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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/42401-0.txt b/42401-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..f89cee5 --- /dev/null +++ b/42401-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,4521 @@ +The Project Gutenberg eBook, Vathek, by William Beckford, et al + + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + + + + +Title: Vathek + An Arabian Tale + + +Author: William Beckford + + + +Release Date: March 24, 2013 [eBook #42401] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK VATHEK*** + + +This ebook was transcribed by Les Bowler. + + + + + + VATHEK; + + + AN ARABIAN TALE, + + * * * * * + + BY + + WILLIAM BECKFORD, ESQ. + + * * * * * + + WITH + + NOTES, CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY. + + * * * * * + + LONDON: + GEORGE SLATER, 252, STRAND. + + * * * * * + + 1849. + + + + +MEMOIR. +BY WILLIAM NORTH. + + +WILLIAM BECKFORD, the author of the following celebrated Eastern tale, +was born in 1760, and died in the spring of 1844, at the advanced age of +eighty-four years. It is to be regretted, that a man of so remarkable a +character, did not leave the world some record of a life offering points +of interest different from that of any of his contemporaries, from the +peculiarly studious retirement and eccentric avocations in which it was +chiefly passed. Such a memoir would have formed a curious contrast with +that of the late M. de Chateaubriand, who, born nearly at the same +period, outlived but by a few years, the strange Englishman, whose famous +romance forms a brilliant ornament to French literature, which even Atala +is unlikely to outlive in the memory of Chateaubriand’s countrymen. All +men of genius should write autobiographies. Such works are inestimable +lessons to posterity. As it is, there are few men, of whom it is more +difficult to compose an elaborate and detailed history than the author of +“Vathek.” From such scanty sources as are open to us, the reader must be +content with a few striking facts and illustrations, which may serve to +convey some idea of the idiosyncrasy of a man, whose whole life was a +sort of mystery, even to his personal acquaintances. + +His great-great-grandfather was lieutenant-governor and commander of the +forces in Jamaica; and his grandfather president of the council in the +same island. His father, though not a merchant, as has been represented, +but a large landed proprietor, both in England and the West Indies, was +lord mayor of London, and distinguished himself in presenting an address +to the king, George the Third,—by a spirited retort to his majesty,—who +had the ill-breeding to treat discourteously a deputation which the lord +mayor headed. The portraits of Alderman Beckford, and his more +celebrated son, were painted by Sir Joshua Reynolds. The former died in +1770, leaving the subject of this memoir the wealthiest commoner in +England. + +No pains were spared on the education of the young Croesus—the lords +Chatham and Camden being consulted by his father on that subject. +Besides Latin and Greek, he spoke five modern languages, and wrote three +with facility and elegance. He read Persian and Arabic, designed with +great skill, and studied the science of music under the great Mozart. + +At the age of eighteen he visited Paris, and was introduced to Voltaire. +“On taking leave of me,” said Beckford, “he placed his hand on my head, +saying, ‘There, young Englishman, I give you the blessing of a very old +man.’ Voltaire was a mere skeleton—a bony anatomy. His countenance I +shall never forget.” + +His first literary production, “Memoirs of Extraordinary Painters,” was +written at the early age of seventeen. It would appear, that the old +housekeeper at Fonthill, was in the habit of edifying visitors to its +picture gallery by a description of the paintings, mainly derived from +her own fertile imagination. This suggested to our author, the humorous +idea of composing a catalogue of suppositious painters with histories of +each, equally fanciful and grotesque. Henceforward, the old housekeeper +had a printed guide (or rather, mis-guider) to go by, and could discourse +at large on the merits of Og of Bashan! Waterslouchy of Amsterdam! and +Herr Sucrewasser of Vienna! their wives and styles! As for the country +squires, etc., “they,” Beckford tells us, “took all for gospel.” + +“Vathek,”—the superb “Vathek,” which Lord Byron so much admired, and on +which he so frequently complimented the author,—“Vathek,” the finest of +Oriental romances, as “Lallah Rookh” is the first of Oriental poems, by +the pen of a “Frank,” was written and published before our author had +completed his twentieth year, it having been composed at a _single +sitting_! Yes, for three days and two nights did the indefatigable +author persevere in his task. He completed it, and a serious illness was +the result. What other literary man ever equalled this feat of rapidity +and genius? + +“Vathek” was originally written in French, of which its style is a model. +The translation which follows, is not by the author himself, though he +expressed perfect satisfaction with it. It was originally published in +1786. For splendour of description, exquisite humour, and supernatural +interest and grandeur, it stands without a rival in romance. In as +thoroughly Oriental keeping, Hope’s “Anastasius, or Memoirs of a Modern +Greek,” which Beckford himself highly admired, can alone be compared with +it. + +Much of the description of Vathek’s palace, and even the renowned “Hall +of Eblis,” was afterwards visibly embodied in the real Fonthill Abbey, of +which wonders, almost as fabulous, were at one time reported and +believed. + +Fonthill Abbey, which had been destroyed by fire, and re-built during the +life-time of the elder Beckford, was on account of its bad site +demolished, and again re-built under the superintendence of our author +himself, assisted by James Wyatt, Esq., the architect, with a +magnificence that excited the greatest attention and wonder at the time. +The total outlay of building Fonthill, including furniture, articles of +virtu, etc., must have been enormous, not much within the million, as +estimated by the “Times.” A writer in the “Athenæum” mentions £400,000 +as the sum. Beckford informed Mr. Cyrus Redding, that the exact cost of +building Fonthill was £273,000. + +The distinguishing architectural peculiarity of Fonthill Abbey, was a +lofty tower, 280 feet in height. This tower was prominently shadowed +forth in “Vathek,” and shows how strong a hold the idea had upon his +mind. Such was his impatience to see Fonthill completed, that he had the +works continued by torchlight, with relays of workmen. During the +progress of the building, the tower caught fire, and was partly +destroyed. The owner, however, was present, and enjoyed the magnificent +burning spectacle. It was soon restored; but a radical fault in laying +the foundation, caused it eventually to fall down, and leave Fonthill a +ruin in the life-time of its founder. + +Not so much his extravagant mode of life, which is the common notion, as +the loss of two large estates in a law suit (the value of which may be +inferred from the fact, that _fifteen hundred slaves_ were upon them) +induced our author to quit Fonthill, and offer it and its contents for +public sale. There was a general desire to see the interior of the +palace, in which its lord had lived in a luxurious seclusion, so little +admired by the curious of the fashionable world. “He is fortunate,” says +the “Times” of 1822, “who finds a vacant chair within twenty miles of +Fonthill; the solitude of a private apartment is a luxury which few can +hope for.” . . . “Falstaff himself could not _take his ease_ at this +moment within a dozen leagues of Fonthill.” . . . “The beds through the +county are (literally) doing double duty—people who come in from a +distance during the night must wait to go to bed until others get up in +the morning.” . . . “Not a farm-house, however humble,—not a cottage near +Fonthill, but gives shelter to fashion, to beauty, and rank; ostrich +plumes, which, by their very waving, we can trace back to Piccadilly, are +seen nodding at a casement window over a depopulated poultry-yard.” + +The costly treasures of art and virtu, as well as the furniture of the +rich mansion, were scattered far and wide; and one of its tables served +the writer of this memoir to scribble upon, when first stern necessity, +or yet sterner ambition, urged him to add his mite to the Babel tower of +literature. At that table I first read “Vathek.” I have read it often +since, and every perusal has increased my admiration. + +Nearly fifty years after the publication of “Vathek,” in 1835, Mr. +Beckford published his “Recollections of an Excursion to the Monasteries +of Alcobaca and Batalha,” which he had taken in 1795, together with an +epistolatory record of his observations in Italy, Spain and Portugal, +between the years 1780 and 1794. These are marked, as he himself +intimates, “with the bloom and heyday of youthful spirits and youthful +confidence, at a period when the older order of things existed with all +its picturesque pomps and absurdities; when Venice enjoyed her Piombi and +sub-marine dungeons; Prance her Bastille; the Peninsula her Holy +Inquisition.” With none of those subjects, however, are the letters +occupied—but with delineations of landscape, and the effects of natural +phenomena. These literary efforts appear to have exhausted their +author’s productive powers; in a word, he seems soon to have been +“used-up,” and then to have discontinued his search after new sensations, +or to have been content to live without them. + +After the sale of Fonthill, our author lived a considerable time in +Portugal, and hence Lord Byron, who was fond of casting the shadow of his +own imagination over every object, penned the well-known lines at Cintra: + + “There thou, too, Vathek, England’s wealthiest son, + Once formed thy paradise; as not aware + Where wanton wealth her mightiest deeds hath done, + Meek peace, voluptuous lures, was ever wont to shun. + + Here didst thou dwell; here scenes of pleasure plan, + Beneath yon mountain’s ever beauteous brow; + But now, as if a thing unblest by man, + Thy fairy dwelling is as lone as thou! + Here giant weeds a passage scarce allow + To halls deserted; portals gaping wide + Fresh lessons to the thinking bosom; how + Vain are the pleasaunces on earth supplied, + Swept into wrecks anon by time’s ungentle tide.” + +These sombre verses contrast strangely with Beckford’s saying to Mr. +Cyrus Redding, in his seventy-sixth year, “that he had never felt a +moments’ ennui in his life.” + +Beckford was in person scarcely above the middle height, slender, and +well formed, with features indicating great intellectual power. He was +exactly one year younger than Pitt, the companion of his minority. His +political principles were popular, though it is recorded, that at a court +ball on the Queen’s birth-day, in 1782, he, with Miss North, led up a +country dance. He sat in parliament, in his early years, both for Wells +and Hendon, but retired on account of bad health. This, however, he +overcame by careful diet and exercise, as testified by his great bodily +activity almost to the last. He was a man of most extensive reading, and +cultivated taste. + +The last years of his life were passed at Bath—where he united two houses +in Lansdown Crescent, by an arch thrown across the street, and containing +his library, which was well selected, and very extensive. Not far off, +he again erected a tower, 180 feet high, of which the following +description was given at the time of his decease, by a correspondent of +the Athenæum:— + +“Mr. Beckford, at an early period of his residence there, erected a lofty +tower, in the apartments of which were placed many of his choicest +paintings and articles of virtu. Asiatic in its style, with gilded +lattices and blinds, or curtains, of crimson cloth, its striped ceilings, +its minaret, and other accessories, conveyed the idea that the being who +designed the place and endeavoured to carry out the plan, was deeply +imbued with the spirit of that lonely grandeur and strict solitariness +which obtains through all countries and among all people of the East. +The building was surrounded by a high wall, and entrance afforded to the +garden in which the tower stood, by a door of small dimensions. The +garden itself was Eastern in its character. Though comparatively +circumscribed in its size, nevertheless were to be found within it, +solitary walks and deep retiring shades, such as could be supposed +Vathek, the mournful and the magnificent, loved, and from the bowers of +which might be expected would suddenly fall upon the ear, sounds of the +cymbal and the dulcimer. The building contained several apartments +crowded with the finest paintings. At the time I made my inspection the +walls were crowded with the choicest productions of the easel. The +memory falls back upon ineffaceable impressions of Old Franks, Breughel, +Cuyp, Titian, (a Holy Family), Hondekooter, Polemberg, and a host of +other painters whose works have immortalized Art. Ornaments of the most +exquisite gold fillagree, carvings in ivory and wood, Raphaelesque china, +goblets formed of gems, others fashioned by the miraculous hands of +Benvenuto Cellini, filled the many cabinets and _recherché_ receptacles +created for such things. The doors of the rooms were of finely polished +wood—the windows of single sweeps of plate glass—the cornices of gilded +silver; every part, both within and without, bespeaking the wealth, the +magnificence, and the taste of him who had built this temple in +dedication to grandeur, solitariness, and the arts.” + +From the summit of this tower, Mr. Beckford, and he alone without a +telescope,—could behold that other tower of his youthful magnificence, +Fonthill; on which he loved to gaze, with feelings which it would be +difficult to describe. His eyesight was wonderful; he could gaze upon +the sun like an eagle; and on the day that the great tower at Fonthill +fell he missed it in the landscape long before the news of the +catastrophe reached Bath. + +In conclusion, we have only to add, that our author, in his life-time, +had all that wealth can give, and in his grave his memory will retain +that which no wealth can purchase. Whatever may have been his errors, +they have died with him. His genius yet lives, and “Vathek,” now for the +first time presented to the public in a popular form, will, whilst +English literature lasts, never want readers, and, while good taste +flourishes, admirers. + + + + +PREFACE. + + +THE original of the following story, with some others of a similar kind, +collected in the east by a man of letters, was communicated to the editor +above three years ago. The pleasure he received from the perusal of it +induced him at that time to transcribe, and since to translate it. How +far the copy may be a just representation it becomes not him to +determine. He presumes however to hope that if the difficulty of +accommodating our English idioms to the Arabic, preserving the +correspondent tones of a diversified narration, and discriminating the +nicer touches of character through the shades of foreign manners be duly +considered, a failure in some points will not preclude him from all claim +to indulgence; especially if those images, sentiments, and passions, +which being independent of local peculiarities, may be expressed in every +language, shall be found to retain their native energy in our own. + + + + +VATHEK. + + +VATHEK, ninth Caliph {7a} of the race of the Abassides, was the son of +Motassem, and the grandson of Haroun Al Raschid. From an early accession +to the throne, and the talents he possessed