniel but my worthy first +president, whom ye say assisted in making this law.” +</p> + +<p> +“This same Daniel, O king, thy first president, is the guilty one!” answered +Fraggood. “After having exerted his influence with thy servants to make the +law, he is now the first of all to transgress. In this he hath but sought an +opportunity to show thee, O king, how utterly he disregardeth all thy wise +commandments.” +</p> + +<p> +“What!” said the king, suddenly rising to his feet. “<i>Daniel</i>, the first +president in the kingdom? <i>Daniel</i>, noted for his wisdom and prudence? +Impossible! Ye have been wrongly informed! Beware how ye thus accuse the best +man in Babylon!” +</p> + +<p> +“Thy servants wonder not at thy astonishment, O king! If we had not been +eye-witnesses to the thing, we could have in no wise believed it; but the eyes +and ears of thy servants are witnesses against him. He offers his petitions, +and tramples upon the authority of our king.” +</p> + +<p> +“<i>His petitions!</i>” cried the excited king. “And to whom does he offer his +petitions?” +</p> + +<p> +“He daily offers his petitions to his God, O king!” +</p> + +<p> +“<i>His God!</i> Wise man! Who can— But— If— Say ye not that Daniel was +concerned in making this law?” +</p> + +<p> +“Yea, verily, O king! May the gods forbid that we should utter aught but truth +in the presence of King Darius!” +</p> + +<p> +“To me it seemeth a strange thing that Daniel, the worshiper of the God of +Israel, should frame a law that bears oppressively on himself and upon +thousands of his nation within the realm. And it seemeth still more strange to +the king that he should be the first transgressor! Already have I sorrow of +heart because I signed the decree; but the thing is done, and my name must go +down to posterity as the name of a fool. There is a mystery connected with this +affair that to me, as yet, is inexplicable. If by any means I find that I have +been wrongly dealt with, by all the gods I swear I will pour vengeance on the +guilty heads!” +</p> + +<p> +“If thou wilt permit the four princes to testify, they will say, with thy +servant, that this Daniel was the chief mover in the formation of this law.” +</p> + +<p> +“At present I have no desire to hear from any of the princes. But to think of +casting <i>Daniel</i> into the den of lions is mournful beyond description—it +must not be done!” +</p> + +<p> +“So say we all, O king, when we consult our feelings; but the decree is signed +according to the law of the Medes and Persians, and cannot be altered. The +honor of the king depends upon the faithful execution of all his laws; and if +in this one point thou failest and let the guilty one escape, thy subjects will +laugh at thy timidity, and lawlessness will prevail throughout our borders.” +</p> + +<p> +“Of this we may speak hereafter. I must see the first president and learn more +of this matter ere I take another step in this unhappy affair.” +</p> + +<p> +On the departure of the conspirators, the king immediately sent for Daniel, and +soon the Hebrew prophet stood in the presence of Darius the Mede. On his +countenance rested that same calm smile. The king gazed upon him for a moment, +and could not but notice the contrast between the serene, noble countenance of +the Hebrew prophet, and the uneasy, agitated visage of President Fraggood. +</p> + +<p> +“Thou standest before the king, O Daniel, accused as an evil doer! What sayest +thou for thyself?” +</p> + +<p> +“What is the nature of thy servant’s offense, O king?” +</p> + +<p> +“Thou art accused of violating a law, chiefly of thine own making, by offering +thy petitions to thy God. To the king it seemeth strange indeed that he who was +the first mover in the formation of a new law, should be the first one to +transgress it. What meaneth all this?” +</p> + +<p> +“I readily perceive by the words of thy mouth, O king, that thou hast been +greatly deceived in this matter. Thy servant had nothing to do in forming a law +whose every feature is repulsive to his soul and an insult to the God he +worshipeth. This law came from the enemies of thy servant, for the purpose of +his overthrow. Having failed in every other point, with malicious hearts they +have brought forward this measure, knowing well that I could never yield it my +obedience. With lying tongues have they declared before thee that it received +my approbation. It is true, O king, that I have violated thy law; and, +moreover, I must do so hereafter. For fourscore years has thy servant offered +his prayers to the God of his fathers. When a little lad in the land of Judah, +I was taught by a beloved mother to lisp the name of Jehovah. From that time to +this, O king, at morning, noon and eventide, thy servant has prayed to his God. +And is Daniel to be frightened from his duty now in his old age? Nay, O king! +My prayers must daily ascend to the throne of the Most High! Sooner would I +suffer a thousand deaths than prove a traitor to the God of Israel.” +</p> + +<p> +The king was deeply moved by the words of the aged Hebrew, and continued for +some time in deep silence. At last he rose to his feet, and, with a voice +trembling with anger, exclaimed: +</p> + +<p> +“By the gods! If these presidents have come before me with lying words, I will +cut them in pieces, and leave them neither root nor branch! Daniel, if thou +sayest, I will have them arrested and destroyed! This very hour the word shall +go forth!” +</p> + +<p> +“Nay, O king! Listen to the counsel of thine aged servant. This hasty movement +would not be well received among thy subjects. The decree has gone forth. I +pray thee let the law have its course, but be assured, O king, that not a hair +of thy servant’s head shall be injured. The God that I serve and in whom I +trust, shall deliver me from every danger, and no weapon formed against me +shall prosper. Hereafter do with mine enemies as thou seest fit. Be assured, O +king, that my life is as secure among the lions as in the presence of my kind +sovereign! The same God that preserved my cousins alive in the midst of a +burning, fiery furnace, can easily shut the mouths of the lions, and make them +as harmless as the little lambs of the flock.” +</p> + +<p> +Here the king was melted into tears; and, so deeply was he affected, that for a +long time he was unable to speak. At last, in a low key, he spoke: +</p> + +<p> +“O Daniel, this thing must never come to pass! May the gods forbid that I +should endanger the life of my servant! But the writing is signed! My heart is +sad! My soul is sick!” +</p> + +<p> +“Let not the king be sore troubled on account of his servant,” said Daniel. +“The God of heaven shall certainly overrule this matter to his own glory.” +</p> + +<p> +“Thou mayest return, Daniel,” said the king. “I know not what to do. I fear I +have been greatly deceived.” +</p> + +<p> +“The word of thy servant, in a case like this, is not sufficient to gainsay the +testimony of six witnesses. When the proper hour arrives, the king shall learn +from other lips than mine the deep iniquity of these foul