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. An image? Yea! That will do, O
king! Thou hast well thought. An image of Bel. What? 'With the head of
gold, the breast and arms of silver, the belly and thighs of brass, the
legs of iron, the feet of iron and clay?' Nay! The image of Bel which I
shall set up for public worship, shall be all of gold. Why otherwise? My
wealth is inexhaustible. Who, after such a display, would ever suspect
the King of Babylon of adhering to the God of the Hebrews? This, then, is
my purpose. I shall build a great image of Bel, made of pure gold, and
set it up in some favorable spot, and appoint a day for its public
dedication."

The next morning, at the appointed hour, Belrazi was punctual to meet the
king at his apartment. The monarch, well pleased with his scheme of the
image, manifested a pleasant countenance.