It must be done! Am I
not deep in the affections of my people? In this I cannot be mistaken.
Never was the Chaldean empire so firmly established. It will stand
forever. Forever? Ah, that word has a long meaning. But what power can
overthrow us? Is not Babylon the mistress of the world? Is not Chaldea
the queen of nations? Will not her prosperity be perpetual? Alas for our
brief knowledge! The gods, in this, have not elevated the king above the
beggar. The future is enshrouded in gloom and hid from the gaze of
mortals. My wise men say that they can penetrate this gloom. Can they? I
have my doubts. The future--the far, far future of Chaldea--I should be
glad to know: but who shall sit on the throne one hundred years from
to-day, and what shall be the greatness of Babylon in two hundred years,
are questions which time alone must solve. Surely, this is a sultry day!
Well, the future we cannot know. It may be all in wisdom. Peradven--Ah,
sleep! thou art the great conqueror of conquerors.
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