Then come here," said the old man, pointing to a large font full of water.
The King rose and approached the font.
"Strip, and enter the font."
Esarhaddon did as the old man bade him.
"As soon as I begin to pour this water over you," said the old man, filling a pitcher with the water, "dip down your head."
The old man tilted the pitcher over the King's head and the King bent his head till it was under water.
And as soon as King Esarhaddon was under the water he felt that he was no longer Esarhaddon, but some one else. And, feeling himself to be that other man, he saw himself lying on a rich bed, beside a beautiful woman. He had never seen her before, but he knew she was his wife. The woman raised herself and said to him:
"Dear husband, Lailie! You were wearied by yesterday's work and have slept longer than usual, and I have guarded your rest, and have not roused you. But now the Princes await you in the Great Hall. Dress and go out to them."
And Esarhaddon -- understanding from these words that he was Lailie, and not feeling at all surprised at this, but only wondering that he did not know it before -- rose, dressed, and went into the Great Hall where the Princes awaited him.