#answer wisely your word will be used against you in court /j

[zackieboyo]

so the Eddsworld characters are dropped in a survival map and forced to fight to the death, they don't have any supplies of their own but they can use nature and such to their advantage. which of these characters comes out on top?

[redisriding]

The Right Swipe - Chapter Five

A Court of Thorns and Roses Modern AU Fanfic

All character’s belong to the wonderful Sarah J Maas.

Tag List: @superspiritfestival  @duskandstarlight @perseusannabeth​ @courtofjurdan​ @omg-aelin​ @keshavomit​ ​ @rainbowcheetah512​

Azriel’s hands trembled as he punched the numbers into his phone. He had said he would call at this time. His promise, more to himself than her, the only thing holding him to actually going through with the call. Two hours ago he had told Cassian he was coming down with a migraine and had retired to his room. He had lay on his bed, as darkness slowly consumed the room, counting down the time until the call. Thinking up excuses to get him out of calling. Only to talk himself out of the excuses and into going through with it. 

There was one thing that Azriel wanted more than anything and that was to be in love. He often wondered that if the lie, the illusion of love he had lived for ten years had felt that good then what would the real thing feel like? When someone you loved, loved you back in the way they were meant to. 

There was a part of Azriel that thought he wasn’t worthy of such things, that there was nothing especially appealing about him that would make someone fall in love with him, the real him, not the fame and not the money. 

But another part of him, the logical part, knew that everyone was deserving of love. That everyone would find their person when the time was right. That included him. 

He also knew, however, that if he wanted to find his person, or let them find him, he needed to put himself out there and not cloister himself away in his apartment. No matter how safe he felt. 

So, hands shaking, heart hammering, Azriel pressed the call button and placed his phone to his ear. 

Time seemed to slow. The ringing in his ear going on forever. 

In reality however, she picked up on the third ring.

“Hello?” She answered. 

Adrenaline spiked through Azriel. For all of his anxiety about making the phone call, he hadn’t actually thought through what he would say when she picked up. Maybe he hadn’t really believed that she would.  

He felt sweat prick on his lip, his heart now pounding so hard it threatened to break free of the cage that were his ribs.

They had called to have a conversation, to get to know each other better than they could over messages, and yet every single thought emptied from Azriel’s head. What on earth did he say to her?

“Hello?” She repeated. 

Say something Azriel he screamed at himself. 

“Ugh…hi.”

Smooth. 

“Azriel?”

He closed his eyes. Her voice was light and airy. Soft. Kind. His name sounded nice falling from her mouth. 

“Yeah…Elain?”

“Yes! Hi!”

“Hi.”

Silence descended between them again. Azriel desperately tried to think of something to say. To try and remember something from their Swipe conversations, and still he was drawing a blank. 

“This is a bit awkward, isn’t it?” Elain giggled. 

The sound was so light and infectious that Azriel couldn’t help but huff a laugh. “Just a bit…I, ugh, don’t really know that to say.”

“Me neither.”

“I’ve never done this before.”

“Called some random woman from Swipe?”

“Ugh…talked to someone I don’t know on the phone.”

“No one?”

“At all.”

“What about when you order pizza?”

“I use an app.”

“What about when you have to call a plumper or your bank?”

“I have people for that.”

Elain laughed again “Ooooh okay Mr Bigshot? What do you mean you have people for that?”

“Ugh…well…I have an agent who looks after my affairs.”

“Oh wow, you really are a big shot.”

“No, not really.”

“So, are you some sort of Ward of the State?”

It was Azriel’s turn to laugh. “No, I’m perfectly capable of looking after my own affairs…I just don’t.”

Silence fell between them again, but there was less panic coursing through Azriel now. 

“Azriel,” Elain whispered after a moment.

“Yeah?”

“Do you want to video call?”

“Eh—.”

“So we can actually see each other’s faces, it might be a bit…less weird?”

Azriel paused for a moment, considering. Actually, maybe it would be easier if he could see her face, read her expressions. “Yeah okay.”

“Okay. I’ll call you right back.”

“Okay.

“Okay.”

There was another pause, and Azriel was sure he heard Elain take a deep breath before the line went dead. 

He pulled his phone away from his ear and stared at it. His world somehow seemed greyer after speaking to Elain than it had before. Like she was the colour and light he was missing. 

In an eruption of light, startling Azriel and causing his just settled heart to again pick up its hammering, his phone displayed and incoming call from a number he presumed belonged to Elain. 

He punched the accept button. “Hey!”

Elain’s face filled the screen. 

Azriel’s pounding heart skipped for a second. 

She was stunning. 

Soft brown-blonde hair fell in waves framing her heart shaped face. Her eyes were big and brown, doe-like. With high cheekbones and soft pouty lips her beauty was soft, adorable. 

Azriel felt the binds he chained around his heart loosen. 

“Oooh,” she squeaked, “You’re in the dark?”

“Oh sorry,” he said as he stumbled from his bed, to try and find the light switch.

“Azriel?”

“Yeah?”

“Do you not want me to see your face?”

“Ugh—.”

“Because your profile pictures seem purposefully obscured. You suggested calling rather than meeting up at first. You hesitated when I asked if you want to video call. Now your room is dark?”

“No, I—.”

“If there is something wrong with your face, if you have scarring or something, I don’t—.”

Azriel’s fingers found the switch, light illuminating the room. He grinned at Elain’s sweet face twisted in a frown, her expression then turning to one of surprise.

“Oh!” She whispered, “Very beautiful.”

Azriel only grinned wider as she caught herself, even on the screen he could see the pink blush that flooded her cheeks. 

“I mean,” she stumbled over her words, “Not beautiful, just that…well…eh…not that it's not beautiful, just that…there’s nothing wrong with—.”

“Elain?”

“I just mean that I don’t see why you would hide your face,” she finally exclaimed. 

“Thank you,” he said, chuckling at how flustered she had become. 

“Why did you hide your face?”

“Oh eh…”Azriel hesitated. 

Elain didn’t appear to recognise him. He didn’t want her impression of him to change if she knew what he did for a living. 

Then again, hadn’t he lectured Cassian only yesterday about how it was important to be his authentic self. And wasn’t Cassian, not having taken his advice on board, now sitting on Azriel’s couch watching endless reality TV and eating chocolate? 

“Yeah, I didn’t want to make myself too easily recognisable just in case.”

“In case of what?”

“So…I don’t really know how to say this without sounding pretentious so I’m just going to say it.”

“Okay?” There was a lightness to Elain’s voice, like she was laughing. 

“Do you know who I am?”

“Eh…aside from the guy I matched with on Swipe, no. I don’t know anything about you.”

“Good! That ugh…makes a change. See Elain, a lot of people in this town know me…I…do you like hockey?”

“Hockey?”

“Yeah.”

“Not especially.”

“So you don’t follow the Velaris Black Wings?”

“No.”

“Oh…well…I joined the team this season. It was kind of a big signing, publicity-wise.”

“Oh my gods!” Elain exclaimed. 

Azriel felt his stomach drop. This was going to go either one of two ways and both were bad for him. One, she was going to be wooed by his money and fame. To want to get close to him because of that. Not give a damn about him as a person. The second option, was that she would want nothing to do with him, because of the money and the fame. Not to be able to see past those things to the person he was. 

He held his breath waiting for Elain to say something further. To reveal which of the two she was. 

“You’re such a liar.”

His heart sank. 

Gods this was impossible. 

Maybe he should give up on the whole dating thing until he was retired and happily back hiding in the Illyrian mountains. Although from Cassian’s reports, there wasn’t much hope there either.

“Elain—.”

“You are a Mr Bigshot!” 

Azriel paused, the breath leaving him in a sudden rush. She was neither enamoured or repulsed…she was joking with him?

He smiled at her shyly through the screen. 

“I can totally see, why you would want to keep your identity private,” she continued. 

“Yeah, I just don’t want to attract a lot of attention if I can avoid it.” 

“Makes sense.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.”

They lapsed back into silence. An easy one this time, as they smiled at each other. 

It was Azriel who broke it, “Nice plant.”

“Oh this?” Elain moved to look at the leafy thing that was sprawling behind her shoulder. “Thanks, I’m nursing it back to health.”

“Forget to water it?”

“No, I found it in my sister’s coffee shop, dying. I asked her to smuggle it out for me so I could save it.”

Azriel chuckled, those chains around his heart slackening once more. “You like plants?”

“I love to grow things. To see little seedlings emerge from the soil, so brave, to grow into trees big and tall, or flowers bright and beautiful,” she shrugged blushing slightly, “It’s nice.”

“Maybe I should get some plants to liven up my apartment, it’s pretty grey…minimalist apparently.”

“Oh you absolutely should!”

And with that Elain launched into a discussion about which plants did best in what environments and which ones might suit his apartment best. 

Azriel leaned back on his bed, head against the pillow, content to listen to her talk for hours. 

[kitashiwrites]

Wave Upon The Sand - A Tarquin Fic

Series: A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas Characters: Tarquin, Cresseida, Varian, Feyre, Rhysand, Amren POV: Tarquin Rating: T Word Count: 3503 Ao3: http://archiveofourown.org/works/9818336

Summary: Chapter 32 of ACOMAF from Tarquin’s POV.

**May be continued! Read the note at the beginning :)**

Tarquin has received a request from the Night Court for the High Lord, Rhysand, and his courtiers to visit the Summer Court, stating that he has information regarding a potential threat from Hybern. For a new High Lord without solid allies, this could be a good move… or one he could possibly regret for centuries to come.

