Now happening to glance upon the image last removed, I was not longin detecting a certain resemblance between it and our host. Both weredecorated in the same manner; the carving on the idol exactlycorresponding with the tattooing of the king.
Presently, the silence was relieved by a commotion without: and abutler approached, staggering under an immense wooden trencher;which, with profound genuflexions, he deposited upon the altar beforeus. The tray was loaded like any harvest wain; heaped up with goodthings sundry and divers: Bread-fruit, and cocoanuts, and plantains,and guavas; all pleasant to the eye, and furnishing good earnest ofsomething equally pleasant to the palate.
Transported at the sight of these viands, after so long anestrangement from full indulgence in things green, I was forthwithproceeding to help Yillah and myself, when, like lightning, a mostunwelcome query obtruded. Did deities dine? Then also recurred whatMedia had declared about my shrine in Odo. Was this it? Self-sacrilegious demigod that I was, was I going to gluttonize on thevery offerings, laid before me in my own sacred fane? Give heed tothy ways, oh Taji, lest thou stumble and be lost.
But hereupon, what saw we, but his cool majesty of Odo tranquillyproceeding to lunch in the temple?
How now? Was Media too a god? Egad, it must be so. Else, why hisimage here in the fane, and the original so entirely at his ease,with legs full cosily tucked away under the very altar itself. Thisput to flight all appalling apprehensions of the necessity ofstarving to keep up the assumption of my divinity. So without moreado I helped myself right and left; taking the best care of Yillah;who over fed her flushed beauty with juicy fruits, therebytransferring to her cheek the sweet glow of the guava.
Our hunger appeased, and Media in token thereof celestially layinghis hand upon the appropriate region, we proceeded to quit theinclosure. But coming to the wall where the breach had been made, lo,and behold, no breach was to be seen. But down it came tumblingagain, and forth we issued.
This overthrowing of walls, be it known, is an incidental complimentpaid distinguished personages in this part of Mardi. It would seem tosignify, that such gentry can go nowhere without creating animpression; even upon the most obdurate substances.
But to return to our ambrosial lunch.
Sublimate, as you will, the idea of our ethereality as intellectualbeings; no sensible man can harbor a doubt, but that there is a vastdeal of satisfaction in dining. More: there is a savor of life andimmortality in substantial fare. Like balloons, we are nothing tillfilled.
And well knowing this, nature has provided this jolly round board,our globe, which in an endless sequence of courses and crops, spreadsa perpetual feast. Though, as with most public banquets, there is nosmall crowding, and many go away famished from plenty.
CHAPTER LVIKing Media A Host
Striking into a grove, about sunset we emerged upon a fine, clearspace, and spied a city in the woods.
In the middle of all, like a generalissimo's marquee among tents, wasa structure more imposing than the rest. Here, abode King Media.
Disposed round a space some fifty yards square, were many palm postsstaked firmly in the earth. A man's height from the ground, thesesupported numerous horizontal trunks, upon which lay a flooring ofhabiscus. High over this dais, but resting upon independent supportsbeyond, a gable-ended roof sloped away to within a short distance ofthe ground.
Such was the palace.
We entered it by an arched, arbored entrance, at one of its palmetto-thatched ends. But not through this exclusive portal entered theIslanders. Humbly stooping, they found ingress under the droopingeaves. A custom immemorial, and well calculated to remind allcontumacious subjects of the dignity of the habitation thus entered.
Three steps led to the summit of the dais, where piles of soft mats,and light pillows of woven grass, stuffed with the golden down of awild thistle, invited all loiterers to lounge.
How pleasant the twilight that welled up from under the low eaves,above which we were seated. And how obvious now the design of theroof. No shade more grateful and complete; the garish sun lingeringwithout like some lackey in waiting.
But who is this in the corner, gaping at us like a butler in aquandary? Media's household deity, in the guise of a plethoricmonster, his enormous head lolling back, and wide, gaping mouthstuffed full of fresh fruits and green leaves. Truly, had the idolpossessed a soul under his knotty ribs, how tantalizing to hold soglorious a mouthful without the power of deglutition. Far worse thanthe inexorable lock-jaw, which will not admit of the step preliminaryto a swallow.
