ease with which
the youths of Judah answered every question, he purposed, within himself,
to make a further trial of their skill, by propounding questions to the
school which were far more difficult to answer than those asked by
Ashpenaz. The reader is already aware that the king was one of the ripest
scholars within the empire, and, therefore, was fully prepared for the
undertaking. The first problem was directed to Shagoth. Shagoth colored,
and, in endeavoring to answer, stammered out something which the king
could not understand. The same question was directed to Apgomer. Apgomer,
with steady voice and correct emphasis, answered; and it was pronounced
to be correct. The next question was directed to Scribbo. He, greatly
alarmed at the result of the other question, became confused, and gave no
answer. The same question was directed to Daniel, and was promptly
answered, with marked ease and great clearness. The next was directed to
a young student who sat in the vicinity of Shagoth, but it was not
answered to the satisfaction of the king. The same was directed to
Hananiah, and the answer was such as to astonish the examiner. Another
perplexing question was directed to a young student, a resident of the
city; but it was of too profound a nature for the young man to answer.
The king having asked the same question of several without receiving an
answer, at last directed it to Azariah. The young Hebrew hesitated--it was
but for a moment--then, in a clear, silvery tone, he gave the answer,
without the least degree of confusion. It was beyond the expectation of
the king. He gazed on the youth for a moment in silence, and then
pronounced the answer to be a correct one. Another question of the same
nature, requiring, perhaps, some additional knowledge, was asked, the
king remarking, at the same time, that his good opinion of their
abilities did not depend upon their answering those questions, for they
were of such a nature as would puzzle more experienced heads; but such
was the readiness with which some of the scholars had answered all the
questions hitherto asked, that he was anxious to know if it were in his
power to ask a question which they could not answer; and in order to give
all an equal opportunity, he would direct his questions to each one. So
the king commenced on the left, and deliberately pointed to each scholar;
but no answer was heard until he came to young Mishael. With promptness,
and in a few words, he gave a