He saw, and horror blanched his cheek, His lips were white with fear; To read the words he quickly called For wise men, far and near. But baffled seers, with anxious doubt Stood silent in the room, When Daniel came, a captive youth, And read the words of doom. That night, within his regal hall, Belshazzar lifeless lay; The Persians grasped his fallen crown, And with the Mede held sway. Darius came, and Daniel rose A man of high renown; But wicked courtiers schemed and planned To drag the prophet down. They came as men who wished to place Great honors on their king— With flattering lips and oily words, Desired a certain thing. They knew that Daniel, day by day Towards Salem turned his face, And asked the king to sign a law His hands might not erase. That till one moon had waned away, No cherished wish or thing Should any ask of men or Gods, Unless it were the king. But Daniel, full of holy trust, His windows opened wide, Regardless of the king’s command, Unto his God he cried. They brought him forth that he might be The hungry lion’s meat, Awe struck, the lions turned away And crouched anear his feet. The God he served was strong to save His servant in the den; The fate devised for Daniel’s life O’er took those scheming men. And Cyrus came, a gracious king, And gave the blest command, That we, the scattered Jews, should build Anew our fallen land. The men who hated Juda’s weal Were filled with bitter rage, And ’gainst the progress of our work Did evil men engage. Sanballat tried to hinder us, And Gashmu uttered lies, But like a thing of joy and light, We saw our temple rise. And from the tower of Hananeel Unto the corner gate, We built the wall and did restore The places desolate. Some mocked us as we labored on And scoffingly did say, “If but a fox climb on the wall, Their work will give away.” But Nehemiah wrought in hope, Though heathen foes did frown “My work is great,” he firmly said, “And I cannot come down.”