Page 166 - The Prophet-statesman a Drama of Daniel

CHAPTER XXXVI

LOVE AT SUNSET

Daniel still did not leave the palace immediately, but made his way to the
apartment of Queen Rhea through the familiar passage-ways and corridors.

A knock on the door gained him admittance, and he was led by her nurse into the

inner room where the aged queen half sat and half reclined in an invalid chair made
especially for her use.

Queen Rhea greeted her old friend with great warmth and continued to hold his

hand as he took a seat beside her. Her voice was faint and her sentences came in short
gasps as she said: “It has been too long since I have seen you. Tell me about yourself!
Have you ever had opportunity to tell King Cyrus of the wonderful prophecies
concerning him?”

“Yes I have, Your Majesty, and that excellent King has responded as would be
expected. He is ‘Jehovah’s shepherd willing to do all His pleasure.’ He has this day
framed and sent forth a decree for the emancipation of all Israelites to return to
Jerusalem, there to restore the walls and rebuild the temple. All has been planned and

the brilliant young Hebrew Sheshbazzar, or Zerubbabel, will be asked to conduct the
expedition with the assistance of Joshua, distinguished descendant of the line of the
priests of Jehovah!” said Daniel.
“Praise be to Jehovah, O Daniel!” That is what I have been living to see and know.

I am now more than ready to depart into the presence of Jehovah, whither my husband
has long ago gone. The witness of Jehovah will now be restored in the city where He
has set His Name. I know that I shall soon depart.” Thus spoke the Queen.
“I am of like mind, O Queen!” I am sure that in a few days I shall be gathered to

my fathers, and be reunited with my three friends and all of the saints that have
preceded us. This I know to be my last visit to you in this palace, but I feel no trace of
sadness, only joy that we shall shortly meet in the glorious Kingdom of God, that will

make this earthly grandeur appear tawdry by comparison. I can say without
boastfulness, that I have no regrets, since I have tried my whole life to be faithful and
obedient to my God. Though preferred to high office in this land, I have ever felt
myself to be an alien, and, like the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, a stranger
and pilgrim in the earth, looking for a city that hath perpetual foundations, whose

Builder and Maker is God.
“As our father, Abraham, was called out of this land of the Chaldees to the land of