Comments: TARQUIN! I don’t know if anyone else has done anything from his POV yet?  Either way, I’ve loved this idea ever since it was requested by Emily on my Ao3, but actually figuring out what to do was hard. I knew it had to be the Summer Court, but how much? Would people actually be interested in this? So I am leaving it up to you, the readers, how far I take this. If you would like to see the rest of the Summer Court visit from his POV, I will continue it. Or if not, I’ll leave it as is. All you have do is let me know!

Either way, I hope you enjoy it as much as I did writing it. :) Thank you guys for the comments and kudos on Ao3, and the likes and reblogs here! I don’t tell you all enough how much I appreciate you guys <3

A big thanks (as always), to the best tumblr bestie in the whole wide world, @illyriantremors, who is always my biggest cheerleader and I appreciate more than I can say <3<3<3

—

“Absolutely not!” Cresseida snapped.

I let out a sigh of frustration and pinched the bridge of my nose. “Cresseida—”

“No! I will not allow you to let that traitorous whore and his court into Adriata. You owe him nothing.”

“We owe the Cursebreaker,” I argued, “and we do owe Rhysand our lives for not outing us as rebels when he clearly saw it!” This meeting had been going on for hours, and not for the first time, I wished I sat where Varian sat—a Captain and a Prince again, able to take off to sea at will, and not deciding whether we would meet with the man who had stood at the left hand of Amarantha.

Cresseida threw up her hands. “Why are we even having this meeting if you aren’t going to listen to a word we say?”

I sat back in my chair. “That’s what I would like to know, seeing as you are the one who wanted to have it in the first place.”

“Tarquin is right, sister,” Varian interjected. “We do owe the Cursebreaker. It is just our unfortunate luck that she is with the Night Court.”

“How do we know that isn’t just him manipulating her?” She turned to me. “You said yourself that he melted our courtier’s mind. Who’s to say he wouldn’t do it to her to—”

“Cresseida,” I said firmly. “They are coming tomorrow. I see no better way to test if Rhysand’s request for a meeting and possible alliance is genuine. If he does anything untoward to anyone while he’s here, we will have justice.” I let out a sigh. “We don’t have many options. The last fifty years have left us all trying to recover—”

“We can recover just fine without that monstrous court,” she said stubbornly.

“You weren’t there!” I snapped, my patience running thin. “You cannot possibly imagine what it was like to watch that, and know that all it would have taken for me to befall the same fate would have been one look from Rhysand. And the Cursebreaker’s title speaks for itself. If you will not play nice for another High Lord, at least try not to embarrass us in front of the one who saved us all.” I was probably being too harsh, but Cresseida had the decency to look embarrassed nonetheless. Varian cleared his throat.

“While it is true we weren’t there, Rhysand’s reputation still stands. Are you sure this is a wise move?”

No. I wasn’t sure of anything. That’s why I’d appointed my siblings as my advisors—to keep me from making ignorant moves. But somehow, I still ended up reining them in sometimes. It was a vicious cycle.

As if she’d sensed my thoughts, Cresseida asked nonchalantly, “I wonder if Tamlin is aware how close she will be to his lands.”

“Cresseida,” I warned. The last thing we needed was to be the ones instigating a war between Spring and Night. For all that one or the other might consider us allies depending on who we helped, I couldn’t get rid of the nagging animosity I felt for our southern neighbor. It was Tamlin’s inaction that made it so we had to rebel. It was our own mistakes that got us caught, but had there been some kind of effort for the remaining courts to go against her…

But that was in the past. We now had the freedom and the luxury to ponder the what-ifs, and right now, we had the chance to gain an ally of one of the most powerful courts in Prythian.

“I’m simply saying we don’t know that Rhysand didn’t kidnap her,” Cresseida continued, clearly having taken my silence as an opportunity to try to convince me. “Tamlin has been beside himself, if the rumors are to be believed. I somehow doubt after all she went through to free him that she would suddenly just abandon him.”

“Why are you paying any mind to rumors from the Spring Court?” I asked, my irritation growing.

“I simply do not want to be caught off guard if we are asked about her.”

It was Varian who answered this time. “Cresseida, do not go courting trouble.”

I let out a sigh and slumped in my chair as the conversation, and thus the bickering, started all over again.

~~

The day passed by rather quickly, turning into the hour of their arrival before I knew it. I now waited with my siblings at the entryway to the palace for our guests, who would be here any moment. There was a nice sea breeze, but there was no denying it was a warm day, even for Adriata. I wondered how long we would be standing here waiting. My only real interactions with Rhysand had thankfully been from a distance Under the Mountain, but this meant I didn’t really know what to expect from him when it came to punctuality.

And speak of the devil himself, there they were.

Rhysand winnowed into sight, standing between two women, each with a hand in his. A short, raven haired woman dressed in grey, and the other—

The last time I’d seen this woman, she’d been a mortal whose neck had been snapped by Amarantha for daring to challenge her and winning. She’d been resurrected, Made into a High Fae. The Cursebreaker herself. She snatched her hand away from the High Lord, a scowl on her face.

“Welcome to Adriata,” I said, eyeing my guests.

“Good to see you again, Tarquin,” Rhysand drawled. He looked almost exactly as I remembered him, down to his midnight black outfit. The only difference was the tan that now colored his skin, and the considerable power I could feel in the air around him. He could hide his power well, but for another High Lord… it was still clearly there. I began to wonder if I had made a bigger mistake than I’d realized, letting him into my court.

But he could have outed me Under the Mountain. He could have had my entire court wiped out with merely a word, tortured… and he didn’t. And despite all the alarm bells ringing in my head, I chose in that moment to give him a chance.

He gestured to the tiny woman next to him, inspecting her sharp looking nails. “Amren, I think you know. Though you haven’t met her since your… promotion.”

I gave her a small nod. One would be remiss to forget the unnerving, silver eyed woman that I now remembered was Rhysand’s Second. He wasn’t fooling around. “Welcome back to the city, lady.” She didn’t nod, or bow, or so much as curtsy. She looked me over appraisingly, as though she were eyeing her next meal.

“At least you are far more handsome than your cousin. He was an eyesore.” Her red lips stretched wide as her gaze shifted behind me. “Condolences, of course.” I wasn’t quite sure how to answer this… could it be considered a compliment? The Night Court clearly had a different way of interacting than we did in Summer. I could only imagine the look Cresseida was giving them right now.

Rhysand gestured to the Cursebreaker. “I don’t believe you two were ever formally introduced Under the Mountain. Tarquin, Feyre. Feyre, Tarquin.” A very informal formal introduction. But even though I’d hardly spoken to her before this, really only thanking her for saving us, there was still something so familiar feeling about her. I fixed my gaze on her, keeping the political mask that Varian and Cresseida insisted I needed to use with them in place. Her expression was the same, though I couldn’t shake the feeling that Cresseida might not have been entirely wrong about Rhysand controlling her.

Dressed in a flowing lilac and pearl dress, and her brassy hair in curls, Feyre was clearly prepared for our court’s weather and looked like she would fit right in. However, there were hints of the Night Court in her dress—night blooming flowers, specifically. Subtle enough to be overlooked, but still spoke volumes. I couldn’t help but letting my gaze wander to the plunging neckline of her gown, accentuating her figure attractively.

Rhysand had clearly noticed. “Her breasts are rather spectacular, aren’t they? Delicious as ripe apples.”

I didn’t like the possessive tone that was lightly woven into that statement, but wondered if that was his way of letting me know hands off.

Feyre slid her gaze to him, keeping her face neutral. “Here I was, thinking you had a fascination with my mouth.” The look of surprised delight that crossed his face made me rethink my suspicion, but I still remained wary.

“You have a tale to tell, it seems,” I said finally.

“We have many tales to tell,” Rhysand said, jerking his head towards the glass doors behind me. “So why not get comfortable.”

“We have refreshments prepared,” Cresseida said. I suddenly realized I had never introduced my Court. An amateur’s mistake. I placed a hand on her shoulder.

“Cresseida—Princess of Adriata,” I said, trying to correct my mistake. Cresseida took a step forward.

“A pleasure,” she murmured. “And an honor.”

Feyre shrugged in an almost perfect imitation of Rhysand. “The honor is mine, princess.”

I hastily introduced the rest of our courtiers and Varian, in hopes of moving us along, though Varian kept his eyes fixed wholly on Rhysand’s Second, his stance wary at best and hostile at worst. The small woman returned his glare with a smile of feral delight. Thankfully, it didn’t progress any further, and soon we were walking into the palace. Rhysand walked next to me, his companions falling into step behind him.

“Nynsar approaches soon,” Rhysand said suddenly. “Have you decided what flowers you’re going to decorate with?” It was such an odd question, and so… normal. His letter had been more urgent of a request, stating that he had information regarding a potential uprising from Hybern. While I would never allow them to dock in my port after Amarantha, it never hurt to be prepared in the event they tried to force my hand.

“I haven’t really thought about it yet,” I said carefully, not sure where he was going with this. “I imagine Cresseida has some ideas, though I’m sure there will at least be some hibiscus and water lilies. And you?”

“Jasmine,” he said matter of factly. “Maybe something else, but for us, the real show will be in the sky, so not many will be caring about the flowers around them.” Indeed, I’d heard the stories of Nynsar in the Night Court—Starfall, they called it. It was supposed to be one of the most beautiful sights in Prythian. Our conversation died off, neither of us really knowing what to talk about. It was hard to converse when the last time you had seen each other, you had been reveling in the freedom you’d been denied for half a century. I looked behind me. The group followed us, with my siblings bringing up the rear. Feyre wasn’t far from Rhysand or Amren, but seemed… distracted.

