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+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 12792 ***
+THE YOUNG CAPTIVES
+
+A Story of Judah and Babylon
+
+
+by ERASMUS W. JONES
+
+
+1907
+
+
+
+
+Contents
+
+ PREFACE
+ CHAPTER I.
+ CHAPTER II.
+ CHAPTER III.
+ CHAPTER IV.
+ CHAPTER V.
+ CHAPTER VI.
+ CHAPTER VII.
+ CHAPTER VIII.
+ CHAPTER IX.
+ CHAPTER X.
+ CHAPTER XI.
+ CHAPTER XII.
+ CHAPTER XIII.
+ CHAPTER XIV.
+ CHAPTER XV.
+ CHAPTER XVI.
+ CHAPTER XVII.
+ CHAPTER XVIII.
+ CHAPTER XIX.
+ CHAPTER XX.
+ CHAPTER XXI.
+ CHAPTER XXII.
+ CHAPTER XXIII.
+ CHAPTER XXV.
+ CHAPTER XXVI.
+ CHAPTER XXVII.
+
+
+
+
+PREFACE
+
+
+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 _deep calamity_ be
+attributed to any lack but the lack of ability in the author.
+
+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 _are_ rather
+“short metre,” than to parade abroad on stilts in mid-air.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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,
+
+ERASMUS W. JONES.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+“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!”
+
+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.
+
+“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.”
+
+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.
+
+“What calamity has occurred to you, my dear brother?” she cried.
+
+“Be calm, sweet Serintha,” he replied, “and I will tell you all.”
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+“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.”
+
+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.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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!”
+
+“Seize the accursed wretch!” rang through the great apartment.
+
+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!”
+
+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.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+
+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.
+
+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:
+
+“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.
+
+“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?
+
+“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
+_men_ 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 _higher law_ 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!”
+
+“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.
+
+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:
+
+“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.’”
+
+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.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+
+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:
+
+“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—”
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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:
+
+“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?
+
+“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!”
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.”
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+“Jared!” said Jehoiakim, “where is that Sherakim who was so full of
+fight at the banquet hall last night?”
+
+“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.”
+
+“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?”
+
+“Two hundred of the royal guard, O king, are present—all armed and
+ready to face death for their illustrious sovereign.”
+
+“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?”
+
+“Sherakim, O king, is not to be found.”
+
+“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!”
+
+“A messenger, O king, from the King of the Chaldeans, desires to be
+introduced into thy presence. Shall I conduct him to the apartment?”
+
+“Is he alone or accompanied?”
+
+“Accompanied by armed men.”
+
+“Let the messenger be admitted, but let the guard remain behind.”
+
+The messenger was accordingly ushered into the presence of Jehoiakim.
+
+“And what business of importance has brought thee into the presence of
+the King of Judah?” asked Jehoiakim, with curling lip.
+
+“I stand in thy presence as a bearer of a message from my sovereign
+master, King of Babylon.”
+
+“Methinks I have seen thee on another occasion.”
+
+“And was not my behavior honorable and becoming?”
+
+“Did the King of Judah say otherwise?”
+
+“Yea, otherwise.”
+
+“How?”
+
+“By his vile and haughty treatment of the king’s ambassador.”
+
+“Be sparing with thine insolence, or at this time thou mayest fare far
+worse.”
+
+“The Chaldean ambassador is not to be frightened by idle threats from
+one who lives at the mercy of his master.”
+
+“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?”
+
+“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?”
+
+“Threescore thousand! But come, sir, what is the message of the King of
+Babylon to the King of Judah? Let thy words be few.”
+
+“Then thou art commanded, without delay, to appear in my master’s
+presence, and there learn his sovereign will concerning thyself and the
+city.”
+
+“_Commanded!_ 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.”
+
+“Then I go. Faithfully will I convey thy answer to my illustrious
+sovereign.”
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+“Where is his Royal Highness, the King of Judah?” asked Nebuchadnezzar.
+
+“In his palace, O king, indulging in excess of wine, apparently
+perfectly at ease.”
+
+“Is he not forthcoming?” asked the king, with a darkened brow.
+
+“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.”
+
+“By all the gods, the fellow is mad!” cried Nebuchadnezzar in a
+passion. “I’ll have to bend his stubborn will—yea, I _shall_ 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.”
+
+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.
+
+
+“Jared! Well would I have served those guilty dogs, if I had given
+orders to have their heads taken off. What sayest thou, Jared?”
+
+“They richly deserved it, O king,” answered Jared, with his face in
+another direction, on which played a suppressed smile.
+
+“Let them beware how they insult the King of Judah! Jared! hast thou
+learned aught of Sherakim’s whereabouts?”
+
+“Naught, O king.”
+
+“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.”
+
+Jared hastened to obey the commands of his drunken sovereign, and
+presently returned.
+
+“The same messenger from the King of the Chaldeans demands an interview
+with the King of Judah.”
+
+“Let him be admitted. Ha! ha! What next?”
+
+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.
+
+“And what hast thou to communicate at this time?”
+
+“My communication is short and decisive.”
+
+“The shorter the better—let it be delivered.”
+
+“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.”
+
+“Who dares to utter such words in my presence?” cried Jehoiakim, in a
+rage.
+
+“The Chaldean minister, as the words of his illustrious sovereign.”
+
+“Go and tell thine ‘illustrious sovereign’ that Jehoiakim spits upon
+his insolent demands.”
+
+“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?”
+
+“Be it known to thee, insolent fool,” cried the exasperated king, “that
+Jehoiakim laughs to scorn thy threats, and spurns thy counsels.”
+
+“Alas for thine obstinacy, proud and reckless man!” answered Balphoras,
+as he left the apartment; “thy doom is sealed!”
+
+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.
+
+“A curse upon his guilty head! Ha, ha! ‘Dragged into his presence,’ eh!
+Never! Fools! Villains! Let them beware of Jehoiakim’s vengeance.”
+
+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.
+
+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.”
+
+“Take the ungrateful dog,” said the excited Babylonian, “and drag his
+worthless carcass, and throw it outside the city walls.”
+
+The command was immediately put in execution.
+
+Thus perished the wicked king, according to the word of the Lord, by
+the mouth of his servant Jeremiah.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+
+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.
+
+In company with the young men, when they broke the news of the king’s
+decision to Perreeza, was Jeremiah the Prophet.
+
+“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.
+
+“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.”
+
+“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!”
+
+“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.”
