“And is it then thy pleasure on this day to take back a favor, which thy father made sure unto us by a written decree?” asked Belteshazzar.

“A written decree?”

“Which will surely be found even to this day laid up in the archives of thy kingdom.”

“Find this decree and show it me, and I will not only allow the building to be continued, but will promote the same,” answered the king; “for my father’s will is as sacred to me as the commands of the gods.”

“Wilt thou allow search to be made in the house of the rolls at Ecbatana?” asked Belteshazzar.  “The decree will surely be found there.”

“I consent, but I fear ye will find none.  Tell thy nation, priest, that I am content with the equipment of the men of war they have sent to take the field against the Massagetae.  My general Megabyzus commends their looks and bearing.  May thy people prove as valiant now as in the wars of my father!  You, Belteshazzar, I bid to my marriage feast, and charge you to tell your fellows, Meshach and Abednego, next unto you the highest in the city of Babylon, that I expect them this evening at my table.”

“The God of my people Israel grant thee blessing and happiness,” answered Belteshazzar bowing low before the king.

“A wish which I accept!” answered the king, “for I do not despise the power of your wonder-working great Spirit.  But one word more, Belteshazzar.  Many Jews have lately been punished for reviling the gods of the Babylonians.  Warn your people!  They bring down hatred on themselves by their stiff-necked superstition, and the pride with which they declare their own great spirit to be the only true God.  Take example by us; we are content with our own faith and leave others to enjoy theirs in peace.  Cease to look upon yourselves as better than the rest of the world.  I wish you well, for a pride founded on self-respect is pleasing in mine eyes; but take heed lest pride degenerate into vainglory.  Farewell! rest assured of my favor.”

The Jews then departed.  They were disappointed, but not hopeless; for Belteshazzar knew well that the decree, relative to the building of the temple, must be in the archives at Ecbatana.

They were followed by a deputation from Syria, and by the Greeks of Ionia; and then, winding up the long train, appeared a band of wild-looking men, dressed in the skins of animals, whose features bespoke them foreigners in Babylon.  They wore girdles and shoulderbands of solid, unwrought gold; and of the same precious metal were their bow-cases, axes, lance-points, and the ornaments on their high fur caps.  They were preceded by a man in Persian dress, whose features proved him, however, to be of the same race as his followers.

The king gazed at first on these envoys with wonder; then his brow darkened, and beckoning the officer whose duty it was to present strangers, he exclaimed “What can these men have to crave of me?  If I mistake not they belong to the Massagetae, to that people who are so soon to tremble before my vengeance.  Tell them, Gobryas, that an armed host is standing on the Median plains ready to answer their demands with the sword.”