conspirators. Adieu, +O king! Let Jehovah use his own measures for the vindication of his own law!” +And the first president left the royal presence. +</p> + +<p> +On that night Darius the Mede laid his head on his pillow with the full purpose +of delivering Daniel. +</p> + +<p> +Early on the morrow, the “Union Safety Committee,” accompanied by the other +three, made their way into the presence of the king. +</p> + +<p> +“Ye are punctual!” said the king, with a meaning glance. +</p> + +<p> +“We take unbounded pleasure in obeying all the requirements of our king,” said +Fraggood, “and may the gods curse all those that are disobedient!” +</p> + +<p> +“Since ye left my presence yesterday, I have had an interview with the first +president, and from his venerable lips I learn that he had no voice in the +formation of this law that ye say he hath violated.” +</p> + +<p> +“This is as thy servant expected, O king!” answered Kinggron. “What +transgressor do we ever find that will not strive to hide his guilt?” +</p> + +<p> +“Daniel strives <i>not</i> to hide his guilt,” replied the king in a firm tone. +“He freely acknowledges that he violated the law, and moreover he assures me +that he will continue to violate it three times every day. Thus ye perceive +that the first president wishes not to hide his guilt, nor even to escape the +punishment. But with all the weight of reason, consistency and humanity on his +side, he pronounces the law at war with all goodness, and denies having had any +part in bringing it into existence. Now, with all due respect to your +testimonies, which, in point of law, must outweigh the declaration of one man, +I freely acknowledge to you, my presidents and princes, that it is my firm +conviction that ye are a band of unprincipled liars, fully bent on the +destruction of this Daniel!” +</p> + +<p> +At this plain, royal truth, the “Union Safety Committee” turned pale, and the +other three appeared to be similarly affected. But Fraggood, recovering his +self-possession, hastened to the rescue. +</p> + +<p> +“Then my lord the king had rather believe a man that defies his power by +boasting his determination to violate the king’s decree at least three times a +day, than his faithful servants who honor his laws, and who desire to bring the +guilty to punishment. Let not the king be deceived by the smooth tongue of this +intriguing old Israelite, who can by the eloquence of his lips give to truth +the color of falsehood, and to deception the appearance of sincerity. Thy +servants now in the presence of the king are ready to prove all the +declarations of thy servants who testified in thy presence yesterday. But what +would avail their testimony in the ears of Darius? But, O king, remember that +thy decree hath gone forth, and it cannot be recalled. And, moreover, it is +well understood in Babylon that Daniel sets thy power at defiance, and thy +decision in this matter is watched for by tens of thousands; and if this Daniel +escapes the punishment of the law, we may as well burn up our statute books and +give absolute liberty to every ruffian and desperado. Law and order will be at +an end, the union of the provinces will be forever dissolved, and confusion and +desolation shall follow. The question now to be settled is not, ‘How came this +law to be enacted?’ but, seeing that it is enacted, is there power enough in +the king of the Medes and Persians to put it in force; and, if there is, will +he do it? Or does he wish us to retire from his presence and send forth heralds +through the streets of Babylon to inform the people that the decree enacted a +few days ago, and signed according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which +changeth not, is abolished? Shall it be told in the streets of this proud city +that Darius the Mede has so quickly changed his mind and is sorry for what he +hath done, because one of his favorites has violated the law? Thou saidst +yesterday that thy name would go down to posterity as the name of a fool. The +king was far from being believed by thy servant then, but, if thou persistest +in this determination of letting the guilty escape, I know not but thou wilt +cause to be brought about the fulfillment of thine own prophecy?” +</p> + +<p> +Long and severe was this interview between the king and the conspirators, and +all the weight of their ingenuity was brought to bear on his mind. It failed to +convince him that Daniel’s words were false; yet, partly from a false view of +consistency, and partly from the advice of the first president, he gave his +signature to the death warrant of the old Israelite. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="chap26"></a>CHAPTER XXVI.</h2> + +<p> +The news of the condemnation of the Hebrew prophet soon spread through all +Babylon, and the hour of his execution was well known. It was the great theme +of conversation among high and low, rich and poor, and there were but few who +were not horrified at the awful doom of the man of God. +</p> + +<p> +No man in Babylon was better known or more universally beloved than the old +prime minister of Nebuchadnezzar. His long residence in the city had rendered +his name familiar to the populace, and a vast number held him in respect +bordering on veneration. His mild and friendly deportment whenever brought into +the society of the common people, had won their affection. The poor and the +needy had ever found relief at his door. The little children even claimed the +aged prophet as their friend. He found it not beneath the dignity of his +station to speak to them in the street, put his hand on their heads, and say, +“May Jehovah bless my little children!” +</p> + +<p> +In the vicinity of the first president’s mansion were seen numerous groups of +persons engaged in low conversation, while deep sorrow was visible on every +countenance. These gatherings gradually swelled to one solid mass of human +beings. The doors of the president’s house were closed, and thick curtains’ +were drawn across the lattices, and no one as yet appeared to enter those +portals. Presently the throng was in commotion, several chariots halted before +the door, and a number of government officials alighted, and, with slow steps, +and solemn countenances, they ascended the steps, entered, and closed the door. +A peculiar gathering that! A solemn, sad throng! All conversation had ceased. +The stillness was broken by the sudden appearance of several platoons of +soldiers, who took their stand and formed a square in front of the mansion. The +door at last opened, and two uniformed officers appeared side by side, and +slowly marched out. Next appeared the sheriff, with the prisoner leaning on his +arm. On the broad platform he waited for a moment, evidently to permit some of +his near friends to embrace him before they parted. Thick and fast they +gathered around the aged saint, with loud weeping and lamentation; but soon +their cries were drowned amid the louder lamentations of the throng. Last of +all there approached the man of God two aged women, on whose countenances Time +had tried