Part 19 (1/2)
CHAPTER XXIII.
IMMEDIATELY after the taking of Babylon, Cyrus ordered a day of public thanksgiving to the G.o.ds, for their wonderful favors and their kind interposition; and then, having a.s.sembled his princ.i.p.al officers, he publicly applauded their courage and prudence, their zeal and attachment to his person, and distributed rewards to his whole army. He also reviewed his forces, which were in a spirited condition. He found they consisted of 120,000 horse, 2,000 chariots armed with scythes, and 600,000 foot.
When Cyrus judged he had sufficiently regulated his affairs at Babylon, he thought proper to take a journey into Persia. On his way thither he went through Media, to visit Darius, to whom he carried many presents, telling him at the same time that he would find a n.o.ble palace at Babylon ready prepared for him whenever he should please to go thither. After a brief stay in Persia, he returned to Babylon, accompanied by his uncle, where they counseled together a scheme of government for the whole empire.
The fame of Daniel, as one who had served under so many kings in Babylon, and also as one to whom the G.o.ds had imparted a miraculous degree of wisdom, was spread throughout the city and provinces of Babylon; and, since his appearance before the king as the interpreter of the mysterious handwriting on the night of the fatal banquet, his name was held in great reverence by all the dignitaries of that city.
In a magnificent apartment of the king's palace in the conquered city of Babylon, sat together, in earnest conversation, Darius the Mede, and Cyrus the hero of Persia.
”Thou well sayest that he is neither a Mede nor a Persian,” said Cyrus, ”neither is he a Chaldean. He was brought from the land of Judah, a captive, about the commencement of Nebuchadnezzar's reign. From what I can learn of his history, he was soon placed under tutors, and outstripped all his companions and became a great favorite of the, king.
He was soon elevated to posts of honor, and, with the exception of short intervals, he has been the first officer in the kingdom for more than threescore years. He receives wonderful revelations from the G.o.ds, and the fall of Babylon came to pa.s.s according to his predictions. Now, uncle, to me it appears far more important to secure the services of an individual, be he even a foreigner, whose head is filled with wisdom and his heart with charity, than to place far inferior personages to fill important offices because they are Medes or Persians. We have many wise men among us, but among this people, whose manners and customs are so different from our own, I fear we have none that can rule with that profound wisdom which has always marked the course of this Hebrew sage. I consider him by far the safest man to appoint as the chief president.”
”In this most surely the ill.u.s.trious son of my brother shall be gratified,” replied the Mede. ”But why may we not have a short interview with this wonderful man, who appears to have more the attributes of a G.o.d than a mortal? Wouldst thou not be pleased to see him?”
”Well pleased.”
”Then I shall send for him without delay.”
A messenger was, therefore, hurried to the house of the ex-Prime Minister of the Babylonian empire.
The Hebrew soon made his appearance, and such was the calm dignity of his bearing, as he slowly walked into the presence of his superiors, that both the Mede and the Persian unconsciously found themselves on their feet to receive him.
”Our distinguished friend has readily complied with our request,” said the Persian, beckoning Daniel to a seat on his right.
”Throughout the days of my pilgrimage it has been my great pleasure to render strict obedience to the will of my superiors in all things consistent with the law of my G.o.d.”
”Then thou considerest the law of thy G.o.d as having stronger claims on thy obedience than the laws of thy king?”
”The law of Jehovah is supreme! By that law my life has been shaped; and now, at its close, it is surely my joy and consolation.”
”Precious sentiments from a n.o.ble Hebrew!” cried Cyrus, with feeling.
”And how long hast thou been a resident of Babylon?”
”Threescore and six years have pa.s.sed away since thy servant bade adieu to his native hills in the land of Judah, and came to this great city of Babylon. The companions of my early days have mostly pa.s.sed away, and soon thy servant shall follow them.”
”I trust that such a life shall be precious in the sight of the G.o.ds for many years to come. Such is thy deep experience in the affairs of state, that we have purposed in our hearts to appoint thee first president of the provinces. Is Belteshazzar willing to serve the king in this capacity, and shed honor upon the joint reign of the Medes and Persians?”
”My life, for the short period I may tarry among mortals, if ye consider me worthy, will be consecrated to your service.”
”Then, O Belteshazzar,” answered Darius, ”thou art, by our united power and authority, appointed chief of the presidents. May the G.o.ds be thy support!”
Soon after his appointment, Daniel, in humble reverence, left the presence of the royal dignitaries, and slowly directed his footsteps towards his own mansion.
”The praises of this man have not yet reached his real merits, Cyrus,”
said Darius. ”Thou well sayest. There is a striking peculiarity in all his movements that convinces the beholder that he is one among ten thousand.”
”Thy stay in Babylon must be of short duration. Thou art soon off to the wars. I also must soon return to Media; therefore, this appointing of the presidents must be attended to without delay. On thee, I pray, let this business rest; and whomsoever, in thy wisdom, thou shalt appoint, be a.s.sured the appointment will receive my cordial approbation.”