Daniel and the Amonober children, from their first interview with the
officers of the King of Babylon, had left a very favorable impression
on the minds of those high dignitaries; and although, in reality, they
were but captives of war, they were treated with that high civility due
to nobility and rank. This caused much astonishment to the youths
themselves, and served in part to calm and reconcile them to their lot.
The ardent desire of Perreeza to accompany them to the land of their
captivity had been made the subject of their thoughts, and served if
possible to deepen in their minds the fountain of pure affection.
Early next morning, the brothers bent their footsteps towards the
temporary residence of one of Nebuchadnezzar’s officers, with whom, at
this time, they had to do. The manner in which they formerly had been
received gave them some encouragement to hope that their mission would
be crowned with success. They soon reached the “spot, and were
admitted.
“And what is the pleasure of these young noblemen of Judah?” asked
Barzello, with a pleasant smile.
“Let thy young servants find favor in the sight of their kind and noble
master,” said Hananiah, “while with deep humility they make known their
request. The illustrious Barzello, we trust, will pardon us for this
intrusion upon the time of the King of Babylon’s noble officer, and
listen patiently to their urgent prayer. Thy kind deportment towards
thy servants, for these many days, has given them courage thus to stand
in thy presence without any painful, distracted fears. We are the sons
of Amonober, the brother of King Josiah, under whose reign, for many
years, Judah smiled amid peace and plenty. Thy servants were early
instructed in the religion of our sainted father, who, with our beloved
mother, feared the God of Israel, and worshiped in his holy Temple.
While thy servants were yet young, Amonober our father died, and was
gathered to his fathers, and today he calmly rests by the side of his
illustrious brother, King Josiah. Thus the best of mothers was left a
widow with her fatherless children. Thy servants, feeling it no less a
pleasure than a duty, endeavored to comply with our father’s dying
request, by being ever kind to our beloved mother. Thus time passed
away for two years, and our pathway once more seemed to be bright and
pleasant, when suddenly our mother died. Thy servants were called to
stand by the side of her couch before she departed, and these were her
parting words:
“‘To you, my sons, I commit my sweet Perreeza! Let her youthful feet be
tenderly watched by the eyes of love. Whisper words of sweet, brotherly
affection in her youthful ears. Oh, deal gently and kindly with the
dear, motherless lamb! Remember the dying request of a mother, and
throw your arms of protection around your orphan sister.’
“Having concluded these words, our mother closed her eyes, and gave up
the ghost. This beloved object of a mother’s dying request has been,
for many years, the center of thy servants’ joy and happiness, and one
smile from our own Perreeza will often turn our darkness into day. Our
love for her is returned with all the ardor of a sister’s pure
affection. The sad news of our destined departure from this our native
land has well-nigh overwhelmed her heart with sorrow. The thought of
parting makes her spirit faint; and thy servants are sincere when they
assure their compassionate master that they greatly fear that, if
compelled to be separated from her brothers, Perreeza will sink under
the deep weight of sorrow, and pass away to the spirit land. In
compliance with her very urgent request, thy servants at this time
stand as petitioners before their benevolent superior. We are not here
to ask to be released from any demand. We patiently yield to the stern
necessity that calls us away; but we are here, O most excellent
Barzello! to ask a favor for another, which, if granted, will always
live in our grateful memories: it is, that Perreeza, our beloved
sister, be permitted to accompany us to the land of the Chaldeans.”
“And how old is this young sister, of whom ye speak in such terms of
commendation?”
“Perreeza has but just commenced her seventeenth year.”
“This request must be presented before my lord, the king. Call again at
the setting of the sun, and ye shall learn his pleasure in this matter.
Be assured that my influence shall be exerted in your behalf.”
“And the prayers of thy servants shall always ascend to the God of
Judah for ten thousand blessings on the head of Barzello;” and in the
most respectful manner, they left the apartment.
“Barzello,” said the King of Babylon, in a pleasant mood, “are my
chosen captives in a ready trim for their departure?”
“All ready at the word of command, O king.”
“But what thinkest thou of those brothers? Hast thou had an opportunity
of testing their merits?”
“The brothers and cousins, O king, have been repeatedly in my presence,
and have given me positive proof that they are youths of very superior
abilities and great worth. Their amiable deportment and truly noble
bearing have left on my mind a very favorable impression. Indeed, the
youths of Babylon, who pride themselves so much on their superior
learning and high attainments, might learn precious lessons of wisdom
from these very youths of Judah.”
“By the gods! Barzello,” said the king, laughing heartily, “if at this
rate these youths continue to grow upon thy good opinion, before many
days thou wilt be a convert to the religion of Judah!”