in vain to erase marks of loveliness and beauty. +</p> + +<p> +With a smile, one of the twain took the hand of the prophet, and gently said: +</p> + +<p> +“May Jehovah grant a happy night to his servant among the lions, and on the +morrow may we have a joyful meeting.” +</p> + +<p> +“God bless thee, dear Perreeza!” said the man of God. +</p> + +<p> +The other one now approached, and, in a mild voice, said: +</p> + +<p> +“Daniel, the servant of the living God, is secure in the midst of all his foes. +He that quenched the violence of the fire, shall tame the fury of the lions.” +</p> + +<p> +“Heaven smile upon the daughter of Barzello!” was the prophet’s answer. +</p> + +<p> +The procession was now formed, and soon reached the vicinity of the lions’ den, +where thousands of the inhabitants had assembled to take the last lingering +look at their aged fellow-citizen. There also was the king himself, with a +number of his most intimate nobles. The soldiers moved forward, and a clear +space was prepared in front of the platform on which the king and his friends +stood. +</p> + +<p> +The countenance of the monarch was pale, and his whole appearance gave the +beholder to understand that he was one of the unhappiest of mortals. The +conspirators were not permitted to occupy the platform with him, but were +commanded to stand together on his left. +</p> + +<p> +When the prisoner arrived, he gently bowed and saluted the king, which +salutation was answered only by falling tears. The throng, witnessing the +emotion of the king, gave vent to their grief, and one loud wail ascended. +Then, indeed, did those conspirators tremble! Then did they really learn the +deep hold their victim had on the popular mind. Again the agitation was +partially quieted, when the loud roaring of lions within made the earth +tremble. The awful moment was drawing nigh! Daniel ascended some steps near by, +and having had permission from the king, proceeded, in a few words, to address +the multitude: +</p> + +<p> +“Babylonians! with naught of malice in my heart against any man, and with +perfect good feeling toward the king, I yield myself to the demands of a broken +law. Here, in the presence of the God of my fathers, whom I worship, and in the +presence of my king, whom I respect, and in the presence of this throng, whose +tears flow for my sorrow, and in the presence of these mine accusers, who +thirst for my blood, I solemnly declare, that as first president in the +kingdom, I never was consulted in regard to the making of this law, that is +about to consign your aged servant to the lions. In honor to my king, who now +laments the sad fate of his unworthy president, let me also testify that in +order to persuade him to sign a decree which had never entered his heart, the +most deliberate falsehoods were poured into his ears, by those whose only +object was the overthrow of Daniel. After more than threescore years of public +service, I cheerfully submit to my fate, knowing well that Jehovah, the God of +Israel, in whom I trust, will direct this whole matter to his own glory. +Hereafter it will be known in Babylon, that it was not the ‘safety of the +Union’ that demanded the enactment of this cruel law; but that it was conceived +in envy, and brought forth in malice, and thoughtlessly signed by our king, who +considered all his presidents to be men of benevolence, wisdom, and +understanding. For violating this law I ask no forgiveness. Sooner would I +suffer a thousand deaths than prove a traitor to the religion of my fathers. +Babylonians, I say no more! Accept my thanks for your tears! May Jehovah +continue to grant you great prosperity, when your friend Daniel shall have +passed away.” +</p> + +<p> +Then turning to those whose painful duty it was to lead him to the den, he +said: +</p> + +<p> +“Now I am ready.” +</p> + +<p> +The executioners, with trembling hands, laid hold of the aged prisoner, and led +him to the door of the den. Again there was an awful roaring of lions. As he +passed the king on his way to the den, the monarch cried out: +</p> + +<p> +“Thy God, whom thou servest continually, he will surely deliver thee!” +</p> + +<p> +The prisoner was seized with strong hands and elevated over the inner walls, +and by means of strong cords was lowered to the bottom of the den, where the +ravenous lions held their nightly revels. The executioners, as if afraid to +hear the prisoner’s dying shrieks, hastened away. The throng soon dispersed in +sorrowful silence. The king, in deep agony of mind, entered his chariot, and +was driven to the palace. +</p> + +<p> +How sad was that night for royalty! Filled with remorse for having signed the +fatal decree, and knowing not how to retrace his steps or to retrieve the +effects of his rash act, the king passed the hours in agony. With a heavy heart +and a throbbing brow, he paced the length of his royal bedchamber, and thus did +he converse with himself: +</p> + +<p> +“How he justified the king, almost with his dying breath! Ah! but I justify not +myself. Why did I sign that silly and cruel decree, by which the prime jewel of +my kingdom is lost? Why did I not consider the thing well, and consult the +first president? Alas! it is now too late. The deed is done, and there is no +remedy! How the multitude sympathized with the noble prisoner! How copious +their tears and how audible their sobs! How beloved in the estimation of the +populace was that aged Daniel! What think they by this time of <i>my</i> +prudence and wisdom? Have I not lost in this the estimation of my people? Will +his God, indeed, deliver him? Is he not already torn by the lions? How cruel a +fate for so worthy a man! But if Daniel <i>is</i> spared, no thanks to me! Will +not this people inwardly curse me, and wish me out of their borders? What poor +returns to <i>them</i>, for the grand reception they gave <i>me!</i> What will +my nephew, Cyrus, think of my sagacity and power of discernment!” +</p> + +<hr /> + +<p> +Let us for a while leave the unfortunate Mede, and take a view of the hero of +the lions’ den. +</p> + +<p> +When Daniel was thrust among the lions, the sun was yet one hour above the +western horizon, and the light from the top of the den, made the interior +comparatively light. When he found himself at the bottom, for a minute he +walked to and fro, then fell on his knees, and began to pour his prayers into +the ears of the God of his fathers. The lions, quite unaccustomed to such a +sight, looked on for a while in silent wonder. Then they ran together to the +other end of the den, where the old lion of all—the “lord of the manor”—and his +aged companion, the old lioness, the mistress of the “establishment,” were, +heedless of the youthful pranks and occasional quarrels of their offspring, +enjoying a good, comfortable sleep. A loud roar from one of the youngsters, +which was answered by another louder roar from his companion, aroused the +energies of the old couple. They uttered an ill-natured growl, very much on the +same principle that anyone else would on being unnecessarily disturbed in the +midst