Forgot he was a man, a helpless man, Subject to pain, and sin, and death, like others! Thou hast polluted with unhallow'd lips, And made the instruments of foul debauch. But HE, THE KING OF KINGS, and Lord of lords, In whom exists thy life, thy soul, thy breath, On whom thy being hangs, thou hast denied. 1st Cour. [aside to the others.] With what a holy boldness he reproves him! 2d Cour. Such is the fearless confidence of virtue! And such the righteous courage those maintain Who plead the cause of truth! The smallest word He utters had been death to half the court. Bel. Now let the mystic writing be explain'd, Thrice venerable sage! Dan. O mighty king! Hear then its awful import: Heav'n has number'd Here my commission ends; I may not utter More than thou 'st heard; but, oh! remember, king Can prayers avert our fate? Dan. They change our heart And thus dispose Omnipotence to mercy. 'Tis man that alters; God is still the same. Conditional are all Heav'n's covenants: And when th' uplifted thunder is withheld, 'Tis pray'r that deprecates th' impending bolt. 1st Cour. Perhaps this Daniel is in league with Persia; And brib'd by Cyrus to report these horrors, To weaken and impede the mighty plans Of thy imperial mind! Bel. 'Tis very like. 2d Cour. Return we to the banquet? Bel. Dare we venture? 3d Cour. Let not this dreaming seer disturb the king. Against the power of Cyrus and the Mede Is Babylon secure. Her brazen gates Mock all attempts to force them. Proud Euphrates, Such vast provisions, such exhaustless stores, such resources, I mock the prophet. — Turn we to the banquet! [As they are going to resume their places at the banquet, a dreadful uproar is heard, tumultuous cries and warlike sounds. All stand terrified. Enter soldiers with their swords drawn, and wounded.] Sol. Oh, helpless Babylon! Oh, wretched king! Chaldea is no more! the Mede has conquer'd! The victor Cyrus, like a mighty torrent, Comes rushing on, and marks his way with ruin! Destruction is at hand; escape or perish. Bel. Impossible! Villain and slave, thou best! Euphrates and the brazen gates secure us: While those remain, Belshazzar laughs at danger. Sol. Euphrates is diverted from its course. The brazen gates are burst, the city's taken, Thyself a pris'ner, and thy empire lost. Bel. Oh, prophet! I remember thee, indeed. [He runs out. They follow in the utmost confusion. Enter several Jews, Medes, and Babylonians. 1st Jew. He comes, he comes! the long-predicted prince, Cyrus! the destin'd instrument of Heav'n, 1st Jew. Hark! 'tis Belshazzar's voice. Bel. [without.] O soldier! spare my life, and aid my flight. Such treasures shall reward the gentle deed As Persia never saw. I'll be thy slave; I'll yield my crown to Cyrus; I'll adore His gods and thine — I'll kneel and kiss thy feet, And worship thee. It is not much I ask — So thou but let me live. |