to adorn it, his subjects +were induced to expect that his reign would be long and happy. His +figure was pleasing and majestic; but when he was angry, one of his eyes +became so terrible {7b} that no person could bear to behold it; and the +wretch upon whom it was fixed instantly fell backward, and sometimes +expired. For fear, however, of depopulating his dominions, and making +his palace desolate, he but rarely gave way to his anger. + +Being much addicted to women, and the pleasures of the table, he sought +by his affability to procure agreeable companions; and he succeeded the +better, as his generosity was unbounded and his indulgences unrestrained; +for he was by no means scrupulous: nor did he think, with the Caliph Omar +Ben Abdalaziz, {8a} that it was necessary to make a hell of this world to +enjoy Paradise in the next. + +He surpassed in magnificence all his predecessors. The palace of +Alkoremmi, which his father Motassem had erected on the hill of Pied +Horses, and which commanded the whole city of Samarah, {8b} was in his +idea far too scanty: he added, therefore, five wings, or rather other +palaces, which he destined for the particular gratification of each of +his senses. + +In the first of these were tables continually covered with the most +exquisite dainties, which were supplied both by night and by day +according to their constant consumption; whilst the most delicious wines, +and the choicest cordials, flowed forth from a hundred fountains, that +were never exhausted. This palace was called “The Eternal, or +Unsatiating Banquet.” + +The second was styled “The Temple of Melody, or the Nectar of the Soul.” +It was inhabited by the most skilful musicians and admired poets of the +time, who not only displayed their talents within, but dispersing in +bands without, caused every surrounding scene to reverberate their songs, +which were continually varied in the most delightful succession. + +The palace named “The Delight of the Eyes, or the Support of Memory,” was +one entire enchantment. Rarities collected from every corner of the +earth were there found in such profusion as to dazzle and confound, but +for the order in which they were arranged. One gallery exhibited the +pictures of the celebrated Mani; and statues that seemed to be alive. +Here a well-managed perspective attracted the sight; there, the magic of +optics agreeably deceived it; whilst the naturalist, on his part, +exhibited in their several classes the various gifts that heaven had +bestowed on our globe. In a word, Vathek omitted nothing in this +particular that might gratify the curiosity of those who resorted to it, +although he was not able to satisfy his own; for he was, of all men, the +most curious. + +“The Palace of Perfumes,” which was termed likewise, “The Incentive to +Pleasure,” consisted of various halls, where the different perfumes which +the earth produces were kept perpetually burning in censers of gold. +Flambeaus and aromatic lamps were here lighted in open day; but the too +powerful effects of this agreeable delirium might be avoided by +descending into an immense garden, where an assemblage of every fragrant +flower diffused through the air the purest odours. + +The fifth palace, denominated “The Retreat of Joy, or the Dangerous,” was +frequented by troops of young females, beautiful as the Houris, {9} and +not less seducing, who never failed to receive with caresses all whom the +Caliph allowed to approach them; for he was by no means disposed to be +jealous, as his own women were secluded within the palace he inhabited +himself. + +Notwithstanding the sensuality in which Vathek indulged, he experienced +no abatement in the love of his people, who thought that a sovereign +immersed in pleasure was not less tolerable to his subjects than one that +employed himself in creating them foes. But the unquiet and impetuous +disposition of the Caliph would not allow him to rest there: he had +studied so much for his amusement in the life-time of his father as to +acquire a great deal of knowledge, though not a sufficiency to satisfy +himself; for he wished to know everything; even sciences that did not +exist. He was fond of engaging in disputes with the learned, but liked +them not to push their opposition with warmth. He stopped the mouths of +those with presents, whose mouths could be stopped; whilst others, whom +his liberality was unable to subdue, he sent to prison to cool their +blood; a remedy that often succeeded. + +Vathek discovered also a predilection for theological controversy; but it +was not with the orthodox that he usually held. By this means he induced +the zealots to oppose him, and then persecuted them in return; for he +resolved, at any rate, to have reason on his side. + +The great prophet Mahomet, whose vicars the Caliphs are, beheld with +indignation from his abode in the seventh heaven the irreligious conduct +of such a vicegerent. + +“Let us leave him to himself,” said he to the Genii, {10} who are always +ready to receive his commands; “let us see to what lengths his folly and +impiety will carry him; if he run into excess we shall know how to +chastise him. Assist him, therefore, to complete the tower which, in +imitation of Nimrod, he hath begun; not, like that great warrior, to +escape being drowned, but from the insolent curiosity of penetrating the +secrets of heaven: he will not divine the fate that awaits him.” + +The Genii obeyed; and when the workmen had raised their structure a cubit +in the day time, two cubits more were added in the night. The expedition +with which the fabric arose was not a little flattering to the vanity of +Vathek. He fancied that even insensible matter showed forwardness to +subserve his designs; not considering that the successes of the foolish +and wicked form the first rod of their chastisement. + +His pride arrived at its height when, having ascended, for the first +time, the eleven thousand stairs of his tower, he cast his eyes below and +beheld men not larger than pismires; mountains than shells; and cities +than bee-hives. The idea which such an elevation inspired of his own +grandeur completely bewildered him; he was almost ready to adore himself; +till lifting his eyes upwards, he saw the stars as high above him as they +appeared when he stood on the surface of the earth. He consoled himself, +however, for this transient perception of his littleness with the thought +of being great in the eyes of the others, and flattered himself that the +light of his mind would extend beyond the reach of his sight, and +transfer to the stars the decrees of his destiny. + +With this view the inquisitive prince passed most of his nights on the +summit of his tower, till he became an adept in the mysteries of +astrology, and imagined that the planets had disclosed to him the most +marvellous adventures, which were to be accomplished by an extraordinary +personage, from a country altogether unknown. Prompted by motives of +curiosity, he had always been courteous to strangers; but from this +instant he redoubled his attention, and ordered it to be announced by +sound of trumpet, through all the streets of Samarah, that no one of his +subjects, on peril of his displeasure, should either lodge or detain a +traveller, but forthwith bring him to the palace. + +Not long after this proclamation, there arrived in his metropolis, a man +so hideous that the very guards who arrested him were forced to shut +their eyes as they led him along. The Caliph himself appeared startled +at so horrible a visage; but joy succeeded to this emotion of terror when +the stranger displayed to his view such rarities as he had never before +seen, and of which he had no conception. + +In reality, nothing was ever so extraordinary as the merchandise this +stranger produced. Most of his curiosities, which were not less +admirable for their workmanship than their splendour, had besides, their +several virtues described on a parchment fastened to each. There were +slippers which enabled the feet to walk; knives that cut without the +motion of a hand; sabres which dealt the blow at the person they were +wished to strike; and the whole enriched with gems that were hitherto +unknown. + +The sabres, whose blades emitted a dazzling radiance, fixed more than all +the Caliph’s attention, who promised himself to decipher at his leisure +the uncouth characters engraven on their sides. Without, therefore, +demanding their price, he ordered all the coined gold to be brought from +his treasury, and commanded the merchant to take what he pleased. The +stranger complied with modesty and silence. + +Vathek, imagining that the merchant’s taciturnity was occasioned by the +awe which his presence inspired, encouraged him to advance, and asked +him, with an air of condescension, “Who he was? whence he came? and where +he obtained such beautiful commodities?” + +The man, or rather monster, instead of making a reply, thrice rubbed his +forehead, which, as well as his body, was blacker than ebony; four times +clapped his paunch, the projection of which was enormous; opened wide his +huge eyes, which glowed like firebrands; began to laugh with a hideous +noise, and discovered his long amber coloured teeth bestreaked with +green. + +The Caliph, though a little startled, renewed his enquiries, but without +being able to procure a reply. At which, beginning to be ruffled, he +exclaimed, “knowest thou, varlet, who I am? and at whom thou art aiming +thy gibes?” Then addressing his guards, “have ye heard him speak? is he +dumb?” + +“He hath spoken,” they replied, “though but little.” + +“Let him speak then again,” said Vathek, “and tell me who he is, from +whence he came, and where he procured these singular curiosities, or I +swear, by the ass of Balaam, that I will make him rue his pertinacity.” + +This menace was accompanied by the Caliph with one of his angry and +perilous glances, which the stranger sustained without the slightest +emotion, although his eyes were fixed on the terrible eye of the prince. + +No words can describe the amazement of the courtiers, when they beheld +this rude merchant withstand the encounter unshocked. They all fell +prostrate with their faces on the ground, to avoid the risk of their +lives, and continued in the same abject posture till the Caliph exclaimed +in a furious tone: + +“Up, cowards! seize the miscreant! see that he be committed to prison, +and guarded by the best of my soldiers! Let him, however, retain the +money I gave him; it is not my intent to take from him his property, I +only want him to speak.” + +No sooner had he uttered these words than the stranger was surrounded, +pinioned with strong fetters, and hurried away to the prison of the great +tower, which was encompassed by seven empalements of iron bars, and armed +with spikes in every direction, longer and sharper than spits. + +The Caliph, nevertheless, remained in the most violent agitation. He sat +down indeed to eat, but of the three hundred covers that were daily +placed before him, could taste of no more than thirty-two. + +A diet to which he had been so little accustomed, was sufficient of +itself to prevent him from sleeping, what then must be its effect when +joined to the anxiety that prayed upon his spirits? At the first glimpse +of dawn he hastened to the prison, again to importune this intractable +stranger; but the rage of Vathek exceeded all bounds on finding the +prison empty, the gates burst asunder, and his guards lying lifeless +around him. In the paroxysm of his passion he fell furiously on the poor +carcases, and kicked them till evening without intermission. His +courtiers and viziers exerted their efforts to soothe his extravagance, +but finding every expedient ineffectual, they all united in one +vociferation: + +“The Caliph is gone mad! the Caliph is out of his senses!” + +This outcry, which was soon resounded through the streets of Samarah, at +length reached the ears of Carathis, his mother: she flew in the utmost +consternation to try her ascendency on the mind of her son. Her tears +and caresses called off his attention; and he was prevailed upon by her +entreaties to be brought back to the palace. + +Carathis, apprehensive of leaving Vathek to himself, caused him to be put +to bed; and seating herself by him, endeavoured by her conversation to +heal and compose him. Nor could any one have attempted it with better +success; for the Caliph not only loved her as a mother but respected her +as a person of superior genius. It was she who had induced him, being a +Greek herself, to adopt all the sciences and systems of her country, +which good Mussulmans hold in such thorough abhorrence. + +Judicial astrology was one of those systems in which Carathis was a +perfect adept. She began, therefore, with reminding her son of the +promise which the stars had made him; and intimated an intention of +consulting them again. + +“Alas!” sighed the Caliph, as soon at he could speak, “what a fool have I +been! not for the kicks bestowed on my guards, who so tamely submitted to +death, but for never considering that this extraordinary man was the same +the planets had foretold; whom, instead of ill-treating, I should have +conciliated by all the arts of persuasion.” + +“The past,” said Carathis, “cannot be recalled; but it behoves us to +think of the future: perhaps you may again see the object you so much +regret: it is possible the inscriptions on the sabres will afford +information. Eat, therefore, and take thy repose, my dear son. We will +consider, to-morrow, in what manner to act.” + +Vathek yielded to her counsel as well as he could, and arose in the +morning with a mind more at ease. The sabres he commanded to be +instantly brought; and poring upon them through a green glass, that their +glittering might not dazzle, he set himself in earnest to decipher the +inscriptions; but his reiterated attempts were all of them nugatory: in +vain did he beat his head and bite his nails; not a letter of the whole +was he able to ascertain. So unlucky a disappointment would have undone +him again, had not Carathis, by good fortune, entered the apartment. + +“Have patience, son!” said she. “You certainly are possessed of every +important science, but the knowledge of languages is a trifle, at best; +and the accomplishment of none but a pedant. Issue forth a proclamation +that you will confer such rewards as become your greatness upon any one +that shall interpret what you do not understand, and what it is beneath +you to learn. You will soon find your curiosity gratified.” + +“That may be,” said the Caliph; “but in the mean time I shall be horribly +disgusted by a crowd of smatterers, who will come to the trial as much +for the pleasure of retailing their jargon as from the hope of gaining +the reward. To avoid this evil, it will be proper to add that I will put +every candidate to death who shall fail to give satisfaction; for, thank +heaven, I have skill enough to distinguish between one that translates +and one that invents.” + +“Of that I have no doubt,” replied Carathis, “but to put the ignorant to +death is somewhat severe, and may be productive of dangerous effects. +Content yourself with commanding their beards to be burnt: beards, in a +state, are not quite so essential as men.” + +The Caliph submitted to the reasons of his mother, and sending for +Morakanabad, his prime vizier, said: + +“Let the common criers proclaim, not only in Samarah, but throughout +every city in my empire, that whosoever will repair hither, and decipher +certain characters which appear to be inexplicable, shall experience the +liberality for which I am renowned; but that all who fail upon trial +shall have their beards burnt off to the last hair. Let them add also, +that I will bestow fifty beautiful slaves, and as many jars of apricots +from the