Page 21 - The Prophet-statesman a Drama of Daniel

“Now, my good Ashpenaz, I am so desirous that these young men shall have every
advantage, that I am selecting the best scholars in the realm as their instructors in
science, mathematics, languages, government and economics. As regarding their

sustenance, I shall cause that for each of the three meals, the food that they eat shall be
cooked by the royal chefs exactly as served on my table and sent down to them at the
Fourth Temple. And the wine that they shall drink shall likewise be drawn from that
aged in my cellars.

“You, Ashpenaz, will continue to have general supervision over the school while
Merodach, assumes the immediate responsibility. I will personally examine them from
time to time, to determine how they are progressing in their studies.”

“Never were captive youths treated with such grace and clemency!” replied
Ashpenaz. “To consider that the mightiest monarch under the heavens would so concern
himself for their education, and cause them to be served with the delicacies from his

own table, should inspire them to a supreme effort to prepare themselves for usefulness
in Your Majesty’s service.”

This subtle flattery from his prince of eunuchs enhanced the proud autocrat’s good

humor. He urged Ashpenaz to inspect the new designs which now adorned the walls of
the great throne-room. “Before you leave, Lord Ashpenaz, I would have you examine
the murals that have appeared since you were last here. See if you can discover the
scheme of them, beginning from the left of the door!”

A close scrutiny of the murals revealed that the king had reproduced in paintings, a
record of all his campaigns, sieges, battles. And beneath the strip of painting the whole
was duplicated in the most exquisite carving. There were the cities against which he had

fought with their walls and defenders and the mounts that he had raised against them,
the battering rams, his spearmen, swordsmen, archers, cavalry all set forth in miniature
with the most minute detail and wrought from sandalwood with the highest degree of
artistic skill. These carvings of Nebuchadnezzar’s conquests and victories extended

around three of the four walls with the exception of one portion where there was a
golden altar with a candlestick before an embroidered tapestry of the god Bel. The
fourth wall was reserved for his later victories, including the recent conquest of

Jerusalem. All was designed for the glory of the King-Emperor Nebuchadnezzar―
scholar, artist, musician, builder, military strategist and specialist in the art of
government.

He possessed the indispensable requisite of a great ruler ―the ability to choose good

men to place in positions of trust. For this reason he sought to instruct and use the young
men of Judah.