This jolly Josh image was that of an inferior deity, the god of GoodCheer, and often after, we met with his merry round mouth in manyother abodes in Mardi. Daily, his jaws are replenished, as a flowervase in summer.
But did the demi-divine Media thus brook the perpetual presence of asubaltern divinity? Still more; did he render it homage? But ere longthe Mardian mythology will be discussed, thereby making plain whatmay now seem anomalous.
Politely escorting us into his palace, Media did the honors byinviting his guests to recline. He then seemed very anxious toimpress us with the fact, that, by bringing us to his home, andthereby charging the royal larder with our maintenance, he had takenno hasty or imprudent step. His merry butlers kept piling round usviands, till we were well nigh walled in. At every fresh deposit,Media directing our attention to the same, as yet additional evidenceof his ample resources as a host. The evidence was finally closed bydragging under the eaves a felled plantain tree, the spike of redripe fruit, sprouting therefrom, blushing all over, at so rude anintroduction to the notice of strangers.
During this scene, Jarl was privily nudging Samoa, in wonderment, toknow what upon earth it all meant. But Samoa, scarcely deigning tonotice interrogatories propounded through the elbow, only let drop avague hint or two.
It was quite amusing, what airs Samoa now gave himself, at leasttoward my Viking. Among the Mardians he was at home. And who,when there, stretches not out his legs, and says unto himself, "Whois greater than I?"
To be plain: concerning himself and the Skyeman, the tables wereturned. At sea, Jarl had been the oracle: an old sea-sage, learned inhemp and helm. But our craft high and dry, the Upoluan lifted hiscrest as the erudite pagan; master of Gog and Magog, expounder of allthings heathenish and obscure.
An hour or two was now laughed away in very charming conversationwith Media; when I hinted, that a couch and solitude would beacceptable. Whereupon, seizing a taper, our host escorted us withoutthe palace. And ushering us into a handsome unoccupied mansion, gaveme to understand that the same was mine. Mounting to the dais, hethen instituted a vigorous investigation, to discern whether everything was in order. Not fancying something about the mats, he rolledthem up into bundles, and one by one sent them flying at the heads ofhis servitors; who, upon that gentle hint made off with them, soonafter returning with fresh ones. These, with mathematical precision,Media in person now spread on the dais; looking carefully to thefringes or ruffles with which they were bordered, as if striving toimpart to them a sentimental expression.
This done, he withdrew.
CHAPTER LVIITaji Takes Counsel With Himself
My brief intercourse with our host, had by this time enabled me toform a pretty good notion of the light, in which I was held by himand his more intelligent subjects.
His free and easy carriage evinced, that though acknowledging myassumptions, he was no way overawed by them; treating me asfamiliarly, indeed, as if I were a mere mortal, one of the abjectgeneration of mushrooms.
The scene in the temple, however, had done much toward explainingthis demeanor of his. A demi-god in his own proper person, my claimsto a similar dignity neither struck him with wonder, nor lessened hisgood opinion of himself.
As for any thing foreign in my aspect, and my ignorance of Mardiancustoms---all this, instead of begetting a doubt unfavorable to mypretensions, but strengthened the conviction of them as verities.Thus has it been in similar instances; but to a much greater extent.The
celebrated navigator referred to in a preceding chapter, washailed by the Hawaiians as one of their demi-gods, returned to earth,after a wide tour of the universe. And they worshiped him as such,though incessantly he was interrogating them, as to who under the sunhis worshipers were; how their ancestors came on the island; andwhether they would have the kindness to provide his followers withplenty of pork during his stay.
But a word or two concerning the idols in the shrine at Odo. Superaddedto the homage rendered him as a temporal prince, Media was thereworshiped as a spiritual being. In his corporeal absence, his effigyreceiving all oblations intended for him. And in the days of hisboyhood, listening to the old legends of the Mardian mythology,Media had conceived a strong liking for the fabulous Taji; a deitywhom he had often declared was worthy a niche in any temple extant.Hence he had honored my image with a place in his own special shrine;placing it side by side with his worshipful likeness.
