And he went in and lay down on it , and fell fast asleep , for he had wandered far . By-and-by there was a sound of people coming through the courtyard , and the measured tramp of soldiers . This was the King of the Snakes coming in state to his palace . They entered the hall , but all stopped in surprise at finding a man lying on the king 's own bed . The soldiers wished to kill him at once , but the king said , ` Leave him alone , put me on a chair , ' and the soldiers who were carrying him knelt on the floor , and he slid from their shoulders on to a chair . When he was comfortably seated , he turned to his soldiers , and bade them wake the stranger gently . And they woke him , and he sat up and saw many snakes all round him , and one of them very beautiful , decked in royal robes . ` Who are you ? ' asked Hassebu . ' I am the King of the Snakes , ' was the reply , ` and this is my palace . And will you tell me who you are , and where you come from ? ' ` My name is Hassebu , but whence I come I know not , nor whither I go . ' ` Then stay for a little with me , ' said the king , and he bade his soldiers bring water from the spring and fruits from the forest , and to set them before the guest . For some days Hassebu rested and feasted in the palace of the King of the Snakes , and then he began to long for his mother and his own country . So he said to the King of the Snakes , ` Send me home , I pray . ' But the King of the Snakes answered , ` When you go home , you will do me evil ! ' ' I will do you no evil , ' replied Hassebu ; ` send me home , I pray . ' But the king said , ' I know it . If I send you home , you will come back , and kill me . I dare not do it . '
But XXXXX begged so hard that at last the king said , ` Swear that when you get home you will not go to bathe where many people are gathered . '
Hassebu King Snakes floor home king robes shoulders snakes whither