COURT LIFE AT GHAZNI 39 passed before Mm in review : first the star of the crown prince Maudud, next the canopy and standards borne by two hundred slaves of the household, with jerkins of mail and long spears; then many led horses and camels; then the infantry in their order, with banners and stars, and so forth. When they had all passed by, the serious business of the day began: " let us to it without ceremony,'* cried the amir; " we are come into the country, and we will drink. " Fifty goblets and flagons of wine were brought from the pavilion into the garden, and the cups began to go round. " Fair measure," said the amir, " and equal cups let us drink fair." They grew merry and the minstrels sang. One of the courtiers had finished five tankards each held nearly a pint of wine but the sixth confused him, the seventh bereft him of his sense, and at the eighth he was consigned to his servants. The doctor was carried off. at his fifth cup; Khalil Dawud managed ten, Siyabiruz nine, and then they were taken home; everybody rolled or was rolled away, till only the Sultan and the Khawaja Abd- ar-Razzak remained. The khwaja finished eighteen goblets and then rose, saying, " If your slave has any more he will lose both his wits and his respect for your Majesty." Mas'ud went on alone, and after he had drunk twenty-seven full cups, he, too, arose, called for water and prayer-carpet, washed, and recited the be- lated noon and sunset prayers together as soberly as if he had not tasted a drop; then mounted his elephant and rode to the palace. " I witnessed the whole of
