Page 26 - The Prophet-statesman a Drama of Daniel

down to inspect and examine us, so may I suggest that you give us a trial for a limited
period, say ten days, and if we appear thinner or inferior in health to the others, you may
put us back on the other diet.”

Lord Ashpenaz sat for a moment with brows knitted in thought. “If you are willing
to partake of the other food if I find your appearance inferior after ten days, I will
consent to the test. I think there will be little risk in so brief a period. But you must also

take the matter up with Merodach and obtain his consent too, for he will undoubtedly
be involved in the risk if anything goes amiss. You may tell him that I agree to the ten-
day trial.”

“We are grateful to your Lordship for your unfailing clemency,” concluded Daniel,
as he bowed and retired. At the first opportunity he sought out Merodach and informed
him of the conversation with Ashpenaz and the request. It was not until after Merodach
had confirmed the matter with Ashpenaz, that he also consented to the trial, and caused

to be served to them some of the pulse and bread, eaten by the most menial of the
servants. It was not long before the other Hebrew students learned of the stand that
Daniel and his friends had taken against partaking of the food sent down from the King’s
kitchens. The four were assigned to a separate table upon which the simple food, which

was largely vegetarian, was served.

Immediately they became the victims of severe ridicule, all of which came from
their fellow-students and none from the Babylonians. Always the loudest scoffers of

those who refuse to follow the crowd are those who know in their inmost hearts that
they should do the same thing but lack the courage to do so! There was uproarious
laughter at their expense, and throughout the day they had to endure jests and taunts of
all kinds. It was with some difficulty that Daniel restrained the others from answering

back, especially Mishael who was quick of both temper and tongue and was inclined to
be hasty of speech. Daniel knew that the ridicule of the many against the few thrives on
retorts, and that the best way to quench it is to treat it with complete silence.

Their old rivals Adiel, Manoah, and Asa were the ring-leaders among their
tormentors. Never did the four break their silence until Adiel dropped for a moment the
tone of ridicule and challenged them in the presence of the other students.

“Come on Daniel” he said “and you Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, tell us why it
is that you are thus insubordinate to the King and show yourselves ungrateful and
unappreciative of His Majesty’s great kindness to us in refusing what he has so
generously provided! Do you allow the outworn and out-dated laws of Moses to deter

you, as Jerusalem lies prostrate at the feet of the conqueror, and Jehovah has forsaken
us, if indeed there ever was a Jehovah? Should we not, while in Babylon do as the