_Third Conspirator:_ That soundeth well! If Daniel be faithful to his God, he will surely disobey this decree; and if the King once signeth it, the law of the Medes and the Persians saith that it cannot be altered. _First Conspirator:_ Ah, this will surely be Daniel's ruin now! _Fourth Conspirator:_ Come, let us hasten to the King and have him establish and sign this decree. He will be pleased; he will not think of Daniel. _Third Conspirator:_ Yea, we will hasten before the setting of the sun. SCENE II 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._]