14
Then he sent messengers and called together all the leading officials of Persia and Media, including the chief officers, administrators, governors, and commissioners.
15
He took his seat in the council chamber and had the three statements read aloud.
16
"Bring in the three young men," he said, "and let them explain their answers." So when they were brought in,
17
they were asked to explain what they had written. The bodyguard who had written about the strength of wine spoke first:
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"Gentlemen," he began, "wine is clearly the strongest thing in the world. It confuses the mind of everyone who drinks it.
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It has exactly the same effect on everyone: king or orphan, slave or free, rich or poor.
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It makes every thought happy and carefree, and makes one forget every sorrow and responsibility.
21
It makes everyone feel rich, ignore the power of kings and officials, and talk as if he owned the whole world.
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When men drink wine, they forget who their friends and neighbors are, and then they are soon drawing their swords to fight them.
23
Then, when they sober up, they don't remember what they have done.
24
Gentlemen," he concluded, "if wine makes men act in this way, it certainly must be the strongest thing in the world."