e wet with the dew of heaven, and let its protion
be with the wild beasts in the grass of the earth.

4:13. Let his heart be changed from man's, and let a beast's heart be
given him: and let seven times pass over him.

Let his heart be changed, etc... It does not appear by scripture that
Nabuchodonosor was changed from human shape; much less that he was
changed into an ox; but only that he lost his reason, and became mad;
and in this condition remained abroad in the company of beasts, eating
grass like an ox, till his hair grew in such manner as to resemble the
feathers of eagles, and his nails to be like birds' claws.

4:14. This is the decree by the sentence of the watchers, and the word
and demand of the holy ones: till the living know, that the most High
ruleth in the kingdom of men: and he will give it to whomsoever it shall
please him, and he will appoint the basest man over it.

4:15. I, king Nabuchodonosor, saw this dream: thou, therefore, O
Baltassar, tell me quickly the interpretation: for all the wise men of
my kingdom are not able to declare the meaning of it to me: but thou art
able, because the spirit of the holy gods is in thee.

4:16. Then Daniel, whose name was Baltassar, began silently to think
within himself for about one hour: and his thought troubled him. But the
king answering, said: Baltassar, let not the dream and the
interpretation thereof trouble thee. Baltassar answered, and said: My
lord, the dream be to them that hate thee, and the interpretation
thereof to thy enemies.

4:17. The tree which thou sawest, which was high and strong, whose
height reached to the skies, and the sight thereof into all the earth:

4:18. And the branches thereof were most beautiful, and its fruit
exceeding much, and in it was food for all, under which the beasts of
the field dwelt, and the birds of the air had their abode in its
branches.

4:19. It is thou, O king, who art grown great, and become mighty: for
thy greatness hath grown, and hath reached to heaven, and thy power unto
the ends of the earth.

4:20. And whereas the king saw a watcher, and a holy one come down from
heaven, and say: Cut down the tree, and destroy it, but leave the stump
of the roots thereof in the earth, and let it be bound with iron and
brass, among the grass without, and let it be sprinkled with the dew of
heaven, and let his feeding be with the wild beasts, till seven times
pass over him.

4:21. This is the interpretation of t