In a royal apartment, decorated in superlative grandeur, sat the
powerful monarch of Chaldea. He was alone. His countenance bespoke a
degree of self-complacency and satisfaction. Around him, on a rich
carpet, were several large scrolls of manuscript, while, in his hand,
he held carelessly what appeared to be a well-arranged map of battle
fields and grand points of attack. Chaldea, at this time, was the seat
of science and learning. Thither the great of other nations resorted to
acquire literary distinction. Nebuchadnezzar, from his childhood, had
been initiated into all the arts and sciences; and, as he was a youth
possessing a superior mind, he made great proficiency in all his
numerous studies. Before he ascended the throne, he was pronounced to
be one of the brightest scholars within the whole realm; and now,
although a monarch, surrounded by a thousand cares and perplexities, he
bestowed much thought on his own favorite studies; and one of his most
prominent desires was the perpetuity and advancement of learning among
his subjects. A dull individual, however high in his rank, could never
share the company of the young King of Babylon. All who moved within
the royal enclosures, whether as courtiers, under-officers, or
domestics, had to be those of discerning minds and intelligence. What
exact train of thought occupied the monarch’s mind at this time we may
better judge, perhaps, from the sequel. He rose from his reclining
posture and lightly touched a shining key, which instantly answered in
a remote part of the royal palace. The door opened, and an officer
bowed himself into the apartment.
“And what is the pleasure of my lord the king?”
“Ashpenaz,” said the king, in a familiar voice, “thou knowest well that
there is a painful scarcity of waiters to stand in the presence of the
king; and even those we have are not what I could desire them to be in
point of intelligence and cultivation. This must be remedied without
delay. My father’s taste in this matter was somewhat different from
mine. Far be it from me to cast any reflection on the judgment of my
illustrious father; but the glory and splendor of my empire are on the
forward march, and things at the royal palace must not be permitted to
fall in the rear. I am about to lay a foundation to a measure that will
yet shed glory and luster on my reign. What is more mortifying,
Ashpenaz, while endeavoring to entertain our own dignitaries, and the
visiting nobles of other nations, than to witness the blundering
ignorance of our attendants? In this I cast no blame on my worthy and
noble officer—by no means.
“In my last campaign I gave orders to convey to Babylon a number of
young men of the kingly line, both from Egypt and Judah. From the
conversation I had with Barzello, I am led to believe that there are
among them some very superior minds. Now, it is the wish of thy king
that a number of these youths be taken, and, in company with some of
our own young men, be trained up in the knowledge of our arts and
sciences, and receive, moreover, particular instruction in all the laws
of etiquette, and court customs and maxims, so as to be of efficient
service to the king, and at the same time reflect honor on their
stations. About their instruction there must be nothing shallow or
superficial. There must be thorough work. For this they must have
reasonable time. I therefore appoint the period of their studying to be
three years, at the end of which let them be brought before the king
for examination; and let those who will be able to give satisfaction be
permitted to stand before the king. Moreover, as diet of the best sort
contributes both to the beauty of the body and the improvement of the
mind, let them have their daily portion of the king’s meat and the wine
which he drinketh. Now, Ashpenaz, for further information thou art to
consult Barzello. He will select a certain number of young men, and
deliver them over to thee, and thou art to lose no time in placing them
under suitable instructors.”
“Thy servant,” replied Ashpenaz, “is ever happy to obey the orders of
his illustrious sovereign, which are always issued in that profound
wisdom derived only from the gods.”
This officer stood high in the estimation of the king. He was calm,
dignified, and deeply experienced in all things pertaining to the
duties of his office. For a long time he had served as a confidential
servant of the king’s father, and was highly honored by young and old
at the court. This dignitary was soon on his way towards the house of
his friend Barzello.
“Good-morning to my friend Ashpenaz,” said Barzello, with a welcome
smile.
“And a good-morning to our excellent Barzello,” was the hearty
response.
“And how do things move on at the palace?”
“Oh, pleasantly. Our young monarch is bent on thorough reform in all
deficient quarters.”
“Babylon needs reforming; and may he never pause until the work is
perfected. Long life to our good monarch!”
“Ah! my good Barzello, if all that is to be accomplished, he needs a
long life indeed. But I have but a short time to tarry. The king
desires a number of the royal captives of Judah and Egypt to be placed
under proper instructions to prepare them, after three years’ training,
to be royal waiters at the palace. In thy wisdom thou art to select
from among them the most perfect in body and mind, and deliver them
over to my charge; and, according to the orders of his majesty, I shall
immediately place them under suitable teachers.”
“This will be attended to without delay,” answered Barzello. “Of those
from Egypt, there are quite a number of youths of high origin, and who,
for aught I know, may possess superior powers of mind. I have had no
great facilities to test their capacities. Of those from Judah, there
are only four that I can with confidence recommend to the care and
charge of my worthy friend. These four are noble specimens of
humanity—beautiful in bodily form and complexion, and truly amiable and
excellent in mind. I will assure my worthy friend that, of all the
acquaintances I ever formed among men, and they have been quite
numerous in different lands, none ever impressed me so favorably as
these four youths from the land of Judah. They worship no god but the
God of the Hebrews. In this they show but their faithfulness and their
consistency. My worthy friend will pardon my warmth in speaking of
these children, for there are incidents connected with their history,
which I need not now mention, that have greatly endeared them to thine
unworthy friend; and I have no doubt that thou wilt find them to be all
they are recommended to be.”
