Chapter 55 - Page 2

loaded like any harvest wain; heaped up with good
things sundry and divers: Bread-fruit, and cocoanuts, and plantains,
and guavas; all pleasant to the eye, and furnishing good earnest of
something equally pleasant to the palate.

Transported at the sight of these viands, after so long an
estrangement from full indulgence in things green, I was forthwith
proceeding to help Yillah and myself, when, like lightning, a most
unwelcome query obtruded. Did deities dine? Then also recurred what
Media had declared about my shrine in Odo. Was this it? Self-
sacrilegious demigod that I was, was I going to gluttonize on the
very offerings, laid before me in my own sacred fane? Give heed to
thy ways, oh Taji, lest thou stumble and be lost.

But hereupon, what saw we, but his cool majesty of Odo tranquilly
proceeding to lunch in the temple?

How now? Was Media too a god? Egad, it must be so. Else, why his
image here in the fane, and the original so entirely at his ease,
with legs full cosily tucked away under the very altar itself. This
put to flight all appalling apprehensions of the necessity of
starving to keep up the assumption of my divinity. So without more
ado I helped myself right and left; taking the best care of Yillah;
who over fed her flushed beauty with juicy fruits, thereby
transferring to her cheek the sweet glow of the guava.

Our hunger appeased, and Media in token thereof celestially laying
his hand upon the appropriate region, we proceeded to quit the
inclosure. But coming to the wall where the breach had been made, lo,
and behold, no breach was to be seen. But down it came tumbling
again, and forth we issued.

This overthrowing of walls, be it known, is an incidental compliment
paid distinguished personages in this part of Mardi. It would seem to
signify, that such gentry can go nowhere without creating an
impression; even upon the most obdurate substances.

But to return to our ambrosial lunch.

Sublimate, as you will, the idea of our ethereality as intellectual
beings; no sensible man can harbor a doubt, but that there is a vast
deal of satisfaction in dining. More: there is a savor of life and
immortality in substantial fare. Like balloons, we are nothing till
filled.

And well knowing this, nature has provided this jolly round board,
our globe, which in an endless sequence of courses and crops, spreads
a perpetual feast. Though, as with most public banquets, there is no
small crowding, and many go away famished from plenty.