The meal was prepared, and the elders arose from beside the fountain to place themselves on cushions around the table. A venerable man with hoary locks took the place of honour, the middle place, on the middle cushion. The seven-branched lamp shed a bright light around, from its one and twenty flames. The slaves had strewed the table, the cushions, and the floor with the flowers of spring. Sallu came with a silver basin, poured water on the hands of the guests, and when he had wiped them sprinkled on them the fragrant [nard]. The most delicate productions of fertile Egypt were served up; among which the mother had not forgotten [the fish of the Nile], that her son might taste them once more before his departure. Helon [lay before Elisama], or, as it was called in the east, in his bosom.
Elisama, acting as father of the house, [blessed] the bread. He spread both his hands over it, and said, “Blessed be thou, O Lord our God, King of the world, who causest bread to grow out of the earth;” and the rest answered “Amen.” As this was an entertainment, the wine also was blessed. Elisama took the cup with both hands, then holding it with the right, at the height of a yard above the table, he praised the Lord and said, “Blessed be thou, O Lord our God, who hast given unto us the fruit of the vine;” and the rest again replied, “Amen.” The bread and wine were blessed with both hands, that the fingers might be a remembrance of the number of the commandments. This done, he repeated the twenty-third Psalm:
The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures,
He leadeth me beside the soft flowing waters,
He refresheth my soul,
He leadeth me in the straight path
For his name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I fear no evil, for thou art with me;