Chapter XIII

Belshazzar, to exhibit his vainglory, proclaims throughout Babylon, that all the great ones should assemble on a set day, at the Sultan’s feast. Kings, dukes, and lords were commanded to attend the court. To do the king honour many nobles came to Babylon. It would take too long to name the number. The city of Babylon is broad and big. It is situated on a plain, surrounded by seven streams, a high wall, and towers. The palace was long and large, each side being seven miles in length. High houses were within the walls. The time of the feast has come. Belshazzar sits upon his throne: the hall floor is covered with knights. When all are seated, service begins. Trumpets sound everywhere. Bread is served upon silver dishes. All sorts of musical instruments are heard in the hall. The king, surrounded by his loves, drinks copiously of wine. It gets into his head and stupifies him. A cursed thought takes possession of him. He commands his marshal to bring him the vessels taken from the temple by Nebuchadnezzar, and to fill them with wine. The marshal opens the chests. Covers the cupboard with vessels. The Jewels of Jerusalem deck the sides of the hall. The altar and crown, blessed by bishop’s hands, and anointed with the blood of beasts, are set before the bold Belshazzar. Upon this altar were noble vessels curiously carved, basins of gold, cups arrayed like castles with battlements, and towers with lofty pinnacles. Upon them were pourtrayed branches and leaves, the flowers of which were white pearls, and the fruit flaming gems. The goblets were ornamented with flowers of gold. The candlestick was brought in, with its pillars of brass, and ornamental boughs, upon which sat birds of various hues. Lights shone bright from the candlestick, which once stood before the “Holy of Holies.” The pollution of the sacred vessels is displeasing to God. For “a boaster on bench” drinks from them till he is as “drunken as the devil.” God is very angry. Before harming the revellers He sends them a warning. Belshazzar commands the sacred vessels to be filled with wine. The cups and bowls are soon filled. Music of all kind is heard in the hall. Dukes, princes, concubines, and knights, all are merry. Drinking of the sweet liquors they ask favours of their gods, who, although dumb, are as highly praised “as if heaven were theirs.” A marvel befals the feasters. The king first saw it. Upon the plain wall, “a palm with pointel in fingers” is seen writing. The bold Belshazzar becomes frightened. His knees knock together. He roars for dread, still beholding the hand, as it wrote on the rough wall. The hand vanishes but the letters remain. The king recovers his speech and sends for the “book-learned;” but none of the scholars were wise enough to read it. Belshazzar is nearly mad. Commands the city to be searched throughout for the “wise of witchcraft.” He who expounds the strange letters, shall be clothed in “gowns of purple.” A collar of gold shall encircle his throat. He shall be the third lord in the realm. As soon as this cry was upcast, to the hall came clerks out of Chaldea, witches and diviners, sorcerers and exorcists. But after looking on the letters they were as ignorant as if they had looked into the leather of the left boot. The king curses them all and calls them churls. He orders the harlots to be hanged. The queen hears the king chide. She inquires the cause. Goes to the king, kneels before him, and asks why he has rent his robes for grief, when there is one that has the Spirit of God, the counsellor of Nebuchadnezzar, the interpreter of his dreams, through the holy Spirit of God. The name of this man is Daniel, who was brought a captive from Judæa. The queen tells the king to send for Daniel. Her counsel is accepted. Daniel comes before Belshazzar. The king tells him that he has heard of his wisdom, and his power to discover hidden things, and that he wants to know the meaning of the writing on the wall. Promises him, if he can explain the text of the letters and their interpretation, to clothe him in purple and pall, and put a ring about his neck, and to make him “a baron upon bench.” Daniel addresses the king, and reminds him how that God supported his father, and gave him power to exalt or abase whomsoever he pleased. Nebuchadnezzar was established on account of his faith in God. So long as he remained true, no man was greater. But at last pride touches his heart. He forgets the power of God, and blasphemes His name. He says that he is “god of the ground,” and the builder of Babylon. Hardly had Nebuchadnezzar spoken, when God’s voice is heard, saying, “Thy principality is departed. Thou, removed from men, must abide on the moor, and walk with wild beasts, eat herbs, and dwell with wolves and asses.” For his pride he becomes an outcast. He believes himself to be a bull or an ox. Goes “on all fours,” like a cow, for seven summers. His thighs grew thick. His hair became matted and thick, from the shoulders to the toes. His beard touched the earth. His brows were like briars. His eyes were hollow, and grey as the kite’s. Eagle-hued he was. At last he recovered his “wit,” and believed in God. Then soon was he restored to his seat. But thou, Belshazzar, hast disregarded these signs, and hast blasphemed the Lord, defiled his vessels, filling them with wine for thy wenches, and praising thy lifeless gods. For this sin God has sent thee this strange sight, the fist with the fingers writing on the wall. These are the words: “Mene, Tekel, Peres. Mene.-- God has counted thy kingdom and finished it. Tekel.-- Thy reign is weighed and is found wanting in deeds of faith. Peres.-- Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Persians. The Medes shall be masters here.” The king commands Daniel to be clothed in a frock of fine cloth. Soon is he arrayed in purple, with a chain about his neck. A decree is made, that all should bow to him, as the third lord that followed Belshazzar. The decree was made known, and all were glad. The day, however, past. Night came on. Before another day dawned, Daniel’s words were fulfilled. The feast lasts till the sun falls. The skies become dark. Each noble hies home to his supper. Belshazzar is carried to bed, but never rises from it, for his foes are seeking to destroy his land, and are assembled suddenly. The enemy is Darius, leader of the Medes. He has legions of armed men. Under cover of the darkness, they cross the river. By means of ladders they get upon the walls, and within an hour enter the city, without disturbing any of the watch. They run into the palace, and raise a great cry. Men are slain in their beds. Belshazzar is beaten to death, and caught by the heels, is foully cast into a ditch. Darius is crowned king, and makes peace with the barons. Thus the land was lost for the king’s sin. He was cursed for his uncleanness, and deprived of his honour, as well as of the joys of heaven. Thus in three ways has it been shown, that uncleanness makes God angry. Cleanness is His comfort. The seemly shall see his face. God give us grace to serve in His sight!

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Patience: Sidenotes