+
+“But dear brother, an effort must be put forth without delay to procure
+thy sister permission.”
+
+“Yea, beloved, and an effort will be put forth, promptly and urgently.”
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+“And what is the pleasure of these young noblemen of Judah?” asked
+Barzello, with a pleasant smile.
+
+“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:
+
+“‘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.’
+
+“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.”
+
+“And how old is this young sister, of whom ye speak in such terms of
+commendation?”
+
+“Perreeza has but just commenced her seventeenth year.”
+
+“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.”
+
+“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.
+
+
+“Barzello,” said the King of Babylon, in a pleasant mood, “are my
+chosen captives in a ready trim for their departure?”
+
+“All ready at the word of command, O king.”
+
+“But what thinkest thou of those brothers? Hast thou had an opportunity
+of testing their merits?”
+
+“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.”
+
+“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!”
+
+“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.”
+
+“Well, when we arrive in Chaldea, we shall give their powers a fair
+trial. But are there any more brothers in that family?”
+
+“No more, O king,” replied the officer, inwardly thanking the king for
+the question. “There are but three brothers and one young sister.”
+
+“She will be a comfort to her mother in the absence of her sons,” said
+the king, in a thoughtful mood.
+
+“But the young damsel has no mother. For many years the children have
+been both fatherless and motherless.”
+
+“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.”
+
+“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.”
+
+“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.”
+
+“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.”
+
+“But what _do_ they ask?” asked the king, with some astonishment.
+
+“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.”
+
+“And has not this small favor been granted?”
+
+“Barzello now stands in the presence of his sovereign in behalf of the
+Hebrew damsel, asking for her a permission.”
+
+“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.”
+
+“All this shall be strictly attended to, O king,” said the well-pleased
+officer, as he respectfully left the presence of the monarch.
+
+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.
+
+While thug musing, he was roused by the entrance of one of his
+servants.
+
+“What now, Franzo?”
+
+“Three young men and a damsel stand below, desiring the favor of an
+interview with my master.”
+
+“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.”
+
+The sister and brothers were conducted into the presence of Barzello,
+where again they were received with peculiar attention.
+
+“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.”
+
+“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.”
+
+“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.”
+
+“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.”
+
+“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.”
+
+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.
+
+“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.”
+
+“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.”
+
+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.”
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+“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!”
+
+“Yea, my child, I am really home again, and am happy to find my sweet
+Jupheena as well and as sprightly as ever.”
+
+“But my dear father has happily returned sooner than we expected; thy
+stay in Egypt was but short.”
+
+“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.
+
+“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.”
+
+“Dear father! that is saying much. Then they must have been very
+different from their royal relation, of whom thou speakest.”
+
+“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.”
+
+“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 _maidens_.”
+
+“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.”
+
+“And have these interesting captives arrived in the city?”
+
+“Yea, my daughter, they are already in Babylon.”
+
+“And shall not thy daughter have the pleasure of seeing this orphan
+maid of Judah?”
+
+“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.”
+
+“But can the young maiden converse in Chaldee?”
+
+“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.”
+
+“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.”
+
+“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.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+
+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.”
+
+It was about the ninth hour. The youthful group were seated together.
+
+“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.”
+
+“Yea, truly,” replied Daniel; “and in this we clearly see the
+loving-kindness of our God, by whom princes rule and kings govern.”
+
+“Our kind friend, Barzello,” said Hananiah, “has promised to call on us
+ere the sun sets.”
+
+“And he will certainly fulfill his promise,” said Mishael.
+
+“We have proved him a genuine and a wise counselor,” said Daniel.
+
+“And his loving-kindness shall ever remain deeply graven on our
+memories,” said Azariah.
+
+“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.”
+
+“Our excellent master, under the direction of the King of kings, will
+order all things for the best,” said Hananiah.
+
+“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.”
+
+“Even so, amen!” replied the others.
+
+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.
+
+[Illustration: Barzello entered the apartment]
+
+“I trust my young friends from Judah find these apartments a
+comfortable resting place.”
+
+“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.”
+
+“And how does our young maid of Judah feel after her long journey?”
+asked Barzello, as he smilingly approached Perreeza.
+
+“Thy maid of Judah is in good health; and being so well provided for on
+her journey, she experienced but a very slight inconvenience.”
+
+“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?”
+
+“Abundantly acceptable, most kind Barzello!” said Perreeza. “Thy young
+handmaid is ready at any time to do the pleasure of her protector.”
+
+“Then I will accompany thee thither without any delay.”
+
+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.
+
+“Your Babylon is truly a great city,” said she.
+
+“The greatest on record. How in thine eye compares its beauty with the
+capital of Judah?”
+
+“In the ornamental—in splendid gardens and bubbling fountains—Babylon
+surely stands far superior.”
+
+The chariot halted, and Perreeza found herself in front of one of the
+most beautiful mansions she had ever beheld.
+
+“And is this the officer’s mansion?” asked Perreeza, gazing with a
+degree of astonishment at the great structure.
+
+“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.”
+
+“Is the noble officer at home?” asked the maid, endeavoring to appear
+composed.
+
+“He is about the premises, and will soon be in,” replied Barzello, with
+a smile.
+
+“What delicious flowers!” cried Perreeza, breathing a little easier.
+
+“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.”
+
+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.
+
+“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.”
+
+The two maidens, as if by a magic spell, were drawn to each other’s
+arms.
+
+“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.
+
+“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.”
+
+“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?”
+
+“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.”
+
+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.
+
+“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.”
+
+“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.”
+
+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.
+
+“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.”
+
+“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.”
+
+“Thy daughter,” answered Jupheena, “will always esteem it a high
+pleasure to add to the happiness of her young friend.”
+
+“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.”
+
+“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.”
+
+“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.”
+
+“If it will please my daughter,” said Barzello, “she may accompany us.
+What sayest thou, Jupheena?”
+
+“Thy daughter most gratefully accepts thy kind offer.”
+
+“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.”
+
+Perreeza embraced the opportunity, and, thanking the officer with one
+of her peculiar smiles, hurried to their apartment.
+
+“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?”
+
+“I did!” exclaimed his sister, while unusual joy beamed in her
+countenance.
+
+“And from thy countenance I am prepared to judge that the interview has
+been a happy one,” said her cousin Daniel.
+
+“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.”
+
+“Perreeza, I trust, will not forget the kindness of Barzello, in the
+warmth of her gratitude to her new friend,” said Azariah.
