Page 171 - The Prophet-statesman a Drama of Daniel

CHAPTER XXXVIII

REST AT LAST

On the day following the visit of Zerubbabel and Joshua to the palace of the Chief
President, King Cyrus himself with his royal retinue stood before the gate of the same
palace.

It was not one of the written laws of the Medes and Persians that change not, but a
precedent so rigid that no king of Persia had ever violated it—that the kings of Persia
under no circumstances call upon their subjects or enter their homes.

But on this occasion the precedent was being shattered—Cyrus the Emperor was
entering the palace of one of his subjects. It had been noised abroad as the king passed
on foot through the streets that he was going to the home of the Prime Minister. This
was the highest and the final tribute of the King to the nobleman who was by so many

years his senior and had held the reins of authority in Babylon over such a great
stretch of time. This was the supreme vindication before the people of the lofty
character of the ancient Hebrew and the acme of expression of the royal esteem.

As the King was ushered into the spacious bedroom where lay the dying Prime
Minister, a close observer would have noticed that the latter trembled somewhat and
that his pale face turned slightly paler. He spoke not a word until the King sat by his
side and took his hand in his.

“I feel unworthy, O King Cyrus, that you have come to my abode, but my heart is
full of joy and gratitude to Jehovah for His grace and mercy toward me, and for the
grace that He has wrought in your heart. To have you leave the royal palace and come
under my roof is an act of clemency that is beyond my expectation.” These words

spoke Daniel in a soft, smooth tone.
“I consider it a privilege, O Daniel, to come to your beside and to look again into
your face. I trust not to tax your strength unduly by too much enforced conversation,

but I had hoped that you might be able to tell me some of the revelations that Jehovah
has given to you directly. But I know the strain of talking when one is in a weakened
condition,” said the King.
“My breath is coming more freely today than yesterday and I shall be able to tell
you a few things. I have written the record and copied it with great care, and the scroll

is in that cedar chest there. I would like to commit it to you, O King. Perhaps you can
have further copies made and see that one is turned over to Joshua to take back to the