FOOD HABITS WISE AND OTHERWISE 95 



in knowledge, and understanding science, and such 

 as had ability in them to stand in the king's palace, 

 and whom they might teach the learning and the 

 tongue of the Chaldeans." 



It was also directed that these young men were 

 to be provided for three years with a daily supply of 

 the king's meat and the wine which was used at the 

 king's table. At the end of that period, all were to 

 be brought before Nebuchadnezzar. Among the young 

 men selected were four Hebrews, the chief of whom, 

 Daniel, did not wish to partake of the rich food and 

 drink which the king provided. So he requested that 

 he and his friends might be given pulse (similar to 

 peas and beans) and water instead. But the officer 

 in charge replied: "I fear my lord the king, who 

 hath appointed your meat and drink ; for why should 

 he see your faces worse liking than the children which 

 are of your sort? Then shall ye make me endanger 

 my head to the king." 



Daniel replied : " ' Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, 

 ten days. Let them give us pulse to eat and water 

 to drink. Then let our countenances be looked upon 

 before thee, and the countenance of the children 

 that eat of the king's meat ; and as thou seest, deal 

 with thy servants.' So he consented to them in this 

 matter, and proved them ten days; and at the end 

 of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and 

 fatter in flesh than all that did eat the portion of 

 the king's meat." When the period of three years 



