Later still, during the XXIst and XXIInd dynasties, these two, or even three coffins, were enclosed in a rectangular sarcophagus of thick wood, which, surmounted by a semicircular lid, was decorated with pictures and hallowed by prayers:  four sparrow-hawks, perched on the uprights at the corners, watched at the four cardinal points, and protected the body, enabling the soul at the same time to move freely within the four houses of which the world was composed.

[Illustration:  025.jpg the paraphernalia of A mummy of the XXth to the XXIInd dynasties]

     Drawn by Faucher-Gudin, from Mariette.

The workmen, after having deposited the mummy in its resting-place, piled upon the floor of the tomb the canopio jars, the caskets, the provisions, the furniture, the bed, and the stools and chairs; the Usha-btiu occupied compartments in their allotted boxes, and sometimes there would be laid beside them the mummy of a favourite animal—­a monkey, a dog of some rare breed, or a pet gazelle, whose coffins were shaped to their respective outlines, the better to place before the deceased the presentment of the living animal.

[Illustration:  026.jpg the funeral repast—­music and dancing]

     Drawn by Faucher-Gudin, from a fragment in the British
     Museum.  The scene representing the funeral repast and its
     accompanying dances occurs frequently in the Theban tombs.

A few of the principal objects were broken or damaged, in the belief that, by thus destroying them, their doubles would go forth and accompany the human double, and render him their accustomed services during the whole of his posthumous existence; a charm pronounced over them bound them indissolubly to his person, and constrained them to obey his will.  This done, the priest muttered a final prayer, and the masons walled up the doorway.

[Illustration:  027.jpg the coffin of the favourite gazelle of Isimkhobiu]

     Drawn by Faucher-Gudin, from a photograph by Emil Brugsch-
     Bey.

The funeral feast now took place with its customary songs and dances.  The almehs addressed the guests and exhorted them to make good use of the passing hour:  “Be happy for one day! for when you enter your tombs you will rest there eternally throughout the length of every day!”

Immediately after the repast the friends departed from the tomb, and the last link which connected the dead with our world was then broken.  The sacred harper was called upon to raise the farewell hymn:*