+
+“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.”
+
+“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?”
+
+“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?”
+
+“Praised be Jehovah!” broke from the lips of the youths of Judah.
+
+“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.”
+
+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.
+
+“Have our young friends received any communications from any of the
+king’s officers since our last interview?”
+
+“Thy servants have received no communication from any source, since the
+departure of their kind friend, about the ninth hour,” answered Daniel.
+
+“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.”
+
+“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.”
+
+“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
+_captive_. 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
+_real_ 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.
+
+“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?”
+
+“All ready, father, unless Perreeza has aught unfinished.”
+
+“I have naught to hinder,” answered Perreeza, with a trembling voice.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X.
+
+
+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.
+
+“And what is the pleasure of my lord the king?”
+
+“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.
+
+“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.”
+
+“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.”
+
+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.
+
+“Good-morning to my friend Ashpenaz,” said Barzello, with a welcome
+smile.
+
+“And a good-morning to our excellent Barzello,” was the hearty
+response.
+
+“And how do things move on at the palace?”
+
+“Oh, pleasantly. Our young monarch is bent on thorough reform in all
+deficient quarters.”
+
+“Babylon needs reforming; and may he never pause until the work is
+perfected. Long life to our good monarch!”
+
+“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.”
+
+“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.”
+
+“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.”
+
+“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.”
+
+“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.”
+
+“Ah, indeed! Perhaps our good friend Ashpenaz will have no objection to
+gaze on _two_ beauties instead of one.”
+
+“All the better, my friend.”
+
+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.
+
+“Two beauties instead of one, surely,” said Ashpenaz, gazing with
+wonder on the fair form of Perreeza.
+
+Barzello took the maid of Judah by the hand, and, approaching his
+friend, said:
+
+“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.”
+
+“No very small favor, Barzello,” cried Ashpenaz, bowing low. “I hope
+the partiality of the gods will not make us quarrel.”
+
+“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.”
+
+“Ah! that will do,” said Ashpenaz, still gazing on the maid of Judah.
+
+“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.”
+
+“I trust,” answered Ashpenaz, “they are indeed worthy of such a
+sister’s pure affection.”
+
+“That is a point soon settled in the minds of all who have the pleasure
+of their acquaintance.”
+
+“Permit me to congratulate my young friend, Jupheena, on the happy
+addition to the number of her youthful friends.”
+
+“Our beloved Ashpenaz may well congratulate,” replied the young beauty;
+“and let him be assured that his congratulations are warmly
+appreciated.”
+
+“And how does our young friend from Judah enjoy the society of her
+Chaldean friends?”
+
+“Thy young handmaiden enjoys their society much,” modestly replied
+Perreeza. “If she stands in any danger, it must be from an excess of
+kindness.”
+
+“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.”
+
+“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.’”
+
+And the two officers hurried from the apartment, entered a chariot, and
+were on their way to the appointed place.
+
+“A charming damsel that, Barzello.”
+
+“All of that, my worthy friend.”
+
+“What are her literary attainments?”
+
+“All that Judah’s capital could bestow.”
+
+“How will she compare with the refined maids of Babylon?”
+
+“She will compare favorably with the most polished in Chaldea.”
+
+“Verily. And the brothers?”
+
+“All thy richest fancies could paint them.”
+
+“And yet captives of war!”
+
+“Yea—captives of war.”
+
+“The captivity of genius must be of short duration.”
+
+The chariot halted. The two officers alighted, and without delay they
+hastened to the apartments of the Hebrew youths.
+
+“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.”
+
+“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.”
+
+“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.”
+
+“Thy servants will be in readiness at the appointed hour,” said Daniel.
+
+“Now for the Egyptians, Barzello,” said Ashpenaz, smiling, as they left
+the apartment.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI.
+
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+“Well, cousins,” said Daniel, with a smile, “I trust they will not
+un-Hebrew us with their Chaldean mysteries.”
+
+“If I forget thee, O Jerusalem!” said Azariah, with feeling, “let my
+right hand forget her cunning.”
+
+“Let my tongue be palsied if I forget, for a day, the loved ones at
+home,” said Hananiah.
+
+“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.”
+
+“The law of Jehovah shall be the rule of our actions,” said Daniel; “to
+him we yield our hearty and willing obedience.”
+
+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:
+
+“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.
+
+“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.
+
+“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.
+
+“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.
+
+“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.”
+
+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.
+
+“Well, cousin,” said Azariah, “how wast thou pleased with the address
+of our new master?”
+
+“Highly pleased, upon the whole. He surely is a man of kind feelings
+and refined taste.”
+
+“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.”
+
+“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.”
+
+“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.”
+
+“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 _never_ 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.”
+
+“Right, noble cousin,” cried Azariah, hastening up to Daniel and
+grasping him affectionately by the hand; “_always_ 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.”
+
+“First of all, then, I must have an interview with our kind master.”
+
+Footsteps were now heard approaching their apartment. Daniel opened the
+door, and, finding there a servant of Ashpenaz, addressed him:
+
+“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?”
+
+“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.”
+
+“The message is this: Daniel, of the captivity of Judah, asks the favor
+of a short interview with his kind lord, Ashpenaz.”
+
+The servant respectfully bowed and departed, and, in a few moments,
+Daniel stood in the presence of his kind friend.
+
+“And what is the pleasure of my young friend from Judah?”
+
+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.
+
+“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.”
+
+“Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days,” said Daniel, turning
+towards Melzar, “and let them give us _vegetable_ food, and _pure cold
+water_ 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.”
+
+“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.”
+
+“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.
+
+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.
+
+Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they
+should drink, and gave them pulse.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII.
+
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+“Maid of Judah,” said Jupheena, “I have the pleasure of presenting thee
+to the honorable Mathias, son of our most excellent Joram.”
+
+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.
+
+“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.”
+
+“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.”
+
+“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.”
+
+“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.”
+
+“Permit the maid of Judah to thank her friend for that noble
+sentiment.”
+
+Here the conversation was arrested by a signal from Barzello, and the
+young people went forward to join the other members of the family.
+
+“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.”
+
+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.”
+
+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.
+
+“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.”
+
+“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.”
+
+“Then, maid of Judah,” said Joram, “thy floral name, from this hour, is
+the Rose of Sharon.”
+
+“The Rose of Sharon!” cried Jupheena. “Oh, Perreeza, is not that
+delightful? _Rose of Sharon!_”
+
+“Beautiful, indeed!” said Perreeza, “and better than all, it is the
+sweet rose of my own native land.”
