Page:Swahili tales.djvu/177

Rh there came girls wearing exquisite dresses, each one with a musical instrument; and they entered and played their instruments and sang, that they might lull him, and others danced, and made verses in his praise. And he fell asleep, and slept the midday sleep.

And when he awoke, people were sitting ready at the door waiting for him, to go with him to the bath. And he went to the bath and put off his clothes, and they were folded up and put with the former ones, and he went into the bath, and its condition was just as before, and better. Then when he went out from the bath he was given clothes to dry off the water. And when he had dried off the water, he put off those clothes of silk and gold thread. And other clothes were brought him, to go out into the reception room in, and all the clothes were of price. And he put them on and went out.

And when he went out, food was ready, and they went in and ate food. Afterwards they conversed together till night came on, and another chamber was prepared for him. And he went to lie down. And he looked at that chamber, and the furniture that was in it, and its utensils, and it surpassed the chamber in which he lay down at noon. And he slept until the morning.

And he awoke, and people came and took him, and went with him to the bath. And when he came out, he was given other clothes to dry off the water, and afterwards other clothes were brought him, and he put them on. And those he had worn before were folded up, and put away, and every time clothes were brought him, a purse of five hundred deenars was also brought to him.

And he went out, and went and ate food. And when they had eaten, he said to Mohammed the Languid, "I have no directions to stay two days, and to-day is the second; so make your journey and let us go."