“Now,” he continued, “having told you that which you wished most to know as a man, I must speak with you of matters of state in which you are concerned as a Prince and as the King to be. Even as you drew near, it was given me of the spirit to perceive that this day is full of mighty portent. Even now there enter men into the King’s camp bearing news that will shake the King’s soul. I have also received from trusty agents within the week great news that has traveled to others less swiftly. Evil men have seized the government of the world at Hamadan. Patatheites, the regent, has brought forth one whom he calls Bardya, the King’s brother, and has proclaimed him King of Kings. He has caused a decree to be published remitting all taxes for three years, declaring that Cambyses is a maniac and possessed of evil spirits, and ordering that he be apprehended and imprisoned. You are surprised. Well may you be. But fear not. It is not Bardya that reigns, but an impostor. He is that Gaumata whom the Great King maimed by cutting off his ears. Evil has been the life of Cambyses, but not so evil as are the lives of those men who have usurped power.”
The Prince uttered an exclamation of wonder and incredulity.
“But is Bardya dead? How knew you this? How can that Gaumata hope to impersonate him long?”
Belteshazzer smiled and remained silent for a moment. His eyes were fixed as if looking within, and he assumed a listening attitude, as one might in revery. Presently he spoke softly and dreamily:
“Yea, I see them even now sitting in a room of the great palace! Patatheites paces up and down, his pale, sharp countenance wreathed in a triumphant smile. Gaumata, the earless one, sits on the throne, uneasy and afraid. He wears a turban low down on his head after the fashion of the Arabs, but it is to conceal his lack of ears. He resembles Bardya, but he is Gaumata. He has shown himself to the people, who have acclaimed him. He awaits uneasily the return of messengers sent to all parts of the earth. In him the Magi triumph and Ahriman, that old serpent, the devil, rules. God is forgotten. As I said, even now there run into the King’s camp at Hamath the emissaries of the false Bardya. They are proclaiming the decree aloud to the wondering soldiers. They are distributing copies to all who can read. A mighty spirit of unrest broods over the army!”
He paused and Prince Hystaspis sprang to his feet, exclaiming: “Then there is need that I return to the army at once! It loves not the King. But is Bardya truly dead, O Prophet of God? Out of all your divine wisdom assure me of this. Direct my course. Tell me of the future. Not while I live shall the usurper throw down the seed of Cyrus from his throne!”
He paused. A tremor passed over the face of Belteshazzer, and with half-closed eyes he continued the low, even-toned words of the seer:
“My son, Bardya is dead! He was slain by Prexaspes in pursuance of the King’s command. A sword-stroke from behind, as they rode northward out of Hamadan, was given by the Mede, with such power that it cleft the Prince’s head to the eyes. Have no doubt of this. I have seen it in visions and heard it of the spirit. What of the future? I see Cambyses dead! I see raised on high one with the countenance of Darius, son of Hystaspis, like an eagle; and he looks at the sun and spreads his wings over the whole world. More I cannot see. God does not decree all things; but He brings to pass that which He does decree. He controls not the wills of men, nor forces them to do good or evil. But in accord with His mighty purpose, He ordains that you, O son of Hystaspis, shall rule the world; and it shall come to pass! Fear not! Go forward! Cast down the liars of earth and those that delude the people to their hurt, idolaters and worshipers of earthly things! Restore again the altars of God. With great power shall you rule and give peace and justice to the peoples of the earth.”
“But it is not required that I raise my hand against Cambyses?”
“No. It is not required. The King is his own avenger.”