+
+“True, young maid, true,” said Joram, “’tis the favorite rose of
+Judah.”
+
+“The noble friend of Barzello will accept the thanks of his unworthy
+young acquaintance for his very happy compliment,” said Perreeza.
+
+“Well,” responded Joram, “one Hebrew lay, accompanied by the harp of
+Judah, will recompense us a thousand times.”
+
+“That shall be attended to with pleasure,” said Perreeza, and the two
+young women left to bring the harp.
+
+“Now, my good friend, what thinkest thou of the maid of Judah?” asked
+Barzello.
+
+“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.”
+
+“Joram, are the Hebrew women noted for their beauty?”
+
+“Perhaps no nation can boast of greater fairness of complexion among
+their females than the Jews.”
+
+“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.
+
+“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.”
+
+This was received by the company in silence, but it was noticed that
+Joram was deeply affected.
+
+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.
+
+[Illustration: Perreeza took the instrument in her arms and sang a
+plaintive melody]
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+“In the name of the gods, what has befallen my good friend!” cried the
+officer, as he went to the adjoining apartment.
+
+“Be calm,” faintly replied the voice of Joram, as the host came to
+where he was reclining.
+
+“Barzello,” said the guest, “thou hast given me reason these many years
+to believe in thy friendship.”
+
+“Thou art not in the least mistaken,” responded Barzello.
+
+“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.
+
+“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.
+
+“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.
+
+“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.
+
+“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.”
+
+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.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII.
+
+
+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!
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+“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.”
+
+“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 _my_
+confidence, and that of all the members of our house.”
+
+“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.”
+
+“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.”
+
+“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.”
+
+“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.”
+
+“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.”
+
+“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.”
+
+“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 _ornaments_. ‘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.”
+
+“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.”
+
+“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.
+
+“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.
+
+“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 _one_ 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.
+
+“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.”
+
+“Surely our young instructor is becoming eloquent,” said Scribbo,
+rather crestfallen.
+
+“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.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV.
+
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+“’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.”
+
+“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.”
+
+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:
+
+“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.”
+
+To which the monarch replied in an interesting address:
+
+“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.
+
+“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.”
+
+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.
+
+“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.”
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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:
+
+“It is enough!”
+
+Every eye rested on Ashpenaz, as he stood ready to announce the names
+of those whom the king wished to honor.
+
+“Belteshazzar!”
+
+Daniel, with calm dignity and genuine modesty, left his seat, walked to
+the place appointed, and bowed low in the presence of the king.
+
+“Shadrach!”
+
+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.
+
+“Meshach!”
+
+Mishael, with a smile on his lip, and an unfaltering step, found his
+place by the side of his brother.
+
+“Abednego!”
+
+Azariah, with a degree of paleness spread over his youthful
+countenance, left his seat, and joined his comrades.
+
+“Apgomer!”
+
+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.
+
+The parchment was rolled up and delivered over to the king.
+
+The king arose, and thus addressed the five:
+
+“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.
+
+“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.
+
+“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.
+
+“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.”
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+“Charming!” cried Joram, in ecstasies. “The reward of fidelity and
+perseverance, Barzello!”
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV.
+
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+“Ye who are to take upon you the holy and solemn vows of matrimony,
+draw nigh,” said the priest.
+
+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.”
+
+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.
+
+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.”
+
+[Illustration: The bridegroom and bride led the train]
+
+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.
+
+“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 _thee._”
+
+“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.”
+
+“Nay, father! but thy playing is far superior to our best
+performances.”
+
+“Well, Perreeza, I will try; but I fear my song will make thee sad.”
+
+“Sadness at times, dear father, is far more profitable to the mind than
+hilarity.”
+
+“True, my daughter! True! We both know it by experience.”
+
+The Hebrew took the harp, and, in tones peculiar for their sweetness,
+sang a plaintive melody.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI.
+
+
+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.
+
+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:
+
+“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 _their_ 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 _can_ 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.”
+
+And the king, quietly yielding to the stern demands of Nature, was soon
+in the fast embrace of slumber.
+
+
+“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 _common_ 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 _interpretation_ of
+dreams. If they can do _this_, why not as well restore the dream
+entire?”
+
+And the king, in an agitated state of mind, left the garden and entered
+the palace.
+
+“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!”
+
+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.
+
+“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!”
+
+“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.”
+
+“This day,” replied the king, “while slumbering on my bed, I dreamed a
+peculiar dream, and my spirit is troubled to know the vision.”
+
+“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.”
+
+“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.”
+
+“Tell thy servants the dream, and we will show the interpretation
+thereof,” answered again the now astonished magicians.
+
+“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.”
+
+“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.”
+
+“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!”
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+“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.”
+
+“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?”
+
+“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.”
+
+“And hast thou not heard the decree?”
+
+“No new decree has reached my ears.”
+
+“Then I shall communicate to Belteshazzar all I know concerning the
+matter.” Which he proceeded to do.
+
+“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.”
+
+“Any favor I can show, without violating positive orders, will readily
+be granted. So I will make thy pleasure known to the king.”
+
+Arioch hastened into the presence of the sovereign, and informed him
+that one of the wise men prayed to be admitted into his presence.
+
+“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.”
+
+“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.”
+
+“And by what name is he known?” frowningly inquired the king.
+
+“His name, O king, is Belteshazzar, of the captivity of Judah.”
+
+“_Belteshazzar! Belteshazzar!_” exclaimed the king, suddenly rising to
+his feet. “May the gods forgive me! _Belteshazzar_, 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!
+_Belteshazzar!_ Yea, Arioch! By all means let the young Hebrew be
+admitted.”
+
+The captain of the guard hastened from the presence of the king to
+inform Daniel of his success.
+
+“Belteshazzar, the king grants thy petition, and thou art requested to
+appear before him.”
+
+Daniel, with his usual calmness and dignity, walked into the presence
+of the king, while Arioch was beckoned to retire.
+
+“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.”
+
+“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.”
+
+“Belteshazzar,” cried the king, “thy request is granted. Go! and may
+thy God give thee the knowledge of the vision.”
+
+Daniel left the presence of the king and hastened to join his comrades
+at their apartments.
+
+“What now, fair cousin?” said Azariah. “What am I to learn from such a
+countenance? Nothing of a joyful nature, I fear!”
+
+“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.”
