Yielding to the re-action of the banquet, the kings now reclined; and two mute damsels entered:  one with a gourd of scented waters; the other with napkins.  Bending over Donjalolo’s steaming head, the first let fall a shower of aromatic drops, slowly aborbed by her companion.  Thus, in turn, all were served; nothing heard but deep breathing.

In a marble vase they now kindled some incense:  a handful of spices.

Shortly after, came three of the king’s beautiful smokers; who, lighting their tubes at this odorous fire, blew over the company the sedative fumes of the Aina.

Steeped in languor, I strove against it long; essayed to struggle out of the enchanted mist.  But a syren hand seemed ever upon me, pressing me back.

Half-revealed, as in a dream, and the last sight that I saw, was Donjalolo:—­eyes closed, face pale, locks moist, borne slowly to his sedan, to cross the hollow, and wake in the seclusion of his harem.

CHAPTER LXXXV After Dinner

As in dreams I behold thee again, Willamila! as in dreams, once again I stroll through thy cool shady groves, oh fairest of the vallies of Mardi! the thought of that mad merry feasting steals over my soul till I faint.

Prostrate here and there over the bones of Donjalolo’s sires, the royal bacchanals lay slumbering till noon.

“Which are the deadest?” said Babbalanja, peeping in, “the live kings, or the dead ones?”

But the former were drooping flowers sought to be revived by watering.  At intervals the sedulous attendants went to and fro, besprinkling their heads with the scented contents of their vases.

At length, one by one, the five-and-twenty kings lifted their ambrosial curls; and shaking the dew therefrom, like eagles opened their right royal eyes, and dilated their aquiline nostrils, full upon the golden rays of the sun.

But why absented himself, Donjalolo?  Had he cavalierly left them to survive the banquet by themselves?  But this apparent incivility was soon explained by heralds, announcing to their prone majesties, that through the over solicitude of his slaves, their lord the king had been borne to his harem, without being a party to the act.  But to make amends, in his sedan, Donjalolo was even now drawing nigh.  Not, however, again to make merry; but socially to sleep in company with his guests; for, together they had all got high, and together they must all lie low.

So at it they went:  each king to his bones, and slumbered like heroes till evening; when, availing themselves of the cool moonlight approaching, the royal guests bade adieu to their host; and summoning their followers, quitted the glen.

Early next day, having determined to depart for our canoes, we proceeded to the House of the Morning, to take leave of Donjalolo.

An amazing change, one night of solitude had wrought!  Pale and languid, we found him reclining:  one hand on his throbbing temples.