s.

The prosperity of the celestial empire, carried by the court fool, in a
basket beautifully carved out of a wild cherry-stone; and guarded by...

Fifty thousand archers of the red dragon battalion, picking their teeth
to soft music.

Ten thousand poets, each singing at the same time, and to a different
tune, his ode upon this joyful occasion.

The immortal poet of the age, attired in velvet to his feet, and
superbly ornamented with rings and chains of gold and precious stones.
He carried his silver harp in his hand, and was mounted on a beautiful
white jackass with his face towards the tail, that he might behold and
be inspired by the charms of the peerless Chaoukeun, the pearl beyond
all price.

Then came the magnificent Youantee, and the peerless Chaoukeun, seated
in a massive car of gossamer richly studded with the eyes of live
humming-birds, drawn by twelve beautiful blue load-stars, presented by
the heavenly bodies to the brother of the sun and moon.

Twenty thousand young men, beautiful as angels, clad in the skins of the
black fox, and playing upon ivory jew's harps, all mounted upon
coal-black steeds.

Twenty thousand niggers, ugly as devils, clad in the skins of the white
polar bear, and sounding mellifluous catcalls, all mounted upon pure
white Arabian horses.

All the first class mandarins of the celestial empire, turning up their
eyes to heaven, and wishing that the procession was over.

All the second class mandarins of the celestial empire, choked with
dust, and wishing the procession at the devil.

Twenty millions of the people, extolling the liberality of the great
emperor, and crying out for bread.

Ten millions of women, who had lost their children in the crowd, and
were crying out bitterly in their search.

Ten millions of children, who had lost their mothers in the crowd, and
were crying out bitterly till they found them.

The remainder of the inhabitants of the celestial empire.

Such was the grand and pompous marriage procession, which employed the
whole population, so that there were no spectators except three blind
old women, who were so overcome with delight that, when it had passed,
they bowed their heads and died.

Ti-tum, tilly-lilly, ti-tum, tilly-lilly, ti-tum, ti.

The procession arrived at the palace, and the pearl beyond all price was
now his bride, and the heart of Youantee was oppressed with love. Upon
a jewelled throne they sat, side by side; but what was the b