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Read Ebook: The Young Captives: A Story of Judah and Babylon by Jones Erasmus W Hayne Mark Illustrator
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Ebook has 1049 lines and 61374 words, and 21 pages
As yet the Chaldeans remained stationary, about thirty furlongs to the south. About the third hour they began to advance, their glittering arms, dazzling in the bright sunbeams, giving them a grand and imposing appearance. The walls of the city were thronged with anxious gazers, and all hearts throbbed with deep and painful anxiety. Nearer and nearer they approached! The rumbling of their war chariots fell heavily on the ear. The heavy hoofs of their spirited chargers made the earth tremble. The loud blasts of their numerous trumpeters were carried on the wings of the wind, while the echoes answered from the lofty towers of ancient Salem. Suddenly the massive gates were thrown open. Then a grand shout from the whole army rent the air. For hours they poured in through the wide portals, and once more the gods of the Gentiles were escorted in triumph through the wide thoroughfares of the "City of the Great King."
THE King of Judah's treatment of the Chaldean ambassador, in regard to the tribute money, had so exasperated the King of Babylon, that he was determined to chasten his audacity with rigor. This monarch, at this period of his reign, was of rather a mild disposition, but, like his sires before him, a love of conquest had become with him a strong passion.
Three years before, he had dealt with much mildness toward the inhabitants of Jerusalem. On taking the city, he charged his soldiers to show no indignity to the inhabitants, under the severest penalty--which charge was well heeded. Towards Jehoiakim he also evinced a kind disposition. With but few restrictions, he was permitted to reign. Now that Jehoiakim had abused these acts of kindness, had violated solemn obligations, and, in addition to all this, had publicly ridiculed the ambassador, Nebuchadnezzar's indignation was kindled to a flame.
The King of Judah on this occasion, as well as on all other occasions of embarrassment and perplexity, sought relief in mixed wines. These stimulated his courage for the time being, which, being left to its own resources, was of a low order; but, under the effects of these deceitful liquids, he became heroic.
"Jared!" said Jehoiakim, "where is that Sherakim who was so full of fight at the banquet hall last night?"
"As my soul liveth, O king, I know not his whereabouts. I have not seen him since early dawn; and then he appeared to be in haste, and was in no mood for conversation."
"A curse on his cowardly head! I suppose these Chaldeans have put his valor to flight. Jared! how many armed men have we within the royal enclosures?"
"Two hundred of the royal guard, O king, are present--all armed and ready to face death for their illustrious sovereign."
"It is well!" said Jehoiakim, filling his bowl. "Ha, ha, ha! Let the King of Babylon beware of my vengeance? What does the fool desire? The King of Judah is not to be frightened. Jared! where is Sherakim?"
"Sherakim, O king, is not to be found."
"Ah, I had forgotten. Sherakim not to be found! Ha, ha, ha! Sherakim not to be found! The cowardly babbler! Jared, command more wine! Sherakim has fled--he is afraid of a shadow--he has not the courage of a maiden. Have I not known him of old? Did not a thunderstorm always make him cry? Ha, ha, ha! Sherakim the orator! fool! coward!"
"A messenger, O king, from the King of the Chaldeans, desires to be introduced into thy presence. Shall I conduct him to the apartment?"
"Is he alone or accompanied?"
"Accompanied by armed men."
"Let the messenger be admitted, but let the guard remain behind."
The messenger was accordingly ushered into the presence of Jehoiakim.
"And what business of importance has brought thee into the presence of the King of Judah?" asked Jehoiakim, with curling lip.
"I stand in thy presence as a bearer of a message from my sovereign master, King of Babylon."
"Methinks I have seen thee on another occasion."
"And was not my behavior honorable and becoming?"
"Did the King of Judah say otherwise?"
"Yea, otherwise."
"How?"
"Be sparing with thine insolence, or at this time thou mayest fare far worse."
"The Chaldean ambassador is not to be frightened by idle threats from one who lives at the mercy of his master."
"Thinkest thou thyself safe because thou art surrounded with a few soldiers? Knowest thou not that within my call there are hundreds of armed men, ready to execute my will?"
"And knowest thou not that Jerusalem is in the hands of the Chaldeans, and that threescore thousand men of war are stationed in the city?"
"Threescore thousand! But come, sir, what is the message of the King of Babylon to the King of Judah? Let thy words be few."
"Then thou art commanded, without delay, to appear in my master's presence, and there learn his sovereign will concerning thyself and the city."
"Commanded! Ha, ha, ha! Go thy way, and inform thy master that if he desires to see Jehoiakim, King of Judah, he must call at the royal palace, where he may have his desires gratified."
"Then I go. Faithfully will I convey thy answer to my illustrious sovereign."
The minister hastened from the royal palace, to convey to the king the result of the interview, while the King of Judah, waxing more desperate, still applied himself to his cups.
The King of Babylon, on his arrival in Jerusalem, ordered his magnificent royal tent to be pitched in the center of a large square in the very heart of the city. The great body of the army was stationed in another part--the royal guard remaining near the royal tent. From this spot went forth the summons to the King of Judah to appear in the presence of the King of Babylon.
"Where is his Royal Highness, the King of Judah?" asked Nebuchadnezzar.
"In his palace, O king, indulging in excess of wine, apparently perfectly at ease."
"Is he not forthcoming?" asked the king, with a darkened brow.
"He laughs to scorn thy commands, O king! and wishes to inform thee that if thou hast aught to communicate he may be consulted at his palace."
The communication was in perfect accordance with the desires and expectations of the Chaldean officer. Balphoras was in possession of an amiable mind. He was respectful to his superiors, kind and gentle to his inferiors. Wherever he was known among his countrymen he was greatly beloved. However, he was not insensible to injury or indifferent to abuse. He felt deeply; but had learned to be a greater conqueror than his master, inasmuch as he that governeth his own spirit is greater than he that taketh a city. Balphoras, without being unkind or selfish, desired to witness the humiliation of the King of Judah. The command of his king, therefore, was put in immediate execution, and the Chaldean minister, accompanied by a strong and imposing guard, once more was on his way to demand admission into the presence of the King of Judah.
? ? ? ? ? ? ?
"Jared! Well would I have served those guilty dogs, if I had given orders to have their heads taken off. What sayest thou, Jared?"
"They richly deserved it, O king," answered Jared, with his face in another direction, on which played a suppressed smile.
"Let them beware how they insult the King of Judah! Jared! hast thou learned aught of Sherakim's whereabouts?"
"Naught, O king."
"Ungrateful dog! Cowardly fool! Miserable brawler!--Sherakim! Bah! Jared, order more wine. Whom should Jehoiakim fear? Jared! what trouble is there in the porch? Haste thee and see."
Jared hastened to obey the commands of his drunken sovereign, and presently returned.
"The same messenger from the King of the Chaldeans demands an interview with the King of Judah."
"Let him be admitted. Ha! ha! What next?"
Balphoras, with a firm, dignified step, walked into the presence of Jehoiakim, who, in spite of his wine-propped courage, almost trembled beneath the Chaldean's penetrating glance.
"And what hast thou to communicate at this time?"
"My communication is short and decisive."
"The shorter the better--let it be delivered."
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