Note 30 — PREFACE.

On the next day at early morning the king went to the priest to hear his words. The priest then said to the king, “Listen: this has been a favorable night to your goddess; women with sinful mouths30 shall not live before you; they die at the hands of your goddess.” And when the priest had ended these words they went on the outside in accordance with the duties of the priest of Papa. Then all the people came together with all the chiefs and the priests, before the priest of the House of Papa, who would release them from service and from the temple. The king then commanded his overseer to furnish dogs for his goddess—about forty of them—together with chickens. And when these things were brought and placed together the priest waved a short spear (or javelin) and sat down. Then the king commanded the priest of the House of Papa, “Get me the sash belonging to my wife, and her pig gift to the deity.” The priest went to fetch the queen. On her accompanying him he held one end of the sash belonging to her in one hand and the pig in the other hand, while she held the other end of the sash behind the priest, who was chanting a prayer. The people gazed earnestly upon her. She had fastened a white garment (pau) around her waist. And when they came near to the goddess the priest ceased praying; the queen then offered the sash and the pig to the goddess, saying: “Here is thy sash and thy pig. My husband and I will be safe in thee, O goddess. Give us a boy child, a beautiful image of yourself; otherwise a girl child, a pillar of white for yourself, O goddess. It is finished.”