united,
and may the gods forbid that anything should ever transpire to dissolve
this glorious union. Thy servants have some reason to fear that among
some of the inhabitants of these northern provinces there is a
disposition to think that the commands of the king are not absolute, and
that in certain cases they may be disregarded. Far be it from us to think
that this feeling prevails to any serious extent. We are happy to know
that, in all the southern provinces, they are abundantly loyal; and,
indeed, in the northern provinces this rebellious and dangerous
disposition is confined to a few mischievous fanatics; but it is a
poisonous plant, O king, that must be destroyed in the bud. 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.'"

"In this, surely, there is nothing unreasonable," said the easily
flattered king. "My wise presidents and faithful princes could never
propose and advocate a measure that was not highly beneficial in its
results. That which has any tendency to weaken the glorious bond of our
union must be put down, and the safety of the united provinces must be
placed on an immovable basis. If, in your superior wisdom, ye have judged
that this law is called for, may the gods forbid that I should refuse to
give it countenance."

"The measure shall be hailed with universal joy, O king, among all thy
loyal subjects, and let those who dare disobey suffer the consequence!
From this day the name of Darius the Mede shall be a terror to eve