The Rajah’s Dream. 155

serrated leaf distinguishes it as the favorite of Buddha. The
snake was kind to Buddha while he was on earth, and there-
fore, since the cobra has drank from your leaf, you shall re-
cover health by obeying my commands.

“<In the South lies your remedy. A journey of one hun-
dred hours will bring you to the trees seen by you in this
vision. Eat of the fruit, which must be your sole diet until the
Great Moon has twice given and refused her light. Disease
shall leave thee, but forget not sweet sacrifice to that Brahma
of all Brahmas to whom even demons pay homage. The fruit,
which is partly a transparent fluid and partly innocent food,
grows on the top; by fire alone can it be obtained.’

“A sound as of a thousand tomtoms broke on the Rajah’s
ear, and he awoke.

“The pious Prince at once arose, placed the palms of his
hands on his forehead, and bowed himself in prayer to Ossah
Pollah Dewyo, the ruler and creator of all gods and demons,
and of the flat earth besides.

“Next an offering of fruits, betel-leaves, and flowers was left
under a Bogaha-tree; and it was proclaimed that the invalid
would make a journey.

“ Forth came the retinue of warriors and slaves—forth came
the wife from her zenana, wrapped in shawls and veiled with
gauze, through which twinkled the jewels of a princess, attend-
ed by troops of dancing-girls and waiting- women.

“The Rajah climbed a silver ladder to the velvet howdah
on the elephant’s back; the Princess was seated in her litter
of ivory and fragrant woods, and the royal procession moved in

obedience to the command of the old man seen in the dream.