I appreciated the compliment. But of the close companionship of theother image there, I was heartily ashamed. And with reason. Thenuisance in question being the image of a deified maker of plantain-pudding, lately deceased; who had been famed far and wide as the mostnotable fellow of his profession in the whole Archipelago. During hissublunary career, having been attached to the household of Media, hisgrateful master had afterward seen fit to crown his celebrity by thisposthumous distinction: a circumstance sadly subtracting from thedignity of an apotheosis. Nor must it here be omitted, that in thispart of Mardi culinary artists are accounted worthy of highconsideration. For among these people of Odo, the matter of eatingand drinking is held a matter of life and of death. "Drag away myqueen from my arms," said old Tyty when overcome of Adommo, "butleave me my cook."
Now, among the Mardians there were plenty of incarnated deities tokeep me in countenance. Most of the kings of the Archipelago, besidesMedia, claiming homage as demi-gods; and that, too, by virtue ofhereditary descent, the divine spark being transmissable from fatherto son. In illustration of this, was the fact, that in severalinstances the people of the land addressed the supreme god Oro, inthe very same terms employed in the political adoration of theirsublunary rulers.
Ay: there were deities in Mardi far greater and taller than I:right royal monarchs to boot, living in jolly round tabernacles ofjolly brown clay; and feasting, and roystering, and lording it inyellow tabernacles of bamboo. These demi-gods had wherewithal tosustain their lofty pretensions. If need were, could crush out of himthe infidelity of a non-conformist. And by this immaculate union ofchurch and state, god and king, in their own proper persons reignedsupreme Caesars over the souls and bodies of their subjects.
Beside these mighty magnates, I and my divinity shrank into nothing.In their woodland ante-chambers plebeian deities were kept lingering.For be it known, that in due time we met with several decayed, brokendown demi-gods: magnificos of no mark in Mardi; having no templeswherein to feast personal admirers, or spiritual devotees. Theywandered about forlorn and friendless. And oftentimes in theirdinnerless despair hugely gluttonized, and would fain have grown fat,by reflecting upon the magnificence of their genealogies. But poorfellows! like shabby Scotch lords in London in King James's time, thevery multitude of them confounded distinction. And since they couldshow no rent-roll, they were permitted to fume unheeded.
Upon the whole, so numerous were living and breathing gods in Mardi,that I held my divinity but cheaply. And seeing such a host ofimmortals, and hearing of multitudes more, purely spiritual in theirnature, haunting woodlands and streams; my views of theology grewstrangely confused; I began to bethink me of the Jew that rejectedthe Talmud, and his all-permeating principle, to which Goethe andothers have subscribed.
Instead, then, of being struck with the audacity of endeavoring topalm myself off as a god--the way in which the thing first impressedme--I now perceived that I might be a god as much as I pleased, andyet not whisk a lion's tail after all at least on that specialaccount.
As for Media's reception, its graciousness was not whollyowing to the divine character imputed to me. His, he believed to bethe same. But to a whim, a freakishness in his soul, which led him tofancy me as one among many, not as one with no peer.
But the apparent unconcern of King Media with respect to my godship,by no means so much surprised me, as his unaffected indifference tomy amazing voyage from the sun; his indifference to the sun itself;and all the wonderful circumstances that must have attended mydeparture. Whether he had ever been there himself, that he regarded asolar trip with so much unconcern, almost became a question in mymind. Certain it is, that as a mere traveler he must have deemed meno very great prodigy.
My surprise at these things was enhanced by reflecting, that to thepeople of the Archipelago the map of Mardi was the map of the world.With the exception of certain islands out of sight and at anindefinite distance, they had no certain knowledge of any isles buttheir own.
And, no long time elapsed ere I had still additional reasons to ceasewondering at the easy faith accorded to the story which I had givenof myself. For these Mardians were familiar with still greatermarvels than mine; verily believing in prodigies of all sorts. Anyone of them put my exploits to the blush.
Look to thy ways then, Taji, thought I, and carry not thy crest toohigh. Of a surety, thou hast more peers than inferiors. Thou artovertopped all round. Bear thyself discreetly and not haughtily,Taji. It will not answer to give thyself airs. Abstain from allconsequential allusions to the other world, and the genteel deitiesamong whom thou hast circled. Sport not too jauntily thy raiment,because it is novel in Mardi; nor boast of the fleetness of thyChamois, because it is unlike a canoe. Vaunt not of thy pedigree,Taji; for Media himself will measure it with thee there by thefurlong. Be not a "snob," Taji.
