Are not the
nations at my command? Are not my armies stationed on every shore? Is not
Babylon the terror of kings? Ah! where is the power that can compete with
Chaldea? My nobles are jealous of my fidelity to the gods. Yea, truly,
and have I not given them reason?
"This must go no further. If I have some lingering fears of the God of
Belteshazzar, it must not be made manifest. In this I must regain the
full confidence of the nation. Are they jealous of the four Hebrews? In
this I fear them not. They are worth more to my empire than any chosen
score of their fellow-officers. And of the wisdom of my wise men--is not
more than one half of it centered in Belteshazzar? If they are envious of
these young men, let it not be known to the king, or by the powers of
Belus I will let them feel my vengeance!
"But for the king to be suspected of being a believer in their God is of
a more serious nature. What measure shall I resort to in order to satisfy
the mind of the nation? Deny the insinuation in a proclamation? Shall the
King of Babylon ever stoop to this? Never! Something more consistent with
royal dignity than this must be found.
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