this I must regain the
full confidence of the nation. Are they jealous of the four Hebrews? In
this I fear them not. They are worth more to my empire than any chosen
score of their fellow-officers. And of the wisdom of my wise men--is not
more than one half of it centered in Belteshazzar? If they are envious of
these young men, let it not be known to the king, or by the powers of
Belus I will let them feel my vengeance!

"But for the king to be suspected of being a believer in their God is of
a more serious nature. What measure shall I resort to in order to satisfy
the mind of the nation? Deny the insinuation in a proclamation? Shall the
King of Babylon ever stoop to this? Never! Something more consistent with
royal dignity than this must be found. An image? Yea! That will do, O
king! Thou hast well thought. An image of Bel. What? 'With the head of
gold, the breast and arms of silver, the belly and thighs of brass, the
legs of iron, the feet of iron and clay?' Nay! The image of Bel which I
shall set up for public worship, shall be all of gold. Why otherwise? My
wealth is inexhaustible. Who, after such a display, would ever suspect
the King of Babylon of adhering to the God of the Hebrews? This, then, is
my purpose. I shall build a great image of Bel, made of pure gold, and
set it up in some favorable spot, and appoint a day for its public
dedication."

The next morning, at the appointed hour, Belrazi was punctual to meet the
king at his apartment. The monarch, well pleased with his scheme of the
image, manifested a pleasant countenance.

"Thou art punctual, Belrazi. The king is well pleased to meet thee. Thy
frank sincerity yesterday was an additional proof of thy worth. I have
seen fit, since we parted, to bestow some thought on the subject on which
we conversed. It is of the utmost importance to the well-being and
security of the empire that the people have unbounded confidence in their
king in all things--in matters of religion as well as in matters of state.
Now, in order to expel all doubts from the minds of my nobles in regard
to my fidelity to the gods of my fathers, I have thought of a measure
which, I trust, must prove successful. It is this: Let an image of our
god Bel be made of gold. Let it be of large dimensions, and far superior
to any image heretofore seen in any country. Let it be set up in some
favorable spot; and on the day of its dedication, let all who hold office
under the government, be commanded