isle of Kirmith, upon any man that shall bring me intelligence +of the stranger.” + +The subjects of the Caliph, like their sovereign, being great admirers of +women, and apricots from Kirmith, felt their mouths water at these +promises, but were totally unable to gratify their hankering, for no one +knew which way the stranger had gone. + +As to the Caliph’s other requisition the result was different: the +learned, the half-learned, and those who were neither, but fancied +themselves equal to both, came boldly to hazard their beards, and all +shamefully lost them. + +The exaction of these forfeitures, which found sufficient employment for +the Eunuchs, gave them such a smell of singed hair as greatly to disgust +the ladies of the seraglio, and make it necessary that this new +occupation of their guardians should be transferred into other hands. + +At length, however, an old man presented himself, whose beard was a +cubit-and-a-half longer than any that had appeared before him. The +officers of the palace whispered to each other, as they ushered him in: + +“What a pity such a beard should be burnt!” + +Even the Caliph, when he saw it, concurred with them in opinion; but his +concern was entirely needless. This venerable personage read the +characters with facility, and explained them verbatim, as follows: + +“We were made where everything good is made; we are the least of the +wonders of a place where all is wonderful; and deserving the sight of the +first potentate on earth.” + +“You translate admirably!” cried Vathek. “I know to what these +marvellous characters allude. Let him receive as many robes of honour, +and thousands of sequins of gold, as he hath spoken words. I am in some +measure relieved from the perplexity that embarrassed me!” + +Vathek invited the old man to dine, and even to remain some days in the +palace. Unluckily for him, he accepted the offer; for the Caliph having +ordered him next morning to be called, said: + +“Read again to me what you have read already; I cannot hear too often the +promise that is made me, the completion of which I languish to obtain.” + +The old man forthwith put on his green spectacles; but they instantly +dropped from his nose, on perceiving that the characters he had read the +day preceding, had given place to others of different import. + +“What ails you?” asked the Caliph; “and why these symptoms of wonder?” + +“Sovereign of the world,” replied the old man, “these sabres hold another +language to-day, from that they yesterday held.” + +“How say you?” returned Vathek. “But it matters not! tell me, if you +can, what they mean.” + +“It is this, my lord,” rejoined the old man: “‘Woe to the rash mortal who +seeks to know that of which he should remain ignorant and to undertake +that which surpasseth his power!’” + +“And woe to thee!” cried the Caliph, in a burst of indignation: “to-day +thou art void of understanding: begone from my presence, they shall burn +but the half of thy beard, because thou wert yesterday fortunate in +guessing. My gifts I never resume.” + +The old man, wise enough to perceive he had luckily escaped, considering +the folly of disclosing so disgusting a truth, immediately withdrew, and +appeared not again. + +But it was not long before Vathek discovered abundant reason to regret +his precipitation; for though he could not decipher the characters +himself, yet, by constantly poring upon them, he plainly perceived that +they every day changed; and unfortunately no other candidate offered to +explain them. This perplexing occupation inflamed his blood, dazzled his +sight, and brought on a giddiness and debility that he could not support. +He failed not, however, though in so reduced a condition, to be often +carried to his tower, as he flattered himself that he might there read in +the stars, which he went to consult, something more congruous to his +wishes. But in this his hopes were deluded; for his eyes, dimmed by the +vapours of his head, began to subserve his curiosity so ill, that he +beheld nothing but a thick dun cloud, which he took for the most direful +of omens. + +Agitated with so much anxiety, Vathek entirely lost all firmness; a fever +seized him and his appetite failed. Instead of being one of the greatest +eaters, he became as distinguished for drinking. So insatiable was the +thirst which tormented him, that his mouth, like a funnel, was always +open to receive the various liquors that might be poured into it and +especially cold water, which calmed him more than every other. + +This unhappy prince being thus incapacitated for the enjoyment of any +pleasure, commanded the palaces of the five senses to be shut up; +forebore to appear in public, either to display his magnificence or +administer justice; and retired to the inmost apartment of his harem. As +he had ever been an indulgent husband, his wives, overwhelmed with grief +at his deplorable situation, incessantly offered their prayers for his +health, and unremittingly supplied him with water. + +In the mean time, the Princess Carathis, whose affliction no words can +describe, instead of restraining herself to sobbing and tears, was +closeted daily with the Vizier Morakanabad, to find out some cure or +mitigation of the Caliph’s disease. Under the persuasion that it was +caused by enchantment, they turned over together leaf by leaf, all the +books of magic that might point out a remedy; and caused the horrible +stranger, whom they accused as the enchanter, to be everywhere sought for +with the strictest diligence. + +At the distance of a few miles from Samarah stood a high mountain, whose +sides were swarded with wild thyme and basil, and its summit overspread +with so delightful a plain that it might be taken for the Paradise +destined for the faithful. Upon it grew a hundred thickets of eglantine +and other fragrant shrubs; a hundred arbours of roses, jessamine, and +honeysuckle; as many clumps of orange trees, cedar, and citron; whose +branches, interwoven with the palm, the pomegranate, and the vine, +presented every luxury that could regale the eye or the taste. The +ground was strewed with violets, harebells, and pansies; in the midst of +which sprung forth tufts of jonquils, hyacinths, and carnations, with +every other perfume that impregnates the air. Four fountains, not less +clear than deep, and so abundant as to slake the thirst of ten armies, +seemed purposely placed here to make the scene more resemble the garden +of Eden, which was watered by the four sacred rivers. Here the +nightingale sang the birth of the rose, her well-beloved, and at the same +time lamented its short-lived beauty; whilst the turtle deplored the loss +of more substantial pleasures and the wakeful lark hailed the rising +light that reanimates the whole creation. Here, more than anywhere, the +mingled melodies of birds expressed the various passions they inspired; +as if the exquisite fruits, which they pecked at pleasure, had given them +a double energy. + +To this mountain Vathek was sometimes brought, for the sake of breathing +a purer air; and especially, to drink at will of the four fountains, +which were reputed in the highest degree salubrious, and sacred to +himself. His attendants were his mother, his wives, and some eunuchs, +who assiduously employed themselves in filling capacious bowls of rock +crystal, and emulously presenting them to him. But it frequently +happened that his avidity exceeded their zeal; insomuch that he would +prostrate himself upon the ground to lap up the water, of which he could +never have enough. + +One day when this unhappy prince had been long lying in so debasing a +posture, a voice, hoarse but strong, thus addressed him: + +“Why assumest thou the function of a dog, oh Caliph, so proud of thy +dignity and power?” + +At this apostrophe he raised up his head and beheld the stranger that had +caused him so much affliction. Inflamed with anger at the sight, he +exclaimed: + +“Accursed Giaour! {23} what comest thou hither to do? is it not enough to +have transformed a prince, remarkable for his agility, into one of those +leather barrels which the Bedouin Arabs carry on their camels when they +traverse the deserts? Perceivest thou not that I may perish by drinking +to excess, no less than by a total abstinence?” + +“Drink then this draught,” said the stranger, as he presented to him a +phial of a red and yellow mixture; “and to satiate the thirst of thy soul +as well as of thy body, know that I am an Indian, but from a region of +India which is wholly unknown.” + +The Caliph, delighted to see his desires accomplished in part, and +flattering himself with the hope of obtaining their entire fulfilment, +without a moment’s hesitation swallowed the potion, and instantaneously +found his health restored, his thirst appeased, and his limbs as agile as +ever. + +In the transports of his joy, Vathek leaped upon the neck of the +frightful Indian, and kissed his horrid mouth and hollow cheeks, as +though they had been the coral lips, and the lilies and roses of his most +beautiful wives; whilst they, less terrified than jealous at the sight, +dropped their veils to hide the blush of mortification that suffused +their foreheads. + +Nor would the scene have closed here, had not Carathis, with all the art +of insinuation, a little repressed the raptures of her son. Having +prevailed upon him to return to Samarah, she caused a herald to precede +him, whom she commanded to proclaim as loudly as possible: + +“The wonderful stranger hath appeared again; he hath healed the Caliph; +he hath spoken! he hath spoken!” + +Forthwith all the inhabitants of this vast city quitted their +habitations, and ran together in crowds to see the procession of Vathek +and the Indian, whom they now blessed as much as they had before +execrated, incessantly shouting, + +“He hath healed our sovereign; he hath spoken! he hath spoken!” + +Nor were these words forgotten in the public festivals, which were +celebrated the same evening to testify the general joy, for the poets +applied them as a chorus to all the songs they composed. + +The Caliph, in the mean while caused the palaces of the senses to be +again set open, and as he found himself prompted to visit that of taste, +in preference to the rest, immediately ordered a splendid entertainment, +to which his great officers and favourite courtiers were all invited. +The Indian, who was placed near the prince, seemed to think that as a +proper acknowledgment of so distinguished a privilege, he could neither +eat, drink, nor talk too much. The various dainties were no sooner +served up than they vanished, to the great mortification of Vathek, who +piqued himself on being the greatest eater alive, and at this time in +particular had an excellent appetite. + +The rest of the company looked round at each other in amazement, but the +Indian without appearing to observe it, quaffed large bumpers to the +health of each of them: sung in a style altogether extravagant; related +stories at which he laughed immoderately; and poured forth extemporaneous +verses which would not have been thought bad, but for the strange +grimaces with which they were uttered. In a word, his loquacity was +equal to that of a hundred astrologers; he ate as much as a hundred +porters, and caroused in proportion. + +The Caliph, notwithstanding the table had been thirty times covered, +found himself incommoded by the voraciousness of his guest, who was now +considerably declined in the prince’s esteem. Vathek, however, being +unwilling to betray the chagrin he could hardly disguise, said in a +whisper to Bababalouk, {26a} the chief of his eunuchs: + +“You see how enormous his performances in every way are; what would be +the consequence should he get at my wives? Go! redouble your vigilance, +and be sure look well to my Circassians, who would be more to his taste +than all of the rest.” + +The bird of the morning had thrice renewed his song, when the hour of the +divan {26b} sounded. Vathek, in gratitude to his subjects, having +promised to attend, immediately arose from table and repaired thither +leaning upon his vizier, who could scarcely support him, so disordered +was the poor prince by the wine he had drank, and still more by the +extravagant vagaries of his boisterous guest. + +The viziers, the officers of the crown, and of the law, arranged +themselves in a semi-circle about their sovereign, and preserved a +respectful silence, whilst the Indian, who looked as cool as if come from +a fast, sat down without ceremony on a step of the throne, laughing in +his sleeve at the indignation with which his temerity had filled the +spectators. + +The Caliph, however, whose ideas were confused and his head embarrassed, +went on administering justice at hap-hazard, till at length the prime +vizier {27} perceiving his situation, hit upon a sudden expedient to +interrupt the audience, and rescue the honour of his master, to whom he +said in a whisper: + +“My lord, the princess Carathis, who hath passed the night in consulting +the planets, informs you that they portend you evil; and the danger is +urgent. Beware, lest this stranger whom you have so lavishly recompensed +for his magical gewgaws, should make some attempt on your life: his +liquor, which at first had the appearance of effecting your cure, may be +no more than a poison of a sudden operation. Slight not this surmise; +ask him, at least, of what it was compounded; whence he procured it; and +mention the sabres, which you seem to have forgotten.” + +Vathek, to whom the insolent airs of the stranger became every moment +less supportable, intimated to his vizier by a wink of acquiescence, that +he would adopt his advice, and at once turning towards the Indian, said: + +“Get up and declare in full divan of what drugs the liquor was compounded +you enjoined me to take, for it is suspected to be poison; add also the +explanation I have so earnestly desired concerning the sabres you sold +me, and thus show your gratitude for the favours heaped on you.” + +Having pronounced these words in as moderate a tone as a Caliph well +could, he waited in silent expectation for an answer; but the Indian, +still keeping his seat, began to renew his loud shouts of laughter, and +exhibit the same horrid grimaces he had shown them before, without +vouchsafing a word in reply. Vathek, no longer able to brook such +insolence, immediately kicked him from the steps, instantly descending +repeated his blow, and persisted with such assiduity, as incited all who +were present to follow his example. Every foot was aimed at the Indian, +and no sooner had any one given him a kick than he felt himself +constrained to reiterate the stroke. + +The stranger afforded them no small entertainment; for being both short +and plump, he collected himself into a ball and rolled round on all sides +at the blows of his assailants, who pressed after him wherever he turned, +with an eagerness beyond conception, whilst their numbers were every +moment increasing. The ball, indeed, in passing from one apartment to +another, drew every person after it that came in its way, insomuch that +the whole palace was thrown into confusion, and resounded with a +tremendous clamour. The women of the harem, amazed at the uproar, flew +to their blinds to discover the cause, but no sooner did they catch a +glimpse of the ball than feeling themselves unable to refrain, they broke +from the clutches of their eunuchs, who to stop their flight pinched them +till they bled, but in vain; whilst themselves, though trembling with +terror at the escape of their charge, were as incapable of resisting the +attraction. + +The Indian, after having traversed the halls, galleries, chambers, +kitchens, gardens, and stables of the palace, at last took his course +through the courts, whilst the Caliph, pursuing him closer than