+
+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.
+
+“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.”
+
+“Already I feel the strange assurance that from this conflict we shall
+come forth triumphant,” said Daniel.
+
+“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.
+
+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.
+
+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!
+
+Still the three brothers, “_with their faces toward Jerusalem_,” 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!
+
+“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.”
+
+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.
+
+“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.”
+
+“In one hour, then, I will call on thee again, and thou shalt accompany
+me into the presence of the king,” and Daniel departed.
+
+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.
+
+They were soon on their way to the palace. Arioch first entered.
+
+“O king, live forever! Belteshazzar is without, desiring to see thee;
+and—”
+
+“No more from thee at this time,” interrupted the king. “Retire, and
+send the young man hither.”
+
+The officer, well used to the manner of his sovereign, bowed low and
+retired.
+
+“Belteshazzar,” said Arioch, “thou are admitted; and may the gods give
+thee success.”
+
+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.
+
+“Belteshazzar,” cried the king, “art thou able to make known unto me
+the dream which I have seen, and the interpretation thereof?”
+
+“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.
+
+“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.
+
+“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.
+
+“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.”
+
+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.
+
+“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.”
+
+“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.”
+
+“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
+_united_ prayers the secret was made known. I pray thee, therefore,
+that while I am thus honored, my companions may share in it.”
+
+“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.”
+
+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.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII.
+
+
+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.”
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+In addition to these magnificent works, the public buildings of Babylon
+were counted by thousands, and its splendid mansions by tens of
+thousands.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+Summoning Belrazi, one of his most trusted officers, to his side, the
+king said:
+
+“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.”
+
+“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.”
+
+“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.”
+
+“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?”
+
+“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.”
+
+The dignitary retired, and the king was left alone in his apartment.
+
+“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?
+
+“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!
+
+“But for the _king_ 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.”
+
+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.
+
+“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?”
+
+“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.”
+
+“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.”
+
+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.
+
+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:
+
+“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.
+    “Given under my hand and seal, at the great City of Babylon, on
+    this the fourth day of the seventh month.
+
+
+“Nebuchadnezzar.”
+
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+The opening remarks were from Hananiah.
+
+“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 _disobedience_ 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.”
+
+And Hananiah took his seat with a smile of holy satisfaction playing on
+his lips, when Mishael arose, and said:
+
+“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, ‘_Nay!_’ 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 _higher law_ be obeyed, though the heavens should fall!
+Azariah, what sayest thou?”
+
+“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.”
+
+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.
+
+“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.”
+
+“Thou art ever welcome, dear Apgomer!” answered Hananiah. “and
+especially to-day, as a bearer of a dispatch from one we love so well.”
+
+“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.”
+
+“And great is the confidence thou deservest, as one that has proved
+himself a genuine friend in every trial,” said Azariah.
+
+“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!”
+
+These dispatches proved to be letters. The last delivered was
+confidentially handed to Apgomer by Mathias, and was written by
+Perreeza.
+
+The letter from Daniel was first considered. It was read aloud by
+Azariah.
+
+“_Ever Dear Cousins:_ 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 _temporal_ 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 _higher law_ 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 _disobedience_ 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.’
+    “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.
+
+
+“Daniel.”
+
+
+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.
+
+“Thanks be to Jehovah.” cried Mishael, “for such consolation in the
+midst of sore affliction.”
+
+“But what says our beloved Perreeza?” said Hananiah.
+
+No one felt willing to read aloud their sister’s letter, so it was read
+by each in silence. It ran thus:
+
+“_Dear Brothers:_ 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
+_advise_ 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.
+    “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.”
+
+
+“Perreeza.”
+
+
+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.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII.
+
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+“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.”
+
+“But, brother,” said the sister, eagerly, “which thinkest thou they
+will choose—the worship of our gods or the fiery furnace?”
+
+“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.”
+
+“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.”
+
+“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.”
+
+“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.”
+
+“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!”
+
+“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!’”
+
+“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.”
+
+“A trivial mistake, my daughter,” said the patriot; “his country would
+lie in an opposite direction.”
+
+“But could he not change his course?” asked the half-offended daughter.
+
+“Yea, verily, my child, if he should find that he was in the wrong
+path; peradventure, this would constitute his first business.”
+
+“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.”
+
+“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!”
+
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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:
+
+“O king, live forever!”
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+Scribbo and Shagoth, faithful to their revengeful promise, were on the
+keen alert for the three Hebrews. In their wanderings they came across
+Apgomer.
+
+“We are in search of thy three Hebrew friends,” said Shagoth. “Canst
+thou inform us where we may find them?”
+
+“I can,” promptly replied Apgomer. “I know the exact spot on which they
+stand.”
+
+“This is truly gratifying,” replied Scribbo. “Now lead us to the spot
+without delay.”
+
+“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.”
+
+“Thou art in command of the same daring insolence as characterized thy
+school-days,” said Scribbo, in an angry tone.
+
+“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.”
+
+“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.”
+
+“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.”
+
+“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.”
+
+“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.”
+
+“Away, Scribbo, from the sound of this barking dog!” said Shagoth. And
+the two office-seekers hurried away in search of the doomed Hebrews.
+
+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.
+
+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:
+
+“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.”
+
+The heralds returned to their places, and their voices were no longer
+heard.
+
+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.
+
+“By the gods, we have them!” whispered Shagoth, in ecstasies. “Behold,
+Scribbo, how erect their posture!”
+
+“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.”
+
+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.
+
+“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?”
+
+“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.”
+
+“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.”
+
+“But not from the curse of a groveling, envious, unprincipled horde of
+office-_seekers_,” said Azariah, casting a withering glance on the two
+brothers.
+
+“Away, brother!” cried Scribbo. “For why should we hear the abusive
+harangue of these overfed demagogues?”
+
+And away the patriots hurried with their complaint to the king.
+
+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.
+
+An officer in uniform came forward, and bowed low in the presence of
+the king.
+
+“What is thy pleasure, Arioch!” asked Nebuchadnezzar.
+
+“Two men have approached the guard, O king, greatly desiring to be
+admitted into thy presence.”
+
+“Let them be admitted!” was the answer.
+
+With anything but ease of manner, Scribbo and Shagoth walked into the
+royal presence.
+
+“And what have ye to communicate?” inquired his majesty, eying them as
+if not quite satisfied with their appearance.
+
+“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 _Jews_ 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.”
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+“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!”
