BLUE MAGIC
Of the king's going into battle, with his leopards walking behind the chariot; and of his victorious return, with the musicians dancing before. Shawms they played, and psalteries, and cymbals; and maidens scattered flowers before him. Priests were there, leading the sacred bull Apis—snow-white and crowned with lotuses; and the soldiers walked behind, with spears. He told of the triumphal feast—how one serving-man washed the king's feet with wine from a great blue jar, another poured oil on his head, another handed him a lotus. And then came tales of journeys and wars, pyramid-building and tomb-digging, ceremonies and adventures all were unfolded as the pages turned. At last Siddereticus closed the book.
"The king died," he said, "and these are the pictures that were painted on the walls of his tomb. Deep in the chamber
48
