death is angry because the queens have soothed belshazzar into a sleep. death says he will haunt belshazzar in his dream. the queens leave the garden and thought also falls asleep. death sees belshazzar asleep and decides to kill him. he draws his sword, but daniel enters and says, “no,” while holding back the arms of death. death inquires why he cannot kill the king. daniel says belshazzar has not lived his whole life and it is not time yet for him to die. death argues that belshazzar's life is a mockery to both god and death.