"Belteshazzar," said the king, "thou art thus admitted into my presence,
and thou art at perfect liberty to speak freely on whatever subject
mostly occupies thy mind. I have heretofore been well pleased with thy
superior knowledge and wisdom, as well as that of thy comrades. The army
has of late occupied the most of my attention, and among the various
affairs of importance it is nothing astonishing if some of my best
subjects are partially overlooked. Proceed with thy request."
"A little over four years ago, O king, according to thy direction, thy
servant, with his three companions, was brought from the land of Judah to
the great city of Babylon. Hitherto, we have been the subjects of thy
kind regards. At thy expense we have been taught in all the learning and
wisdom of the Chaldeans; and, in the presence of hundreds of thy worthy
nobles, thou sawest fit to pronounce us superior in the various branches
of learning, and, amid enthusiastic cheers, we were escorted to the
palace of the king.
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