mirth! But here, indeed, come the temple vessels of the God of
Israel! Bring them hither. Look ye here, Babylonians! Saw ye ever
anything more beautiful? Such fine specimens of art as these must be
rendered serviceable in the employ of more worthy gods! Let them be
filled with wine! Let us drink to the gods of the empire; and, if there
is a God in Israel, let him come to the rescue! We defy his power,
Chaldeans! These Hebrews among us must be limited in their privileges.
The worship of their imaginary God, if at all permitted, must be on a
more private scale. They are corrupting in their influence, and their
liberties must be restricted. This I have accomplished in a measure, and,
by the gods, I swear that in this my pleasure must be realized to the
full! These foreigners have too long lived in ease, and many of them have
been unwisely elevated to fill the most responsible offices in the gift
of the government, to the exclusion of Chaldeans and more worthy men. Of
this We shall hear no more complaint. I have cut short the work, and not
one Hebrew remains in office within the empire. Babylonians, in this has
not the king met your wishes? Your joyous looks and merry countenances
answer 'yea!' Let this then be our motto, 'Chaldeans to rule Chaldea!'
Drink! Drink freely! Drink to the gods! Is there a God in Israel? Let him
come and claim the vessels of his sanctuary! Oh, the wine tastes
delicious from these thy golden goblets! Oh, thou God of Israel! Ha! ha!
ha! More wine! Let us rejoice and be glad, and drink defiance to all gods
save the gods of Chaldea! Who shall Belshazzar fear? What god can alarm
the king of Bab--"

The vessel fell from the monarch's hand! Paleness gathered on his brow! A
sudden trembling shook his whole frame! A cry of terror broke from his
lips!

On the wall, over against the candlestick, there appeared the fingers of
a man's hand, which wrote on the plaster. This was the mysterious sight
that gave terror to the king and alarmed the merry throng.

"Haste ye!" cried the terrified king, "and bring hither my wise men, and
let them give me the signification of the writing. Go in haste!"

Messengers were speedily hurried to summon the magicians and wise men
into the presence of the monarch, and within a short period the whole
"college" stood before the agitated sovereign in the midst of the
banqueting hall.

"Look ye yonder!" said the king, with a trembling voice, pointing to the
mysterious writing.