the rest, +bestowed as many kicks as he possibly could, yet not without receiving +now and then one, which his competitors, in their eagerness, designed for +the ball. + +Carathis, Morakanabad, and two or three old viziers whose wisdom had +hitherto withstood the attraction, wishing to prevent Vathek from +exposing himself in the presence of his subjects, fell down in his way to +impede the pursuit, but he, regardless of their obstruction, leaped over +their heads, and went on as before. They then ordered the muezzins to +call the people to prayers, both for the sake of getting them out of the +way, and of endeavouring by their petitions to avert the calamity; but +neither of these expedients was a whit more successful. The sight of +this fatal ball was alone sufficient to draw after it every beholder. +The muezzins themselves, though they saw it but at a distance, hastened +down from their minarets and mixed with the crowd, which continued to +increase in so surprising a manner, that scarce an inhabitant was left in +Samarah, except the aged, the sick confined to their beds, and infants at +the breast, whose nurses could run more nimbly without them. Even +Carathis, Morakanabad, and the rest, were all become of the party. + +The shrill screams of the females who had broken from their apartments, +and were unable to extricate themselves from the pressure of the crowd, +together with those of the eunuchs jostling after them, terrified lest +their charge should escape from their sight, increased by the execrations +of husbands urging forward and menacing both, kicks given and received, +stumblings and overthrows at every step, in a word, the confusion that +universally prevailed, rendered Samarah like a city taken by storm, and +devoted to absolute plunder. + +At last the cursed Indian, who still preserved his rotundity of figure, +after passing through all the streets and public places, and leaving them +empty, rolled onwards to the plain of Catoul, and traversed the valley at +the foot of the mountain of the four fountains. + +As a continual fall of water had excavated an immense gulph in the +valley, whose opposite side was closed in by a steep acclivity, the +Caliph and his attendants were apprehensive lest the ball should bound +into the chasm, and to prevent it, redoubled their efforts, but in vain. +The Indian persevered in his onward direction, and as had been +apprehended, glancing from the precipice with the rapidity of lightning, +was lost in the gulph below. + +Vathek would have followed the perfidious Giaour, had not an invisible +agency arrested his progress. The multitude that pressed after him were +at once checked in the same manner, and a calm instantaneously ensued. +They all gazed at each other with an air of astonishment; and +notwithstanding that the loss of veils and turbans, together with torn +habits, and dust blended with sweat, presented a most laughable +spectacle, there was not one smile to be seen; on the contrary, all with +looks of confusion and sadness returned in silence to Samarah, and +retired to their inmost apartments, without ever reflecting that they had +been impelled by an invisible power into the extravagance for which they +reproached themselves: for it is but just, that men who so often arrogate +to their own merit the good of which they are but instruments, should +attribute to themselves the absurdities which they could not prevent. + +The Caliph was the only person that refused to leave the valley. He +commanded his tents to be pitched there, and stationed himself on the +very edge of the precipice, in spite of the representations of Carathis +and Morakanabad, who pointed out the hazard of its brink giving way, and +the vicinity to the magician that had so severely tormented him. Vathek +derided all their remonstrances; and having ordered a thousand flambeaus +to be lighted, and directed his attendants to proceed in lighting more, +lay down on the slippery margin, and attempted, by the help of this +artificial splendour, to look through that gloom which all the fires of +the empyrean had been insufficient to pervade. One while he fancied to +himself voices arising from the depth of the gulph, at another he seemed +to distinguish the accents of the Indian, but all was no more than the +hollow murmur of waters, and the din of the cataracts that rushed from +steep to steep, down the sides of the mountain. + +Having passed the night in this cruel perturbation, the Caliph at +day-break retired to his tent, where, without taking the least +sustenance, he continued to doze till the dusk of evening began to come +on; he then resumed his vigils as before, and persevered in observing +them for many nights together. At length, fatigued with so successless +an employment, he sought relief from change. To this end he sometimes +paced with hasty strides across the plain; and as he wildly gazed at the +stars, reproached them with having deceived him; but lo! on a sudden the +clear blue sky appeared streaked over with streams of blood, which +reached from the valley even to the city of Samarah. As this awful +phenomenon seemed to touch his tower, Vathek at first thought of +repairing thither to view it more distinctly, but feeling himself unable +to advance, and being overcome with apprehension, he muffled up his face +in his robe. + +Terrifying as these prodigies were, this impression upon him was no more +than momentary, and served only to stimulate his love of the marvellous. +Instead, therefore, of returning to his palace, he persisted in the +resolution of abiding where the Indian vanished from his view. One +night, however, while he was walking as usual on the plain, the moon and +the stars at once were eclipsed, and a total darkness ensued. The earth +trembled beneath him, and a voice came forth, the voice of the Giaour, +who in accents more sonorous than thunder, thus addressed him: + +“Would’st thou devote thyself to me? adore then the terrestrial +influences, and abjure Mahomet. On these conditions I will bring thee to +the palace of subterranean fire: there shalt thou behold, in immense +depositories, the treasures which the stars have promised thee, and which +will be conferred by those intelligences whom thou shalt thus render +propitious. It was from thence I brought my sabres; and it is there that +Soliman Ben Daoud reposes, surrounded by the talismans that control the +world.” + +The astonished Caliph trembled as he answered, yet in a style that showed +him to be no novice in preternatural adventures: + +“Where art thou? Be present to my eyes; dissipate the gloom that +perplexes me, and of which I deem thee the cause. After the many +flambeaus I have burnt to discover thee, thou mayest at least grant a +glimpse of thy horrible visage.” + +“Abjure then Mahomet,” replied the Indian, “and promise me full proofs of +thy sincerity; otherwise thou shalt never behold me again.” + +The unhappy Caliph, instigated by insatiable curiosity, lavished his +promises in the utmost profusion. The sky immediately brightened; and by +the light of the planets, which seemed almost to blaze, Vathek beheld the +earth open, and at the extremity of a vast black chasm a portal of ebony, +before which stood the Indian, still blacker, holding in his hand a +golden key, that caused the lock to resound. + +“How,” cried Vathek, “can I descend to thee, without the certainty of +breaking my neck? Come take me, and instantly open the portal.” + +“Not so fast,” replied the Indian, “impatient Caliph! Know that I am +parched with thirst, and cannot open this door till my thirst be +thoroughly appeased. I require the blood of fifty of the most beautiful +sons of thy viziers and great men, or neither can my thirst nor thy +curiosity be satisfied. Return to Samarah; procure for me this necessary +libation; come back hither; throw it thyself into this chasm; and then +shalt thou see!” + +Having thus spoken, the Indian turned his back on the Caliph, who, +incited by the suggestion of demons, resolved on the direful sacrifice. +He now pretended to have regained his tranquillity, and set out for +Samarah amidst the acclamations of a people who still loved him, and +forbore not to rejoice when they believed him to have recovered his +reason. So successfully did he conceal the emotion of his heart, that +even Carathis and Morakanabad were equally deceived with the rest. +Nothing was heard of but festivals and rejoicings. The ball, which no +tongue had hitherto ventured to mention, was again brought on the tapis. +A general laugh went round; though many, still smarting under the hands +of the surgeon, from the hurts received in that memorable adventure, had +no great reason for mirth. + +The prevalence of this gay humour was not a little grateful to Vathek, as +perceiving how much it conduced to his project. He put on the appearance +of affability to every one; but especially to his viziers, and the +grandees of his court, whom he failed not to regale with a sumptuous +banquet, during which he insensibly inclined the conversation to the +children of his guests. Having asked, with a good-natured air, who of +them were blessed with the handsomest boys, every father at once asserted +the pretensions of his own; and the contest imperceptibly grew so warm, +that nothing could have with-holden them from coming to blows but their +profound reverence for the person of the Caliph. Under the pretence, +therefore, of reconciling the disputants, Vathek took upon him to decide; +and with this view commanded the boys to be brought. + +It was not long before a troop of these poor children made their +appearance, all equipped by their fond mothers with such ornaments as +might give the greatest relief to their beauty, or most advantageously +display the graces of their age. But whilst this brilliant assemblage +attracted the eyes and hearts of every one besides, the Caliph +scrutinized each in his turn with a malignant avidity that passed for +attention, and selected from their number the fifty whom he judged the +Giaour would prefer. + +With an equal show of kindness as before, he proposed to celebrate a +festival on the plain, for the entertainment of his young favourites, who +he said ought to rejoice still more than all at the restoration of his +health, on account of the favours he intended for them. + +The Caliph’s proposal was received with the greatest delight, and soon +published through Samarah. Litters, camels, and horses were prepared. +Women and children, old men and young—every one placed himself in the +station he chose. The cavalcade set forward, attended by all the +confectioners in the city and its precincts. The populace, following on +foot, composed an amazing crowd, and occasioned no little noise. All was +joy; nor did any one call to mind what most of them had suffered when +they first travelled the road they were now passing so gaily. + +The evening was serene, the air refreshing, the sky clear, and the +flowers exhaled their fragrance. The beams of the declining sun, whose +mild splendour reposed on the summit of the mountain, shed a glow of +ruddy light over its green declivity, and the white flocks sporting upon +it. No sounds were audible, save the murmurs of the four fountains, and +the reeds and voices of shepherds, calling to each other from different +eminences. + +The lovely innocents, proceeding to the destined sacrifice, added not a +little to the hilarity of the scene. They approached the plain full of +sportiveness; some coursing butterflies, others culling flowers, or +picking up the shining little pebbles that attracted their notice. At +intervals, they nimbly started from each other, for the sake of being +caught again, and mutually imparting a thousand caresses. + +The dreadful chasm, at whose bottom the portal of ebony was placed, began +to appear at a distance. It looked like a black streak that divided the +plain. Morakanabad and his companions took it for some work which the +Caliph had ordered. Unhappy men! little did they surmise for what it was +destined. + +Vathek, not liking that they should examine it too nearly, stopped the +procession, and ordered a spacious circle to be formed on this side, at +some distance from the accursed chasm. The body-guard of eunuchs was +detached, to measure out the lists intended for the games, and prepare +ringles for the lines to keep off the crowd. The fifty competitors were +soon stripped, and presented to the admiration of the spectators the +suppleness and grace of their delicate limbs. Their eyes sparkled with a +joy which those of their fond parents reflected. Every one offered +wishes for the little candidate nearest his heart, and doubted not of his +being victorious. A breathless suspense awaited the contest of these +amiable and innocent victims. + +The Caliph, availing himself of the first moment to retire from the +crowd, advanced towards the chasm, and there heard, yet not without +shuddering, the voice of the Indian; who, gnashing his teeth, eagerly +demanded: + +“Where are they? Where are they? perceivest thou not how my mouth +waters?” + +“Relentless Giaour!” answered Vathek, with emotion, “can nothing content +thee but the massacre of these lovely victims? Ah! wert thou to behold +their beauty, it must certainly move thy compassion.” + +“Perdition on thy compassion, babbler!” cried the Indian. “Give them me! +instantly give them, or my portal shall be closed against thee for ever!” + +“Not so loudly,” replied the Caliph, blushing. + +“I understand thee,” returned the Giaour, with the grin of an ogre: “thou +wantest to summon up more presence of mind. I will for a moment +forbear.” + +During this exquisite dialogue the games went forward with all alacrity, +and at length concluded, just as the twilight began to overcast the +mountains. Vathek, who was still standing on the edge of the chasm, +called out with all his might: + +“Let my fifty little favourites approach me, separately; and let them +come in the order of their success. To the first I will give my diamond +bracelet; to the second my collar of emeralds; to the third my aigret of +rubies; to the fourth my girdle of topazes; and to the rest, each a part +of my dress, even down to my slippers.” + +This declaration was received with reiterated acclamations; and all +extolled the liberality of a prince who would thus strip himself for the +amusement of his subjects and the encouragement of the rising generation. + +The Caliph in the mean while undressed himself by degrees; and raising +his arm as high as he was able, made each of the prizes glitter in the +air; but, whilst he delivered it with one hand to the child, who sprang +forward to receive it, he with the other pushed the poor innocent into +the gulph, where the Giaour, with a sullen muttering, incessantly +repeated “More! more!” + +This dreadful device was executed with so much dexterity, that the boy +who was approaching him remained unconscious of the fate of his +forerunner; and as to the spectators, the shades of evening, together +with their distance, precluded them from perceiving any object +distinctly. Vathek, having in this manner thrown in the last of the +fifty, and expecting that the Giaour on receiving him would have +presented the key, already fancied himself as great as Soliman, and +consequently above being amenable for what he had done; when, to his +utter amazement, the chasm closed, and the ground became as entire as the +rest of the plain. + +No language could express his rage and despair. He execrated the perfidy +of the Indian; loaded him with the most infamous invectives; and stamped +with his foot as resolving to be heard. He persisted in this demeanour +till his strength failed him, and then fell on the earth like one void of +sense. His viziers and grandees, who were nearer than the rest, supposed +him at