Bilsandan flushed, but tried to keep his temper.
“Believe me, my prince, we have nothing to gain by concealing anything. We had expected no new embassy from Persia so quickly. Now, all unwarned, comes Igas with tidings that Gobryas, the general of Cyrus, is within a hundred furlongs of the city. And doubtless if he is not persuaded to alter his mood, as shown in his letter, we fear Cyrus, your master—”
“Will take swiftest vengeance on Belshazzar, lord of Babylon, and all his guileful race!” shouted the Persian, triumphing at last. Then, with a step straight toward the king, for he had not been fettered, he shook a knotted fist in the royal face. “Give me the letter, the letter,” he commanded, “or, as Ahura reigns on high—”
So fierce was his passion that for the moment king and council quaked before him. It was Belshazzar himself who commanded, “Bilsandan, give him the tablet.” So Darius was suffered to take it, and read:—
“Gobryas, servant of Cyrus, king of Persia and of the Aryans, to Belshazzar sends greeting:—
“Know, O king, my master has sent me to inquire into the strange tales that have come to his ears touching his former envoys, and their treatment. Why have their couriers been halted when bound for Susa? Why does Belshazzar negotiate with Pharaoh Amasis, Cyrus’s foe, and gather soldiers in time of peace? Why does he speak ‘peace’ with his lips and in his heart weave war? I have come to demand an answer of you, O Belshazzar; do not think to hinder my return. For if in twelve days I come not back to Susa denying the tales of treachery, the hosts of the Aryans are in arms. Farewell.”
Darius turned again to Belshazzar. His smile became yet haughtier. “Your Majesty,” declared he, “the meaning of this letter is plain as the moon on a cloudless night. Cyrus has caught scent of your plottings, ere their completion. Instead of Persia being in danger, the peril confronts Babylon. Yet doubtless the worthy Avil is ready with his serpent’s craft. Look to him, Belshazzar, for escape from a net of his own making!”
But the king in turn had put on his arrogancy, and spoke back in wrath:—
“Have a care, bold Persian. You are utterly in my power. I did not send for you to have you revile me to my face.”
The prince only stood more proudly than before.