Page 144 - The Prophet-statesman a Drama of Daniel

CHAPTER XXXII

THE DEN OF LIONS

On the morning appointed, just a week from the day the proclamation was issued,
the captain of the guard reported to the king that two of the presidents and twenty of
the princes were in the ante-room and sought audience with the king.
“Show them in!” commanded Darius.

The company of officials came in and all bowed low, then prostrated themselves in
the royal presence until Darius stretched forth his scepter and commanded them to
rise. He was at this moment well-disposed toward them and inquired of them: “Lords

of the realm, what request have you to make of me this day?”
“O King live forever,” spoke up Parmashta, “we have no request to make of you
today, but only desire to call your attention to a certain matter in which the king’s
honor is at stake, and the immutability of the laws of the Medes and Persians is

threatened. We are here to urge at all costs, that the king’s lofty honor and the sanctity
of our laws be vindicated.”
“So far, gentlemen, you speak to me in riddles, will you explain wherein the king’s
honor and the integrity of our laws need to be safeguarded,” replied King Darius.

Then said Parmashta, drawing a little closer to the throne and speaking in a more
confidential tone: “Hast thou not signed a decree, that every man that shall ask a
petition of any God or man within thirty days, save of thee, O King, shall be cast into

the den of lions?”

The king answered and said, “The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes
and Persians, which altereth not.”

Parmashta continued in a studiedly dispassionate voice: “That Daniel which is of
the children of the captivity of Judah, regardeth not thee, O King, nor the decree that

thou hast signed, but maketh his petition three times a day.”

As these words fell from the lips of Parmashta, the king’s countenance was a
study. There was a flick of the eyelids as the purport of these words began to break
upon him, and his eyes grew wider and wider as understanding, disillusionment, and

anger followed eyes seemed about to pop out of his head as they blazed with wrath.
Then came an appalling sense of frustration which added fuel to his ire as he listened