nd difficult a siege,(1050) and having found nothing in the place to
requite them for the service they had rendered Almighty God (it is the
expression of the prophet) in executing his vengeance upon that city, to
make them amends, God was pleased to promise by the mouth of Ezekiel, that
he would give them the spoils of Egypt. And indeed they soon after
conquered that country, as I have more fully related in the history of the
Egyptians.(1051)

When this prince had happily finished all his wars, and was in a state of
perfect peace and tranquillity, he employed himself in putting the last
hand to the building, or rather to the embellishing of Babylon. The reader
may see in Josephus(1052) an account of the magnificent structures
ascribed to this monarch by several writers. I have mentioned a great part
of them in the description already given of that stately city.

Whilst nothing seemed wanting to complete this prince's happiness, a
frightful dream disturbed his repose, and filled him with great
anxiety.(1053) "He saw a tree in the midst of the earth, whose height was
great: the tree grew, and was strong, and the height of it reached unto
heaven, and the sight thereof to the end of the earth. The leaves were
fair, and the fruit much; and in it was meat for all: the beasts of the
field had shadow under it, and the fowls of the heaven dwelt in the boughs
thereof; and all flesh was fed of it. Then a watcher and a holy one came
down from heaven, and cried; Hew down the tree, and cut off his branches,
shake off his leaves, and scatter his fruit; let the beasts get away from
under it, and the fowls from his branches. Nevertheless leave the stump of
his roots in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender
grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his
portion be with the beasts in the grass of the earth. Let his heart be
changed from man's; and let a beast's heart be given unto him; and let
seven times pass over him. This matter is by the decree of the watchers,
and the demand by the word of the holy ones; to the intent that the living
may know that the Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to
whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men."

The king, justly terrified at this dreadful dream, consulted all his wise
men and magicians, but to no purpose. He was obliged to have recourse to
Daniel, who expounded the dream, and applied it to the king himself,
p