first to be sitting on the grass at play with their amiable +children; but at length, prompted by doubt, they advanced towards the +spot, and found the Caliph alone, who wildly demanded what they wanted. + +“Our children! our children!” cried they. + +“It is assuredly pleasant,” said he, “to make me accountable for +accidents. Your children, while at play, fell from the precipice that +was here; and I should have experienced their fate had I not been saved +by a sudden start back.” + +At these words, the fathers of the fifty boys cried out aloud: the +mothers repeated their exclamations an octave higher; whilst the rest, +without knowing the cause, soon drowned the voices of both, with still +louder lamentations of their own. + +“Our Caliph,” said they, and the report soon circulated, “Our Caliph has +played us this trick, to gratify his accursed Giaour. Let us punish him +for his perfidy! let us avenge ourselves! let us avenge the blood of the +innocent! let us throw this cruel Prince into the gulph that is near, and +let his name be mentioned no more!” + +At this rumour, and these menaces, Carathis, full of consternation, +hastened to Morakanabad, and said: + +“Vizier, you have lost two beautiful boys, and must necessarily be the +most afflicted of fathers; but you are virtuous; save your master!” + +“I will brave every hazard,” replied the Vizier, “to rescue him from his +present danger; but afterwards will abandon him to his fate. +Bababalouk,” continued he, “put yourself at the head of your Eunuchs, +disperse the mob, and if possible bring back this unhappy Prince to his +palace.” + +Bababalouk and his fraternity, felicitating each other in a low voice on +their disability of ever being fathers, obeyed the mandate of the Vizier; +who, seconding their exertions to the utmost of his power, at length +accomplished his generous enterprise, and retired, as he resolved, to +lament at his leisure. + +No sooner had the Caliph re-entered his palace, than Carathis commanded +the doors to be fastened; but perceiving the tumult to be still violent, +and hearing the imprecations which resounded from all quarters, she said +to her son: + +“Whether the populace be right or wrong, it behoves you to provide for +your safety: let us retire to your own apartment, and from thence, +through the subterranean passage known only to ourselves, into your +tower; there, with the assistance of the mutes who never leave it, we may +be able to make some resistance. Bababalouk, supposing us to be still in +the palace, will guard its avenues for his own sake; and we shall soon +find, without the counsels of that blubberer Morakanabad, what expedient +may be the best to adopt.” + +Vathek, without making the least reply, acquiesced in his mother’s +proposal, and repeated as he went: + +“Nefarious Giaour! where art thou? hast thou not yet devoured those poor +children? where are thy sabres? thy golden key? thy talismans?” + +Carathis, who guessed from these interrogations a part of the truth, had +no difficulty to apprehend in getting at the whole, as soon as he should +be a little composed in his tower. This Princess was so far from being +influenced by scruples that she was as wicked as woman could be, which is +not saying a little, for the sex pique themselves on their superiority in +every competition. The recital of the Caliph therefore occasioned +neither terror nor surprise to his mother; she felt no emotion but from +the promises of the Giaour; and said to her son: + +“This Giaour, it must be confessed, is somewhat sanguinary in his taste, +but the terrestrial powers are always terrible: nevertheless, what the +one has promised and the others can confer, will prove a sufficient +indemnification. No crimes should be thought too dear for such a reward. +Forbear then to revile the Indian: you have not fulfilled the conditions +to which his services are annexed. For instance, is not a sacrifice to +the subterranean Genii required? and should we not be prepared to offer +it as soon as the tumult is subsided? This charge I will take on myself, +and have no doubt of succeeding by means of your treasures; which, as +there are now so many others in store, may without fear be exhausted.” + +Accordingly, the Princess, who possessed the most consummate skill in the +art of persuasion, went immediately back through the subterranean +passage, and presenting herself to the populace from a window of the +palace, began to harangue them with all the address of which she was +mistress, whilst Bababalouk showered money from both hands amongst the +crowd, who by these united means were soon appeased. Every person +retired to his home, and Carathis returned to the tower. + +Prayer at break of day was announced, when Carathis and Vathek ascended +the steps which led to the summit of the tower, where they remained for +some time, though the weather was lowering and wet. This impending gloom +corresponded with their malignant dispositions; but when the sun began to +break through the clouds, they ordered a pavilion to be raised as a +screen from the intrusion of his beams. The Caliph, overcome with +fatigue, sought refreshment from repose, at the same time hoping that +significant dreams might attend on his slumbers; whilst the indefatigable +Carathis, followed by a party of her mutes, descended to prepare whatever +she judged proper for the oblation of the approaching night. + +By secret stairs, known only to herself and her son, she first repaired +to the mysterious recesses in which were deposited the mummies that had +been brought from the catacombs of the ancient Pharaohs. Of these she +ordered several to be taken. From thence she resorted to a gallery, +where, under the guard of fifty female negroes, mute, and blind of the +right eye, were preserved the oil of the most venomous serpents, +rhinoceros’ horns, and woods of a subtle and penetrating odour, procured +from the interior of the Indies, together with a thousand other horrible +rarieties. This collection had been formed for a purpose like the +present, by Carathis herself, from a presentiment that she might one day +enjoy some intercourse with the infernal powers, to whom she had ever +been passionately attached, and to whose taste she was no stranger. + +To familiarize herself the better with the horrors in view, the Princess +remained in the company of her negresses, who squinted in the most +amiable manner from the only eye they had, and leered with exquisite +delight at the skulls and skeletons which Carathis had drawn forth from +her cabinets, whose key she entrusted to no one; all of them making +contortions, and uttering a frightful jargon, but very amusing to the +Princess till at last, being stunned by their gibbering, and suffocated +by the potency of their exhalations, she was forced to quit the gallery, +after stripping it of a part of its treasures. + +Whilst she was thus occupied, the Caliph, who instead of the visions he +expected, had acquired in these insubstantial regions a voracious +appetite, was greatly provoked at the negresses: for, having totally +forgotten their deafness, he had impatiently asked them for food; and +seeing them regardless of his demand, he began to cuff, pinch, and push +them, till Carathis arrived to terminate a scene so indecent, to the +great content of these miserable creatures, who having been brought up by +her, understood all her signs, and communicated in the same way their +thoughts in return. + +“Son! what means all this?” said she, panting for breath. “I thought I +heard as I came up, the shrieks of a thousand bats, tearing from their +crannies in the recesses of a cavern, and it was the outcry only of these +poor mutes, whom you were so unmercifully abusing. In truth you but ill +deserve the admirable provision I have brought you.” + +“Give it me instantly!” exclaimed the Caliph: “I am perishing for +hunger!” + +“As to that,” answered she, “you must have an excellent stomach if it can +digest what I have been preparing.” + +“Be quick,” replied the Caliph. “But oh, heavens! what horrors! What do +you intend?” + +“Come, come,” returned Carathis, “be not so squeamish, but help me to +arrange every thing properly, and you shall see that what you reject with +such symptoms of disgust will soon complete your felicity. Let us get +ready the pile for the sacrifice of to-night, and think not of eating +till that is performed. Know you not that all solemn rites are preceded +by a rigorous abstinence?” + +The Caliph, not daring to object, abandoned himself to grief, and the +wind that ravaged his entrails, whilst his mother went forward with the +requisite operations. Phials of serpents’ oil, mummies, and bones, were +soon set in order on the balustrade of the tower. The pile began to +rise; and in three hours was as many cubits high. At length, darkness +approached, and Carathis having stripped herself to her inmost garment, +clapped her hands in an impulse of ecstasy, and struck light with all her +force. The mutes followed her example: but Vathek, extenuated with +hunger and impatience, was unable to support himself, and fell down in a +swoon. The sparks had already kindled the dry wood; the venomous oil +burst into a thousand blue flames; the mummies, dissolving, emitted a +thick dun vapour; and the rhinoceros’ horns beginning to consume; all +together diffused such a stench, that the Caliph, recovering, started +from his trance and gazed wildly on the scene in full blaze around him. +The oil gushed forth in a plentitude of streams; and the negresses, who +supplied it without intermission, united their cries to those of the +Princess. At last the fire became so violent, and the flames reflected +from the polished marble so dazzling, that the Caliph, unable to +withstand the heat and the blaze, effected his escape, and clambered up +the imperial standard. + +In the mean time, the inhabitants of Samarah, scared at the light which +shone over the city, arose in haste, ascended their roofs, beheld the +tower on fire, and hurried half-naked to the square. Their love to their +sovereign immediately awoke; and apprehending him in danger of perishing +in his tower, their whole thoughts were occupied with the means of his +safety. Morakanabad flew from his retirement, wiped away his tears, and +cried out for water like the rest. Bababalouk, whose olfactory nerves +were more familiarized to magical odours, readily conjecturing that +Carathis was engaged in her favourite amusements, strenuously exhorted +them not to be alarmed. Him, however, they treated as an old poltroon; +and forbore not to style him a rascally traitor. The camels and +dromedaries were advancing with water, but no one knew by which way to +enter the tower. Whilst the populace was obstinate in forcing the doors, +a violent east wind drove such a volume of flame against them, as at +first forced them off; but afterwards, rekindled their zeal. At the same +time, the stench of the horns and mummies increasing, most of the crowd +fell backward in a state of suffocation. Those that kept their feet +mutually wondered at the cause of the smell, and admonished each other to +retire. Morakanabad, more sick than the rest, remained in a piteous +condition. Holding his nose with one hand, he persisted in his efforts +with the other to burst open the doors, and obtain admission. A hundred +and forty of the strongest and most resolute at length accomplished their +purpose. Having gained the staircase by their violent exertions, they +attained a great height in a quarter of an hour. + +Carathis, alarmed at the signs of her mutes, advanced to the staircase, +went down a few steps, and heard several voices calling out from below: + +“You shall in a moment have water!” + +Being rather alert, considering her age, she presently regained the top +of the tower, and bade her son suspend the sacrifice for some minutes, +adding: + +“We shall soon be enabled to render it more grateful. Certain dolts of +your subjects, imagining, no doubt, that we were on fire, have been rash +enough to break through those doors, which had hitherto remained +inviolate, for the sake of bringing up water. They are very kind, you +must allow, so soon to forget the wrongs you have done them: but that is +of little moment. Let us offer them to the Giaour. Let them come up: +our mutes, who neither want strength nor experience, will soon despatch +them, exhausted as they are with fatigue.” + +“Be it so,” answered the Caliph, “provided we finish, and I dine.” + +In fact, these good people, out of breath from ascending eleven thousand +stairs in such haste, and chagrined at having spilt, by the way, the +water they had taken, were no sooner arrived at the top than the blaze of +the flames and the fumes of the mummies at once overpowered their senses. +It was a pity! for they beheld not the agreeable smile with which the +mutes and the negresses adjusted the cord to their necks: these amiable +personages rejoiced, however, no less at the scene. Never before had the +ceremony of strangling been performed with so much facility. They all +fell without the least resistance or struggle; so that Vathek, in the +space of a few moments, found himself surrounded by the dead bodies of +his most faithful subjects, all of which were thrown on the top of the +pile. + +Carathis, whose presence of mind never forsook her, perceiving that she +had carcases sufficient to complete her oblation, commanded the chains to +be stretched across the staircase, and the iron doors barricaded, that no +more might come up. + +No sooner were these orders obeyed, than the tower shook; the dead bodies +vanished in the flames; which at once changed from a swarthy crimson to a +bright rose colour. An ambient vapour emitted the most exquisite +fragrance; the marble columns rang with harmonious sounds, and the +liquefied horns diffused a delicious perfume. Carathis, in transports, +anticipated the success of her enterprise; whilst the mutes and +negresses, to whom these sweets had given the cholic, retired to their +cells grumbling. + +Scarcely were they gone, when, instead of the pile, horns, mummies, and +ashes, the Caliph both saw and felt, with a degree of pleasure which he +could not express, a table, covered with the most magnificent repast: +flaggons of wine, and vases of exquisite sherbet, floating on snow. He +availed himself, without scruple, of such an entertainment; and had +already laid hands on a lamb stuffed with pistachios, whilst Carathis was +privately drawing from a fillagreen urn, a parchment that seemed to be +endless; and which had escaped the notice of her son. Totally occupied, +in gratifying an importunate appetite, he left her to peruse it, without +interruption; which having finished, she said to him, in an authoritative +tone, + +“Put an end to your gluttony, and hear the splendid promises with which +you are favoured!” She then read, as follows: + +“Vathek, my well-beloved, thou hast surpassed my hopes: my nostrils have +been regaled by the savour of thy mummies, thy horns; and, still more, by +the lives devoted on the pile. At the full of the moon, cause the bands +of thy musicians, and thy tymbals, to be heard; depart from thy palace +surrounded by all the pageants of majesty; thy most faithful slaves, thy +best beloved wives; thy most magnificent litters; thy richest loaden +camels; and set forward on thy way to Istakar. There await I thy coming. +That is the region of wonders. There shalt thou receive the diadem of +Gian Ben Gian, {50} the talismans of Soliman, and the treasures of the +preadimite Sultans: there shalt thou be solaced with all kinds of +delight. But, beware how thou enterest any dwelling on thy route, or +thou shalt feel the effects of my anger.” + +The Caliph, who, notwithstanding his habitual luxury, had never before +dined with so much