“We have four main cities in my territory,” I said to her over my shoulder, trying to be a good host. It was her first visit here after all. “We spend the last month of winter and first spring months in Adriata—it’s finest at this time of year.”

She nodded. “It’s very beautiful.” Her tone was sincere as far as I could tell, but I couldn’t help staring at her. That… something… it was still there. I couldn’t place what it was, and I was sure before this visit was over, I’d either ask her or go insane.

“The repairs have been going well, I take it,” Rhysand said suddenly, hauling my attention back to him.

“Mostly,” I admitted. “There remains much to be done. The back half of the castle is a wreck. But, as you can see, we’ve finished most of the inside. We focused on the city first—and those repairs are ongoing.”

“I hope no valuables were lost due its occupation,” he said. Another odd question, but from the expression on his face, it seemed innocent.

“Not the most important things, thank the Mother,” I said honestly. I could feel the eyes of my advisors on me, each one digging into my back. As they peeled away, making excuses to go do other duties, I wondered if I had done something wrong. But now was not the time to worry about that. I smiled at them as best I could, and led our guests into the dining room. Feyre walked right past the table, as though she hadn’t even seen it, and stood at the windows that overlooked to the bay and the sea that lay beyond. “This is my favorite view,” I said to her, seeing the awe on her face as I moved to stand next to her. I looked out at the water again. It really was—it was one of the first places I went to see when we returned to the palace after starting the rebuilding effort in the city, and it would likely be my last stop when we left for the season.

“You must be very proud,” she said, “to have such stunning lands.”

I slid my gaze over to hers. “How do they compare to the ones you have seen?”

“Everything in Prythian is lovely, when compared to the mortal realm,” she said dully—a diplomatic answer.

“And is being immortal lovelier than being human?” I asked.

She turned to me and looked at me up and down, brazenly and without a shred of politeness said, “You tell me.”

Any worries I’d had that her mind was being controlled by Rhysand were gone. This was the fire I’d seen in the mortal woman Under the Mountain. No one could replicate that so flawlessly, not even Rhysand. I smiled genuinely at her. “You are a pearl. Though I knew that the day you threw that bone at Amarantha and splattered mud on her favorite dress.”

“I do not remember you being quite so handsome Under the Mountain. The sunlight and sea suit you,” she said flirtatiously. If this had been anyone else, I’d probably have been embarrassed by the comment, even flattered. But this was the woman who had been a part of two other courts in the span of a year, and the favorite of both of their High Lords.

“How, exactly, do you fit in within Rhysand’s court?” I asked baldly. If she could be frank, then so would I. It was so much more honest, and a better way to negotiate.

She looked uncertain of her answer, but before I could press further, Rhysand’s voice rang out from the table, as if he’d heard every word—somehow I didn’t doubt he had. “Feyre is a member of my Inner Circle. And is my Emissary to the Mortal Lands.”

Cresseida, seated beside him, asked, “Do you have much contact with the mortal realm?” Feyre took this opportunity Cresseida had unwittingly given her, and moved to the table to sit next to Rhysand’s Second, away from me and directly across from Rhysand.

Rhysand sniffed at his wine, to the clear chagrin  of Cresseida. “I prefer to be prepared for every potential situation. And given that Hybern seems set on making themselves a nuisance, striking up a conversation with the humans might be in our best interest.”

Varian drew his focus away from Rhysand’s Second. “So it’s been confirmed?” he asked roughly. “Hybern is readying for war.”

“They’re done readying,” Rhysand drawled, sipping his wine. “War is imminent.”

“Yes, you mentioned that in your letter,” I said, finally taking my seat at the head of the table between Rhysand and his Second. “And you know against Hybern, we will fight. We lost enough good people Under the Mountain. I have no interest in being slaves again. But if you are here to ask me to fight in another war, Rhysand—”

“That is not a possibility,” he interrupted smoothly, “and had not even entered my mind.” Though I doubted that, I was glad that he seemed to understand my warning.

“High Lords have gone to war for less you know,” Cresseida crooned from her seat. I looked at her and saw her gaze was focused on Feyre. “Doing it over such an unusual female would be nothing unexpected.”

“Try not to look so excited, princess,” Feyre said flatly. “The High Lord of Spring has no plans to go to war with the Night Court.”

“Are you in contact with Tamlin, then?” My sister’s saccharine smile was borderline feral. She was playing with fire, but she didn’t seem to care.

“There are things that are public knowledge, and things that are not,” Feyre said quietly, measured—a voice that didn’t demand attention, but you couldn’t help but be drawn in. “My relationship with him is well known. Its current standing, however, is none of your concern. Or anyone else’s. But I do know Tamlin, and I know that there will be no internal war between courts—at least not over me, or my decisions.”

“What a relief, then,” Cresseida said, sipping her white wine and cracking a crab claw open. “To know we are not harboring a stolen bride—and that we need not bother returning her to her master, as the law demands. And as any wise person might do, to keep trouble from their doorstep.” I knew that last part was for me, though I could feel Rhysand Second still next to me, recognizing my sister’s threat.

“I left of my own free will,” Feyre answered, clearly unhappy with the direction of this conversation. “And no one is my master.”

My sister shrugged. “Think that all you want, lady, but the law is the law. You are—were his bride. Swearing fealty to another High Lord does not change that. So it is a very good thing that he respects your decisions. Otherwise, all it would take would be one letter from him to Tarquin, requesting your return, and we would have to obey. Or risk war ourselves.”

Rhysand sighed. “You are always a joy, Cresseida.”

“Careful, High Lord,” Varian warned. “My sister speaks the truth.”

I laid a hand on the table, my siblings antics finally too much for me to ignore. “Rhysand is our guest—his courtiers are our guests. And we will treat them as such.” I decided to throw a reminder of my own to her. “We will treat them, Cresseida, as we treat people who saved our necks when all it would have taken was one word from them for us to be very, very dead.” I studied Rhysand and Feyre. While Rhysand’s expression was completely disinterested, Feyre’s eyes betrayed how bothered by my sister’s comments she’d been, and I couldn’t help but feel sorry for her. She’d been thrown into our world simply because she’d fulfilled the criteria to save us, and now was one of us. I wondered how that had affected her since her Making. I shook my head—these were thoughts for another time. I turned to Rhysand. “We have more to discuss later, you and I. Tonight, I’m throwing a party for you all on my pleasure barge in the bay. After that, you are free to roam in this city wherever you wish. You will forgive its princess if she is protective of her people. Rebuilding these months has been long and hard. We do not wish to do it again any time soon.”

I turned to Feyre. “Cresseida made many sacrifices on behalf of her people,” I offered gently. “Do not take her caution personally.”

“We all made sacrifices,” Rhysand said suddenly, his voice razor-sharp and icy. “And you now sit at this table with your family because of the ones Feyre made. So you will forgive me, Tarquin, if I tell your princess that if she sends word to Tamlin, or if any of your people try to bring her to him, their lives will be forfeit.”

Even the sea breeze died. This was the man who led the Court of Nightmares. Who could—and did—kill in Amarantha’s name for fifty years.

“Do not threaten me in my own home, Rhysand,” I warned, though my bravado was on shaky ground. “My gratitude only goes so far.”

“It’s not a threat,” he countered, the crab claws on his plate cracking open all at once, the meat practically exploding out of the shells—under his power. “It’s a promise.”

I turned towards Feyre, to see how she would respond to such a… protective statement. Especially for one who said she had no master.

Feyre merely looked at all of us and raised her glass as if in a toast. She held my gaze the longest. “No wonder immortality never gets dull.”

The charged air crackling about the table dissipated almost instantly, and I chuckled.

This was going to be a very interesting visit.

[otterthewasted]

[SNIPPET] ACOMAF - Rhysand's Perspective - Part 3

WARNING: If you have not read A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas I strongly suggest you go read it first - it’s undoubtedly better written and what I have written will spoil the book for you.

I am re-writing all of ACOMAF from Rhysand’s perspective, using all of the original characters/scenes/dialogue, and adding in new bits and bobs to flesh his story out more.

This is Chapter 1 of Part 3 - click HERE to read the rest of the chapters in this part.

I hope you all enjoy!

*Disclaimer - I do not take credit for the any of the characters or the world created by Sarah J. Maas.

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I watched her make her way towards her bedroom then, still a little unsteady on her feet but determined and… maybe even a little excited.

Excitement coursed through me in waves and I alternatively felt like I was freezing and burning as my thoughts bounced around in my head. I walked to the balcony around the veranda and stared off at the mountains for several minutes, filling my lungs with the cold mountain air as I tried to center myself.

In many ways everything was about to get a lot more difficult – if being apart from her had been torture, being so close to her day after day was going to be its own form of torment. But at least, if absolutely nothing else, I would know she was safe and cared for – even if she decided she couldn’t stomach working with me, well, that would be fine, but I would know she was eating and sleeping and that she wasn’t alone.

Taking another deep breath, I made my way back around towards the dining table, over to a column, and leaned against it, crossing my arms and waiting.

She took longer than ten minutes. She could have taken ten hours and I would still have waited for her. But I was glad she hadn’t taken too much longer, otherwise I would have felt the need to go and check on her – and I doubted she would have appreciated me knocking down the door.

