"
"A curse on his cowardly head! I suppose these Chaldeans have put his
valor to flight. Jared! how many armed men have we within the royal
enclosures?"
"Two hundred of the royal guard, O king, are present--all armed and ready
to face death for their illustrious sovereign."
"It is well!" said Jehoiakim, filling his bowl. "Ha, ha, ha! Let the King
of Babylon beware of my vengeance? What does the fool desire? The King of
Judah is not to be frightened. Jared! where is Sherakim?"
"Sherakim, O king, is not to be found."
"Ah, I had forgotten. Sherakim not to be found! Ha, ha, ha! Sherakim not
to be found! The cowardly babbler! Jared, command more wine! Sherakim has
fled--he is afraid of a shadow--he has not the courage of a maiden. Have I
not known him of old? Did not a thunderstorm always make him cry? Ha, ha,
ha! Sherakim the orator! fool! coward!"
"A messenger, O king, from the King of the Chaldeans, desires to be
introduced into thy presence. Shall I conduct him to the apartment?"
"Is he alone or accompanied?"
"Accompanied by armed men.
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