- end_line
- 10831
- extracted_at
- 2026-01-30T20:48:18.539Z
- extracted_by
- structure-extraction-lambda
- start_line
- 10753
- text
- Understanding that the removal of the body would not take place till
midnight, we thought to behold the mode of marrying in Mondoldo.
Drawing near the place, we were greeted by merry voices, and much
singing, which greatly increased when the good stranger was perceived.
Gayly arrayed in fine robes, with plumes on their heads, the bride and
groom stood in the middle of a joyous throng, in readiness for the
nuptial bond to be tied.
Standing before them, the stranger was given a cord, so bedecked with
flowers, as to disguise its stout fibers; and taking: the bride’s
hands, he bound them together to a ritual chant; about her neck, in
festoons, disposing the flowery ends of the cord. Then turning to the
groom, he was given another, also beflowered; but attached thereto was
a great stone, very much carved, and stained; indeed, so every way
disguised, that a person not knowing what it was, and lifting it, would
be greatly amazed at its weight. This cord being attached to the waist
of the groom, he leaned over toward the bride, by reason of the burden
of the drop.
All present now united in a chant, and danced about the happy pair, who
meanwhile looked ill at ease; the one being so bound by the hands, and
the other solely weighed down by his stone.
A pause ensuing, the good stranger, turning them back to back, thus
spoke:—
“By thy flowery gyves, oh bride, I make thee a wife; and by thy
burdensome stone, oh groom, I make thee a husband. Live and be happy,
both; for the wise and good Oro hath placed us in Mardi to be glad.
Doth not all nature rejoice in her green groves and her flowers? and
woo and wed not the fowls of the air, trilling their bliss in their
bowers? Live then, and be happy, oh bride and groom; for Oro is
offended with the unhappy, since he meant them to be gay.”
And the ceremony ended with a joyful feast.
But not all nuptials in Mardi were like these. Others were wedded with
different rites; without the stone and flowery gyves. These were they
who plighted their troth with tears not smiles, and made responses in
the heart.
Returning from the house of the merry to the house of the mournful, we
lingered till midnight to witness the issuing forth of the body.
By torch light, numerous canoes, with paddlers standing by, were drawn
up on the beach, to accommodate those who purposed following the poor
diver to his home.
The remains embarked, some confusion ensued concerning the occupancy of
the rest of the shallops. At last the procession glided off, our party
included. Two by two, forming a long line of torches trailing round the
isle, the canoes all headed toward the opening in the reef.
For a time, a decorous silence was preserved; but presently, some
whispering was heard; perhaps melancholy discoursing touching the close
of the diver’s career. But we were shocked to discover, that poor
Karhownoo was not much in their thoughts; they were conversing about
the next bread-fruit harvest, and the recent arrival of King Media and
party at Mondoldo. From far in advance, however, were heard the
lamentations of the true mourners, the relatives of the diver.
Passing the reef, and sailing a little distance therefrom, the canoes
were disposed in a circle; the one bearing the corpse in the center.
Certain ceremonies over, the body was committed to the waves; the white
foam lighting up the last, long plunge of the diver, to see sights more
strange than ever he saw in the brooding cells of the Turtle Reef.
And now, while in the still midnight, all present were gazing down into
the ocean, watching the white wake of the corpse, ever and anon
illuminated by sparkles, an unknown voice was heard, and all started
and vacantly stared, as this wild song was sung:—
We drop our dead in the sea,
The bottomless, bottomless sea;
Each bubble a hollow sigh,
As it sinks forever and aye.
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- Chunk 2