"Go and tell thine 'illustrious sovereign' that Jehoiakim spits upon his
insolent demands."

"Thy raving is in vain. Better far to bridle thy rage and comply. Be it
known to the King of Judah, that I have three hundred chosen men of war
at my bidding, who wait for the word of command. What is the choice of
the King of Judah?"

"Be it known to thee, insolent fool," cried the exasperated king, "that
Jehoiakim laughs to scorn thy threats, and spurns thy counsels."

"Alas for thine obstinacy, proud and reckless man!" answered Balphoras,
as he left the apartment; "thy doom is sealed!"

After the departure of the Chaldean, Jehoiakim gave orders to his
officers to be ready, at all hazards, to defend the royal enclosures
against all further intrusion from the Chaldeans.

"A curse upon his guilty head! Ha, ha! 'Dragged into his presence,' eh!
Never! Fools! Villains! Let them beware of Jehoiakim's vengeance."

While the King of Judah thus indulged in his wild delirium, a strong
detachment of the Chaldean army was on a rapid march towards the royal
palace, with orders to make a prisoner of Jehoiakim, and bring him into
the presence of the King of Babylon. They soon reached the king's gate,
and demanded admittance; which demand was promptly and haughtily refused.
This was but the signal for attack, and a furious combat followed. Both
the Chaldeans and Jehoiakim's men fought valiantly. The passage was
defended with extreme bravery and valor; but after a most desperate