“I have all confidence in the judgment and wisdom of my worthy friend,”
answered Ashpenaz, “and it affords me much pleasure to hear such a
favorable report of those who are to be placed under my charge; and I
assure my good Barzello, that their worth and excellence will be duly
noticed and appreciated.”
“If thou art in haste, I will accompany thee without delay to the young
men’s apartments; perhaps thou wouldst be pleased to see them.”
“After such a warm recommendation, it will certainly be quite a
favor—but where is thy sweet Jupheena? This call will hardly recompense
me, if I must leave without a glance at that little beauty.”
“Ah, indeed! Perhaps our good friend Ashpenaz will have no objection to
gaze on _two_ beauties instead of one.”
“All the better, my friend.”
A female servant was sent to the young ladies’ room to inform them that
they were wanted below, and in a few minutes the two girls were seen,
side by side, marching into the presence of the delighted officers.
Perreeza never appeared lovelier. Attired in the rich, flowing
simplicity of her Hebrew costume, with a degree of blushing modesty on
her yet animated countenance, she appeared almost angelic. Jupheena,
perfectly acquainted with her father’s friend, felt not the least
embarrassment.
“Two beauties instead of one, surely,” said Ashpenaz, gazing with
wonder on the fair form of Perreeza.
Barzello took the maid of Judah by the hand, and, approaching his
friend, said:
“This is young Perreeza, of the royal line of Judah, who, of her own
accord, accompanied her brothers to the land of the Chaldeans, and has
seen fit to favor us with her company.”
“No very small favor, Barzello,” cried Ashpenaz, bowing low. “I hope
the partiality of the gods will not make us quarrel.”
“Let not my noble friend be unjust to the gods. If the maid of Judah is
an inmate of the house of Barzello, I trust that three brothers and a
cousin, given to the sole charge of Ashpenaz, will convince him that
the gods are not partial.”
“Ah! that will do,” said Ashpenaz, still gazing on the maid of Judah.
“Perreeza,” said Barzello, “from pure love for her three brothers, of
whom I spake, saw fit to leave her native land and venture her future
destiny among strangers.”
“I trust,” answered Ashpenaz, “they are indeed worthy of such a
sister’s pure affection.”
“That is a point soon settled in the minds of all who have the pleasure
of their acquaintance.”
“Permit me to congratulate my young friend, Jupheena, on the happy
addition to the number of her youthful friends.”
“Our beloved Ashpenaz may well congratulate,” replied the young beauty;
“and let him be assured that his congratulations are warmly
appreciated.”
“And how does our young friend from Judah enjoy the society of her
Chaldean friends?”
“Thy young handmaiden enjoys their society much,” modestly replied
Perreeza. “If she stands in any danger, it must be from an excess of
kindness.”
“I trust the maid of Judah will sustain no material injury from any
amount of kindness received in my house,” said Barzello, laughing. “If
she does, she must charge it to herself; for, under the circumstances,
to be less kind is entirely out of our power.”
“Barzello,” cried the visitor, “thy house is a famous spot for officers
to forget their great hurry. Come, my good friend, business is
pressing; let us be away. A good-day to the ‘two beauties instead of
one.’”
And the two officers hurried from the apartment, entered a chariot, and
were on their way to the appointed place.
“A charming damsel that, Barzello.”
“All of that, my worthy friend.”
“What are her literary attainments?”
“All that Judah’s capital could bestow.”
“How will she compare with the refined maids of Babylon?”
“She will compare favorably with the most polished in Chaldea.”
“Verily. And the brothers?”
“All thy richest fancies could paint them.”
“And yet captives of war!”
“Yea—captives of war.”
“The captivity of genius must be of short duration.”
The chariot halted. The two officers alighted, and without delay they
hastened to the apartments of the Hebrew youths.
“A happy day to the youths of Judah,” said Barzello, in a lively tone.
“This is my noble friend, Ashpenaz, a high officer of the king at the
palace. From this hour ye are to be under his special directions.”
“Thy servants,” replied Daniel, bowing gracefully, “will be greatly
delighted to be placed in any spot where they can be of service to
their worthy superiors.”
“To-morrow, then,” said Ashpenaz, “ye shall enter upon new duties, and
commence your important studies. Your teachers are in readiness—men of
superior powers of mind, and well versed in the art of teaching. The
king himself will be greatly interested in your progress, and therefore
has prepared apartments for the students within the royal enclosures,
where he will at times appear personally to learn of their advancement.
To-morrow, at the third hour, ye will hold yourselves in readiness to
be conveyed thither.”
“Thy servants will be in readiness at the appointed hour,” said Daniel.
“Now for the Egyptians, Barzello,” said Ashpenaz, smiling, as they left
the apartment.