Part 18 (1/2)
15. The Yurdzin-nod.--The hide of the hippopotamus, which is of extraordinary durability, and when prepared for use may be said to be imperishable.
16. The fat of the serpent's head is very precious, and is used for many important purposes. Prepared in a certain way it is even supposed to strengthen the intellect.
The ”mind-tamers” attending madmen--who were numerous when I began to reign--carried with them this fat, and sometimes the head itself, as an antidote against the contagion of insanity.
17. The Mestua Mountain.--The largest in Montalluyah, supposed to be the firmest and most lasting of mountains. By her firmness the sea's mighty inroads have been arrested in their progress, and the waters have been driven back. The ”will,” which is likened in firmness to the mountain, is ”the will to overcome evil.”
18. Wet thy feet.--This ablution is required before prayer.
19. Stainer's fount.--Stainer was a good man, who was never known to harm or pain any one by action or word, and from whom, as he drank of its waters daily, the spring derived its name. The water, wholesome and cooling, is said to be the purest in Montalluyah.
Water, a thing of hourly use, and moreover supposed to enter largely into man's organization, is in Montalluyah treated as of the utmost importance to health, and its quality is watched with great care. The water for the especial use of the city is collected in reservoirs, and is always examined before the people are allowed to make use of it. If certain electricities are wanting, though it might be faultless in other respects, both the supplies, within and without, are stopped until means have been taken to infuse the deficient electricity. The water from Stainer's fount never required testing. This was always pure, never changed its component parts, and never ceased to flow.
20. The Mountain Supporter.--Reference to this great work is made in nearly all our poems, which invariably refer to the beauty, splendour, strength, firmness, durability, grandeur, and usefulness of the work, and to its resemblance to my polity.
XXVII.
SYLIFA.
”Here the soul has illumined its temporary dwelling with rays of light--the gift of Heaven.”
Among the children of poor parents taken care of and educated by my orders, there was a beautiful girl named Sylifa, the daughter of a labouring man who worked in the ravines.
In the early part of my reign I had been struck with her beauty and intelligence, and directed that she should be brought up and educated in my palace.
Her eyes were almond-shaped, large, long, l.u.s.trous, and languis.h.i.+ng; and might be pictured by fancy as beaming with ethereal flowers, crystalline fountains in all their brightness, painting, sculpture, and poetry.
Her lovely mouth never gave utterance to a thought that was not kind and good; indeed, all her features were beautiful, and the soft and luxuriant hair hung down to her feet in graceful curls--the back hair was much longer, and, when unbound, fell to the ground in rich ma.s.ses.
She had a musical, merry laugh, which, whether they would or not, could set all present laughing, however seriously inclined.
Her talents were many, her versatility was great; for she was accomplished in various pursuits, and in most of them excelled. When singing or playing the harp, her dreamy eyes were more than earthly, and seemed as though beaming with poetry inspired of Heaven.
The beauty of her mind could be read in her face; she looked so heavenly, that when grown into womanhood I have, in a moment of enthusiasm, been almost tempted to fold her in my arms; but I never forgot my great mission, even in the most perilous moments.
I took particular care of the lovely girl, and selected for her husband a very handsome man and a great poet, who was chosen in due form by Sylifa at one of our marriage ”choice” meetings.
The union was happy, though, perhaps, they loved each other too well.
The married couple resided in my palace, and Sylifa continued to afford to me and my guests the greatest recreation and amus.e.m.e.nt.
She was very luxurious, and very particular in her habits. I have seen her, while amusing us, suddenly (perhaps designedly), stop short, and direct her attendant to bring the golden salver, telling us at the same time that her hand (and she had exquisite hands) was a little soiled.