The missive was unsigned, but the Prince knew from whom it came. His heart leaped with such joy that he became dizzy and he staggered like a drunken man. Recovering his usual calm demeanor with a mighty effort, he said: “Though in the guise of a beggar you come, son of Abraham, yet do you appear to me as an angel of light, bringing joy to my soul such as I have not felt for many sad days! Know you the writer of this? Have you seen her lately? How is she? Speak, man! Great shall be your reward!”
The man’s face shone with joy. The gladness he had brought to this great one of earth was infectious. He arose and stood in humble attitude.
“Great Lord,” he said. “I have not seen this star of the morning for three months, having come hither by a long journey; but, when mine eyes looked upon her as I started to come hither, they were blinded by the light of her eyes and I shaded them before the majesty of her countenance. Like a rose of Sharon is she! Like a cedar on Lebanon stands she, strong and beautiful! The music of her voice is as the song of many waters and loveliness enshrouds her as the darkness enshrouds the moon! Behold, are not all men her slaves? They upon whom she deigns to smile would cast themselves to the lions if she commanded, or would fall upon their own swords if she wished. She is well, but she is not happy; for she speaks much of my lord, the Prince of Iran, and sighs because she sees him not.”
“Where is she?”
“She is with the prophet of God, the great Daniel, known to you as Belteshazzer, in an oasis of the desert of Arabia. The sons of the desert are kindred to the prophet and they dwell happily and safely together. None except I and her two maids know who the royal maiden is. Most happy am I to enjoy the trust of the great master!”
“Then she escaped, indeed! O thou glorious life-giving Spirit, Ahura-Mazda, I thank thee!”
The Prince raised his eyes to the blue vault of heaven and removed the helmet from his head. The Hebrew watched him sympathetically; then, as the Prince turned to him again, he said, “Yes, Great Lord, she escaped from the palace at night and rode on a horse to the rock known as Behistun on the road to Susa. There my master, moved by the spirit, met her and took her with him into the desert ten days’ journey west of Babylon, where in all honor and safety they have kept her. I am requested to bear to her again a message from you, if it please you to give me one. Her message was unsigned and bore no words by which its meaning would be known, had I fallen into the hands of the King. But I can discourse to you of her. The prophet sends to you greeting, with words of good cheer. He bids me say that the times and seasons are changing rapidly and that great events will happen presently, in which you will have large part.”
“Come, then, into my house, servant of Belteshazzer!” said the Prince. “You shall have great rewards. You shall be fed and clothed and be given riches beyond your dreams. We will spend the remainder of this day in converse of her and of her great protector.”
The Prince led the way into his dwelling, and there his servants hurried to bathe and dress the messenger and to set before him victual and drink. And while he ate, his royal host sat near, plying him with questions. It was a great day in the life of Eleazer, the scribe, servant and confidential friend of Belteshazzer, the prophet of God. In the years to follow, when his host had become the mighty King of Kings, he never tired of relating this interview to his sons and to his son’s sons, and how the gracious Prince had talked familiarly with him as with a friend.
Three days later, escorted by a strong body of Persian cavalry, he returned by way of Damascus to Babylon, loaded with riches. At Babylon he left his escort, resumed his disguise, and went into the desert, bearing with him a message from the Prince of Iran to Athura. This related the giving of the King’s consent to their marriage and advised her that it would be safe for her to go to Persepolis and there dwell in seclusion with his mother, under the guardianship of King Hystaspis, who had returned there, until the close of the present campaign. Then he would come and marry her, and thereafter defy Cambyses.