Page 46 - The Prophet-statesman a Drama of Daniel

mercy endureth forever.”

After the singing they embraced one another and prepared to break their three-day

fast. Azariah was the most adept in the art of cooking and took the lead in serving a
tasty and abundant breakfast. The day which might have been the day of their room,
they now knew to be the day of deliverance.

At nine-thirty there was a knock at the door and Captain Arioch stood without.
Hananiah met him and ushered him in. As the noble captain looked from one to the
other and noted the joy and confidence of their faces, he was encouraged to ask: “Have
you young gentlemen any good news to convey to me with regard to the dream?”

“Yes, sir Captain, our God has revealed to our friend Daniel whom you call
Belteshazzar, the king’s dream and its interpretation, and he is even now preparing
himself in his room, to present himself before the king.”

Do I understand, that he actually knows what the king dreamed and is able to
interpret it?” Arioch asked again with bated breath.

Daniel in full court regalia, emerging from his apartment heard and answered the

question: “Yes, Sir Captain, our God is a revealer of secrets and has graciously made
known to me the king’s matter, and I am quite prepared to repeat it before the king.”
“Are you quite sure, Belteshazzar, that it is right, for woe will betide us if it is a
delusion or mistake.”

“Never fear, Sir Captain, it is the exact dream which the king dreamed, and sine I
have come to know its magnitude and impressiveness, and to understand its vast
significance, I can better understand the king’s sense of frustration when it eluded him.”
“Then let us go to the place and seek audience with the king, for we are already near

the dead-line, and the Magi of Babylon are still hoping against hope, that someone may
arise to gratify the king’s demand and be the savior of their lives.”

Shortly the two stood in the ante-room to the great throne-room and Arioch sent

word in to the king that Belteshazzar of the Magi stood without and was now ready to
make known to the king his dream.

‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧

The last few days had been trying for the gentle Rhea. For the first time since she
had become queen, she had been treated strangely by the king. Never once during these
days had he addresses her with the tones of endearment that had ever been on his lips
toward her. Never once had he gathered her in his arms in the frequent warm embrace.

He had only spoken to her in brief sentences and had replied to her tactful questions
almost in monosyllables.