"
The king was deeply moved by the words of the aged Hebrew, and continued
for some time in deep silence. At last he rose to his feet, and, with a
voice trembling with anger, exclaimed:
"By the gods! If these presidents have come before me with lying words, I
will cut them in pieces, and leave them neither root nor branch! Daniel,
if thou sayest, I will have them arrested and destroyed! This very hour
the word shall go forth!"
"Nay, O king! Listen to the counsel of thine aged servant. This hasty
movement would not be well received among thy subjects. The decree has
gone forth. I pray thee let the law have its course, but be assured, O
king, that not a hair of thy servant's head shall be injured. The God
that I serve and in whom I trust, shall deliver me from every danger, and
no weapon formed against me shall prosper. Hereafter do with mine enemies
as thou seest fit. Be assured, O king, that my life is as secure among
the lions as in the presence of my kind sovereign! The same God that
preserved my cousins alive in the midst of a burning, fiery furnace, can
easily shut the mouths of the lions, and make them as harmless as the
little lambs of the flock.
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