"Two men have approached the guard, O king, greatly desiring to be
admitted into thy presence."
"Let them be admitted!" was the answer.
With anything but ease of manner, Scribbo and Shagoth walked into the
royal presence.
"And what have ye to communicate?" inquired his majesty, eying them as if
not quite satisfied with their appearance.
"O king, live forever!" replied the Chaldeans. "Thou, O king, hast made a
decree that every man shall fall down and worship the golden image; and
whoso falleth not down and worshipeth should be cast into a fiery
furnace. There are certain Jews whom thou hast set over the affairs of
the province of Babylon--Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego--these men, O
king, have not regarded thee; they serve not thy gods, nor worship the
golden image which thou hast set up."
Then was the king full of wrath and fury. "What!" said he, "is my royal
decree to be thus set at defiance? Is this the return they make to the
king for their high promotion in the government? By all the gods, I will
bend their stubborn wills, or they will suffer my vengeance to the
uttermost! Let them be summoned into my presence without further delay!"
And officers were soon on their march to bring the offenders.
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