satisfaction, gave full scope to the joy of these +golden tidings, and betook himself to drinking anew. Carathis, whose +antipathy to wine was by no means insuperable, failed not to supply a +reason for every bumper, which they ironically quaffed to the health of +Mahomet. This infernal liquor completed their impious temerity, and +prompted them to utter a profusion of blasphemies. They gave a loose to +their wit, at the expense of the ass of Balaam, the dog of the seven +sleepers, and the other animals admitted into the paradise of Mahomet. +In this sprightly humour they descended the eleven thousand stairs, +diverting themselves as they went at the anxious faces they saw on the +square, through the oilets of the tower, and at length arrived at the +royal apartments by the subterranean passage. Bababalouk was parading to +and fro, and issuing his mandates with great pomp to the eunuchs, who +were snuffing the lights and painting the eyes of the Circassians. No +sooner did he catch sight of the Caliph and his mother than he exclaimed, + +“Hah! you have then, I perceive, escaped from the flames; I was not, +however, altogether out of doubt.” + +“Of what moment is it to us what you thought or think?” cried Carathis +“go, speed, tell Morakanabad that we immediately want him; and take care +how you stop by the way to make your insipid reflections.” + +Morakanabad delayed not to obey the summons, and was received by Vathek +and his mother with great solemnity. They told him with an air of +composure and commiseration that the fire at the top of the tower was +extinguished, but that it had cost the lives of the brave people who +sought to assist them. + +“Still more misfortunes!” cried Morakanabad with a sigh. “Ah, commander +of the faithful, our holy prophet is certainly irritated against us! it +behoves you to appease him.” + +“We will appease him hereafter,” replied the Caliph, with a smile that +augured nothing of good. “You will have leisure sufficient for your +supplications during my absence; for this country is the bane of my +health. I am disgusted with the mountain of the Four Fountains, and am +resolved to go and drink of the stream of Rocnabad. {51} I long to +refresh myself in the delightful valleys which it waters. Do you, with +the advice of my mother, govern my dominions; and take care to supply +whatever her experiments may demand; for you well know that our tower +abounds in materials for the advancement of science.” + +The tower but ill suited Morakanabad’s taste. Immense treasures had been +lavished upon it, and nothing had he ever seen carried thither but female +negroes, mutes, and abominable drugs. Nor did he know well what to think +of Carathis, who like a chamelion could assume all possible colours. Her +cursed eloquence had often driven the poor Mussulman to his last shifts. +He considered, however, that if she possessed but few good qualities, her +son had still fewer, and that the alternative, on the whole, would be in +her favour. Consoled, therefore, with this reflection, he went in good +spirits to soothe the populace, and make the proper arrangements for his +master’s journey. + +Vathek, to conciliate the spirits of the subterranean palace, resolved +that his expedition should be uncommonly splendid. With this view he +confiscated on all sides the property of his subjects, whilst his worthy +mother stripped the seraglios she visited of the gems they contained. +She collected all the sempstresses and embroiderers of Samarah, and other +cities, to the distance of sixty leagues, to prepare pavilions, +palanquins, sofas, canopies, and litters, for the train of the monarch. +There was not left in Masulipatan a single piece of chintz; and so much +muslin had been bought up to dress out Bababalouk and the other black +eunuchs, that there remained not an ell in the whole Irak of Babylon. + +During these preparations, Carathis, who never lost sight of her great +object, which was to obtain favour with the powers of darkness, made +select parties of the fairest and most delicate ladies of the city; but +in the midst of their gaiety she contrived to introduce serpents amongst +them, and to break pots of scorpions under the table. They all bit to a +wonder, and Carathis would have left them to bite, were it not that to +fill up the time, she now and then amused herself in curing their wounds +with an excellent anodyne of her own invention; for this good princess +abhorred being indolent. + +Vathek, who was not altogether so active as his mother, devoted his time +to the sole gratification of his senses, in the palaces which were +severally dedicated to them. He disgusted himself no more with the divan +or the mosque. One half of Samarah followed his example, whilst the +other lamented the progress of corruption. + +In the midst of these transactions, the embassy returned which had been +sent in pious times to Mecca. It consisted of the most reverend +moullahs, {53} who had fulfilled their commission, and brought back one +of those precious besoms which are used to sweep the sacred caaba; a +present truly worthy of the greatest potentate on earth! + +The Caliph happened at this instant to be engaged in an apartment by no +means adapted to the reception of embassies, though adorned with a +certain magnificence, not only to render it agreeable, but also because +he resorted to it frequently, and staid a considerable time together. +Whilst occupied in this retreat, he heard the voice of Bababalouk calling +out from between the door and the tapestry that hung before it: + +“Here are the excellent Mahomet Ebn Edris al Shafei, and the seraphic Al +Mouhadethin, who have brought the besom from Mecca, and with tears of joy +entreat they may present it to your majesty in person.” + +“Let them bring the besom hither, it may be of use,” said Vathek, who was +still employed, not having quite racked off his wine. + +“How!” answered Bababalouk, half aloud and amazed. + +“Obey,” replied the Caliph, “for it is my sovereign will; go instantly! +vanish! for here will I receive the good folk who have thus filled thee +with joy.” + +The eunuch departed muttering, and bade the venerable train attend him. +A sacred rapture was diffused amongst these reverend old men. Though +fatigued with the length of their expedition, they followed Bababalouk +with an alertness almost miraculous, and felt themselves highly flattered +as they swept along the stately porticos, that the Caliph would not +receive them like ambassadors in ordinary, in his hall of audience. Soon +reaching the interior of the harem (where, through blinds of persian they +perceived large soft eyes, dark and blue, that went and came like +lightning) penetrated with respect and wonder, and full of their +celestial mission, they advanced in procession towards the small +corridors that appeared to terminate in nothing, but nevertheless led to +the cell where the Caliph expected their coming. + +“What! is the commander of the faithful sick?” said Ebn Edris al Shafei, +in a low voice to his companion. + +“I rather think he is in his oratory,” answered Al Mouhadethin. + +Vathek, who heard the dialogue, cried out “What imports it you how I am +employed? approach without delay.” + +They advanced, and Bababalouk almost sunk with confusion, {55} whilst the +Caliph, without showing himself, put forth his hand from behind the +tapestry that hung before the door, and demanded of them the besom. + +Having prostrated themselves as well as the corridor would permit, and +even in a tolerable semi-circle, the venerable Al Shafei, drawing forth +the besom from the embroidered and perfumed scarfs in which it had been +enveloped, and secured from the profane gaze of vulgar eyes, arose from +his associates and advanced with an air of the most awful solemnity +towards the supposed oratory; but with what astonishment! with what +horror was he seized! + +Vathek, bursting out into a villainous laugh, snatched the besom from his +trembling hand, and fixing upon it some cobwebs that hung suspended from +the ceiling, gravely brushed away till not a single one remained. + +The old men, overpowered with amazement, were unable to lift their beards +from the ground; for as Vathek had carelessly left the tapestry between +them half drawn, they were witnesses to the whole transaction. Their +tears gushed forth on the marble. Al Mouhadethin swooned through +mortification and fatigue, whilst the Caliph, throwing himself backward +on his seat, shouted and clapped his hands without mercy. At last, +addressing himself to Bababalouk: + +“My dear black,” said he, “go, regale these pious poor souls with my good +wine from Shiraz; and as they can boast of having seen more of my palace +than any one besides, let them also visit my office courts, and lead them +out by the back steps that go to my stables.” Having said this, he threw +the besom in their face, and went to enjoy the laugh with Carathis. + +Bababalouk did all in his power to console the ambassadors, but the two +most infirm expired on the spot; the rest were carried to their beds, +from whence, being heart-broken with sorrow and shame, they never arose. + +The succeeding night, Vathek, attended by his mother, ascended the tower +to see if everything were ready for his journey, for he had great faith +in the influence of the stars. The planets appeared in their most +favourable aspects. The Caliph, to enjoy so flattering a sight, supped +gaily on the roof, and fancied that he heard, during his repast, loud +shouts of laughter resound through the sky, in a manner that inspired the +fullest assurance. + +All was in motion at the palace; lights were kept burning through the +whole of the night; the sound of implements, and of artisans finishing +their work; the voices of women and their guardians who sung at their +embroidery; all conspired to interrupt the stillness of nature, and +infinitely delight the heart of Vathek, who imagined himself going in +triumph to sit upon the throne of Soliman. + +The people were not less satisfied than himself; all assisted to +accelerate the moment which should rescue them from the wayward caprices +of so extravagant a master. + +The day preceding the departure of this infatuated prince was employed by +Carathis in repeating to him the decrees of the mysterious parchment, +which she had thoroughly gotten by heart; and in recommending him not to +enter the habitation of any one by the way; “for well thou knowest,” +added she, “how liquorish thy taste is after good dishes and young +damsels; let me therefore enjoin thee to be content with thy old cooks, +who are the best in the world; and not to forget that in thy ambulatory +seraglio there are three dozen pretty faces, which Bababalouk hath not +yet unveiled. I, myself, have a great desire to watch over thy conduct, +and visit the subterranean palace, which no doubt contains whatever can +interest persons like us. There is nothing so pleasing as retiring to +caverns; my taste for dead bodies and everything like mummy is decided; +and I am confident thou wilt see the most exquisite of their kind. +Forget me not then, but the moment thou art in possession of the +talismans which are to open to thee the mineral kingdoms, and the centre +of the earth itself, fail not to dispatch some trusty genius to take me +and my cabinet, for the oil of the serpents I have pinched to death will +be a pretty present to the Giaour, who cannot but be charmed with such +dainties.” + +Scarcely had Carathis ended this edifying discourse, when the sun, +setting behind the mountain of the Four Fountains, gave place to the +rising moon. This planet being that evening at full, appeared of unusual +beauty and magnitude in the eyes of the women, the eunuchs, and the +pages, who were all impatient to set forward. The city re-echoed with +shouts of joy and flourishing of trumpets. Nothing was visible but +plumes nodding on pavilions, and aigrets shining in the mild lustre of +the moon. The spacious square resembled an immense parterre, variegated +with the most stately tulips of the east. + +Arrayed in the robes which were only worn at the most distinguished +ceremonials, and supported by his vizier and Bababalouk, the Caliph +descended the grand staircase of the tower in the sight of all his +people. He could not forbear pausing at intervals to admire the superb +appearance which everywhere courted his view, whilst the whole multitude, +even to the camels with their sumptuous burdens, knelt down before him. +For some time a general stillness prevailed, which nothing happened to +disturb, but the shrill screams of some eunuchs in the rear. These +vigilant guards having remarked certain cages of the ladies swagging +somewhat awry, and discovered that a few adventurous gallants had +contrived to get in, soon dislodged the enraptured culprits, and +consigned them with good commendations, to the surgeons of the serail. +The majesty of so magnificent a spectacle was not, however, violated by +incidents like these. Vathek, meanwhile, saluted the moon with an +idolatrous air, that neither pleased Morakanabad nor the doctors of the +law, any more than the viziers and grandees of his court, who were all +assembled to enjoy the last view of their sovereign. + +At length the clarions and trumpets from the top of the tower announced +the prelude of departure. Though the instruments were in unison with +each other, yet a singular dissonance was blended with their sounds. +This proceeded from Carathis, who was singing her direful orisons to the +Giaour, whilst the negresses and mutes supplied thorough bass without +articulating a word. The good Mussulmans fancied that they heard the +sullen hum of those nocturnal insects which presage evil, and importuned +Vathek to beware how he ventured his sacred person. + +On a given signal the great standard of the Califat was displayed; twenty +thousand lances shone around it; and the Caliph, treading royally on the +cloth of gold which had been spread for his feet, ascended his litter +amidst the general awe that possessed his subjects. + +The expedition commenced with the utmost order, and so entire a silence, +that even the locusts were heard from the thickets on the plain of +Catoul. Gaiety and good humour prevailing, six good leagues were past +before the dawn; and the morning star was still glittering in the +firmament when the whole of this numerous train had halted on the banks +of the Tigris, where they encamped to repose for the rest of the day. + +The three days that followed were spent in the same manner, but on the +fourth the heavens looked angry, lightnings broke forth in frequent +flashes, re-echoing peals of thunder succeeded, and the trembling +Circassians clung with all their might to their ugly guardians. The +Caliph himself was greatly inclined to take shelter in the large town of +Gulchissar, the governor of which came forth to meet him, and tendered +every kind of refreshment the place could supply. But having examined +his tablets, he suffered the rain to soak him almost to the bone, +notwithstanding the importunity of his first favourites. Though he began +to regret the palace of the senses, yet he lost not sight of his +enterprise, and his sanguine expectations confirmed his resolution. His +geographers were ordered to attend him, but the weather proved so +terrible, that these poor people exhibited a lamentable appearance; and +as no long journeys had been undertaken since the time of Haroun al +Raschid, their maps of the different countries were in a still worse +plight than themselves. Every one was ignorant which way to turn; for +Vathek, though well versed in the course of the heavens, no longer knew +his situation on earth. He thundered even louder than the elements, and +muttered forth certain hints of the bowstring which were not very +soothing to literary