Page 24 - The Prophet-statesman a Drama of Daniel

strong drink is raging, and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.’ I have therefore
resolved that whatever the cost to myself, I shall inform the kindly Merodach that I
cannot partake of the king's dainties nor inbibe the royal wines, and shall request him

to allow me to eat the simplest of foods such as corn bread and wheat porridge with
such vegetables as shall be available. For drink I shall ask only for pure water.”

The three remained silent for a moment as they contemplated the speech of Daniel.

Then Spoke Mishael, “Blessed be Jehovah, Daniel, that He has endowed you with such
wisdom and steadfastness to be our guide in bearing His witness in this strange land.
The facts that you set forth are undeniably true, but I believe they had occurred to none
of the three of us. I, for one, am determined to join you in the refusal of the provision

from the king and the request to Merodach to give us the simplest of foods.”
“You may count also on me," spoke up Hananiah.
“And upon me,” said Azariah.
“Then let us proceed back into the hall,” suggested Daniel. “I saw Lord Ashpenaz

enter, and we must appear before him for the assignment of the names by which we are
to be known in Babylon. Lord Ashpenaz has always been especially kind to us, and it
may be well for us to speak to him about our diet before approaching Merodach.”

The line of Jewish youths had already formed, as one by one, they went in before
Lord Ashpenaz to receive their names. They conversed as they stood in line, of the
wonderful meals they were to enjoy during the period of their training. Daniel and his
friends took their places in silence.

Presently their turn came to stand before Ashpenaz, the prince of the eunuchs. His
face lighted with pleasure as he saw them approach the desk behind which he sat.

“Ah! Here is the quartet again, always together! I know your name, Daniel, but I
cannot always keep the names of the other three straight. I think I will do better when
you have your Babylonian names: they will mean more to us.

“Daniel, I think it would be fitting if you henceforth be known as Belteshazzar,
which means ‘a prince with Bel.’ ”
“And you?” he hesitated.

“Hananiah is my own name!”
“Oh, yes of course, Hananiah! But you will henceforth be called Shadrach. It means
‘illumined by the Sun-God.’ ”
“And you are now called . . . ?”
“Mishael,” the young man prompted.

“And you will be known as Meshach, which means ‘like unto the goddess of beauty,’
is not that a nice name?”