When she appeared at the top of the stairs, her skin flush from the bath, hair still damp and pulled back into a messy braid, dressed in another set of Night Court clothes that she always looked radiant in, I felt my body nearly tremble with excitement.

She approached me and I couldn’t help but tease her lightly as I extended my hand towards her, “That was fifteen minutes.”

She didn’t scowl at me, in fact she looked completely worn out again – she did need to sleep some more, perhaps once we got there, I could convince her to lay down again.

She lifted a hand, taking mine and stepped towards me as I pulled her into my embrace before I winnowed us through the world, landing us lightly in the foyer of my home.

I lowered my arms as she staggered back slightly, and I held my breath as I watched her take it all in. The early morning sun filtered in through the windows with cheery warmth, pooling over the thick ornate carpet beneath our feet and caressing the warm, wood paneled walls around us. Choice pieces of artwork, all favorites of mine, dotted the walls, and straight behind me was a stair case leading to the second story. On either side of us were door ways, leading to a comfortably appointed sitting room, and on the opposite, a snug dining room, large enough for my family but nothing like the grandeur of the House of Wind. A tiny hallway down the side of the stair case led to the kitchen and the doors leading to the garden.

She drank it all in, her gaze moving steadily across the floors and walls, taking in the art only briefly, then seeming to notice, all at once, how ordinary it all was – the quality was all good, but I had chosen every piece for comfort instead of style. And I drank in the sight of her standing in the middle of it.

And I did not feel quite so empty.

“Welcome to my home,” I said quietly.

I could see the thoughts that crashed through her mind at my words, the sudden uncertainty of her decision to come here and images of the destruction she had seen in the Spring Court flittered through her mind, along with the reactions people had towards her that made her so uncomfortable. My concern for her was abated by the certainty of the knowledge that she would experience neither of those things here.

Looking up at me she asks in nearly a whisper, “What is this place?”

Crossing my arms across my chest I leaned back against the threshold to the sitting room and answered her, “This is my house. Well, I have two homes in the city. One is for more… official business, but this is only for me and my family.”

She looked around again and the thought about servants hovering flashed through her mind.

“Nuala and Cerridwen are here,” I explained, hoping that they would be a comfort to her, a known variable in a world that had gone to pieces for her in such a short amount of time, “but other than that, it will just be the two of us.”

I saw her tense. As though suddenly the thought of being alone with me was frightening – which both saddened me and made me want to laugh, we had been just as alone at the Night Court, only the size of the building had changed. But if sharing this house with me would bother her too much… I would stay elsewhere, for her... for her to feel safe. I opened my mouth to say as much when there was suddenly pounding on the front door.

“Hurry up, you lazy ass,” Cassian drawled from the other side of the door. I ignored him as I noticed Feyre’s eyes growing heavy with exhaustion. Instead I changed direction from what I was going to tell her, “Two things, Feyre darling.”

The pounding continued, soon followed by Azriel’s cooler voice. “If you’re going to pick a fight with him, do it after breakfast.”

“I wasn’t the one who hauled me out of bed just now to fly down here,” Cassian grumbled before adding under his breath, “Busybody.”

A corner of my mouth threatened to curve up, as I never once looked away from Feyre’s tired eyes, “One, no one – no one – but Mor and I are able to winnow directly inside this house. It is warded, shielded, and then warded some more. Only those I wish – and you wish – may enter. You are safe here; and safe anywhere in this city for that matter. Velaris’s walls are well protected and have not been breached in five thousand years. No one with ill intent enters this city unless I allow it. So go where you wish, do what you wish, and see who you wish. Those two in the antechamber,” I explained with a bit of a smirk, “might not be on that list of people you should bother knowing, if they keep banging on the door like children.”

Another bang on the door followed by Cassian calling out, “You know we can hear you, prick.”

“Secondly,” I pushed on, “In regard to the two bastards at my door, it’s up to you whether you want to meet them now, or head upstairs like a wise person, take a nap since you’re still looking a little peaky, and then change into city-appropriate clothing while I beat the hell out of one of them for talking to his High Lord like that.”

Feyre’s eyes looked from me, to the door, and then back, and without her saying a word I knew what she would choose – she looked so very tired, and soul sick.

“Just… come get me when they’re gone.”

There was a brief moment of sadness in me, because I did want her to meet my friends, my family, but it quickly passed in light of everything I knew she had been through. And it was her choice, always her choice.

Right at that moment Amren’s voice joined the other two, scolding them, “You Illyrians are worse than cats yowling to be let in the back door.” The knob turned then, and her scorn quickly shifted to me as she called through the door, “Really, Rhysand? You locked us out?”

I ignored Amren and watched as Feyre turned and began to make her way up the stairs, spotting Nuala and Cerridwen at the top waiting for her. I watched until I couldn’t see her before I finally turned, and with a gesture, unlocked the front door, letting the trio inside with a mock scowl.

Cassian stepped through the door first, dressed in his normal simple city attire, dark pants and a blue sweater, and growled at me, “Welcome home, bastard.” Followed immediately by Azriel, dressed remarkably similar to Cassian in style if not color, tending towards blacks and dark grays, “I sensed you were back. Mor filled me in, but I-“

And then by Amren, who wore a pair of deep red slacks and a silver blouse that nearly matched the color of her eyes, with a cream colored trench coat over the top, who cut him off, “Send your dogs out in the yard to play, Rhysand. You and I have matters to discuss.”

I let out a sigh and reached up to rub a temple as Azriel replied back coldly, “As do I.”

Cassian smirked back at Amren, “We were here first. Wait your turn, Tiny Ancient One.”

Amren snarled at him.

Suddenly I heard Mor walk up behind me, dressed in loose fitting pair of sweats, having obviously spent the night here waiting for me, as she yawned and said sleepily, “Why is everyone here so early? I thought we were meeting tonight at the House.”

Shaking my head, I grumbled at all of them, “Trust me, there’s no party. Only a massacre, if Cassian doesn’t shut his mouth.”

Cassian just raised his arms in mock offense, “We’re hungry,” he complained, “Feed us. Someone told me there’d be breakfast.”

Amren snorted and quipped at all of them, “Pathetic. You idiots are pathetic.”

Mor just grinned at her, “We know that’s true. But is there food?”

I just shook my head at her, “You just came from the kitchen.”

“Oh god,” Cassian laughed, “if she’s cooking then I don’t want it.”

Mor’s eyes shot daggers at him and I couldn’t help myself, I laughed. And it was the first truly free laugh I felt like I had since before I went Under the Mountain.

The all stopped bickering long enough to look at me and smile.

I met their smiles and then gestured into the sitting room, “Let’s get this over with friends, and let’s do it quietly please.”

They nodded and filtered into the sitting room, taking up various seats as Mor gestured at the coffee table and a selection of breakfast items appeared: scrambled eggs, sausage, various fruits and pastry’s, along with a stack of plates, cutlery, napkins and a steaming pot of tea. Everyone except Amren made a selection, then sat back munching in silence for a moment before I finally said, “Amren, I am sure what you need to discuss with me is important, but I would like for it to wait until after dinner tonight – if it is about what I think it is.”

Her silver gaze met mine for a moment, then nodded, “As you wish.”

I turned my gaze to Azriel, “What is the fall out?”

Azriel sat his plate down on the side table beside the couch and wiped his mouth on his napkin before leaning forward. “Tamlin has sealed his borders, no one in or out – has to be some of the finest shield work I have ever seen him do.” I arched a brow at him, and he conceded, “it might not be his shield work.”

I let out a low sigh. Hybern. “Your spies? Are they safe?”

He nodded, “I did not have any full-fledged spies in Spring Court, I worked with some of the more ‘unsavory’ fae that the Spring Court denizens were not fond of. The water-wraiths seem to be particularly fond of Feyre, or at least as fond as they care to be about fae that isn’t their own kind.” That made both of my brows go up in surprise, what in the world had Feyre done to make friends with the water-wraiths? He shrugged at me; he had no idea. “Regardless, they should be safe enough, since they were already ensconced, no one suspects them.”

I nodded and leaned back, thinking, “Summer and Autumn courts? Any troop movement to suggest Tamlin is asking for aid?”

He shook his head again, “No, and we both know it would be a cold day in hell before Tamlin would ask Autumn court for help, not unless he wanted to watch Lucien defect.” He was right about that at least, Cauldron bless Berron, I finally had a good reason to be thankful that old bastard was such an asshole.

“So, if he did ask for aid, it would be from the Summer Court then.” That was not a good thing, not for us and what we needed. Nothing was every easy. “Azriel I need you to keep track of their fleet, I want numbers and I want to know their positions daily.”

He nodded and picked up his plate to eat again as I looked over at Cassian, “I do not expect Tamlin to come for Feyre directly – for all that he is a beast, he is essentially a coward, except at the very end of the battle when someone else has done all the hard work.” I couldn’t help the sneer that leached into my words. “That being said, we need to be ready to call up the Illyrians, because even if Tamlin does not come for Feyre directly there are others who might. It just depends on how quickly he sealed his borders and if the word of her powers has reached any of the other High Lords.”

Or if he would be willing to sell that tid bit – I doubted that however, Tamlin did not want to share her with anyone.

Cassian however nodded and said, “They aren’t ready to launch into a full-fledged war campaign yet, but we can be prepared to defend Velaris if need be. Although, so long as she stays here, she should be safe.” He shrugged, “No one knows where she or Velaris is.”

I nodded, “That’s true, and a blessing, but it’s a possibility I want us to be aware of and prepared for.”

