predecessors, led a life of dissipation and profligacy.

In the meantime, the fame of the Persian prince was spreading far and
wide. His armies proved victorious on every shore; and, to the faithful
Hebrews, who discerned the signs of the times, his conquests were hailed
with inward joy. Cyrus for some years had tarried in Asia Minor, and had
reduced all the nations that inhabited it to subjection, from the Ægean
Sea to the River Euphrates. Then he proceeded to Syria and Arabia, which
he also subdued.

The fortifications of Babylon, since the death of Nebuchadnezzar, had
been strengthened, and now the work of fortifying was carried on with
great vigor. Belshazzar, if from no other motive than fear, gave all
encouragement to this kind of improvement, and during his reign
prodigious works of this nature were completed. He was well aware that
the famous Persian had his eye upon him, and that the besieging of the
city was but a question of time. He therefore made all preparations for a
formidable attack. Provisions of all kinds, from all parts of the
country, were stored within the city in great abundance, and everything
was put in readiness to withstand a protracted siege.

Cyrus, whom divine Providence was to make use of, was mentioned in the
Scriptures by his name one hundred and fifty years before he was born in
these words:

"Thus saith the Lord to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have
holden, to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the loins of
kings, to open before him the two-leaved gates; and the gates shall not
be shut. I will go before thee and make the crooked places straight; I
will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of