of a nap. Perhaps the growl was equivalent to, “Children, you are very +rude. Make less noise, or I shall attend to you!” This reproof (if reproof it +was) did not seem in the least to frighten the young lions. One of them, the +one that roared the loudest, put his head close to that of his sire, and if he +said anything, it was in so low a whisper that it could not be heard at any +distance. From what immediately followed, one might think the young chap said +something in this fashion: +</p> + +<div class="fig" style="width:100%;"> +<img src="images/img7.jpg" width="465" height="618" alt="[Illustration: ]" /> +<p class="caption">For a moment he walked to and fro +</p> +</div> + +<p> +“Get up quickly! Come to the other end of the den, and there you will see a +sight that you never saw before in all your days. There is another victim; but +he has no more the appearance of <i>common</i> victims than thou hast. I know +by his eye he has no fear of the lions. Why, think! as soon as he came to the +bottom of the den, he walked to and fro among us as deliberately as my brother +here, or myself, would walk among our companions.” +</p> + +<p> +After the whispering was over (if whispering it was), the old lion uttered +another growl, as much as to say, “That sounds to me rather improbable, but I +guess I will go and see for myself.” The old lion led the way. Close by his +heels followed the lioness. Next in order followed the rest of the family. They +soon arrived at the spot, and sure enough, it was as the young lion had +declared. The old lion paused for a moment, but he soon made up his mind that +there was nothing to fear. So he slowly approached. He paused again. Daniel +reached out his hand and spoke. The lion fancied the peculiarity of that voice; +so with eyes half closed he slowly walked up to the man, and with the innocence +and harmlessness of a young spaniel, he licked the hand of the prophet. After +having partially conquered his embarrassment, he uttered another low growl, and +looked toward the rest of the company, as much as to say, “Come this way! Don’t +be afraid.” +</p> + +<p> +They slowly and silently gathered around the strange visitor, and each one +appeared to be pleased to be permitted to come in contact with his person in +some way. And when the darkness of night gathered around them, the old lion +answered for Daniel’s pillow, the lioness lay at his feet, and the young lions +stretched themselves on either side, to keep him warm; and soon the Prophet of +Jehovah was fast asleep. +</p> + +<hr /> + +<p> +If ever a sleepless mortal, wearied with the tediousness of a painful night, +rejoiced to see the first glimmering dawn of the morn, King Darius did, after +that dark, dreary period of agony. No sooner was it fairly day than the monarch +ordered his chariot, and, with a number of his nobles, he was once more on his +way toward the den of lions. The royal chariot, as it moved through the various +thoroughfares, attracted the notice of the inhabitants. Its destination was +understood, and as there was some faint hope in the minds of thousands that the +God of Daniel would miraculously interfere and save his servant, they had +accordingly held themselves in readiness to be early at the den. They, +therefore, with all haste followed in the direction of the royal train. The +king was greatly astonished to find already there a large number of the +inhabitants. The movements and excitement of the people had also brought to the +spot the six conspirators, who were greatly astonished to see the king. The +monarch, in trembling accents, ordered the stone to be removed from the door of +the den. The order was quickly obeyed. While every eye rested upon him, the +king entered and stood inside of the outer door, and cried, in a loud voice: +</p> + +<p> +“Oh, Daniel! is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee +from the lions?” +</p> + +<p> +Oh, the breathless silence of that moment! A thousand hearts throb with deep +emotion, in painful suspense to learn the result. Hark! A voice clear and firm +ascends from the depths, and falls on the ears of the multitude: +</p> + +<p> +“O king, live forever!” +</p> + +<p> +It was enough! Gladsome shouts echoed from a thousand tongues! The joy was +unbounded. Their sorrow for their old friend was turned into joy, and the name +of the God of Daniel was praised. +</p> + +<p> +Immediate orders were given to bring the old Hebrew up, and soon he stood in +the presence of the king and the rejoicing throng. +</p> + +<p> +Then said Daniel, turning to the king, “My God hath sent his angel, and hath +shut the mouths of the lions, that they have not hurt me; forasmuch as before +him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no +hurt.” +</p> + +<p> +An aged man at this moment was seen making his way through the crowd, as if +endeavoring to find admittance into the presence of the king. His venerable +appearance served to make for him room. +</p> + +<p> +“We meet again, Apgomer!” cried Daniel, in a familiar, friendly voice: and then +to the king he said: +</p> + +<p> +“This is my good friend Apgomer, O king, one of the few friends of my early +days. He hath words to communicate to the king, in the presence of this throng, +that will give thee to understand clearly that this law was prepared on purpose +to ensnare thy servant Daniel.” +</p> + +<p> +“Let my worthy friends, Fraggood and Kinggron, with their four companions, the +princes, stand in this direction!” said the king, with an angry expression of +countenance. +</p> + +<p> +The conspirators, with paleness gathering on their brows, obeyed, and +tremblingly stood facing the king. +</p> + +<p> +“Now, O Daniel, thy friend Apgomer may give his testimony before the king.” +</p> + +<p> +“O king, live forever!” said Apgomer. “This day thy servant is fourscore and +ten years old. From the days of my childhood have I dwelt in Babylon; and never +for any long period have I departed hence. Soon thy servant shall leave this +world of sorrow—I stand on the verge of the grave. At this time, with deep +soberness, I appeal to the God that dwelleth in light for the sincerity of my +purpose in thus appearing before my lord the king. My words will be few, +therefore, O king, I pray thee hear me patiently. +</p> + +<p> +“These men who now stand before thee and by whose continual importunity thou +gavest thy signature for the arrest of thy servant Daniel, are wicked and +deceitful men, and with lying words have they deceived thee, O king. Their +secret devices are well known to thy servant. With mine own ears have I +listened to their midnight plotting; and from their own lips have I learned +their fixed purpose to destroy the innocent without cause, even thy servant +Daniel. For many months, O king, these cruel men have sought an occasion +against the first president, and after having failed in every other point, they +thought at last of this. +</p> + +<p> +“I heard the plot described at midnight recently while resting in the public +garden. The conspiracy was led by Fraggood and Kinggron. They were