32 and his friends, that if they refused to eat the rich food which, the king provided for them, he feared they would become feeble and sickly, and that the king, seeing their looks and learning the cause, would be angry with him, and perhaps put him to death. Daniel prudently said no more at this time, but afterwards spoke to Melzar, who had immediate oversight of the four young Hebrews, and requested that they might, for ten days, make the trial of living on vegetables and water. Melzar consented, and, after ten days, he examined their countenances, and found they were fairer and fatter in flesh than any of the young men who were fed from the king's table. From this time they were permitted to eat vegetables and drink water, and Melzar withheld the food tisfit was sent them by thể king. '
In his conduct at this time, Daniel showed many qualities of mind and heart that are too seldom found at the early age of eighteen years. He showed uncommon piety in refusing to eat meat forbidden by religiou ; thus remembering, in this distant land, the law of his God, and résolving to obey it.