Mor piped up, “How likely do you think it is that if the other High Lords knew she had some of their power, that they would come for her?”

I set my own plate aside and leaned forward, sighing, “I’m not sure. I think most of them would not be happy about it, that’s pretty much a given. Upset enough to go to war with us over keeping her here? Unlikely. But they might try stealth. When we leave the Night Court territory, we will need to be vigilant.”

Amren sniffed, “And you need to train that girl on how to defend herself.”

I smiled vaguely and nodded, “Agreed. Her mental shields are rather impressive already, but she has no control over her other gifts.”

Cassien reached over, picking up and apple and biting into it, chewing, then asked, “Physical fighting?”

I shook my head at him, “Not that I know of, hunting is all. I was hoping I might be able to convince you to take her on – she will learn faster under your tutelage.”

He grabbed his chest and gasped, “A compliment!”

I rolled my eyes at him and Mor smacked his arm.

He chuckled and leaned back against the couch, “Let me take a look at her, if she is tough enough to put up with your bullshit, I’m sure I can teach her something.”

Mor smacked him again and I just grinned. Mor turned back to me and said, “So what is next? Other than teaching her and making sure she is safe, what are we going to do with her?” I could read between those lines easily enough – when are you going to tell her?

I picked up my cup of tea and took a long swallow before I answered, choosing to answer only the question she asked out loud. “I’m going to give her a choice, if she wants to help us or not. If she does, then we’ll figure out the rest from there, if she doesn’t, then I will help her find something she wants to do to stay occupied, and we’ll keep doing what we have been doing.”

Mor sighed at me but nodded in agreement.

“I want us all to have dinner tonight, up at the House, I would like to give her a chance to meet all of you since I’m certain that will be the deciding matter and not the difficulty of the job.” I grinned at them as they all respectively grinned, hissed or rolled their eyes at me.

But then I eyed each of them carefully and said quietly, “No fighting tonight. Feyre is… she is raw right now, I am not asking you all to coddle her – she needs, wants, a purpose and we can give that to her. But I am asking you, not as High Lord, but as a friend, not to shred her to pieces – and for you all not to be the monsters I know you can be to each other.” I managed another grin at them, they all glanced around at each other, silently agreeing, promising to behave and I relaxed slightly.

Trust Cassian to lighten the mood as he suddenly asked with a grumble, “Do I have to dress up?”

I laughed, “No, in fact, wear your Illyrian leathers if you don’t mind… both of you.” I nodded to Azriel who nodded in return, “I want her to see what we really are, who we are and what it is that we do.”

Mor beamed at this then asked brightly, “Can I dress up?”

Cassian snorted.

I chuckled and shrugged, “Whatever makes you happy Mor.”

Her eyes glittered with mischief, “Whatever-“

“Here we go…” Cassian muttered as I cut her off, “In regard to clothing Mor.”

She let out a dramatic sigh. Amren just shook her head at us all with mock disgust.

Smiling I looked around the group again, “Does anyone else have anything pressing? My plan was to stick close to the house today, in case she has any problems.”

They all looked at each other and then shook their heads, “Alright then. Azriel see what the Summer Court fleet looks like, check in with your Summer and Autumn court spies, then get back here for dinner tonight. The rest of you, go do whatever hard work it is I’m sure you do.” I flapped my hands at them in mock dismissal.

Cassian threw me a rude gesture and made his way out, grabbing another biscuit before he left. Azriel simply shifted into shadow, but Amren and Mor stayed in place. Mor glanced at Amren, considered then said, “I’ll go change for the day, I’ll be back down in a minute.” Hint: You two can talk, but you don’t get to escape me that easy, cousin.

She got up and breezed upstairs to the room she sometimes borrowed when she occasionally spent the night. I let out a sigh then turned my attention to Amren who arched a brow at me, “Well this is an interesting turn of events.”

I shrugged a little, “It’s not what I had planned but it is hardly a disaster.”

“Oh hardly,” she said with a touch of sarcasm, “Do you think she will help?” Her swirling silver eyes studied me minutely.

I tilted my head back, looking up at the ceiling as I considered the question. Two months ago, when I first told her about Hybern she had seemed… interested in helping. Protecting her human family mattered to her. I don’t think that had changed; I think Tamlin had just beat her down enough she felt like she didn’t have an option to do anything useful. Given the opportunity, the freedom, and the training… “Yes,” I said and looked back at her, “I do. And I know what you want to discuss, like I said, let’s talk about it after you meet her tonight.”

Amren tilted her head slightly, considering, then nodded again. “Very well.” She stood up and smiled briefly, “Hope looks good on you Rhysand.” Then she turned and walked out.

I stared after her, a little shocked. Hope? Was I hopeful? Perish the thought.

- - - ~*~ - - -

Mor bounced back down the stairs as I was pouring another cup of tea, dressed in dark grey pants and a knitted forest green sweater, she looked like a pine tree, stolid and timeless. She glanced around the room to make sure we were alone, then walked over to sit on the end of the couch closest to me. “Rhys-” she began, and I cut her off.

“Mor, do not start, please. I know what you think, and why you think it, but it is not the right time.” I shook my head at her and took a sip of my tea.

Her eyes turned reproachful, “Rhysand, you are the happiest I have seen you in close to six months and that’s just with her being in this house for less than a day. Do not tell me it is not the right moment to tell her.”

I smiled at her, my lovely cousin, “And that Mor, is exactly why it is the wrong time to tell her.”

She frowned at me, confused.

“Because telling her right now would be for my benefit, and yes, maybe – maybe – it might be good for her as well, or maybe it would be too much for her to handle on top of everything else she has just gone through. Think about it Mor, the love of her life, the man she was going to marry, the man she sacrificed and died for, just broke her trust, if not her heart. He locked her up and abandoned her, and he has been neglecting her for months, and the longer she is here the more she is likely to realize that.” I shook my head, “I will not add to her burden right now. Maybe someday, when she doesn’t look half dead or flinch from the thought of being near strangers, but until then… just leave it be Mor. Let her get healthy, let her get her confidence back, let her taste freedom again.”

Mor stared at me for long moments before she leaned back into the couch. “She has a right to know the truth.”

I nodded, “She does. She also has a right to not be burdened by it.”

Her gaze darkened, “What makes you so sure it would be a burden?”

I looked away from her then and said, “It was for my mother.”

Mor leaned forward again and grabbed my hand, “Rhys - Rhys your parents were different people. Your father was an asshole and you are not him.You would never treat Feyre the way your father treated your mother. You love her Rhys.”

I swallowed once, then said softly, “But she does not love me. And a Mating bond would just complicate matters that are simple right now. And that is what she needs – simple. If she agrees to work with me, with us, I will be sending her into darkness and danger, the very least I can give her is simplicity in matters that have broken her heart.”

Mor let go of my hand and sat back with a huff of disgust, folding her arms across her stomach and staring at me.

“Let’s play a game Rhysand.” She said tartly, “Let’s say you tell her, but she rejects the bond and decides to leave – how is that any different than you not telling her? She could leave any day; she could go back to the Spring Court tomorrow. At least then she would know and make an educated decision. And yes, your heart would break, but your heart will break if she left tomorrow and you hadn’t told her. But let’s say, just for the shits and giggles of it, you tell her, and she picks you. Hell, maybe even loves you, if you gave her a chance to. In one fell swoop you run the risk of mending two broken hearts – are those odds so damn bad?”

I looked away from her, my heart was beating too fast and my thoughts were all jumbled, but I forced myself to focus, forced myself to think through the chaos and say simply, “And if I tell her, and it’s just one blow too many? You saw her yesterday Mor, she imploded. She is just barely functioning today. What if I told her and she couldn’t handle it? What if the guilt of being Mated to me, and not Tamlin ate at her? What if she decided it was a failure on her part? You want to play a game Mor? Prove to me that telling her will guarantee she will be ok on the other side – pick me, don’t pick me, I don’t care about that. Promise me it won’t break her, prove it to me, and I will march up those stairs right now and tell her.” I looked back at her, staring at her with eyes hot with tears that I felt and refused to shed.

Mor was quiet for a moment before she said, “I can’t.”

I nodded with resignation but Mor leaned forward and stopped me with a look, “But I can promise you nothing would ever hurt her more than if she found out and that you had chosen not to tell her.”

My eyes widened and then narrowed, “Mor, you-“

She shot me a look of disgust, “I am not going to tell her, do you think so little of me? But I am not the only one who will ever know. Azriel already suspects, it won’t take Cassian long to catch up and you know how Amren is about things, she will figure it out. That would mean four people who will know when she doesn’t, and you can trust the four of us. What about anyone else? Rhys it shows, spend enough time around you, and now that she is here, it isn’t too damn difficult to put the pieces together. Honestly, I suspect the only reason she hasn’t figured it out yet herself is that she wasn’t born fae and her mind still functions the way her human mind did. All it takes is one person to tell her and for her to think back through everything to figure out that you knew and chose not to tell her and I promise you,” she glared at me, “That will hurt her more than anything else you could possibly do.”

I sat frozen in my seat, staring at her, wavering… and then I heard the bed creak upstairs. The sound of her feet on the floor and of Nuala and Cerridwen climbing the stairs to go tend to her. The entire time Mor held my gaze, she did not flinch away.

Swallowing once I said quietly, “I’ll think about it.”

She let out a low sigh and shook her head, standing up. “You do that Rhys. See you tonight.” Then she turned and headed to the foyer, pulling a knee length black coat out of the closet and slipping it on before she headed out of the house, leaving me alone to my chaotic thoughts while I waited for Feyre.