“Of the religion of Judah I know but little; but if these children are
a fair specimen of its operations, I cannot think that there is
anything very dangerous or offensive in it.”
“Well, when we arrive in Chaldea, we shall give their powers a fair
trial. But are there any more brothers in that family?”
“No more, O king,” replied the officer, inwardly thanking the king for
the question. “There are but three brothers and one young sister.”
“She will be a comfort to her mother in the absence of her sons,” said
the king, in a thoughtful mood.
“But the young damsel has no mother. For many years the children have
been both fatherless and motherless.”
“Then there must be bitter parting there, Barzello! This young damsel,
an only orphan sister, must be bound to her brothers by more than
common ties.”
“True, O king,” answered Barzello, somewhat animated. “The thought of
parting grieves them beyond description. It was but this morning that
the brothers sought an interview with me on this very point, and
pleaded in her behalf with such melting eloquence as well-nigh robbed
me of all my generalship. I dismissed them by stating that I would lay
their petition before my lord the king, and that I would give them his
answer at the setting of the sun.”
“Barzello!” said the king, in a firm tone, “I cannot change my purpose
in regard to those brothers. Nothing shall prevail upon me to give them
up. To Babylon they must go! I have spoken the word! Let there be no
pleading in their behalf—I cannot grant their petition.”
“I humbly beg my lord the king’s forgiveness,” replied the officer,
with a smile; “but let me assure him that the noble youths have made no
petition of that nature.”
“But what _do_ they ask?” asked the king, with some astonishment.
“They ask, O king, as the greatest favor, that this their young orphan
sister, be permitted by the king to accompany her brothers to the land
of the Chaldeans.”
“And has not this small favor been granted?”
“Barzello now stands in the presence of his sovereign in behalf of the
Hebrew damsel, asking for her a permission.”
“And the permission is granted. And furthermore, Barzello, see that she
is well provided for, and dealt gently with, for the maiden is of
kingly line.”
“All this shall be strictly attended to, O king,” said the well-pleased
officer, as he respectfully left the presence of the monarch.
It was now late in the afternoon. The “regent of day” was gradually
fading from the sight of the inhabitants of the valley, and was
smilingly sinking beyond the western hills, and Barzello hastened his
footsteps toward his headquarters. After having reached his apartment,
he seated himself, and indulged in some reflections, which, if we might
judge from his countenance, we might pronounce to be of a pleasing
nature.
While thug musing, he was roused by the entrance of one of his
servants.
“What now, Franzo?”
“Three young men and a damsel stand below, desiring the favor of an
interview with my master.”
“Let them be conducted into my presence; and see thou to it that they
receive due respect from all below. They are persons of distinction.”
The sister and brothers were conducted into the presence of Barzello,
where again they were received with peculiar attention.
“The officer of the king of the Chaldeans is always happy to meet his
young friends, and will consider it a great pleasure to add to their
comfort and happiness. And this young damsel, I am led to believe, is
your sister of whom ye spake this morning.”
“This is Perreeza, our sister,” replied Azariah; “her sense of
obligation to our noble friend for his generous feelings in her behalf,
has prompted her to embrace the privilege of appearing in person, to
acknowledge her deep gratitude.”
“It gives me much pleasure to behold your sister, but I am not aware of
any service rendered that calls for a great amount of gratitude.”
“Thy servants,” said Azariah, “in compliance with the directions
received this morning, are in thy presence to learn the will of the
king, in regard to thy servants’ request, as made known to him through
the intervention of his generous officer.”
“Ye did well to come at the appointed hour. I am always well pleased
with strict punctuality. I am happy to inform you, that your request in
regard to your sister is very readily granted; and, moreover, the king
has given me particular directions to see that she has everything
requisite to her perfect comfort in journeying, which directions will
be obeyed with the utmost pleasure.”
Silent tears of joy coursed down the cheeks of both sister and
brothers. They were so affected by the result of their effort, together
with the unaffected tenderness of Barzello, that for a short interval
they could in no wise give utterance to their feelings. Perreeza was
the first to break the spell.
“The most excellent Barzello will please accept the humble thanks of an
orphan maiden of Judah, for his kind regards. The God of the fatherless
and motherless will surely reward his servant, and cause blessings and
prosperity to rest on his household. Thy kindness shall not be
forgotten. Our daily prayers shall ascend to the God of Judah in thy
behalf, with the smoke of our morning and evening sacrifices.”
“And I trust the youthful maiden of Judah,” said the officer, in a
voice far from being firm, “will live to see many happy years in the
fair land of the Chaldeans.”
The interview was at an end, and the youths of Judah quietly directed
their footsteps to that beautiful mansion which was well known in that
vicinity as the “House of Amonober.”