When the prisoner arrived, he gently bowed and saluted the king, which
salutation was answered only by falling tears. The throng, witnessing the
emotion of the king, gave vent to their grief, and one loud wail
ascended. Then, indeed, did those conspirators tremble! Then did they
really learn the deep hold their victim had on the popular mind. Again
the agitation was partially quieted, when the loud roaring of lions
within made the earth tremble. The awful moment was drawing nigh! Daniel
ascended some steps near by, and having had permission from the king,
proceeded, in a few words, to address the multitude:
[image 7]
"Babylonians! with naught of malice in my heart against any man, and with
perfect good feeling toward the king, I yield myself to the demands of a
broken law. Here, in the presence of the God of my fathers, whom I
worship, and in the presence of my king, whom I respect, and in the
presence of this throng, whose tears flow for my sorrow, and in the
presence of these mine accusers, who thirst for my blood, I solemnly
declare, that as first president in the kingdom, I never was consulted
in regard to the making of this law, that is about to consign your aged
servant to the lions.
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