Note 34 — CONTENTS (continued 4)
Reading edition
The proclamation was called out in the following manner: “All the people are commanded to come to the king’s palace and solve the king’s riddle. If it is found he will be saved from the oven of hot stones; if it is not found he will be thrown to his death into the oven. No man, woman, child or those weak from old age shall remain at home; only those who do not wink when you poke your finger at their eyes.34 If any one remains at home on that day, his house shall be burned down and the king’s punishment shall be meted out to him, from the parents to the children, relations, and to the last connection and even to a friend.35 This will be the punishment meted out to any person who remains at home this day.”