[pamphletstoinspire]

THE PROPHECY OF DANIEL - From The Latin Vulgate Bible

Chapter 2

INTRODUCTION.

DANIEL, whose name signifies "the judgment of God," was of the royal blood of the kings of Juda, and one of those that were first of all carried away into captivity. He was so renowned for his wisdom and knowledge, that it became a proverb among the Babylonians, "as wise as Daniel;" (Ezech. xxviii. 3.) and his holiness was so great from his very childhood, that at the time when he was as yet but a young man, he is joined by the Spirit of God with Noe and Job, as three persons most eminent for virtue and sanctity. Ezech. xiv. He is not commonly numbered by the Hebrews among the prophets, because he lived at court, and in high station in the world: but if we consider his many clear predictions of things to come, we shall find that no one better deserves the name and title of a prophet; which also has been given him by the Son of God himself. Mat. xxiv. Mark xiii. Luke xxi.) Ch. --- The ancient Jews ranked him among the greatest prophets. Jos. Ant. x. 12. and 1 Mac. ii. 59. Those who came after Christ began to make frivolous exceptions, because he so clearly pointed out the coming of our Saviour, (Theod.) that Porphyrius has no other method of evading this authority except by saying, that the book was written under Epiphanes after the event of many of the predictions. S. Jer. --- But this assertion is contrary to all antiquity. Some parts have indeed been questioned, which are found only in Greek. They must, however, have sometime existed in Heb. or Chal. else how should we have the version of Theodotion, which the Church has substituted instead of the Sept. as that copy was become very incorrect, and is now lost? C. --- Some hopes of its recovery are nevertheless entertained; and its publication, at Rome, has been announced. Kennicott. --- In a title, it seems to make the Daniel visited by Habacuc, a priest; but it is abandoned. C. --- This version of course proves that the original was formerly known; and the loss of it, at present, is no more decisive against the authenticity of these pieces, that that of S. Matthew's Heb. original, and of the Chaldee of Judith, &c. will evince that their works are spurious. H. ---Extracts of (C.) Aquila and Sym. seen by S. Jerom, (W.) are also given in the Hexapla. Origen has answered the objections of Africanus, respecting the history of Susanna; and his arguments are equally cogent, when applied to the other contested works. The Jews and Christians were formerly both divided in their sentiments about these pieces. C. See S. Jer. in Jer. xxix. 12. and xxxii. 44. --- But now as the Church (the pillar of truth) has spoken, all farther controversy ought to cease; (H.) and we should follow the precept, Remove not the landmarks which thy fathers have placed. Deut. xix. 14. See N. Alex. t. ii. S. Jerom, who sometimes calls these pieces "fables," explains himself, by observing, that he had delivered "not his own sentiments," but those of the Jews: quid illi contra nos dicere soleant. C. --- If he really denied their authority, his opinion ought not to outweigh that of so many other (H.) Fathers and Councils who receive them. They admit all the parts, as the Council of Trent expressly requires us to do. See S. Cyp. &c. also the observations prefixed to Tobias, (W.) and p. 597. H. --- Paine remarks that Daniel and Ezechiel only pretended to have visions, and carried on an enigmatical correspondence relative to the recovery of their country. But this deserves no refutation. By allowing that their works are genuine, he cuts up the very root of his performance. Watson. --- Daniel, according to Sir Is. Newton, resembles the Apoc. (as both bring us to the end of the Roman empire) and is "the most distinct in order of time, and easiest to be understood; and therefore, in those things that relate to the last times, he must be made a key to the rest." Bp. Newton. --- Yet there are many difficulties which require a knowledge of history; (S. Jer. W.) and we must reflect on the words of Christ, He that readeth, let him understand. Mat. xxiv. 15. Daniel (H.) is supposed to have died at court, (C.) aged 110, having written many things of Christ. W. --- His name is not prefixed to his book, yet as Prideaux observes, he sufficiently shews himself in the sequel to be the author. H.

The additional Notes in this Edition of the New Testament will be marked with the letter A. Such as are taken from various Interpreters and Commentators, will be marked as in the Old Testament. B. Bristow, C. Calmet, Ch. Challoner, D. Du Hamel, E. Estius, J. Jansenius, M. Menochius, Po. Polus, P. Pastorini, T. Tirinus, V. Bible de Vence, W. Worthington, Wi. Witham. — The names of other authors, who may be occasionally consulted, will be given at full length.

Verses are in English and Latin.

Chapter 2

Daniel, by divine revelation, declares the dream of Nabuchodonosor, and the interpretation of it. He is highly honoured by the king.

2 1 In the second year of the reign of Nabuchodonosor, Nabuchodonosor had a dream, and his spirit was terrified, and his dream went out of his mind. in anno secundo regni Nabuchodonosor vidit Nabuchodonosor somnium et conterritus est spiritus eius et somnium eius fugit ab eo

2 2 Then the king commanded to call together the diviners and the wise men, and the magicians, and the Chaldeans: to declare to the king his dreams: so they came and stood before the king. praecepit ergo rex ut convocarentur arioli et magi et malefici et Chaldei et indicarent regi somnia sua qui cum venissent steterunt coram rege

2 3 And the king said to them: I saw a dream: and being troubled in mind I know not what I saw. et dixit ad eos rex vidi somnium et mente confusus ignoro quid viderim

2 4 And the Chaldeans answered the king in Syriac: O king, live for ever: tell to thy servants thy dream, and we will declare the interpretation thereof. responderuntque Chaldei regi syriace rex in sempiternum vive dic somnium servis tuis et interpretationem eius indicabimus

2 5 And the king, answering, said to the Chaldeans: The thing is gone out of my mind: unless you tell me the dream, and the meaning thereof, you shall be put to death, and your houses shall be confiscated. et respondens rex ait Chaldeis sermo recessit a me nisi indicaveritis mihi somnium et coniecturam eius peribitis vos et domus vestrae publicabuntur

2 6 but if you tell the dream, and the meaning of it, you shall receive of me rewards, and gifts, and great honour: therefore, tell me the dream, and the interpretation thereof. si autem somnium et coniecturam eius narraveritis praemia et dona et honorem multum accipietis a me somnium igitur et interpretationem eius indicate mihi

2 7 They answered again and said: Let the king tell his servants the dream, and we will declare the interpretation of it. responderunt secundo atque dixerunt rex somnium dicat servis suis et interpretationem illius indicabimus

2 8 The king answered and said: I know for certain, that you seek to gain time, since you know that the thing is gone from me. respondit rex et ait certo novi quia tempus redimitis scientes quod recesserit a me sermo

2 9 If, therefore, you tell me not the dream, there is one sentence concerning you, that you have also framed a lying interpretation, and full of deceit, to speak before me till the time pass away. Tell me, therefore, the dream, that I may know that you also give a true interpretation thereof. si ergo somnium non indicaveritis mihi una est de vobis sententia quod interpretationem quoque fallacem et deceptione plenam conposueritis ut loquamini mihi donec tempus pertranseat somnium itaque dicite mihi ut sciam quod interpretationem quoque eius veram loquamini

2 10 Then the Chaldeans answered before the king, and said: There is no man upon earth, that can accomplish thy word, O king; neither doth any king, though great and mighty, ask such a thing of any diviner, or wise man, or Chaldean. respondentes ergo Chaldei coram rege dixerunt non est homo super terram qui sermonem tuum rex possit implere sed neque regum quisquam magnus et potens verbum huiuscemodi sciscitatur ab omni ariolo et mago et Chaldeo

2 11 For the thing that thou asketh, O king, is difficult: nor can any one be found that can shew it before the king, except the gods, whose conversation is not with men. sermo enim quem tu rex quaeris gravis est nec repperietur quisquam qui indicet illum in conspectu regis exceptis diis quorum non est cum hominibus conversatio

2 12 Upon hearing this, the king in fury, and in great wrath, commanded that all the wise men of Babylon should be put to death. quo audito rex in furore et in ira magna praecepit ut perirent omnes sapientes Babylonis

2 13 And the decree being gone forth, the wise men were slain: and Daniel and his companions were sought for, to be put to death. et egressa sententia sapientes interficiebantur quaerebaturque Danihel et socii eius ut perirent

2 14 Then Daniel inquired concerning the law and the sentence, of Arioch, the general of the king's army, who was gone forth to kill the wise men of Babylon. tunc Danihel requisivit de lege atque sententia ab Arioch principe militiae regis qui egressus fuerat ad interficiendos sapientes Babylonis

2 15 And he asked him that had received the orders of the king, why so cruel a sentence was gone forth from the face of the king. And when Arioch had told the matter to Daniel, et interrogavit eum qui a rege acceperat potestatem quam ob causam tam crudelis sententia a facie esset regis egressa cum ergo rem indicasset Arioch Daniheli

2 16 Daniel went in, and desired of the king, that he would give him time to resolve the question, and declare it to the king. Danihel ingressus rogavit regem ut tempus daret sibi ad solutionem indicandam regi

2 17 And he went into his house, and told the matter to Ananias, and Misael, and Azarias, his companions: et ingressus est domum suam Ananiaeque Misaheli et Azariae sociis suis indicavit negotium

2 18 To the end that they should ask mercy at the face of the God of heaven, concerning this secret, and that Daniel and his companions might not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. ut quaererent misericordiam a facie Dei caeli super sacramento isto et non perirent Danihel et socii eius cum ceteris sapientibus Babylonis

