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Updated: June 2, 2025
What is more mortifying, Ashpenaz, while endeavoring to entertain our own dignitaries, and the visiting nobles of other nations, than to witness the blundering ignorance of our attendants? In this I cast no blame on my worthy and noble officer by no means. "In my last campaign I gave orders to convey to Babylon a number of young men of the kingly line, both from Egypt and Judah.
"Ashpenaz," said the king, in a familiar voice, "thou knowest well that there is a painful scarcity of waiters to stand in the presence of the king; and even those we have are not what I could desire them to be in point of intelligence and cultivation. This must be remedied without delay. My father's taste in this matter was somewhat different from mine.
He was calm, dignified, and deeply experienced in all things pertaining to the duties of his office. For a long time he had served as a confidential servant of the king's father, and was highly honored by young and old at the court. This dignitary was soon on his way towards the house of his friend Barzello. "Good-morning to my friend Ashpenaz," said Barzello, with a welcome smile.
Presently, the dignified form of Ashpenaz was seen moving slowly towards the rostrum; he ascended, gracefully bowed to the officers on either side, and proceeded: "It is of the utmost importance that those who are destined to minister in the king's presence should be well initiated into the ways and manners, maxims and customs of our nation, and be well versed in all the learning of the Chaldeans.
"Now for the Egyptians, Barzello," said Ashpenaz, smiling, as they left the apartment. Here all the students were received with great civility, and commended to their different apartments. The four Hebrews were not separated, but were permitted to remain as heretofore.
And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the children of Israel, and of the king's seed, and of the princes;
Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenances of the children that eat of the portion of the king's meat; and as thou seest, deal with thy servants." "Well," replied Ashpenaz, smiling, "if the king's object is accomplished, I trust he is not tenacious about the article of food; so, Melzar, let our young friends be gratified in this respect.
Here Daniel explained, in an eloquent manner, the objections he and his three companions had to partaking of the portion of the king's meat and the wine which he drank. "This is rather a delicate point, my young friend," answered Ashpenaz, with a degree of perplexity visible on his countenance.
After an examination of one hour, the king gave to Ashpenaz a signal, by which he understood that he might dispense with any further questioning. The king then, as he had previously intimated, became the examiner.
"Thy remarks, daughter, are perfectly correct," answered the mother. "I am at a loss, myself, to understand the king in this. But thy brother, Shagoth, has learned, of late, that these Jews are far from being dull scholars; and he fears that, by some strange contrivance, they have worked themselves into the graces of Ashpenaz. I have my fears that these reports are too true.
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