Learning, aristocracy and royalty were
there. Precious stones and costly perfumery filled the salon with
dazzling luster and sweet fragrance. Wit sparkled with the sparkling of
the cups, and reason flowed with the flowing of the wine. They drank
toasts of enthusiastic patriotism; they sang songs of unbounded loyalty,
and shouted defiance to every foe. Strains of melody poured forth from an
hundred instruments, and hilarity and excessive mirth beamed forth from
every countenance. The high praises of the gods of Chaldea, with
rapturous shouts in honor to their king, mingled together and broke forth
from a thousand tongues. The besieging army and its commander, together
with the God of the Hebrews, were made the subjects of their keenest
sarcasm.
This feast was given in honor of Belshazzar's birth; and we may easily
judge that flattery without measure was poured into his willing ear. On
this occasion, from the very nature of the festival, much was expected
from the monarch himself, and it was very evident that he was fully
determined that in this they should not be disappointed.
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