"Are ye able to give me the correct interpretation of a wonderful dream?"
asked the king, in a doubtful tone.

"We surely can, O king!" replied the chief of the wise men; "we derive
our knowledge from the gods, and the interpretation of the dream must be
sure."

"But what proof do your gods give of their own existence?" asked the
king, looking sternly on the chief.

"Our gods made the world, O king!"

"Some gods, or God, made the world; but why not the God of Israel? Can
you point to any miraculous interference of your gods in the affairs of
mortals? If I have forgotten my dream, can ye, through your gods, restore
it? And if, in case ye fail, I should cast you all into a fiery furnace,
would your gods preserve you unhurt in the midst of the fire? Answer me!"

"Thy servants," said the trembling magician, "from their youth up have
been taught to reverence and adore the gods of Chaldea. That there is a
God in Israel, we are ready to admit; and far be it from us to hide from
the king our convictions that this God has given us infallible proofs of
his power. This we do not admit before the populace: but why should we
dissemble before our king? Since the issuing of thy decree on the plains
of Dura, we have never said aught against the God of the Hebrews. Let thy
servants, I pray thee, find favor in thy sight, and deal not with us
harshly!"

"At this time," said the king, "ye are not required to restore a lost
dream. I have the vision in all its parts, and, if ye are able, ye may