minds of thousands in the realm, not so much on account of the elevation
of the Hebrews, as on account of the conviction that the sovereign was
not a sincere worshiper of the gods of the empire. The king, by
occasional remarks from his nobles, had noticed more than once that there
was something in their language that indicated a lack of confidence in
his fidelity to the gods. Nebuchadnezzar, notwithstanding his increasing
vanity, was far from being indifferent to the estimation in which he was
held by his subjects. He knew that his safety was based on the confidence
and friendship of his people, and he was determined, if by his former
professions he had unwisely magnified the God of Daniel, and thereby lost
the confidence of his Chaldean subjects, to give them unmistakable proof
that he still was a worshiper at the shrine of Belus.

Summoning Belrazi, one of his most trusted officers, to his side, the
king said:

"From the nature of thy position, thou art called to mingle in very
numerous circles, and no man at the palace is better qualified than thou
to judge of the feelings of the subjects toward their king. Come, now, be
frank and plain with thy sovereign, and tell me how I stand in the
estimation of my nobles."

"O king, live for ever!" replied the officer, highly delighted with this
unusual mark of the king's confidence. "Thou livest in the warm
affections of thy nobles, and in the pure regard of all thy numerous
subjects. Thou art the peculiarly favored of the gods. All the nations of
the earth fear thee, and pay their homage at thy feet."

"True. But art thou not aware that on one point my subjects are not as
fully satisfied with their king as they might be? Behold, I have placed