ancing
before the ten strangers, who by their dress now appeared like inmates
of the place, approached with them towards the prince, and reverently
introduced them to his notice; and the prince, without stopping the
procession, said to them, "Come and dine with me." So they followed him
into the dining-hall, where they saw a table magnificently set out,
having in the middle a tall golden pyramid with a hundred branches in
three rows, each branch having a small dish, or basket, containing a
variety of sweetmeats and preserves, with other delicacies made of bread
and wine; and through the middle of the pyramid there issued as it were
a bubbling fountain of nectareous wine, the stream of which, falling
from the summit of the pyramid separated into different channels and
filled the cups. At the sides of this pyramid were various heavenly
golden forms, on which were dishes and plates covered with all kinds of
food. The heavenly forms supporting the dishes and plates were forms of
art, derived from wisdom, such as cannot be devised by any human art, or
expressed by any human words: the dishes and plates were of silver, on
which were engraved forms similar to those that supported them; the cups
were transparent gems. Such was the splendid furniture of the table.

15. As regards the dress of the prince and his ministers, the prince
wore a long purple robe, set with silver stars wrought in needle-work;
under this robe he had a tunic of bright silk of a blue or hyacinthine
color; this was open about the breast, where there appeared the forepart
of a kind of zone or ribbon, with the ensign of his society; the badge
was an eagle sitting on her young at the top of a tree; this was wrought
in polished gold set with diamonds. The counsellors were dressed nearly
after the same manner, but without the badge; instead of which they wore
sapphires curiously cut, hanging from their necks by a golden chain. The
courtiers wore brownish cloaks, wrought with flowers encompassing young
eagles; their tunics were of an opal-colored silk, so were also their
lower garments; thus were they dressed.

16. The privy-counsellors, with those of inferior order, and the
grandees stood around the table, and by command of the prince folded
their hands, and at the same time in a low voice said a prayer of
thanksgiving to the Lord; and after this, at a sign from the prince,
they reclined on couches at the table. The prince then said to the ten
strangers, "Do y