The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-05-15
DARAB'S WINE CUP.

A certain wine cup belonged to Darab,
. Persian king. To him it had come as an
heirloom from a long line of ancestors.
He priced it over all things.
Truly this cup was a marvel Of exqui-
site craftsmanship. The name of its maker
was lost mid the mists of dead ages. In
deed so magical seemed the skill of its
fashioning that some there were whe
thought that it surely must be the work
of a power more than mortal 1t was
formed wholly of jewels that were fastened
together by some strange, subtle device,
and it was shaped in a manner most curl
Gus. Its craftsman had taken flower of
peculiar beauty for his design.
AS Darab, on feast nights held it, wine
filed, before the light it seemed as if a
many tinted cluster of precious stones was
plunged into luminous sea-a sea softly,
sensuously red. The rare old grape juice
fostered to life in the long ago by the sun
light, appeared to awake, to exu1t, to live
again in the glow of a milder light.
But none might drink from this cup but
Darab-Darab, the kingi
Toghrul the soothsayer, he of the white
flowing beard and mystic, piercing eyes,
averred that this cup Outlines possessed
strange powers. He said that if Darab
gazed into the depths of the wine as it
foamed and sparkled within it's embrace
he might see, as in pictures, happenings
in farof places, or he might see deeply in
to the workings of the hearts of those who
stood near.
This saying of the soothsayer had caused
fear to enter into the minds of the cour-
tiers, and whenever Darab looked steadily
into the cup all trembled, as none knew
what next might happen. Again, it was
whispered, by whom none could tell, that
if it was destroyed Darab would die and
never more would one of his race reign as
king.
Thus was this cup of grave of ominous
import.
This night was a night of feasting and
grand revelry within the kings palace.
Lights flashed and sheened. Wines of the
rarest and choicest vintage flowed freely
as water. Delicate viands, fruits and sub
tie triumphs of cookery were spread upon
the great tables. And there were gleam-
ings of countless gem incrusted, precious
metaled goblets. Glorious clusters Of
flowers gave forth a sense lifting all per-
vading aroma. Varied and ningling col
ors and hues raptured the eye. :
And here were women of a glory and
beauty Understandable. Silks shimmered.
Eyes shone.
And here was the cold, cruel CLINT Of
steel, for soldiers, accoutered, were at the
feast.
Sable slaves ministered to the wants of
the feasters. Bracelets and anklets of
ivory flashed as they fitted to and fro.
| King, satraps, women, courtiers-nay
all-were blended in grand, joying uni
ton Like fire famed all hearts.
And music rang.
The moons light was calm and clear
/ Stars twinkled glistened in the profound
afar. All was still. But in the stiffness
there seemed to sleep some strange, mighty
secret. And there came into the air a
heaviness.
ssHoi Toghru1, Toghrull Thou of sooth-
saying fame, come hither-come hitherl
have gazed into this cup, and, 10, it has re-
vealed to me the face and thoughts of one
who is traitor-one who plots against my
life, my throne, my all. Yonder he stands.
Hell Hyder!''
1t was Darab who called out thus in a
loud voice. A wicked, cruel smile played
in his face as he pointed to Hyder, one of
his satraps. The night had passed well on,
and the revelry had become of the widest.
A silence as of the grave fell over all as
the king made this accusation. They
knew and feared what was coming. None
dared speak but Toghrul.
soothsayer felt kindly toward the satrap.
Sure as that I am of woman born, -
Darab replied as he again looked into the
cup, 'here is the face of yon unworthy
servant. Now it is still and tells naught,
but an instant ago as I gazed its lips NOV
ed and from them [ heard murmurings OF
revolt and treachery. He must die. This
cup is my safeguard and guide. Ho,
guardsi Seize yon traitor!'
Hyder turned pale. Brave though he
was, he trembled-trembledb because of one
he loved and little ones. Yes, he was lost
lost. Outlines had he known Darab to
order men to the death because of things
revealed to him in this strange cup.
Hyder was seized, and death hung in the
air, when a loud cry broke from Darab.
Again he was looking into the cup, but
this time his face was convulsed with fear.
"Ho! To arms, to armsI'' he cried wild.
1y. "Soldiers, all, to armsl Foemen sur
round the palaceI Rebels are upon us!'
Hyder was loosed, and in a flash the
revel was turned to wild, terror stricken
confusion
Then was heard low rumbling in the
air, and suddenly there came fearful roll
of thunder and a succession of binding,
destroying lightning flashes. The walls
of the palace near the kings throne fell
Clashing of arms and savage shouts were
heard in the distance.
Darab was standing with the cup raised
aloft in his right hand. He was invoking
aid from the powers above. Near him
stood the soothsayer and Hyder with
drawn sword. He was prepared to defend
to the last gasp the king who had so cruel
1y condemned him. Shrieks and cries were
rending the air.
Then came lightning fash that was
mightier and more binding than all that
had gone before. It struck the cup, shiv
ering it to dust Darab fell dead. 1t was
even as if the powers above had spoken.
Into the palace rushed the enemy.
And tumult reigned.-Bart Kennedy.