2 19 Then was the mystery revealed to Daniel by a vision in the night: and Daniel blessed the God of heaven, tunc Daniheli per visionem nocte mysterium revelatum est et Danihel benedixit Deo caeli

2 20 And speaking, he said: Blessed be the name of the Lord from eternity and for evermore: for wisdom and fortitude are his. et locutus ait sit nomen Domini benedictum a saeculo et usque in saeculum quia sapientia et fortitudo eius sunt

2 21 And he changeth times and ages: taketh away kingdoms, and establisheth them: giveth wisdom to the wise, and knowledge to them that have understanding: et ipse mutat tempora et aetates transfert regna atque constituit dat sapientiam sapientibus et scientiam intellegentibus disciplinam

2 22 He revealeth deep and hidden things, and knoweth what is in darkness: and light is with him. ipse revelat profunda et abscondita et novit in tenebris constituta et lux cum eo est

2 23 To thee, O God of our fathers, I give thanks, and I praise thee: because thou hast given me wisdom and strength: and now thou hast shewn me what we desired of thee, for thou hast made known to us the king's discourse. tibi Deus patrum meorum confiteor teque laudo quia sapientiam et fortitudinem dedisti mihi et nunc ostendisti mihi quae rogavimus te quia sermonem regis aperuisti nobis

2 24 After this Daniel went in to Arioch, to whom the king had given orders to destroy the wise men of Babylon, and he spoke thus to him: Destroy not the wise men of Babylon: bring me in before the king, and I will tell the solution to the king. post haec Danihel ingressus ad Arioch quem constituerat rex ut perderet sapientes Babylonis sic ei locutus est sapientes Babylonis ne perdas introduc me in conspectu regis et solutionem regi enarrabo

2 25 Then Arioch in haste brought in Daniel to the king, and said to him: I have found a man of the children of the captivity of Juda, that will resolve the question to the king. tunc Arioch festinus introduxit Danihelem ad regem et dixit ei inveni hominem de filiis transmigrationis Iudae qui solutionem regi adnuntiet

2 26 The king answered, and said to Daniel, whose name was Baltassar: Thinkest thou indeed that thou canst tell me the dream that I saw, and the interpretation thereof? respondit rex et dixit Daniheli cuius nomen erat Balthasar putasne vere potes indicare mihi somnium quod vidi et interpretationem eius

2 27 And Daniel made answer before the king, and said: The secret that the king desireth to know, none of the wise men, or the philosophers, or the diviners, or the soothsayers, can declare to the king. et respondens Danihel coram rege ait mysterium quod rex interrogat sapientes magi et arioli et aruspices non queunt indicare regi

2 28 But there is a God in heaven that revealeth mysteries, who hath shewn to thee, O king Nabuchodonosor, what is to come to pass in the latter times. Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy bed, are these: sed est Deus in caelo revelans mysteria qui indicavit tibi rex Nabuchodonosor quae ventura sunt novissimis temporibus somnium tuum et visiones capitis tui in cubili tuo huiuscemodi sunt

2 29 Thou, O king, didst begin to think in thy bed, what should come to pass hereafter: and he that revealeth mysteries shewed thee what shall come to pass. tu rex cogitare coepisti in stratu tuo quid esset futurum post haec et qui revelat mysteria ostendit tibi quae ventura sunt

2 30 To me also this secret is revealed, not by any wisdom that I have more than all men alive: but that the interpretation might be made manifest to the king, and thou mightest know the thought of thy mind. mihi quoque non in sapientia quae est in me plus quam in cunctis viventibus sacramentum hoc revelatum est sed ut interpretatio regi manifesta fieret et cogitationes mentis tuae scires

2 31 Thou, O king, sawest, and behold there was as it were a great statue: this statue, which was great and high, tall of stature, stood before thee, and the look thereof was terrible. tu rex videbas et ecce quasi statua una grandis statua illa magna et statura sublimis stabat contra te et intuitus eius erat terribilis

2 32 The head of this statue was of fine gold, but the breast and the arms of silver, and the belly and the thighs of brass. huius statuae caput ex auro optimo erat pectus autem et brachia de argento porro venter et femora ex aere

2 33 And the legs of iron, the feet part of iron and part of clay. tibiae autem ferreae pedum quaedam pars erat ferrea quaedam fictilis

2 34 Thus thou sawest, till a stone was cut out of a mountain without hands: and it struck the statue upon the feet thereof that were of iron and clay, and broke them in pieces. videbas ita donec abscisus est lapis sine manibus et percussit statuam in pedibus eius ferreis et fictilibus et comminuit eos

2 35 Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of a summer's threshing floor, and they were carried away by the wind: and there was no place found for them: but the stone that struck the statue became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth. tunc contrita sunt pariter ferrum testa aes argentum et aurum et redacta quasi in favillam aestivae areae rapta sunt vento nullusque locus inventus est eis lapis autem qui percusserat statuam factus est mons magnus et implevit universam terram

2 36 This is the dream: we will also tell the interpretation thereof before thee, O king. hoc est somnium interpretationem quoque eius dicemus coram te rex

2 37 Thou art a king of kings: and the God of heaven hath given thee a kingdom, and strength, and power, and glory: tu rex regum es et Deus caeli regnum fortitudinem et imperium et gloriam dedit tibi

2 38 And all places wherein the children of men, and the beasts of the field do dwell: he hath also given the birds of the air into thy hand, and hath put all things under thy power: thou, therefore, art the head of gold. et omnia in quibus habitant filii hominum et bestiae agri volucresque caeli dedit in manu tua et sub dicione tua universa constituit tu es ergo caput aureum

2 39 And after thee shall rise up another kingdom, inferior to thee, of silver: and another third kingdom of brass, which shall rule over all the world. et post te consurget regnum aliud minus te et regnum tertium aliud aereum quod imperabit universae terrae

2 40 And the fourth kingdom shall be as iron. As iron breaketh into pieces, and subdueth all things, so shall that break, and destroy all these. et regnum quartum erit velut ferrum quomodo ferrum comminuit et domat omnia sic comminuet omnia haec et conteret

2 41 And whereas thou sawest the feet, and the toes, part of potter's clay, and part of iron: the kingdom shall be divided, but yet it shall take its origin from the iron, according as thou sawest the iron mixed with the miry clay. porro quia vidisti pedum et digitorum partem testae figuli et partem ferream regnum divisum erit quod tamen de plantario ferri orietur secundum quod vidisti ferrum mixtum testae ex luto

2 42 And as the toes of the feet were part of iron, and part of clay: the kingdom shall be partly strong, and partly broken. et digitos pedum ex parte ferreos et ex parte fictiles ex parte regnum erit solidum et ex parte contritum

2 43 And whereas thou sawest the iron mixed with miry clay, they shall be mingled indeed together with the seed of man, but they shall not stick fast one to another, as iron cannot be mixed with clay. quia autem vidisti ferrum mixtum testae ex luto commiscebuntur quidem humano semine sed non adherebunt sibi sicuti ferrum misceri non potest testae

2 44 But in the days of those kingdoms, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never by destroyed, and his kingdom shall not be delivered up to another people: and it shall break in pieces, and shall consume all these kingdoms: and itself shall stand for ever. in diebus autem regnorum illorum suscitabit Deus caeli regnum quod in aeternum non dissipabitur et regnum eius populo alteri non tradetur comminuet et consumet universa regna haec et ipsum stabit in aeternum

2 45 According as thou sawest, that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and broke in pieces the clay and the iron, and the brass, and the silver, and the gold, the great God hath shewn the king what shall come to pass hereafter, and the dream is true, and the interpretation thereof is faithful. secundum quod vidisti quod de monte abscisus est lapis sine manibus et comminuit testam et ferrum et aes et argentum et aurum Deus magnus ostendit regi quae futura sunt postea et verum est somnium et fidelis interpretatio eius

2 46 Then king Nabuchodonosor fell on his face, and worshipped Daniel, and commanded that they should offer in sacrifice to him victims and incense. tunc rex Nabuchodonosor cecidit in faciem suam et Danihelum adoravit et hostias et incensum praecepit ut sacrificarent ei

2 47 And the king spoke to Daniel, and said: Verily, your God is the God of gods, and Lord of kings, and a revealer of hidden things: seeing thou couldst discover this secret. loquens ergo rex ait Daniheli vere Deus vester Deus deorum est et Dominus regum et revelans mysteria quoniam potuisti aperire sacramentum hoc

2 48 Then the king advanced Daniel to a high station, and gave him many and great gifts: and he made him governor over all the provinces of Babylon: and chief of the magistrates over all the wise men of Babylon. tunc rex Danihelum in sublime extulit et munera multa et magna dedit ei et constituit eum principem super omnes provincias Babylonis et praefectum magistratuum super cunctos sapientes Babylonis

2 49 And Daniel requested of the king, and he appointed Sidrach, Misach, and Abdenago, over the works of the province of Babylon: but Daniel himself was in the king's palace. Danihel autem postulavit a rege et constituit super opera provinciae Babylonis Sedrac Misac et Abdenago ipse autem Danihel erat in foribus regis

Commentary:

Ver. 1. Year, from the death of his father, Nabopolassar; for he had reigned before as partner with his father, in the empire. Ch. --- In that quality he conquered Syria, (A. 3397) took Daniel, &c. in 3399. He succeeded his father. Usher. C. --- After he had enlarged his empire by the conquest of Egypt, &c. he had this dream. A. R. 25. W. --- Mind. Sept. "his sleep departed from him." H. --- He was restless, recollecting enough to fill him with trouble. When the dream was repeated over, he knew that it was the same. C.