ears. Disgusted at the toilsome weariness of the +way, he determined to cross over the craggy heights, and follow the +guidance of a peasant, who undertook to bring him, in four days, to +Rocnabad. Remonstrances were all to no purpose, his resolution was +fixed, and an invasion commenced on the province of the goats, who sped +away in large troops before them. It was curious to view on these half +calcined rocks camels richly caparisoned, and pavilions of gold and silk +waving on their summits, which till then had never been covered, but with +sapless thistles and fern. + +The females and eunuchs uttered shrill wailings at the sight of the +precipices below them, and the dreary prospects that opened in the vast +gorges of the mountains. Before they could reach the ascent of the +steepest rock night overtook them, and a boisterous tempest arose, which +having rent the awnings of the palanquins and cages, exposed to the raw +gusts the poor ladies within, who had never before felt so piercing a +cold. The dark clouds that overcast the face of the sky deepened the +horrors of this disastrous night, insomuch that nothing could be heard +distinctly but the mewling of pages, and lamentations of sultanas. + +To increase the general misfortune, the frightful uproar of wild beasts +resounded at a distance, and there were soon perceived in the forest they +were skirting the glaring of eyes which could belong only to devils or +tigers. The pioneers, who as well as they could, had marked out a track, +and a part of the advanced guard were devoured before they had been in +the least apprised of their danger. The confusion that prevailed was +extreme. Wolves, tigers, and other carnivorous animals, invited by the +howling of their companions, flocked together from every quarter. The +crushing of bones was heard on all sides, and a fearful rush of wings +over head, for now vultures also began to be of the party. + +The terror at length reached the main body of the troops which surrounded +the monarch and his harem, at the distance of two leagues from the scene. +Vathek (voluptuously reposed in his capacious litter upon cushions of +silk, with two little pages beside him, of complexions more fair than the +enamel of Franguestan, who were occupied in keeping off flies) was +soundly asleep, and contemplating in his dreams the treasures of Soliman. +The shrieks, however, of his wives awoke him with a start, and instead of +the Giaour with his key of gold, he beheld Bababalouk full of +consternation. + +“Sire,” exclaimed this good servant of the most potent of monarchs, +“misfortune has arrived at its height; wild beasts, who entertain no more +reverence for your sacred person than for that of a dead ass, have beset +your camels and their drivers: thirty of the richest laden are already +become their prey, as well as all your confectioners, your cooks, and +purveyors, and unless our holy prophet should protect us, we shall have +all eaten our last meal.” + +At the mention of eating, the Caliph lost all patience. He began to +bellow, and even beat himself, for there was no seeing in the dark. The +rumour every instant increased, and Bababalouk finding no good could be +done with his master stopped both his ears against the hurly-burly of the +harem, and called out aloud: + +“Come, ladies and brothers! all hands to work! strike light in a moment! +never shall it be said that the commander of the faithful served to +regale these infidel brutes.” + +Though there wanted not in this bevy of beauties a sufficient number of +capricious and wayward, yet, on the present occasion they were all +compliance. Fires were visible in a twinkling in all their cages. Ten +thousand torches were lighted at once. The Caliph himself seized a large +one of wax; every person followed his example; and by kindling ropes ends +dipped in oil and fastened on poles, an amazing blaze was spread. The +rocks were covered with the splendour of sunshine. The trails of sparks +wafted by the wind, communicated to the dry fern, of which there was +plenty. Serpents were observed to crawl forth from their retreats with +amazement and hissings, whilst the horses snorted, stamped the ground, +tossed their noses in the air, and plunged about without mercy. + +One of the forests of cedar that bordered their way took fire, and the +branches that overhung the path extending their flames to the muslins and +chintzes which covered the cages of the ladies, obliged them to jump out +at the peril of their necks. Vathek, who vented on the occasion a +thousand blasphemies, was himself compelled to touch with his sacred feet +the naked earth. + +Never had such an incident happened before. Full of mortification, shame +and despondence, and not knowing how to walk, the ladies fell into the +dirt. + +“Must I go on foot,” said one. + +“Must I wet my feet,” cried another. + +“Must I soil my dress,” asked a third. + +“Execrable Bababalouk,” exclaimed all; “Outcast of hell! what hadst thou +to do with torches? Better were it to be eaten by tigers than to fall +into our present condition; we are for ever undone. Not a porter is +there in the army, nor a currier of camels but hath seen some part of our +bodies, and what is worse, our very faces!” + +On saying this, the most bashful amongst them hid their foreheads on the +ground, whilst such as had more boldness flew at Bababalouk, but he, well +apprised of their humour, and not wanting in shrewdness, betook himself +to his heels along with his comrades, all dropping their torches and +striking their tymbals. + +It was not less light than in the brightest of the dog-days, and the +weather was hot in proportion; but how degrading was the spectacle, to +behold the Caliph bespattered like an ordinary mortal! As the exercise +of his faculties seemed to be suspended, one of his Ethiopian wives (for +he delighted in variety) clasped him in her arms, threw him upon her +shoulder like a sack of dates, and finding that the fire was hemming them +in, set off with no small expedition, considering the weight of her +burden. The other ladies who had just learned the use of their feet +followed her; their guards galloped after; and the camel drivers brought +up the rear as fast as their charge would permit. + +They soon reached the spot where the wild beasts had commenced the +carnage, and which they had too much spirit to leave, notwithstanding the +approaching tumult, and the luxurious supper they had made. Bababalouk +nevertheless seized on a few of the plumpest, which were unable to budge +from the place, and began to flay them with admirable adroitness. The +cavalcade being got so far from the conflagration as that the heat felt +rather grateful than violent, it was immediately resolved on to halt. +The tattered chintzes were picked up; the scraps left by the wolves and +tigers interred; and vengeance was taken on some dozens of vultures that +were too much glutted to rise on the wing. The camels which had been +left unmolested to make sal-ammoniac being numbered, and the ladies once +more inclosed in their cages, the imperial tent was pitched on the +levellest ground they could find. + +Vathek, reposing upon a matress of down, and tolerably recovered from the +jolting of the Ethiopian, who, to his feelings seemed the roughest +trotting jade he had hitherto mounted, called out for something to eat; +but alas! those delicate cakes which had been baked in silver ovens for +his royal mouth, those rich manchets, amber comfits, flaggons of Schiraz +wine, porcelain vases of snow, and grapes from the banks of the Tigris, +were all irremediably lost; and nothing had Bababalouk to present in +their stead, but a roasted wolf, vultures à la daube, aromatic herbs of +the most acrid poignancy, rotten truffles, boiled thistles, and such +other wild plants as must ulcerate the throat and parch up the tongue. +Nor was he better provided in the article of drink, for he could procure +nothing to accompany these irritating viands but a few phials of +abominable brandy, which had been secreted by the scullions in their +slippers. + +Vathek made wry faces at so savage a repast, and Bababalouk answered them +with shrugs and contortions. The Caliph however ate with tolerable +appetite, and fell into a nap that lasted six hours. The splendour of +the sun, reflected from the white cliffs of the mountains in spite of the +curtains that inclosed him, at length disturbed his repose. He awoke +terrified, and stung to the quick by those wormwood-coloured flies which +emit from their wings a suffocating stench. The miserable monarch was +perplexed how to act, though his wits were not idle in seeking +expedients, whilst Bababalouk lay snoring amidst a swarm of those +insects, that busily thronged to pay court to his nose. The little +pages, famished with hunger, had dropped their fans on the ground, and +exerted their dying voices in bitter reproaches on the Caliph, who now +for the first time heard the language of truth. + +Thus stimulated, he renewed his imprecations against the Giaour, and +bestowed upon Mahomet some soothing expressions. + +“Where am I?” cried he; “What are these dreadful rocks; these valleys of +darkness? Are we arrived at the horrible Kaf? {67a} Is the Simurgh +{67b} coming to pluck out my eyes as a punishment for undertaking this +impious enterprise?” + +Having said this, he bellowed like a calf, and turned himself towards an +outlet in the side of his pavilion. But alas! what objects occurred to +his view! on one side a plain of black sand that appeared to be +unbounded, and on the other perpendicular crags bristled over with those +abominable thistles which had so severely lacerated his tongue. He +fancied, however, that he perceived amongst the brambles and briars some +gigantic flowers, but was mistaken, for these were only the dangling +palampores and variegated tatters of his gay retinue. As there were +several clefts in the rock from whence water seemed to have flowed, +Vathek applied his ear with the hope of catching the sound of some latent +runnel, but could only distinguish the low murmurs of his people, who +were repining at their journey, and complaining for the want of water. + +“To what purpose,” asked they, “have we been brought hither? Hath our +Caliph another tower to build? or have the relentless Afrits {67c} whom +Carathis so much loves, fixed in this place their abode?” + +At the name of Carathis, Vathek recollected the tablets he had received +from his mother, who assured him they were fraught with preternatural +qualities, and advised him to consult them as emergencies might require. +Whilst he was engaged in turning them over, he heard a shout of joy, and +a loud clapping of hands. The curtains of his pavilion were soon drawn +back, and he beheld Bababalouk, followed by a troop of his favourites, +conducting two dwarfs, each a cubit high, who brought between them a +large basket of melons, oranges, and pomegranites. They were singing in +the sweetest tones the words that follow: + +“We dwell on the top of these rocks, in a cabin of rushes and canes; the +eagles envy us our nest; a small spring supplies us with abdest, and we +daily repeat prayers which the prophet approves. We love you, O +commander of the faithful! our master, the good emir Fakreddin, loves you +also; he reveres in your person the vicegerent of Mahomet. Little as we +are, in us he confides; he knows our hearts to be good, as our bodies are +contemptible, and hath placed us here to aid those who are bewildered on +these dreary mountains. Last night, whilst we were occupied within our +cell in reading the holy koran, a sudden hurricane blew out our lights +and rocked our habitation. For two whole hours a palpable darkness +prevailed: but we heard sounds at a distance which we conjectured to +proceed from the bells of a cafila, passing over the rocks. Our ears +were soon filled with deplorable shrieks, frightful roarings, and the +sound of tymbals. Chilled with terror, we concluded that the Deggial +{68} with his exterminating angels had sent forth their plagues on the +earth. In the midst of these melancholy reflections, we perceived flames +of the deepest red glow in the horizon, and found ourselves in a few +moments covered with flakes of fire. Amazed at so strange an appearance, +we took up the volume dictated by the blessed intelligence, and kneeling +by the light of the fire that surrounded us, we recited the verse which +says: ‘Put no trust in any thing but the mercy of heaven; there is no +help save in the holy prophet; the mountain of Kaf itself may tremble; it +is the power of Alla only that cannot be moved.’ After having pronounced +these words, we felt consolation, and our minds were hushed into a sacred +repose. Silence ensued, and our ears clearly distinguished a voice in +the air, saying: ‘Servants of my faithful servant, go down to the happy +valley of Fakreddin; tell him that an illustrious opportunity now offers +to satiate the thirst of his hospitable heart. The commander of true +believers is this day bewildered amongst these mountains, and stands in +need of thy aid.’ We obeyed with joy the angelic mission, and our +master, filled with pious zeal, hath culled with his own hands these +melons, oranges, and pomegranites. He is following us with a hundred +dromedaries laden with the purest waters of his fountains, and is coming +to kiss the fringe of your consecrated robe, and implore you to enter his +humble habitation, which, placed amidst these barren wilds, resembles an +emerald set in lead.” + +The dwarfs having ended their address, remained still standing, and with +hands crossed upon their bosoms, preserved a respectful silence. + +Vathek, in the midst of this curious harangue seized the basket, and long +before it was finished, the fruits had dissolved in his mouth. As he +continued to eat, his piety increased, and in the same breath which +recited his prayers, he called for the koran and sugar. + +Such was the state of his mind when the tablets, which were thrown by at +the approach of the dwarfs, again attracted his eye. He took them up, +but was ready to drop on the ground when he beheld, in large red +characters, these words inscribed by Carathis, which were indeed enough +to make him tremble. + +“Beware of thy old doctors, and their puny messengers of but one cubit +high; distrust their pious frauds; and instead of eating their melons, +impale on a spit the bearers of them. Shouldst thou be such a fool as to +visit them, the portal of the subterranean palace will be shut in thy +face, and with such force as shall shake thee asunder; thy body shall be +spit upon, and bats will engender in thy belly.” + +“To what tends this ominous rhapsody?” cries the Caliph; “and must I then +perish in these deserts with thirst, whilst I may refresh myself in the +valley of melons and cucumbers? Accursed be the Giaour with his portal +of ebony! he hath made me dance attendance too long already. Besides, +who shall prescribe laws to me? I, forsooth, must not enter any one’s +habitation! Be it so, but what one can I enter that is not my own.” + +Bababalouk, who lost not a syllable of this soliloquy, applauded it with +all his heart; and the ladies, for the first time, agreed with him in +opinion. The dwarfs were entertained, caressed, and seated with great +ceremony on little cushions of satin. The symmetry of their persons was +the subject of criticism; not an inch of them was suffered to pass +unexamined. Nick-nacks and dainties were offered in profusion, but all +were declined with respectful gravity. They clambered up the sides of +the Caliph’s seat, and placing themselves each on one of his shoulders, +began to whisper prayers in his ears. Their tongues quivered like the +leaves of a poplar, and the patience of Vathek was almost exhausted, when +the acclamations of the