Act 3 — SCENE II
Reading edition
Place: The same as in scene i.
Characters: The same as in scene i.
Time: Several days after the events in scene i.
[The King is seated on his throne. The four conspirators come before the King and kneel.]
The Conspirators: Great King Darius, live forever!
King Darius: Arise, my friends!
First Conspirator: O King, hast thou not signed a decree that he who shall pray to any God or man within thirty days, save to thee, shall be cast into the den of lions?
King Darius: This thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not.
Second Conspirator: A man in thy kingdom regardeth not this law, and doth pray to his God three times a day—we have seen him!
King [with anger]: Who is this man that breaketh my laws?
First Conspirator: He is Daniel, whom thou hast favored and made ruler!
King Darius [with surprise and sadness]: Daniel! It cannot be! Daniel must not die, for I love him.
Third Conspirator: Thou knowest, O King, that the law of the Medes and Persians is that no decree which the King establisheth may be changed.
King [sadly]: Thou sayest truly; the King's word may not be broken. Bring Daniel hither.
[Soldiers go for Daniel. The King walks back and forth in great distress.]
King [talking to himself]: Oh, I would that this had not happened!
[Daniel appears and bows before the King.]
King: Why hast thou disobeyed my law, Daniel? Wherefore didst thou pray to thy God when thou knewest of my decree?
Daniel: Great King Darius, my God, the God to whom I pray, is the true God, and I shall worship no other. Do with me what thou wilt.
King: Daniel, I would that thou hadst not done this thing, for I love thee. Thou art a brave and bold man! Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee! [To the soldiers]: Take this man from me; cast him into the den of lions.
[Soldiers take Daniel and thrust him into the den. The door is closed, and the King seals it with his signet. The King and attendants withdraw. The conspirators are alone.]
First Conspirator: Daniel has fallen at last! No longer will he be the King's favorite!
Fourth Conspirator: We, instead, will be the favored ones!
[They leave the room in high spirits.]