+
+Without the least betrayal of fear, Hananiah, in a firm tone of voice,
+addressed the monarch:
+
+“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, _he_ will
+deliver us out of thy hand, O king! But, if in this we are mistaken, be
+it known unto thee, that _we can never obey any law of man that
+requireth a violation of the law of God_. Therefore, we refuse to serve
+thy gods, or worship this golden image which thou hast set up.”
+
+“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!”
+
+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!
+
+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.
+
+“Why not throw the guilty rebels in?” cried Shagoth, with an air of
+importance.
+
+“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.
+
+“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!
+
+[Illustration: The ascending flames became doubly fierce]
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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:
+
+“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!”
+
+The nobles tremblingly replied:
+
+“We see men walking unhurt in the midst of the fire, O king!”
+
+“It is even so!” cried the monarch, in deep agitation. “It is _not_ 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!”
+
+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.
+
+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!”
+
+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.
+
+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:
+
+“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.”
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX.
+
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+
+“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 _first?_ 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.
+
+“Young man, where is thy father?”
+
+“My father is in the adjoining chamber, O king.”
+
+“Call him hither without delay.”
+
+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.
+
+“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.”
+
+The officer, faithful to his charge, was soon on his way to summon the
+wise men to appear before the king.
+
+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.
+
+“Are ye able to give me the correct interpretation of a wonderful
+dream?” asked the king, in a doubtful tone.
+
+“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.”
+
+“But what proof do your gods give of their own existence?” asked the
+king, looking sternly on the chief.
+
+“Our gods made the world, O king!”
+
+“_Some_ gods, or God, made the world; but why not the God of Israel?
+Can you point to any miraculous interference of _your_ gods in the
+affairs of mortals? If I have forgotten my dream, can ye, through
+_your_ 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!”
+
+“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!”
+
+“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!”
+
+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:
+
+“Canst thou or thy comrades give me the interpretation of this
+wonderful dream?”
+
+“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!”
+
+“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!”
+
+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.
+
+“Much as I expected! The vile, deceitful race! The _gods!_ Much _they_
+know about the gods. _Have_ 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.”
+
+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.
+
+“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.”
+
+Daniel was astonished, and his thoughts greatly troubled him.
+
+“Belteshazzar,” said the king, “let not the dream or the interpretation
+thereof give thee pain or uneasiness.”
+
+“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.”
+
+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.
+
+“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! ‘_Driven from among men!_’ Who shall be able to
+drive Nebuchadnezzar? ‘_Eat grass as oxen!_’ 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 _gods_, but still I have a dread of that
+_one_ 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!”
+
+
+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.
+
+
+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.
+
+“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.”
+
+The voice ceased. The king uttered a loud, hysterical laugh, descended
+from his palace, and ran into the park, a raving maniac.
+
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+The sick man turns on his pillow and faintly
+
+“Mathias, why comes he not? Shall I not once more see my most excellent
+friend?”
+
+“My dear father, he will ere long be here. The messenger is
+trustworthy, and will soon return.”
+
+“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.”
+
+“He is here! He is here!” cried Jupheena.
+
+“Has he arrived?” asked the sick man, in faint accents.
+
+“Yea, father,” replied Mathias, in soothing tones, “he has arrived.”
+
+“Thanks be to Jehovah!”
+
+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.
+
+“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:
+
+“Oh, Jehovah, let the smiles of Thy countenance rest on these Thy
+chosen ones!”
+
+The venerable man was then gently led by Mathias to the bedside.
+
+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:
+
+“Ah! my good Barzello! thou hast come once more to see thy friend
+Joram, before he leaves for the spirit land.”
+
+“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.”
+
+“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.”
+
+The sick man desired to be raised a little higher on his pillow.
+
+“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.”
+
+Joram, quite exhausted, closed his eyes, and deep silence for a while
+prevailed. He soon revived, and called for Perreeza.
+
+“What can I do for my ever-dear uncle?” whispered Perreeza.
+
+“One more little song, accompanied by the harp of Judah,” said Joram,
+with a smile, “and I ask no more.”
+
+“Perreeza greatly fears that it will disturb thee.”
+
+“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.”
+
+“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!”
+
+“He will, my child,” faintly answered the old Israelite; “get thy harp
+and sing.”
+
+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:
+
+“Father, send Thy heavenly chariot,
+    Call Thy weeping child away;
+Long I’ve waited for Thy coming,
+    Why, O why, this long delay?
+Of this earth my soul is weary,
+    Yonder lies the better land;
+Fain my soul would leave its prison,
+    Glad to join the glorious band.
+
+“Thrice ten thousand happy spirits
+    Sing Thy praise in heaven above;
+All arrayed in robes of glory.
+    Crowned with righteousness and love;
+Old companions wait to greet me,
+    Smilingly they bid me come.
+Father, send Thy heavenly chariot,
+    Call Thy weary pilgrim home.
+
+“Earth is fading from my vision;
+    Brightness gathers o’er my head:
+Thrilling strains from heavenly harpers
+    Sound around my dying bed.
+Blessed land of saints and angels!
+    Here I can no longer stay;
+Yonder comes my Father’s chariot;
+    Rise, my soul, and haste away!”
+
+
+The song was ended. The harp was laid aside.
+
+“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.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX.
+
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+
+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.
+
+“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!”
+
+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.
+
+“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.”
+
+By this time the maniac stood close by the side of his courtier, but as
+yet he had not observed him.
+
+“Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon!” cried Daniel, with a loud voice.
+
+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.
+
+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:
+
+“O king, live forever!”
+
+The king, in silence, continued to gaze on Daniel, with a wild, vacant
+stare.
+
+“Jehovah, the God of Israel!” cried Daniel, pointing with his finger to
+the skies.
+
+“J-e-h-o-v-a-h!” slowly whispered the king, gazing upward.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+“Tell me, O Belteshazzar, how long has the king of Babylon remained in
+this degraded condition?”
+
+“Seven years of deep calamity, O king, have passed over thy head!”
+
+“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?”
+
+“They are all spared and in good health, O king, and will be overjoyed
+to see thee restored to thy throne.”
+
+“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.”
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI.
+
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+Cyrus, whom divine Providence was to make use of, was mentioned in the
+Scriptures _by his name_ one hundred and fifty years before he was born
+in these words:
+
+“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).
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII.
+
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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:
+
+“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—”
+
+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!
+
+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.
+
+“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!”
+
+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.
+
+“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.”
