THE ISLE OF THE FOUR PRECIOUS WALLS.
The next was a high island, divided into four parts by four walls
meeting in the centre. The first was a wall of gold; the second, a wall
of silver; the third, a wall of copper; and the fourth, a wall of
crystal. In the first of the four divisions were kings; in the second,
queens; in the third, youths; and in the fourth, young maidens.
When the voyagers landed, one of the maidens came to meet them, and
leading them forward to a house, gave them food. This food, which she
dealt out to them from a small vessel, looked like cheese, and whatever
taste pleased each person best, that was the taste he found on it. And
after they had eaten till they were satisfied, they slept in a sweet
sleep, as if gently intoxicated, for three days and three nights. When
they awoke on the third day, they found themselves in their curragh on
the open sea; and there was no appearance in any direction either of the
maiden or of the island.