John Trapp on Daniel 4:33

Ver. 33. The ſame hour was the thing fulfilled] When leaſt expected. The like befel the old world, Sodom, Pharaoh, Julian, &c. See 1 Theſſ. 5.2, 3. As they ſay of the metal they make glaſſe of, it is neareſt melting when it ſhineth brighteſt: ſo are the wicked neareſt deſtruction, when at greateſt luſtre.

And he was driven from men] By his own courtiers, and ſubjects. In him it well appeared, that mortality was but the ſtage of mutability. The like was to be ſeen in Nero and many other Roman and Greek Emperours; in Belliſarius, Baiazet, our Richard the ſecond, and Henry the ſixth, who having been the moſt potent Monarch for dominions that ever England had, was at laſt not the maſter of a mole-hill, nor owner of his own liberty. Of Henry Holland Duke of Exceſter grandchild to John of Gaunt mention hath been made before. Within our remembrance, in the reign of King James the Lord Cobham having been a man of ſeven thouſand pound a year, and of a perſonal eſtate of thirty thouſand pound, came nevertheleſſe to a miſerable end: for before his death he was lowſy for want of apparrel and linnen, and had ſtarved, had not a trencher-ſcraper (ſometime his ſervant at Court,) relieved him with ſcraps, in whoſe houſe he dyed, being ſo poor a place,Court of king James. p. 37. that he was forced to creep up a ladder through a little hole into his chamber. The like ſtrange change befell Sir Edward Greenill of Milcot in Warwickſhire, Court of King James. p. 37. Rolloc. whom I very well knew.

And did eat graſſe as Oxen] By a ſingular judgement of Almighty God, who came down from heaven, as it were, to fight a duel with this moſt proud man, inſpectante toto mundo, in the view of all the world.

And his body was wet with the due of heaven] Beſide the brutiſh change of his mind, his body was much changed by the inclemency of the ayre, and by his feeding and living among wild beaſts: Yet was he not in truth changed into a beaſt, as Bodin thinketh, ſo as that upward he was like an Ox, and in his hinder parts like a Lion, as others have fabled. The ſubſtance of his body was not changed, but only the quality of his ſubſtance and of his ſhape. Rupertus well concludeth, that this was the greateſt change that is mentioned in Scripture, excepting only that of Lots wife, who was changed into a pillar of ſalt.

Till his haires were grown like Eagles feathers] Thick and black.

And his nailes like birds claws] Long and ſharp: ſo that in his ſhape he came nearer to a wild beaſt then to a man.