Babbalanja Starts To His Feet For twenty-four hours, seated stiff, and motionless, Babbalanja spoke not a word; then, almost without moving a muscle, muttered thus:--"At banquets surfeit not, but fill; partake, and retire; and eat not again till you crave.

Thereby you give nature time to work her magic transformings; turning all solids to meat, and wine into blood.

After a banquet you incline to repose:--do so: digestion commands.

All this follow those, who feast at the tables of Wisdom; and all such are they, who partake of the fare of old Bardianna." "Art resuscitated, then, Babbalanja ?" said Media.

"Ay, my lord, I am just risen from the dead." "And did Azzageddi conduct you to their realms ?" "Fangs off! fangs off! depart, thou fiend!--unhand me! or by Oro, I will die and spite thee!" "Quick, quick, Mohi! let us change places," cried Yoomy.
"How now, Babbalanja ?" said Media.
"Oh my lord man--not _you_ my lord Media!--high and mighty Puissance! great King of Creation!--thou art but the biggest of braggarts! In every age, thou boastest of thy valorous advances:--flat fools, old dotards, and numskulls, our sires! All the Past, wasted time! the Present knows all! right lucky, fellow-beings, we live now! every man an author! books plenty as men! strike a light in a minute! teeth sold by the pound! all the elements fetching and carrying! lightning running on errands! rivers made to order! the ocean a puddle!-- But ages back they boasted like us; and ages to come, forever and ever, they'll boast.