Page 148 - The Prophet-statesman a Drama of Daniel

The captain himself, with all gentleness, passed twice around the chest and under
the arms, a padded rope, the ends of which were seized by four other men.

The near-ninety-year-old statesman-prophet with flowing white beard and white
hair, stepped to the brink of the den, and elevating his hands heavenward, said: “Lord
God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, into thy hands I commit myself; thy will be done!”

Even the rugged men of the King’s Guard were so touched by the quiet dignity of
the patriarch that they were loath to see him devoured by the lions. So as soon as his
head passed below the surface of the ground, being slowly lowered by the four who

held the ropes, the four who handled the stone slab pushed it right over the opening,
pressing the rope tightly enough that it paid itself out by the weight of Daniel’s body.
Then at the command of the captain they fell in line and did an about-face and
marched rapidly away from the scene. It did not occur to any of these that as soon as

the prophet came down within the reach of the lions in that deep pit, he would not be
torn in pieces.

King Darius, accompanied only by General Aspatha, walked back across the plain,

into the city and returned to the palace. By this time darkness had fully fallen and he
was invited shortly after his return to his apartment to partake of his evening meal.

But he was so agitated in mind and so distressed in his heart that he could not eat.

Seeing his disturbed state of mind as he paced the floor, the major-domo suggested
that he bring some musicians to come and play soothing music to quiet his spirit. This
also the king refused. He felt that he deserved no artificial sedatives, no synthetic
pain-killers to mitigate his strength.

Later in the evening, he thought of going to talk to his aunt – Queen Rhea. So he
betook himself to her apartment and as soon as he gained admission and sat down, he
began to tell her the whole story.

In failing health and weak of body, the beloved queen hardly ever left her
apartment. She had not heard a word of any of it. As the king unfolded the story, her

eyes were fixed upon him, their keenness and brightness still undimmed.

When he finished his recital, his agitation of heart made him rise and pace the
floor of the room.

The queen had not shown the alarm that he had expected. In fact, she had not
interrupted for ejaculation or comment.