If such
looseness is permitted to go unpunished, how long will it be before our
beloved union is shivered to ruined fragments? We have had this subject
under our most serious consideration. We have thought over it with
throbbing hearts. Some measure must be resorted to that will impress the
inhabitants with the matchless greatness of our king, and convince them
that, when he commands, he intends to be obeyed. Therefore, O king, with
nothing but the good of the nation at heart, thy servants the three
presidents, with all the princes, have enacted this law, and it is now
presented to thee for thy royal signature and seal:
"'It is hereby enacted, for the safety of the Union: Let no person offer
any prayer or petition to any god or man, except the king, for the space
of thirty days; and whosoever shall violate this decree shall be taken
and thrown into the den of lions.
"'Given under my hand, at the city of Babylon, on this twelfth day of the
ninth month, and sealed with the seal of the Medes and Persians, which
changeth not.
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