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- # CHAPTER LXXXV. After Dinner
## Overview - What this is (type, form, dates, scope)
This is a chapter from the novel "[Mardi: And a Voyage Thither](arke:01KG8AJA6157W2830190N652KA)" by Herman Melville. The chapter, titled "CHAPTER LXXXV. After Dinner," was extracted from the text file [mardi_vol1.txt](arke:01KG89J1HYC04JWXEK48P07WPK) as part of the [Melville Complete Works](arke:01KG89HMDZKNY753EZE1CJ8HZW) collection. The chapter's text spans lines 9279 to 9348.
## Context - Background and provenance from related entities
This chapter follows "CHAPTER LXXXIV. Taji Sits Down To Dinner With Five-And-Twenty Kings, And A Royal Time They Have" ([arke:01KG8AJW7Y6WFAG3FMN40GAWWT]) and precedes "CHAPTER LXXXVI. Of Those Scamps The Plujii" ([arke:01KG8AJW83ZNH2JQR58YXYCRR6]). The novel and its chapters were extracted by the "structure-extraction-lambda" tool.
## Contents - What it contains, key subjects and details
The chapter opens with a reflective tone, with the narrator recalling a feast and the "cool shady groves" of Willamila. It describes the aftermath of a royal feast, with the kings slumbering. Babbalanja questions the state of the kings, and they are revived by attendants. Donjalolo is absent but soon arrives, and they all sleep together. The next day, the narrator and others prepare to leave and take leave of Donjalolo, who is in a melancholic state, lamenting his captivity and drinking wine.
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- 2026-01-30T20:49:14.579Z
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- gemini-2.5-flash-lite
- description_title
- CHAPTER LXXXV. After Dinner
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- 9348
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- 2026-01-30T20:47:39.469Z
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- 9279
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- CHAPTER LXXXV.
After Dinner
As in dreams I behold thee again, Willamila! as in dreams, once again I
stroll through thy cool shady groves, oh fairest of the vallies of
Mardi! the thought of that mad merry feasting steals over my soul till
I faint.
Prostrate here and there over the bones of Donjalolo’s sires, the royal
bacchanals lay slumbering till noon.
“Which are the deadest?” said Babbalanja, peeping in, “the live kings,
or the dead ones?”
But the former were drooping flowers sought to be revived by watering.
At intervals the sedulous attendants went to and fro, besprinkling
their heads with the scented contents of their vases.
At length, one by one, the five-and-twenty kings lifted their ambrosial
curls; and shaking the dew therefrom, like eagles opened their right
royal eyes, and dilated their aquiline nostrils, full upon the golden
rays of the sun.
But why absented himself, Donjalolo? Had he cavalierly left them to
survive the banquet by themselves? But this apparent incivility was
soon explained by heralds, announcing to their prone majesties, that
through the over solicitude of his slaves, their lord the king had been
borne to his harem, without being a party to the act. But to make
amends, in his sedan, Donjalolo was even now drawing nigh. Not,
however, again to make merry; but socially to sleep in company with his
guests; for, together they had all got high, and together they must all
lie low.
So at it they went: each king to his bones, and slumbered like heroes
till evening; when, availing themselves of the cool moonlight
approaching, the royal guests bade adieu to their host; and summoning
their followers, quitted the glen.
Early next day, having determined to depart for our canoes, we
proceeded to the House of the Morning, to take leave of Donjalolo.
An amazing change, one night of solitude had wrought! Pale and languid,
we found him reclining: one hand on his throbbing temples.
Near an overturned vessel of wine, the royal girdle lay tossed at his
feet. He had waved off his frightened attendants, who crouched out of
sight.
We advanced.
“Do ye too leave me? Ready enough are ye to partake of my banquetings,
which, to such as ye, are but mad incidents in one round of more
tranquil diversions. But heed me not, Media;—I am mad. Oh, ye gods! am
I forever a captive?—Ay, free king of Odo, when you list, condescend to
visit the poor slave in Willamilla. I account them but charity, your
visits; would fain allure ye by sumptuous fare. Go, leave me; go, and
be rovers again throughout blooming Mardi. For, me, I am here for
aye.—Bring me wine, slaves! quick! that I may pledge my guests fitly.
Alas, Media, at the bottom of this cup are no sparkles as at top. Oh,
treacherous, treacherous friend! full of smiles and daggers. Yet for
such as me, oh wine, thou art e’en a prop, though it pierce the side;
for man must lean. Thou wine art the friend of the friendless, though a
foe to all. King Media, let us drink. More cups!—And now, farewell.”
Falling back, he averted his face; and silently we quitted the palace.
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- CHAPTER LXXXV. After Dinner