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So the king's name was given to the fatal parchment; and, moreover, it was sealed with the seal of the Medes and Persians. "The thing is done," said Darius. "Is there anything more that ye wish to communicate to the king?" "Thy goodness is ever abundant, O king," answered Fraggood. "This is all that we have to present this day.
"O king, live forever!" replied Fraggood, with a deceitful smile on his countenance. "Hast thou not signed a decree that every man that asketh a petition of any god or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions?" "The thing is true," answered the king, "according to the laws of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not."
"I heard the plot described at midnight recently while resting in the public garden. The conspiracy was led by Fraggood and Kinggron. They were assisted by a number of the princes, among whom are Bimbokrak and Scramgee. This foul movement has been going on for many a day, but until last week the conspirators could not agree on a plan.
"We take unbounded pleasure in obeying all the requirements of our king," said Fraggood, "and may the gods curse all those that are disobedient!" "Since ye left my presence yesterday, I have had an interview with the first president, and from his venerable lips I learn that he had no voice in the formation of this law that ye say he hath violated."
To Fraggood and Kinggron the devotional hours of the first president were well known; and at such hour it was necessary that they should, under some pretense, find their way into his worshiping chamber. To find such an excuse was but the work of a moment to those so expert in mischievous plots as the two presidents.
"Let the full desires of your hearts be made known to the king, and with pleasure he will grant your every wish." "O king, live forever!" replied President Fraggood. "Thou art a mighty ruler. Thy dominions are unbounded. Thy rich possessions are found in every clime. The name of Darius falls on the ears of the kings of the earth, and they tremble.
At this plain, royal truth, the "Union Safety Committee" turned pale, and the other three appeared to be similarly affected. But Fraggood, recovering his self-possession, hastened to the rescue.
"All ready, most noble Fraggood!" was the united reply. "Then we swear!" The next day, by order of the presidents, the streets of Babylon rang with the proclamation of the new law. Heralds were sent to and fro, who, at the top of their voices, sounded the peculiar edict throughout every thoroughfare.
I laugh to scorn their blasphemous law!" "If we find him in prayer before his God," said Fraggood, "we shall not be called upon to offer any excuse for our calling. We will ask forgiveness for the intrusion and retire. But if we find him otherwise, our object seems reasonable indeed." "May the gods grant that we need not speak of our object," said Bimbokrak.
Soon the day of retribution shall overtake them; for He that is higher than the highest shall surely avenge himself on these workers of iniquity." "Believe not this man, O king!" said the pale and trembling Fraggood, "seeing he prepareth lying words before thee."
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