Page:Siam and Laos, as seen by our American missionaries (1884).pdf/351

 with diamonds. In the south end of the audience-hall was an octagonal throne, having sides corresponding to the eight points of the compass. He first seated himself on the side facing north, passing around toward the east. In front of each side of the throne was crouched a Buddhist and a Brahman priest, who presented him with a bowl of water, of which he drank and rubbed some on his face. At each side they repeated to him a prayer, to which he responded. I was too far off to hear all, but the following is said to be a translation of it:

Priest. "Be thou learned in the laws of nature and of the universe."

King. "Inspire me, O Thou who wert a law unto thyself!"

Priest. "Be thou endowed with all wisdom and all acts of industry."

King. "Inspire me with all knowledge, O Thou the enlightened!"

Priest. "Let mercy and truth be thy right and left arms of life."

King. "Inspire me, O Thou who hast proved all truth and mercy!"

Priest. "Let the sun, moon and stars bless thee."

King. "All praise to Thee, through whom all forms are conquered!"

Priest. "Let the earth, air and water bless thee."