And it seemeth still more
strange to the king that he should be the first transgressor! Already
have I sorrow of heart because I signed the decree; but the thing is
done, and my name must go down to posterity as the name of a fool. There
is a mystery connected with this affair that to me, as yet, is
inexplicable. If by any means I find that I have been wrongly dealt with,
by all the gods I swear I will pour vengeance on the guilty heads!"
"If thou wilt permit the four princes to testify, they will say, with thy
servant, that this Daniel was the chief mover in the formation of this
law."
"At present I have no desire to hear from any of the princes. But to
think of casting Daniel into the den of lions is mournful beyond
description--it must not be done!"
"So say we all, O king, when we consult our feelings; but the decree is
signed according to the law of the Medes and Persians, and cannot be
altered. The honor of the king depends upon the faithful execution of all
his laws; and if in this one point thou failest and let the guilty one
escape, thy subjects will laugh at thy timidity, and lawlessness will
prevail throughout our borders.
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