+
+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.
+
+“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?”
+
+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.
+
+“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 _the king himself_—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 _thy_ 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.”
+
+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.
+
+“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.”
+
+Then Daniel answered and said before the king:
+
+“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.
+
+“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.
+
+“This is the interpretation of the thing. MENE—God hath numbered thy
+kingdom and finished it; TEKEL—thou art weighed in the balances and
+found wanting; PERES—thy kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and
+Persians.”
+
+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.
+
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII.
+
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+“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.”
+
+“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?”
+
+“Well pleased.”
+
+“Then I shall send for him without delay.”
+
+A messenger was, therefore, hurried to the house of the ex-Prime
+Minister of the Babylonian empire.
+
+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.
+
+“Our distinguished friend has readily complied with our request,” said
+the Persian, beckoning Daniel to a seat on his right.
+
+“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.”
+
+“Then thou considerest the law of thy God as having stronger claims on
+thy obedience than the laws of thy king?”
+
+“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.”
+
+“Precious sentiments from a noble Hebrew!” cried Cyrus, with feeling.
+“And how long hast thou been a resident of Babylon?”
+
+“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.”
+
+“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?”
+
+“My life, for the short period I may tarry among mortals, if ye
+consider me worthy, will be consecrated to your service.”
+
+“Then, O Belteshazzar,” answered Darius, “thou art, by our united power
+and authority, appointed chief of the presidents. May the gods be thy
+support!”
+
+Soon after his appointment, Daniel, in humble reverence, left the
+presence of the royal dignitaries, and slowly directed his footsteps
+towards his own mansion.
+
+“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.”
+
+“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.”
+
+“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.”
+
+
+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.
+
+“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.”
+
+“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 _Hebrew_, 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 _must_ 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.”
+
+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.
+
+“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 _him_ 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.”
+
+“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.”
+
+“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 _must_ find it!”
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXV.
+
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+The two presidents, accompanied by the four princes, soon made their
+appearance in the presence of the king.
+
+“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.”
+
+“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 _northern_ 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 _southern_ 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:
+
+“‘It is hereby enacted, _for the safety of the Union:_ 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.
+    “‘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.’”
+
+
+“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.”
+
+“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.”
+
+“Let the king have the writing.”
+
+The writing was delivered over to the monarch by a hand that trembled
+with excitement.
+
+“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.”
+
+So the king’s name was given to the fatal parchment; and, moreover, it
+was sealed with the seal of the Medes and Persians.
+
+“The thing is done,” said Darius. “Is there anything more that ye wish
+to communicate to the king?”
+
+“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.”
+
+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.
+
+“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.”
+
+“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 _all_ 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?”
+
+“All ready, most noble Fraggood!” was the united reply.
+
+“Then we swear!”
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+“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!”
+
+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.
+
+“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.”
+
+“May the gods grant that we need not speak of our object,” said
+Bimbokrak.
+
+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.
+
+“Hark ye!” whispered Fraggood. “Hark!”
+
+“It is the voice of prayer!” said Bimbokrak.
+
+“Silently! Silently!” answered Scramgee, “or he will surely hear us.”
+
+“Follow me!” said the president. “Tread lightly!”
+
+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.
+
+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:
+
+“We beg pardon for this intrusion. Let us not disturb our most
+excellent friend whilst he _makes his petitions_ to his God.”
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+“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.
+
+“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?”
+
+“The thing is true,” answered the king, “according to the laws of the
+Medes and Persians, which altereth not.”
+
+“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.”
+
+“_Daniel!_” replied the king. “I know of no Daniel but my worthy first
+president, whom ye say assisted in making this law.”
+
+“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.”
+
+“What!” said the king, suddenly rising to his feet. “_Daniel_, the
+first president in the kingdom? _Daniel_, noted for his wisdom and
+prudence? Impossible! Ye have been wrongly informed! Beware how ye thus
+accuse the best man in Babylon!”
+
+“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.”
+
+“_His petitions!_” cried the excited king. “And to whom does he offer
+his petitions?”
+
+“He daily offers his petitions to his God, O king!”
+
+“_His God!_ Wise man! Who can— But— If— Say ye not that Daniel was
+concerned in making this law?”
+
+“Yea, verily, O king! May the gods forbid that we should utter aught
+but truth in the presence of King Darius!”
+
+“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!”
+
+“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.”
+
+“At present I have no desire to hear from any of the princes. But to
+think of casting _Daniel_ into the den of lions is mournful beyond
+description—it must not be done!”
+
+“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.”
+
+“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.”
+
+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.
+
+“Thou standest before the king, O Daniel, accused as an evil doer! What
+sayest thou for thyself?”
+
+“What is the nature of thy servant’s offense, O king?”
+
+“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?”
+
+“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.”
+
+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:
+
+“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!”
+
+“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.”
+
+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:
+
+“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!”
+
+“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.”
+
+“Thou mayest return, Daniel,” said the king. “I know not what to do. I
+fear I have been greatly deceived.”
+
+“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.
+
+On that night Darius the Mede laid his head on his pillow with the full
+purpose of delivering Daniel.
+
+Early on the morrow, the “Union Safety Committee,” accompanied by the
+other three, made their way into the presence of the king.
+
+“Ye are punctual!” said the king, with a meaning glance.
+
+“We take unbounded pleasure in obeying all the requirements of our
+king,” said Fraggood, “and may the gods curse all those that are
+disobedient!”
+
+“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.”
+
+“This is as thy servant expected, O king!” answered Kinggron. “What
+transgressor do we ever find that will not strive to hide his guilt?”
+
+“Daniel strives _not_ 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!”
+
+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.
+
+“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?”
+
+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.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVI.
+
+
+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.
+
+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!”
+
+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.
+
+With a smile, one of the twain took the hand of the prophet, and gently
+said:
+
+“May Jehovah grant a happy night to his servant among the lions, and on
+the morrow may we have a joyful meeting.”
+
+“God bless thee, dear Perreeza!” said the man of God.
+
+The other one now approached, and, in a mild voice, said:
+
+“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.”
+
+“Heaven smile upon the daughter of Barzello!” was the prophet’s answer.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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:
+
+“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.”
+
+Then turning to those whose painful duty it was to lead him to the den,
+he said:
+
+“Now I am ready.”
+
+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:
+
+“Thy God, whom thou servest continually, he will surely deliver thee!”
+
+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.