assisted by +a number of the princes, among whom are Bimbokrak and Scramgee. This foul +movement has been going on for many a day, but until last week the conspirators +could not agree on a plan. At last, Prince Scramgee brought forward a scheme, +which met with the cordial approval of the rest. And who but the chief evil +spirit of the universe could have put in his heart such a horrible measure? It +was in effect that a law be enacted that anyone who prayed to the God of Israel +should be cast into the lions’ den. When I made thy servant Daniel acquainted +with the plot against his life, his only reply was: +</p> + +<p> +“‘Let them proceed in their scheme of wickedness. Let it become ripe. The God +in whom I trust shall vindicate the honor and superiority of his own law. I +might easily frustrate all their malicious designs by acquainting the king with +their cowardly plots; but the cause of Jehovah shall gather more strength from +a miraculous display of his power in the preservation of his servant from harm. +Forty years ago, idolatry in Chaldea received a blow, from the effects of which +it has never recovered, in the miraculous deliverance of my three cousins from +the midst of a burning, fiery furnace. And if a visit to the lions for a few +hours may cause the name of Jehovah to be feared, I ask for no greater honor. +No weapon formed against the servant of Jehovah shall prosper. Let not my good +friend Apgomer be troubled. The life of Daniel is as safe in the lions’ den as +among his friends at his own home. Therefore let them proceed with their +malicious measures; let no impediment be thrown in their way. Let them have a +few days of rejoicing, and their brief nights of merriment. Soon the day of +retribution shall overtake them; for He that is higher than the highest shall +surely avenge himself on these workers of iniquity.’” +</p> + +<p> +“Believe not this man, O king!” said the pale and trembling Fraggood, “seeing +he prepareth lying words before thee.” +</p> + +<p> +At this moment a young man, whose countenance denoted some passion, rushed on +the stage, and, without any apology or ceremony, began to speak: +</p> + +<p> +“Let not the worthy and aged Apgomer be called a liar! A lie never escaped +those venerable lips, O king! As soon may the gods lie! Thy servant is the +doorkeeper of the Garden. I can testify to the existence of a plot to destroy +Daniel.” +</p> + +<p> +“It is enough!” cried the king. “Seize the guilty wretches! Let the cowardly +liars meet the doom they had prepared for my servant Daniel! Up! and throw them +to the lions!” +</p> + +<p> +No sooner were the words spoken than a score of willing hands seized the forms +of the conspirators, and, amid the curses of an indignant throng, they were +thrown to the depth of the den, to meet a far different fate from that of the +man of God. +</p> + +<p> +Then spoke the king: +</p> + +<p> +“I make a decree, that in every dominion of my kingdom, men tremble and fear +before the God of Daniel: for he is the living God, and steadfast forever, and +his kingdom is that which shall not be destroyed, and his dominion shall be +even unto the end. He delivereth and rescueth, and he worketh signs and wonders +in heaven and on earth, who hath delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.” +</p> + +<p> +“O king, live forever!” cried the well pleased throng. +</p> + +<p> +Daniel was taken into the royal chariot and seated by the side of the king, and +the royal train moved forward, amid the triumphant shouts of the populace. +</p> + +<p> +Thus fidelity to the God of Israel was abundantly rewarded. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="chap27"></a>CHAPTER XXVII.</h2> + +<p> +In two years after these occurrences Darius the Mede died; and about the same +time died also Cambyses, the father of Cyrus, in Persia. Cyrus, therefore, +returned to Babylon, and took upon himself the government of the empire. +</p> + +<p> +The history of the lions’ den, with all the intrigues that led to it, made +Daniel thrice dear to the inhabitants of Babylon. His name commanded reverence +wherever it was mentioned, He was looked upon as an angel of mercy, goodness, +and wisdom, sent by the gods to bless the race. +</p> + +<p> +Cyrus, for a long time, had desired the opportunity of a prolonged interview +with Daniel, of whom he had heard so many wonderful things, both as a minister +to the king of Babylon and also while administering the affairs of the kingdom +under the reign of his Median uncle. The Persian was already well versed in +current history. Of the God of Israel he had heard much of late, and he felt a +strong inclination to hear more. And of whom could he learn to better advantage +than of the famous Hebrew prophet? The celebrated Persian, from his infancy, +had been taught to worship and adore the imaginary gods of his own country; but +he had always felt doubtful in regard to the existence of these gods; and many +of the popular theories of Persia, in regard to their various deities, were, to +him, full of inconsistencies and contradictions. +</p> + +<p> +Not many days after his arrival in Babylon, the royal chariot was seen to halt +at the door of Daniel’s residence; and, moreover, the king himself was seen to +enter. +</p> + +<div class="fig" style="width:100%;"> +<img src="images/img1.jpg" width="461" height="616" alt="[Illustration: ]" /> +<p class="caption">The royal chariot halted at the door of Daniel’s residence +</p> +</div> + +<p> +“Thou wilt pardon this sudden intrusion,” said Cyrus; “I have long desired an +interview with the president, and for this purpose I have entered his house; +the king is happy to find that he is not absent.” +</p> + +<p> +“My lord the king hath greatly honored his unworthy servant by entering under +his roof,” said the old Hebrew. “This condescension of the great Persian +conqueror is a favor of such a magnitude that it shall never be forgotten.” +</p> + +<p> +“Let not my aged friend Daniel speak thus,” said the king, in a friendly +manner. “Call it not condescension in Cyrus to seek the society of one who has +justly earned the reputation of being the most profound statesman that ever +moved among mortals. Let the king rather consider himself honored in being +permitted to listen to thy words of wisdom and understanding.” +</p> + +<p> +“Humility becometh well the potentates of earth. But yet, O king, thou +beholdest not the real grandeur of thy mission. Thou knowest not that thou art +the peculiarly anointed—not of the gods, but of the only God of heaven, the +Almighty Jehovah, the God of Israel, to pour his wrath upon the nations, and to +restore the children of Judah to their own land.” +</p> + +<p> +“Thou hast touched a theme on which, above all others, at this time, the king +would choose to dwell. Of the gods I have but an imperfect knowledge. Conscious +am I that under the particular direction of some invisible power I have been +led forward in all my movements, from my youth up. I was taught to worship the +gods in my juvenile days; but ever since I arrived at years of thought