Ver. 2. The Chaldeans. That is, the astrologers, that pretended to divine by stars. Ch. --- They dwelt on the banks of the Euphrates, and were highly esteemed. Diod. Sic. i. --- They were the most ancient philosophers. Civ. Div. i.

Ver. 3. I know. Heb. also, "to know or understand what," &c.

Ver. 4. Syriac. It was originally the same as the Chaldee. Daniel understood this language, as well as Heb. and writes in it what concerned the Chaldees, to C. viii. This shews his accuracy, as he makes his speakers use their own tongue. Spinosa ignorantly asserts, that all the seven first chapters are in Chal. and taken from the records of that nation by Judas Macc. How then did Matthathias become acquainted with the contents?

Ver. 5. Put. Chal. "torn to pieces, and your house become infamous places;" (C.) Prot. "a dunghill" H. --- Such cruel punishments were not uncommon. 1 Esd. vi. 11. C. --- Bessus was torn in pieces by the relations of Darius; (Diod. xvii.) and the Persians generally cut off some member of criminals. Brisson ii.

Ver. 8. Gain. Lit. "redeem" H. --- S. Paul uses a similar expression, exhorting us to save our souls even at the expense of our temporal interest. C. --- The diviners wished to give the king's fury time to abate, (H.) and to save their lives; (C.) or delay punishment, at least, as much as possible. H.

Ver. 9. Thereof. It is indeed more easy to discover what dream a person has had, than to explain it; since the devil might disclose the former, but he can only guess at what will happen, and herein his agents are often deceived. See Gen. xl. W. --- It is not even certain that the devil can know the dreams which we have not divulged, as it is the privilege of God to discern the secrets of the heart. H.

Ver. 11. Men. They acknowledged greater and less gods. Stanley, p. 13. C. i. --- They pretend not to have any communication with the superior ones, (C.) and by their answer unguardedly bear testimony to the excellence of the God whom Daniel served. S. Jer.

Ver. 13. Slain. Lit. "were slaughtering;" interficiebantur. H. --- Many think that some had already suffered. Geier. M. --- The had been perhaps jealous of Daniel, and had not informed him of the matter. S. Jer.

Ver. 14. General. He occupied the same office as Putiphar, in Egypt. Gen. xxxix. 1. It was no disgrace for such a one to execute himself the king's order, as Banaias slew the brother of Solomon. 3 K. ii.

Ver. 15. Cruel. Chal. also, "precipitate." C.

Ver. 16. Declare the dream. H. --- The Chaldeans had promised only to explain it, and the king knew the superior merit of Daniel. C. i. 19. C.

Ver. 18. Secret. Lit. "sacrament." Gr. "mystery," which seems to be derived from (C.) mosthor, "a secret." H.

Ver. 19. Night, while he was probably asleep, (C.) or praying with his companions. Villet.

Ver. 20. His. He grants them to whom he pleases, and disposes of kingdoms (C.) without control. v. 21.

Ver. 27. Soothsayers. Chal. Gazerin, (H.) who inspect entrails, (Ezec. xxi. 21. S. Jer.) or tell fortunes by sticks. C. iii. 3.

Ver. 28. Times. In the Old Test. this commonly signifies when Christ shall appear; but in the New, it refers to the end of the world. C.

Ver. 29. Begin. By thus telling what thoughts the king had entertained before his dream, he would be heard with greater confidence. W.

Ver. 31. Terrible, or unusual. C. --- The statue denoted the four great empires of the Chaldees, Persians, Greeks and Romans. The metals did not mean that the empire of gold was greater than the rest, as that signified by iron was far more powerful; but only that the empire of the Chaldees was then the greatest, and that the Persians would acquire still more power and be surpassed by the Greeks, as they were by the Romans, till the kingdom of Christ should be spread over all the earth. W.

Ver. 37. Of kings. This title was used by the Persians. Nabuchodonosor was at that time the most potent monarch on earth. He conquered many nations, and greatly embellished the city of Babylon, surrounding it with three walls in fifteen days, and building hanging gardens, which were the wonder of the world. See Eus. præp. ix. 41. and x. 42. &c. C.

Ver. 39. Another kingdom; viz. that of the Medes and Persians. Ch. --- Inferior; later, of less duration and extent. C. --- Third, &c. That of Alexander the Great. Ch. --- World. Alexander received ambassadors at Babylon, from the most distant nations, testifying their submission. He conquered beyond the river Indus, &c. Diod. A. 1. Olym. 14. C.

Ver. 40. The fourth kingdom, &c. Some understand this of the successors of Alexander, the kings of Syria and Egypt: others, of the Roman empire and its civil wars. Ch. --- The former supposition seems best, though the latter is almost universally received, and will be explained hereafter. C. --- The Roman empire did not immediately rise out of Alexander's, and had no relation to the Jews, &c. Grot. L'Empereus. --- But it surely swallowed up all that he had left to his generals, and proved the greatest scourge to the Jewish nation; which has been ever since scattered, while the kingdom of Christ gains ground, and will flourish till that of Rome shall be no more. Antichrist will then appear to cast a cloud over, but not destroy it for three years and a half. It is the opinion of many Fathers, &c. that the Roman empire will subsist till that event take place; (see 2 Thes. ii. 3. 7.) and thus it may be said, that the fourth empire shall not be given to another people. For antichrist will not strive to exalt a particular nation, but to rule over all. Yet his dominion will be short, and will end in the general dissolution of nature; so that the Roman empire maybe deemed to last for a long time, or even for ever. v. 44. Those who adopt the former system, allow (H.) that the stone designates both the Roman empire and that of Christ; so that some parts of the prediction may refer to one and some to the other. The origin and progress of the Roman empire, might be a figure of the spiritual power of the Church. It is certain that the successors of Alexander owed their dominion to their valour, and established it by the slaughter of many great generals. The kings who followed Seleucus and Ptolemy were remarkable for a mixture of good and bad qualities. Their efforts to preserve their power by intermarriages, proved abortive. The prophet seems also to have had them in view, C. vii. 7. and viii. 22. C.

Ver. 41. Clay. The iron was in a rude state, mixed with earth. The Roman power was at last partly exercised by consuls and partly by emperors. M. --- Florus (l.) compares it to the four states of a man, infancy, childhood, youth, and old age. Its youth may be dated from the conquest of all Italy to Tiberius; afterwards it fell to decay, while the eternal kingdom of Christ was forming. v. 44.

Ver. 43. Man. Pompey and Cæsar, Anthony and Augustus, married each other's relations; but they soon quarrelled, and the race of the Cæsars was extinct in Nero. But this is better understood of the kings of Syria and of Egypt. C.

Ver. 44. Kingdom of Christ, in the Catholic Church, which cannot be destroyed. Ch. --- This alone cannot be destroyed. W. --- All other empires change. The Catholic Church has stood for seventeen centuries in the midst of persecutions, which gives us an assurance that she will continue for ever. C. --- "Then," says Munster, "was the kingdom of Christ set up, not by arms,...but by the divine power." This interpretation arises from the improper version, without hands; whereas the sequel shews that the empire here spoken of, is attended with the like violence as the four others, which it destroys. The Roman empire was in no degree connected with others by marriage. In the following verse, Munster improperly turns to the second coming of our Saviour. Grotius here asserts that the stone alludes to the Roman armies, prefiguring the Son of man, whose gospel is indicated by the progress of the Roman empire, as both sprung from small beginnings. But who informed him that there were such figures in that empire as in the Old Testament? All empires begin in that manner, and types should have some greater resemblance with the reality. The Church meddles not with the temporal powers. It is therefore plain that the prophet speaks of empires which shall succeed each other. Houbigant. perf. Prop. 340. --- Kingdoms. That of Rome comprised all the former. The persecuting emperors are forced to yield, and the colossal power of infidelity and vice falls before the gospel. Christ's dominion is spiritual, exercised against wickedness; (C.) is heavenly and eternal. H. --- The blood of martyrs was more efficacious in the establishing of Christianity, than fire and sword had been in forming other empires. M.

Ver. 45. Hands. Prot. marg. "mountain, which was not in hand." H. --- Christ was born of a virgin; and his kingdom was not established by ambition, like others. Yet it presently became a mountain, and filled the earth. S. Just. dial. S. Aug. tr. 9. in Jo. --- God himself sets up this kingdom. C.

Ver. 46. Daniel, taking him for a little god, under the great one, v. 17. W. --- Victims. Chal. mincha, (H.) of flour, &c. But the prophet had already declared his sentiments on this head, (v. 28.) and abhorred such honours, like S. Paul, (Acts xiv. 10. C.) though this is not here recorded. M.

Ver. 47. Of gods, above all those of the country for explaining hidden things: yet he did not acknowledge him to be the only true God. C. --- He afterwards erected an idol to represent his own greatness. W.

Ver. 48. Provinces, or that of Babylonia, which was the first. --- Wise men. This would not engage him in any idolatrous practices.

Ver. 49. Works of agriculture, (C.) which the ancient kings of Persia encouraged with great attention, appointing officers to reward or punish according as their land was cultivated. Xenophon, Cyr. 8. & Œcon. --- S. Jerom thinks they were appointed judges, (C.) or assistants of Daniel. Grot. - Palace. Lit. "gates," (H.) as receiver of the taxes, particularly at Susa. C. viii. 2. Marsham Egypt. sæc. 18.