+
+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:
+
+“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 _my_ 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 _is_ spared, no thanks to me! Will not
+this people inwardly curse me, and wish me out of their borders? What
+poor returns to _them_, for the grand reception they gave _me!_ What
+will my nephew, Cyrus, think of my sagacity and power of discernment!”
+
+
+Let us for a while leave the unfortunate Mede, and take a view of the
+hero of the lions’ den.
+
+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:
+
+[Illustration: For a moment he walked to and fro]
+
+“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 _common_ 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.”
+
+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.”
+
+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.
+
+
+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:
+
+“Oh, Daniel! is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver
+thee from the lions?”
+
+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:
+
+“O king, live forever!”
+
+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.
+
+Immediate orders were given to bring the old Hebrew up, and soon he
+stood in the presence of the king and the rejoicing throng.
+
+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.”
+
+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.
+
+“We meet again, Apgomer!” cried Daniel, in a familiar, friendly voice:
+and then to the king he said:
+
+“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.”
+
+“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.
+
+The conspirators, with paleness gathering on their brows, obeyed, and
+tremblingly stood facing the king.
+
+“Now, O Daniel, thy friend Apgomer may give his testimony before the
+king.”
+
+“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.
+
+“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.
+
+“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:
+
+“‘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.’”
+
+“Believe not this man, O king!” said the pale and trembling Fraggood,
+“seeing he prepareth lying words before thee.”
+
+At this moment a young man, whose countenance denoted some passion,
+rushed on the stage, and, without any apology or ceremony, began to
+speak:
+
+“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.”
+
+“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!”
+
+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.
+
+Then spoke the king:
+
+“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.”
+
+“O king, live forever!” cried the well pleased throng.
+
+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.
+
+Thus fidelity to the God of Israel was abundantly rewarded.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVII.
+
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+[Illustration: The royal chariot halted at the door of Daniel’s
+residence]
+
+“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.”
+
+“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.”
+
+“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.”
+
+“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.”
+
+“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.”
+
+“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 _our_ 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.”
+
+“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?”
+
+“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 _ancient_ 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?”
+
+“Proceed, Daniel; the king is well pleased to hear thee!”
+
+“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.”
+
+“Enough, O Daniel! Enough!” cried Cyrus. “If thou art able to show me
+this thing, I ask no more!”
+
+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.
+
+“Listen, O king, to the words of Jehovah’s prophets in regard to the
+taking of Babylon:
+
+“‘Make bright the arrows, gather the shields! The Lord hath raised up
+the spirits of the _kings of the Medes_, 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 _Medes_
+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 will dry up her sea_, and make her
+springs dry. A drought is upon her waters, and they shall be _dried
+up_. In her heat I will make their _feasts_, and I will _make them
+drunken_, 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.’
+
+“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!”
+
+“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!”
+
+“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.”
+
+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.
+
+“Did the king rightly understand thy meaning? Sayest thou that my
+_name_ was known in Israel for one hundred and fifty years previous to
+my birth?”
+
+“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.”
+
+“Read, Daniel,” said the king, with much feeling.
+
+Daniel from the same scroll from which he had read before, which was
+the Prophecies of Isaiah, read:
+
+“‘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 he 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.’”
+
+The Persian was deeply moved. Indeed, tears were in the monarch’s eyes.
+He rose, and in the deepest reverence, exclaimed:
+
+“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.”
+
+“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.”
+
+“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.”
+
+“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.”
+
+“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.”
+
+“Thy servant in this is willing to abide the pleasure of the king.”
+
+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.
+
+The next day the following proclamation was heralded through the
+streets of Babylon, and sent to all the provinces:
+
+“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.”
+
+
+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.
+
+
+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.
+
+The ceremony was over. The concourse was dismissed, under the
+benediction of the priests, and the masses moved homeward in all
+directions.
+
+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.
+
+“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.
+
+“I am not sad, sister,” replied the brother, “but am thoughtful. And
+what thinkest thou my mind dwelt upon?”
+
+“Surely, I cannot tell. Some past scenes in Chaldea, peradventure.”
+
+“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.”
+
+“Ah, dear Hananiah! and a dark night of sorrow that proved to your
+almost brokenhearted sister.”
+
+“But I trust that Jehovah hath overruled the whole in the end to the
+glory of his great name,” said Mishael.
+
+“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.’”
+
+“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.”
+
+“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.”
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+“It was a gracious and noble thing for Joram to do,” exclaimed
+Hananiah.
+
+“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.
+
+“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.”
+
+“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.”
+
+“My great hope at present is,” returned Perreeza, “to be spared long
+enough to see substantial fruit spring from Uncle Esrom’s bounty.”
+
+“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.”
+
+“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.”
+
+The melodious voice of young Rebekah was now heard in another
+apartment, warbling one of her sweetest songs.
+
+“Jehovah bless the child!” cried the grandmother. “How that voice of
+melody cheers my heart!”
+
+“Mother!” quickly replied Monroah. “Permit me to call her into this
+apartment, where she may sing and play thy favorite ‘song of Judah.’”
+
+“Thou art ever kind to thy mother, dear Monroah; do as thou desirest.”
+
+Rebekah was called.
+
+“Will my daughter sing and play for us her grandmother’s favorite ‘song
+of Judah’?”
+
+“With pleasure, mother,” cried Rebekah, as she quickly left the
+apartment.
+
+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:
+
+“When we our weary limbs to rest
+    Sat down by proud Euphrates’ stream,
+We wept, with doleful thoughts oppressed,
+    And Zion was our mournful theme.
+
+“Our harps, that when with joy we sung
+    Were wont their tuneful parts to bear,
+With silent strings neglected hung
+    On willow trees that withered there.
+
+“Oh, Salem! once our happy seat,
+    When I of thee forgetful prove,
+Then let my trembling hand forget
+    These speaking strings with art to move!
+
+“Again we hail the sacred hall,
+    That echoed to our youthful lays!
+And Amonober’s children all
+    Have reached their home to end their days.
+
+“To thee, Almighty King of kings,
+    In new-made hymns my voice I’ll raise,
+And instruments of many strings
+    Shall help me to adore and praise.
+
+“How sweet to die in Judah’s dale,
+    And with the fathers calmly rest;
+The thought of sleeping in yon vale,
+    How soothing to my throbbing breast!
+
+“A few more days of grief and pain,
+    And then adieu to every gloom,
+For soon we all shall meet again,
+    Beyond the portals of the tomb.”
+
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 12792 ***