The name of Darius falls on the ears of the kings of the
earth, and they tremble. In thy wisdom thou hast set over the provinces
of Babylon an hundred and twenty princes, and over these thou hast set
three presidents, the first of whom is Daniel, a man mighty in wisdom and
understanding. Now, O king, thou knowest that these provinces are united,
and may the gods forbid that anything should ever transpire to dissolve
this glorious union. Thy servants have some reason to fear that among
some of the inhabitants of these northern provinces there is a
disposition to think that the commands of the king are not absolute, and
that in certain cases they may be disregarded. Far be it from us to think
that this feeling prevails to any serious extent. We are happy to know
that, in all the southern provinces, they are abundantly loyal; and,
indeed, in the northern provinces this rebellious and dangerous
disposition is confined to a few mischievous fanatics; but it is a
poisonous plant, O king, that must be destroyed in the bud.
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