and +judgment, my mind has been greatly perplexed by what seemeth to me to be +glaring inconsistencies in our theory of religion.” +</p> + +<p> +“Praised be the name of Jehovah, under whose direction thou comest at this time +to seek knowledge! Happy is thy servant Daniel to know that he is indeed able +to impart unto the king that which he inquireth after. Jehovah is the only God, +and the signs which he hath in all ages given of himself, O king, are abundant. +We hear much of the exploits of the gods of the heathen; but of these +performances there are no proofs, and they exist only in the imaginations of +their worshipers. Not so with <i>our</i> God—the God that made the world. The +history of our nation, which history no one can gainsay, is an assemblage of +miracles. Examine the records of our historian Moses, who conversed with God +face to face. Our God brought us out from under the dominion of Pharaoh with a +strong hand and an outstretched arm. He gave evidence of his presence by the +infliction of twelve terrible plagues on the king of Egypt and his people. He +opened before the Hebrews a passage through the sea, and brought them dry-shod +to the opposite shore. For forty years were they fed with manna from heaven, +while water was called forth from the flinty rock. And as the waves of the Red +Sea were parted before them as they left Egypt, so, in like manner, were the +waters of Jordan parted as they left the plains of Moab; and thus were they +settled in the land of Canaan. Since that day, nine hundred and fifteen years +have passed away; and during all this period, Jehovah hath given unto his +people abundant signs of his presence. Thus our God is not a being that dwells +only in the imagination of men, but his wonderful acts, O king, are written on +the pages of correct history.” +</p> + +<p> +“If these things are so, surely the God of Israel is the only God. But, Daniel, +thou knowest that it is much harder for Cyrus the Persian to believe these +things than for thee, who art a native Hebrew, and a firm believer in the God +thou worshipest. Have not the Persians their histories of their gods as well as +ye?” +</p> + +<p> +“They have, O king! But those histories are dark, indefinite, and without date, +which is a conclusive evidence that they are fiction, and not history. If my +lord the king hath aught to doubt in regard to the correctness of our +<i>ancient</i> historians concerning our God, what thinketh he of those +miraculous displays of Divine power witnessed by his servant and by thousands +more, during the last threescore years and ten?” +</p> + +<p> +“Proceed, Daniel; the king is well pleased to hear thee!” +</p> + +<p> +“Be it known to thee, O king, that all the calamities that of late have +befallen Babylon have come to pass in perfect accordance with the predictions +of God’s prophets, some of whom prophesied over two hundred years before these +events transpired. When thou comparest these prophecies with the actual +occurrences, there remaineth no longer a place for doubt. Even the draining of +the Euphrates, O king, was spoken of by the prophet of Jehovah over one hundred +and fifty years before the wonderful thing was conceived in thy mind.” +</p> + +<p> +“Enough, O Daniel! Enough!” cried Cyrus. “If thou art able to show me this +thing, I ask no more!” +</p> + +<p> +The Hebrew sage, with a peculiar smile of satisfaction on his countenance, rose +from his seat, and took from a shelf what appeared to be a scroll of ancient +manuscript. +</p> + +<p> +“Listen, O king, to the words of Jehovah’s prophets in regard to the taking of +Babylon: +</p> + +<p> +“‘Make bright the arrows, gather the shields! The Lord hath raised up the +spirits of the <i>kings of the Medes</i>, for his device is against Babylon to +destroy it; because it is the vengeance of the Lord, the vengeance of his +temple. Howl ye, for the day of the Lord is at hand! Shout against her round +about! Behold, I will stir up the <i>Medes</i> against them, who shall not +regard silver; and as for gold, they shall not delight in it. Lift ye up a +banner upon the high mountain! Exalt the voice! shake the hand, that they may +go into the gates of the nobles! Go up, O Elam! Besiege, O Media! Therefore +shall evil come upon thee, and thou shalt not know from whence it cometh. +Desolation shall come upon thee suddenly, which thou shalt not know. I have +laid a snare for thee, and thou art also taken, and thou wast not aware. O thou +that dwellest upon many waters, <i>I will dry up her sea</i>, and make her +springs dry. A drought is upon her waters, and they shall be <i>dried up</i>. +In her heat I will make their <i>feasts</i>, and I will <i>make them +drunken</i>, that they may repose and sleep a perpetual sleep, and not wake, +saith the Lord. Arise, ye princes, and anoint the shield! Prepare slaughter for +his children, for the iniquity of their fathers, that they do not rise and +possess the land; for I will rise up against thee, saith the Lord of hosts, and +cut off from Babylon the name and remnant, and son and nephew, saith the Lord.’ +</p> + +<p> +“These, O king, are some of the predictions of Jehovah against Babylon, by the +mouths of his holy prophets. And has not my lord the king been an eye witness +to their fulfillment!” +</p> + +<p> +“They have all come to pass to the letter, O Daniel! Surely the God of Israel +is the God of gods! Why should I any longer doubt? Thus it appears that Cyrus +the Persian has been under the directions of the God of Israel, to bring about +these wonderful events!” +</p> + +<p> +“In this thou sayest truly, O king. And strange as it may sound in thine ears, +be assured that thy name was known in Israel for over one hundred and fifty +years before thy birth.” +</p> + +<p> +Here the Persian gazed on the Hebrew for awhile in silent wonderment; and it +was evident from his countenance, that he had some doubt in regard to the truth +of the sentence. +</p> + +<p> +“Did the king rightly understand thy meaning? Sayest thou that my <i>name</i> +was known in Israel for one hundred and fifty years previous to my birth?” +</p> + +<p> +“The king rightly understandeth his servant. Thy name was carefully written in +a book by one of our prophets two hundred and twenty years ago. Happily, I have +now in my possession a copy taken from the original, written by one of our +scribes, and bearing date which maketh it over one hundred and seventy years +old. If the king desireth, thy servant will read.” +</p> + +<p> +“Read, Daniel,” said the king, with much feeling. +</p> + +<p> +Daniel from the same scroll from which he had read before, which was the +Prophecies of Isaiah, read: +</p> + +<p> +“‘Thus saith the Lord to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have +holden, to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the loins of kings to +open before him the two-leaved gates; <i>and the gates shall not he shut</i>, I +will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in +pieces <i>the gates of brass</i>, and cut in sunder the bars of iron: and I +will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, +that thou mayest know that I, the Lord which call thee by thy name, am the God +of Israel. For Jacob my servant’s sake, and Israel mine elect, I have even +called thee by thy name: I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known me.’” +</p> + +<p> +The Persian was deeply moved. Indeed, tears were in the monarch’s eyes. He +rose, and in the deepest reverence, exclaimed: +</p> + +<p> +“I acknowledge the God of Israel as the great ruling power of the universe! +Under his infinitely wise directions I stand ready to do his pleasure, and +accomplish his great designs.” +</p> + +<p> +“One favor it is thine to grant, O king, according to the word of the Lord. For +their iniquity the children of Judah were carried captive into Babylon, and +Jerusalem was rendered desolate. According to the word of the Lord by the mouth +of Jeremiah, they were to remain in this land of their captivity for seventy +years. This period, O king, in a few more months will be at an end. I pray +thee, give permission to the children of Judah to return to their own land, and +build up the old waste places, and raise again a temple to the God of Israel.” +</p> + +<p> +“This thy request, O Daniel, shall be granted,” said the king, in a firm voice. +“The proclamation shall go forth from the king, and all that is needful for the +enterprise shall be supplied.” +</p> + +<p> +“Praised be Jehovah!” said the aged Hebrew. “At last the days of Judah’s +captivity are numbered, and Jerusalem shall be restored. Thy God, O king, whom +from henceforth thou wilt serve, shall greatly prosper thee in the affairs of +thy kingdom.” +</p> + +<p> +“I trust my faithful servant will consent to tarry with the king, to whom, from +time to time, he will deliver lessons of wisdom. I purpose soon to remove my +court from Babylon to Ecbatana, in Persia, whither I hope my faithful servant +Daniel will consent to remove.” +</p> + +<p> +“Thy servant in this is willing to abide the pleasure of the king.” +</p> + +<p> +The king left the presence of his aged minister with strange but yet +pleasurable emotions, hurried into his chariot, which was waiting, and was soon +on his way to the palace. +</p> + +<p> +The next day the following proclamation was heralded through the streets of +Babylon, and sent to all the provinces: +</p> + +<p class="letter"> +“Thus saith Cyrus, King of Persia: The Lord God of heaven hath given me all the +kingdoms of the earth, and he hath charged me to build him an house at +Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Who is there among you of all his people? His God +be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and build the +house of the Lord God of Israel (he is the God), which is in Jerusalem. And +whosoever remaineth in any place where he sojourneth, let the men of his place +help him with silver, and with gold, and with goods, and with beasts, besides +the free-will offering for the house of God that is in Jerusalem.” +</p> + +<p> +This proclamation was received by the captive Jews with gladness and great joy. +Measures were immediately put forth for the accomplishment of the enterprise; +the king, in the meantime, continuing to give every encouragement to these +measures, in the firm conviction that he was under peculiar guidance of the God +of heaven. +</p> + +<hr /> + +<p> +A brighter day never dawned on the plains of Judah. The brilliant rays of the +morning sun were seen flashing upwards from behind Mount Zion, like so many +messengers in uniform, proclaiming the near approach of their sovereign master. +Presently, the great regent of day himself, in slow and silent majesty, made +his appearance, and once more smiled on the City of the Great King. At an early +hour, multitudes were seen pouring into the city, from east, west, north, and +south, and on each countenance might have been read a degree of excitement and +animation. This was the twenty-fourth day of the second month, in the second +year after the return from Babylon; and on this day was to be laid the +foundation of the temple of the Lord. This was well understood throughout the +land; and we wonder not that from cities and villages, from hill and valley, +the emancipated Hebrews hastened by thousands to witness a scene at the thought +of which their hearts throbbed with intense emotions. By the sixth hour the +great multitudes had congregated to witness the solemn and joyful ceremony. +There stood the priests, with their long, flowing robes, with trumpets in their +hands. There, also, stood the Levites, and the sons of Asaph, with cymbals to +praise the Lord, after the ordinance of David, king of Israel. The builders had +laid the foundation. Then the trumpets were blown, and the sons of Asaph struck +their cymbals. Songs of praise ascended on high, and they gave thanks unto the +Lord. +</p> + +<p> +The ceremony was over. The concourse was dismissed, under the benediction of +the priests, and the masses moved homeward in all directions. +</p> + +<p> +Two chariots of magnificent appearance, drawn by beautiful steeds, were seen +leaving the ground. They drew much attention from the crowd, as they leisurely +drove through the winding streets of Jerusalem. At last the chariots halted in +front of a mansion, which had the appearance of having of late undergone a +thorough repair. From one of these chariots alighted several venerable men, +their hair whitened with age. Their whole bearing gave the beholder to +understand that they were persons of distinction. From the other chariot +alighted, first a man of middle age, next a woman somewhat younger, then an +aged man and woman, the latter alighting with great elasticity of step. The +countenance of this lady gave evidence that it had once been the throne of rare +beauty. +</p> + +<p> +“Why looketh my brother so thoughtful and sad on this day of general rejoicing +in Judah?” asked the aged lady, directing her address to one of those who had +alighted from the first chariot. +</p> + +<p> +“I am not sad, sister,” replied the brother, “but am thoughtful. And what +thinkest thou my mind dwelt upon?” +</p> + +<p> +“Surely, I cannot tell. Some past scenes in Chaldea, peradventure.” +</p> + +<p> +“Nay, sister. But I was thinking that seventy and two years ago this very +night, myself and my two brothers here, accompanied by our beloved Jeremiah, +entered this house, and revealed the sad story of our captivity to our beloved +Perreeza.” +</p> + +<p> +“Ah, dear Hananiah! and a dark night of sorrow that proved to your almost +brokenhearted sister.” +</p> + +<p> +“But I trust that Jehovah hath overruled the whole in the end to the glory of +his great name,” said Mishael. +</p> + +<p> +“Surely he hath!” quickly answered Mathias. “Forever blessed be the memory of +that delightful night when these eyes, at the house of Barzello, rested on the +bright charms of the ‘Rose of Sharon.’” +</p> + +<p> +“The rose no longer blooms, Mathias!” answered Perreeza. “It’s hues are faded; +and, under the pelting storms of life, its petals have well-nigh withered.” +</p> + +<p> +“The