Page 78 - The Prophet-statesman a Drama of Daniel

king’s enemies. The words also gave preliminary warning to the king that the revelation
which would follow would be very unpleasant for him to hear.

Daniel then proceeded with a solemn, even voice: “The tree that thou sawest, which
grew, and was strong, whose height reached unto the heaven, and the sight thereof to all
the earth; whose leaves were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was meat for all;
under which the beasts of the fields dwelt, and upon whose branches the fowls of the

heaven had their habitation: It is thou, O king, that art grown and become strong: for
thy greatness is grown, and reacheth unto heaven, and thy dominion to the end of the
earth. And whereas the king saw a watcher and an holy one coming down from heaven,
and saying, Hew the tree down, and destroy it; yet leave the stump of the roots thereof

in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let
it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts of the field, till
seven times pass over him; This is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree of
the most High, which is come upon my lord the king: That they shall drive thee from

men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make thee to
eat grass as oxen, and they shall wet thee with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall
pass over thee, till thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and
giveth it to whomsoever he will. And whereas they commanded to leave the stump of

the tree roots; thy kingdom shall be sure unto thee, after that thou shalt have known that
the heavens do rule. Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and
break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine inquities by shewing mercy to the poor;
if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquility.”

At the end of this speech both king and prime minister sat again in silence for a
brief space. This time the king did not prostrate himself before the statesman prophet,
neither did he call for an oblation to be offered to him. He did not lose his self-

composure or show any hostility to Daniel, but presently arose and said with dignity.
“Thank you, Belteshazzar. You may now be excused.”

‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧

During the weeks immediately following, a shadow rested upon the spirit of King

Nebuchadnezzar. For a time he almost completely withdrew from active administration
of public affairs, leaving all decisions in the hand of the Prime minister (whom he
trusted implicitly) and to his efficient subordinates. In his private relations he was sober
and kindly and even the domestic servants in the palace began to fear him less and
breath easier in his presence. He was solicitous and tender to the last degree to his

beloved queen as the time for the birth of the royal babe approached. The charming and
devout Rhea spent much of her time in listening to the reading of the Books of Moses,