So then, weighing all things well, and myself severely, Iresolved to follow my Mentor's wise counsel; neither arrogatingaught, nor abating of just dues; but circulating freely, sociably,and frankly, among the gods, heroes, high_ priests, kings, andgentlemen, that made up the principalities of Mardi.
CHAPTER LVIIIMardi By Night And Yillah By Day
During the night following our arrival, many dreams were no doubtdreamt in Odo. But my thoughts were wakeful. And while all othersslept, obeying a restless impulse, I stole without into the magicalstarlight. There are those who in a strange land ever love to view itby night.
It has been said, that the opening in the groves where was situatedMedia's city, was elevated above the surrounding plains. Hence wascommanded a broad reach of prospect.
Far and wide was deep low-sobbing repose of man and nature. Thegroves were motionless; and in the meadows, like goblins, the shadowsadvanced and retreated. Full before me, lay the Mardian fleet ofisles, profoundly at anchor within their coral harbor. Near by wasone belted round by a frothy luminous reef, wherein it lay, likeSaturn in its ring.
From all their summits, went up a milk-white smoke, as from Indianwigwams in the hazy harvest-moon. And floating away, these vaporsblended with the faint mist, as of a cataract, hovering over thecircumvallating reef. Far beyond all, and far into the infinitenight, surged the jet-black ocean.
But how tranquil the wide lagoon, which mirrored the burning spots inheaven! Deep down into its innermost heart penetrated the slantingrays of Hesperus like a shaft of light, sunk far into mysteriousGolcondas, where myriad gnomes seemed toiling. Soon a lightbreeze rippled the water, and the shaft was seen no more. But themoon's bright wake was still revealed: a silver track, tipping everywave-crest in its course, till each seemed a pearly, scroll-prowednautilus, buoyant with some elfin crew.
From earth to heaven! High above me was Night's shadowy bower,traversed, vine-like, by the Milky Way, and heavy with goldenclusterings. Oh stars! oh eyes, that see me, wheresoe'er I roam:serene, intent, inscrutable for aye, tell me Sybils, what I am.--Wondrous worlds on worlds! Lo, round and round me, shining, awfulspells: all glorious, vivid constellations, God's diadem ye are! Toyou, ye stars, man owes his subtlest raptures, thoughts unspeakable,yet full
of faith.
But how your mild effulgence stings the boding heart. Am I amurderer, stars?
Hours pass. The starry trance is departed. Long waited for, the dawnnow comes.
First, breaking along the waking face; peeping from out the languidlids; then shining forth in longer glances; till, like the sun, upcomes the soul, and sheds its rays abroad.
When thus my Yillah did daily dawn, how she lit up my world; tingingmore rosily the roseate clouds, that in her summer cheek played toand fro, like clouds in Italian air.
CHAPTER LIXTheir Morning Meal
Not wholly is our world made up of bright stars and bright eyes: sonow to our story.
A conscientious host should ever be up betimes, to look after thewelfare of his guests, and see to it that their day beginauspiciously. King Media announced the advent of the sun, by rustlingat my bower's eaves in person.
A repast was spread in an adjoining arbor, which Media's pages hadsmoothed for our reception, and where his subordinate chiefs were inattendance. Here we reclined upon mats. Balmy and fresh blew thebreath of the morning; golden vapors were upon the mountains, silversheen upon the grass; and the birds were at matins in the groves;their bright plumage flashing into view, here and there, as if somerainbow were crouching in the foliage.
Spread before us were viands, served in quaint-shaped, curiously-dyedgourds, not Sevres, but almost as tasteful; and like true porcelain,fire had tempered them. Green and yielding, they are plucked from thetree; and emptied of their pulp, are scratched over with minutemarks, like those of a line engraving. The ground prepared, thevarious figures are carefully etched. And the outlines filled up withdelicate punctures, certain vegetable oils are poured over them, forcoloring. Filled with a peculiar species of earth, the gourd is nowplaced in an oven in the ground. And in due time exhumed, emptied ofits contents, and washed in the stream, it presents a deep-dyedexterior; every figure distinctly traced and opaque, but theground semi-transparent. In some cases, owing to the variety of dyesemployed, each figure is of a different hue.