The Conspirators: Great King Darius, live forever!
King Darius: Arise, my friends!
First Conspirator: O King, hast thou not signed a decree that he who shall pray to any God or man within thirty days, save to thee, shall be cast into the den of lions?
King Darius: This thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not.
Second Conspirator: A man in thy kingdom regardeth not this law, and doth pray to his God three times a day—we have seen him!
King [with anger]: Who is this man that breaketh my laws?
First Conspirator: He is Daniel, whom thou hast favored and made ruler!
King Darius [with surprise and sadness]: Daniel! It cannot be! Daniel must not die, for I love him.
Third Conspirator: Thou knowest, O King, that the law of the Medes and Persians is that no decree which the King establisheth may be changed.