- description
- # CHAPTER LXVIII.
King Media Dreams
## Overview
This is a chapter from the novel [Mardi: And a Voyage Thither](arke:01KG8AJ8ZNB03D0FWFP362WQEN) by Herman Melville. It was extracted from the file [mardi_vol2.txt](arke:01KG89J1954N2G0NAERBNJXEX9) and is part of the [Melville Complete Works](arke:01KG89HMDZKNY753EZE1CJ8HZW) collection. The chapter appears between [CHAPTER LXVII. They Visit One Doxodox](arke:01KG8AJVBQXDHHTJF6V7BF5247) and [CHAPTER LXIX.
After A Long Interval, By Night They Are Becalmed](arke:01KG8AJVBQBH4JSE0BTJZRSEAK).
## Context
This chapter is part of Melville's novel, *Mardi*, a work included in the [Melville Complete Works](arke:01KG89HMDZKNY753EZE1CJ8HZW) collection. The novel was extracted from the text file [mardi_vol2.txt](arke:01KG89J1954N2G0NAERBNJXEX9).
## Contents
The chapter depicts King Media in a dream-like state, where he expresses concerns about his subjects and their understanding of the world. The characters Yoomy, Babbalanja, and Mohi observe and comment on Media's mutterings, revealing his anxieties about his rule in Odo. Media awakens, seemingly unaware of the secrets he revealed in his sleep, and calls for wine.
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- CHAPTER LXVIII.
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- text
- CHAPTER LXVIII.
King Media Dreams
That afternoon was melting down to eve; all but Media broad awake; yet
all motionless, as the slumberer upon the purple mat. Sailing on, with
open eyes, we slept the wakeful sleep of those, who to the body only
give repose, while the spirit still toils on, threading her mountain
passes.
King Media’s slumbers were like the helmed sentry’s in the saddle. From
them, he started like an antlered deer, bursting from out a copse. Some
said he never slept; that deep within himself he but intensified the
hour; or, leaving his crowned brow in marble quiet, unseen, departed to
far-off councils of the gods. Howbeit, his lids never closed; in the
noonday sun, those crystal eyes, like diamonds, sparkled with a fixed
light.
As motionless we thus reclined, Media turned and muttered:—“Brother
gods, and demi-gods, it is not well. These mortals should have less or
more. Among my subjects is a man, whose genius scorns the common
theories of things; but whose still mortal mind can not fathom the
ocean at his feet. His soul’s a hollow, wherein he raves.”
“List, list,” whispered Yoomy—“our lord is dreaming; and what a royal
dream.”
“A very royal and imperial dream,” said Babbalanja—“he is arraigning me
before high heaven;—ay, ay; in dreams, at least, he deems himself a
demi-god.”
“Hist,” said Mohi—“he speaks again.”
“Gods and demi-gods! With one gesture all abysses we may disclose; and
before this Mardi’s eyes, evoke the shrouded time to come. Were this
well? Like lost children groping in the woods, they falter through
their tangled paths; and at a thousand angles, baffled, start upon each
other. And even when they make an onward move, ’tis but an endless
vestibule, that leads to naught. In my own isle of Odo—Odo! Odo! How
rules my viceroy there?—Down, down, ye madding mobs! Ho, spearmen,
charge! By the firmament, but my halberdiers fly!”
“His dream has changed,” said Babbalanja. “He is in Odo, whither his
anxieties impel him.”
“Hist, hist,” said Yoomy.
“I leap upon the soil! Render thy account, Almanni! Where’s my throne?
Mohi, am I not a king? Do not thy chronicles record me? Yoomy, am I not
the soul of some one glorious song? Babbalanja, speak.—Mohi! Yoomy!”
“What is it, my lord? thou dost but dream.”
Staring wildly; then calmly gazing round, Media smiled. “Ha! how we
royalties ramble in our dreams! I’ve told no secrets?”
“While he seemed to sleep, my lord spoke much,” said Mohi.
“I knew it not, old man; nor would now; but that ye tell me.”
“We dream not ourselves,” said Babbalanja, “but the thing within us.”
“Ay?—good-morrow Azzageddi!—But come; no more dreams: Vee-Vee! wine.”
And straight through that livelong night, immortal Media plied the can.
- title
- CHAPTER LXVIII.
King Media Dreams