tint may fade, and the petals may wither, but sweeter than ever shall its +fragrance continue to perfume the surrounding air,” answered the husband, his +face glowing with pure affection. “In that better country whither we are going, +where flowers never fade, and where roses forever bloom, the ‘Rose of Sharon’ +shall yet flourish in immortal beauty.” +</p> + +<p> +Mathias, Perreeza and the latter’s three brothers had been made almoners of an +immense bequest provided in Joram’s will for advancing the interests of Judah. +It was stipulated that the fund should not be employed until the expiration of +seventy years of captivity. Joram believed, with Daniel and the other +distinguished Israelites, that the captivity would come to an end in the +specified seventy years. The treasure was hidden where none but the almoners +and their natural heirs could disturb it. +</p> + +<p> +It was Esrom’s purpose, as a final atonement, to bequeath one-half of his vast +fortune for the development of religious and educational institutions in +Jerusalem and to aid the poorer class of Hebrews to acquire homes. The decision +of Cyrus the king to assist in rebuilding the Temple at Jerusalem enabled +Mathias and his associates to use the bequest in other channels. The fund at +their disposal was large, and they were enabled to give a new impetus to the +cause of education in Judah. Hundreds of the former captives were likewise +assisted in the purchase of land and cattle. Much had been accomplished in the +past year for the upbuilding of Jerusalem and the advancement of the race. It +was natural, therefore, that, at the close of the ceremonies attending the +laying of the foundation of the new temple, Esrom’s friends should let their +minds dwell on his generosity. Conversation turned to this theme as the family +entered their home. +</p> + +<p> +“It was a gracious and noble thing for Joram to do,” exclaimed Hananiah. +</p> + +<p> +“My uncle frequently told me,” said Perreeza, “that it was his earnest desire +to have his native city and his beloved land of Judah take a more advanced +position in the affairs of the world. He believed that, with higher educational +advantages, the Israelites would rapidly gain in statecraft. They are an +industrious people, and many of them have shown such marked administrative +ability as to convince observing men that the race will be potent in shaping +the destiny of nations. +</p> + +<p> +“Uncle Esrom became the wealthiest man in all Babylon because of his sagacity +in barter and exchange. He was wise in regard to what the populace would buy +most freely and where to obtain the merchandise to the best advantage.” +</p> + +<p> +“His discretion rather than his wealth gave him influence at the king’s court,” +exclaimed Mishael. “Joram was a credit to his people, and methinks he was +remarkable for his talent as a diplomat. He had great influence in foreign +countries, and his knowledge gained abroad was of the highest importance to +Nebuchadnezzar throughout his reign. Our uncle never forgot his native land, +and constantly exerted a powerful influence in behalf of the people of Judah. +That work was secret and mysterious, however. Frequently we heard of unexpected +concessions and favors to our people from the king, and in time found out that +they were due to Joram’s promptings.” +</p> + +<p> +“My great hope at present is,” returned Perreeza, “to be spared long enough to +see substantial fruit spring from Uncle Esrom’s bounty.” +</p> + +<p> +“I second that hope,” said Hananiah. “I wish to see all the returned captives +well provided for. The children of all these families must have doubled +advantages as a measure of restitution. We can accomplish much with the immense +sum at our disposal.” +</p> + +<p> +“We ought now, under such favorable circumstances,” said Mishael, “to give +Israel a new start in commerce and education. We have the benefit of Daniel’s +wisdom in this great undertaking; for, on several occasions before we left +Babylon, he outlined plans by which Joram’s wishes might be carried out in a +practical manner. With the present government of Chaldea to protect our nation, +the security of life and property is assured. We can push our projects as hard +as we please, and feel confident that nothing but good is being accomplished.” +</p> + +<p> +The melodious voice of young Rebekah was now heard in another apartment, +warbling one of her sweetest songs. +</p> + +<p> +“Jehovah bless the child!” cried the grandmother. “How that voice of melody +cheers my heart!” +</p> + +<p> +“Mother!” quickly replied Monroah. “Permit me to call her into this apartment, +where she may sing and play thy favorite ‘song of Judah.’” +</p> + +<p> +“Thou art ever kind to thy mother, dear Monroah; do as thou desirest.” +</p> + +<p> +Rebekah was called. +</p> + +<p> +“Will my daughter sing and play for us her grandmother’s favorite ‘song of +Judah’?” +</p> + +<p> +“With pleasure, mother,” cried Rebekah, as she quickly left the apartment. +</p> + +<p> +In a moment she returned, bearing in her arms a stringed instrument with which +the reader is somewhat familiar, and proceeded with the following appropriate +song: +</p> + +<p class="poem"> +“When we our weary limbs to rest<br/> + Sat down by proud Euphrates’ stream,<br/> +We wept, with doleful thoughts oppressed,<br/> + And Zion was our mournful theme.<br/> +<br/> +“Our harps, that when with joy we sung<br/> + Were wont their tuneful parts to bear,<br/> +With silent strings neglected hung<br/> + On willow trees that withered there.<br/> +<br/> +“Oh, Salem! once our happy seat,<br/> + When I of thee forgetful prove,<br/> +Then let my trembling hand forget<br/> + These speaking strings with art to move!<br/> +<br/> +“Again we hail the sacred hall,<br/> + That echoed to our youthful lays!<br/> +And Amonober’s children all<br/> + Have reached their home to end their days.<br/> +<br/> +“To thee, Almighty King of kings,<br/> + In new-made hymns my voice I’ll raise,<br/> +And instruments of many strings<br/> + Shall help me to adore and praise.<br/> +<br/> +“How sweet to die in Judah’s dale,<br/> + And with the fathers calmly rest;<br/> +The thought of sleeping in yon vale,<br/> + How soothing to my throbbing breast!<br/> +<br/> +“A few more days of grief and pain,<br/> + And then adieu to every gloom,<br/> +For soon we all shall meet again,<br/> + Beyond the portals of the tomb.” +</p> + +<p> +The old harp of Judah has also returned from the captivity, and is once more +safely lodged in its own native Jerusalem, whence Esrom bore it to the land of +strangers a century before. +</p> + +<p> +Time has left some impression on its aged frame, but its tones are sweeter than +ever. In that family it is held as a priceless treasure; and its melody shall +sweetly fall on ears yet unborn, when the hands that now so skillfully sweep +its well-tuned strings shall be palsied, and the sweet voices that blend with +its thrilling chords shall be silent in the grave. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 12792 ***</div> +</body> + +</html> + + |