troops announced the approach of Fakreddin, who +was come with a hundred old grey-beards, and as many korans and +dromedaries. They instantly set about their ablutions, and began to +repeat the Bismillah. Vathek, to get rid of these officious monitors, +followed their example, for his hands were burning. + +The good Emir, who was punctiliously religious, and likewise a great +dealer in compliments, made an harangue five times more prolix and +insipid than his harbingers had already delivered. The Caliph, unable +any longer to refrain, exclaimed: + +“For the love of Mahomet, my dear Fakreddin, have done! let us proceed to +your valley, and enjoy the fruits that heaven hath vouchsafed you.” The +hint of proceeding put all into motion. The venerable attendants of the +emir set forward somewhat slowly, but Vathek having ordered his little +pages, in private, to goad on the dromedaries, loud fits of laughter +broke forth from the cages, for the unwieldy curvetting of these poor +beasts, and the ridiculous distress of their superannuated riders +afforded the ladies no small entertainment. + +They descended, however, unhurt into the valley, by the large steps which +the emir had cut in the rock; and already the murmuring of streams and +the rustling of leaves began to catch their attention. The cavalcade +soon entered a path, which was skirted by flowering shrubs, and extended +to a vast wood of palm-trees whose branches overspread a building of hewn +stone. This edifice was crowned with nine domes, and adorned with as +many portals of bronze, on which was engraven the following inscription: + +“This is the asylum of pilgrims, the refuge of travellers, and the +depository of secrets for all parts of the world.” + +Nine pages beautiful as the day, and clothed in robes of Egyptian linen, +very long and very modest, were standing at each door. They received the +whole retinue with an easy and inviting air. Four of the most amiable +placed the Caliph on a magnificent taktrevan; four others, somewhat less +graceful, took charge of Bababalouk, who capered for joy at the snug +little cabin that fell to his share; the pages that remained, waited on +the rest of the train. + +When every thing masculine was gone out of sight, the gate of a large +inclosure on the right turned on its harmonious hinges, and a young +female of a slender form came forth. Her light brown hair floated in the +hazy breeze of the twilight. A troop of young maidens, like the +Pleiades, attended her on tip-toe. They hastened to the pavilions that +contained the sultanas; and the young lady gracefully bending said to +them: + +“Charming princesses, every thing is ready; we have prepared beds for +your repose, and strewed your apartments with jasamine; no insects will +keep off slumber from visiting your eyelids; we will dispel them with a +thousand plumes. Come then, amiable ladies! refresh your delicate feet +and your ivory limbs in baths of rose water, and by the light of perfumed +lamps your servants will amuse you with tales.” + +The sultanas accepted with pleasure these obliging offers, and followed +the young lady to the emir’s harem, where we must for a moment leave them +and return to the Caliph. + +Vathek found himself beneath a vast dome illuminated by a thousand lamps +of rock crystal, as many vases of the same material filled with excellent +sherbet sparkled on a large table, where a profusion of viands were +spread. Amongst others were sweetbreads stewed in milk of almonds, +saffron soups, and lamb à la crême, of all of which the Caliph was +amazingly fond. He took of each as much as he was able; testified his +sense of the emir’s friendship by the gaiety of his heart; and made the +dwarfs dance against their will; for these little devotees durst not +refuse the commander of the faithful. At last he spread himself on the +sofa and slept sounder than he had ever before. + +Beneath this dome a general silence prevailed, for there was nothing to +disturb it but the jaws of Bababalouk, who had untrussed himself to eat +with greater advantage, being anxious to make amends for his fast in the +mountains. As his spirits were too high to admit of his sleeping, and +not loving to be idle, he proposed with himself to visit the harem, and +repair to his charge of the ladies, to examine if they had been properly +lubricated with the balm of Mecca, if their eye-brows and tresses were in +order, and in a word, to perform all the little offices they might need. +He sought for a long time together, but without being able to find out +the door. He durst not speak aloud for fear of disturbing the Caliph, +and not a soul was stirring in the precincts of the palace. He almost +despaired of effecting his purpose, when a low whispering just reached +his ear: it came from the dwarfs, who were returned to their old +occupation, and for the nine hundred and ninety-ninth time in their lives +were reading over the koran. They very politely invited Bababalouk to be +of their party, but his head was full of other concerns. The dwarfs, +though scandalized at his dissolute morals, directed him to the +apartments he wanted to find. His way thither lay through a hundred dark +corridors, along which he groped as he went, and at last began to catch, +from the extremity of a passage, the charming gossiping of women, which +not a little delighted his heart. + +“Ah, ah! what not yet asleep?” cried he, and taking long strides as he +spoke, “did you not suspect me of abjuring my charge? I stayed but to +finish what my master had left.” + +Two of the black eunuchs on hearing a voice so loud detached a party in +haste, sabre in hand, to discover the cause, but presently was repeated +on all sides: + +“’Tis only Bababalouk, no one but Bababalouk!” + +This circumspect guardian having gone up to a thin veil of carnation +colour silk that hung before the doorway, distinguished by means of a +softened splendour that shone through it, an oval bath of dark porphyry +surrounded by curtains festooned in large folds. Through the apertures +between them, as they were not drawn close, groups of young slaves were +visible, amongst whom Bababalouk perceived his pupils indulgingly +expanding their arms, as if to embrace the perfumed water, and refresh +themselves after their fatigues. The looks of tender languor, their +confidential whispers, and the enchanting smiles with which they were +imparted, the exquisite fragrance of the roses, all combined to inspire a +voluptuousness which even Bababalouk himself was scarce able to +withstand. + +He summoned up, however, his usual solemnity, and in the peremptory tone +of authority commanded the ladies instantly to leave the bath. Whilst he +was issuing these mandates, the young Nouronihar, daughter of the emir, +who was sprightly as an antelope, and full of wanton gaiety, beckoned one +of her slaves to let down the great swing, which was suspended to the +ceiling by cords of silk, and whilst this was doing winked to her +companions in the bath, who chagrined to be forced from so soothing a +state of indolence, began to twist it round Bababalouk, and teaze him +with a thousand vagaries. + +When Nouronihar perceived that he was exhausted with fatigue, she +accosted him with an arch air of respectful concern, and said: + +“My lord, it is not by any means decent that the chief eunuch of the +Caliph our sovereign should thus continue standing, deign but to recline +your graceful person upon this sofa, which will burst with vexation if it +have not the honour to receive you.” + +Caught by these flattering accents, Bababalouk gallantly replied: + +“Delight of the apple of my eye! I accept the invitation of thy honied +lips, and to say truth, my senses are dazzled with the radiance that +beams from thy charms.” + +“Repose, then, at your ease,” replied the beauty, and placed him on the +pretended sofa, which, quicker than lightning, gave way all at once. The +rest of the women having aptly conceived her design, sprang naked from +the bath and plied the swing with such unmerciful jerks, that it swept +through the whole compass of a very lofty dome, and took from the poor +victim all power of respiration. Sometimes his feet rased the surface of +the water, and at others the skylight almost flattened his nose. In vain +did he pierce the air with the cries of a voice that resembled the +ringing of a cracked basin, for their peals of laughter were still more +predominant. + +Nouronihar in the inebriety of youthful spirits being used only to +eunuchs of ordinary harems, and having never seen any thing so royal and +disgusting, was far more diverted than all of the rest. She began to +parody some Persian verses, and sung with an accent most demurely +piquant: + + “O gentle white dove as thou soar’st through the air, + Vouchsafe one kind glance on the mate of thy love: + Melodious Philomel I am thy rose; + Warble some couplet to ravish my heart!” + +The sultanas and their slaves stimulated by these pleasantries persevered +at the swing with such unremitted assiduity, that at length the cord +which had secured it snapped suddenly asunder, and Bababalouk fell +floundering like a turtle to the bottom of the bath. This accident +occasioned a universal shout. Twelve little doors till now unobserved +flew open at once, and the ladies in an instant made their escape, after +throwing all the towels on his head, and putting out the lights that +remained. + +The deplorable animal, in water to the chin, overwhelmed with darkness, +and unable to extricate himself from the warp that embarrassed him, was +still doomed to hear for his further consolation, the fresh bursts of +merriment his disaster occasioned. He bustled but in vain to get from +the bath, for the margin was become so slippery with the oil spilt in +breaking the lamps, that at every effort he slid back with a plunge, +which resounded aloud through the hollow of the dome. These cursed peals +of laughter at every relapse were redoubled, and he, who thought the +place infested rather by devils than women, resolved to cease groping, +and abide in the bath, where he amused himself with soliloquies +interspersed with imprecations, of which his malicious neighbours, +reclining on down, suffered not an accent to escape. In this delectable +plight the morning surprised him. The Caliph, wondering at his absence, +had caused him to be everywhere sought for. At last he was drawn forth +almost smothered from the whisp of linen, and wet even to the marrow. +Limping, and chattering his teeth, he appeared before his master, who +inquired what was the matter, and how he came soused in so strange a +pickle. + +“And why did you enter this cursed lodge?” answered Bababalouk, gruffly. +“Ought a monarch like you to visit with his harem the abode of a grey +bearded emir who knows nothing of life? And with what gracious damsels +does the place too abound! Fancy to yourself how they have soaked me +like a burnt crust, and made me dance like a jack-pudding the live-long +night through on their damnable swing. What an excellent lesson for your +sultanas to follow, into whom I have instilled such reserve and decorum!” + +Vathek, comprehending not a syllable of all this invective, obliged him +to relate minutely the transaction; but instead of sympathising with the +miserable sufferer, he laughed immoderately at the device of the swing, +and the figure of Bababalouk mounting upon it. The stung eunuch could +scarcely preserve the semblance of respect. + +“Aye, laugh my lord! laugh,” said he, “but I wish this Nouronihar would +play some trick on you; she is too wicked to spare even majesty itself.” + +These words made for the present but a slight impression on the Caliph, +but they not long after recurred to his mind. + +This conversation was cut short by Fakreddin, who came to request that +Vathek would join in the prayers and ablutions to be solemnized on a +spacious meadow, watered by innumerable streams. The Caliph found the +waters refreshing, but the prayers abominably irksome. He diverted +himself however with the multitude of Calenders, {79a} Santons, {79b} and +Dervises {79c} who were continually coming and going, but especially with +the Brahmins, {79d} Faquirs, {79e} and other enthusiasts, who had +travelled from the heart of India, and halted on their way with the emir. +These latter had each of them some mummery peculiar to himself. One +dragged a huge chain where ever he went, another an ourang-outang, whilst +a third was furnished with scourges, and all performed to a charm. Some +clambered up trees, holding one foot in the air; others poised themselves +over a fire, and without mercy fillipped their noses. There were some +amongst them that cherished vermin, which were not ungrateful in +requiting their caresses. These rambling fanatics revolted the hearts of +the Dervises, the Calenders, and Santons; however the vehemence of their +aversion soon subsided under the hope that the presence of the Caliph +would cure their folly, and convert them to the Mussulman faith. But +alas! how great was their disappointment! for Vathek, instead of +preaching to them, treated them as buffoons; bade them present his +compliments to Visnow and Ixhora, and discovered a predilection for a +squat old man from the Isle of Serendib, who was more ridiculous than any +of the rest. + +“Come,” said he, “for the love of your gods, bestow a few slaps on your +chops to amuse me.” + +The old fellow offended at such an address began loudly to weep; but as +he betrayed a villainous drivelling in his tears, the Caliph turned his +back and listened to Bababalouk, who whispered, whilst he held the +umbrella over him: + +“Your majesty should be cautious of this odd assembly, which hath been +collected I know not for what. Is it necessary to exhibit such +spectacles to a mighty potentate, with interludes of talapoins more mangy +than dogs? Were I you, I would command a fire to be kindled, and at once +purge the earth of the emir, his harem, and all his menagery.” + +“Tush, dolt,” answered Vathek, “and know that all this infinitely charms +me. Nor shall I leave the meadow till I have visited every hive of these +pious mendicants.” + +Where ever the Caliph directed his course, objects of pity were sure to +swarm round him: the blind, the purblind, smarts without noses, damsels +without ears, each to extol the munificence of Fakreddin, who, as well as +his attendant grey-beards, dealt about gratis plasters and cataplasms to +all that applied. At noon a superb corps of cripples made its +appearance; and soon after advanced by platoons on the plain the +completest association of invalids that had ever been embodied till then. +The blind went groping with the blind; the lame limped on together; and +the maimed made gestures to each other with the only arm that remained. +The sides of a considerable waterfall were crowded by the deaf, amongst +whom were some from Pegu, with ears uncommonly handsome and large, but +were still less able to hear than the rest. Nor were there wanting +others in abundance with hump backs, wenny necks, and even horns of an +exquisite polish. + +The emir, to aggrandize the solemnity of the festival in honour of his +illustrious visitant, ordered the turf to be spread on all sides with +skins and table cloths, upon which were served up for the good mussulmans +pilaus of every hue, with other orthodox dishes, and by the express order +of Vathek, who was shamefully tolerant, small plates of abominations for +regaling the rest. This prince on seeing so many mouths put in motion +began to think it time for employing his own. In spite, therefore, of +every remonstrance from the chief of his eunuchs, he resolved to have a +dinner dressed on the spot. The complaisant emir immediately gave orders +for a table to be placed in the shade of the willows. The first service +consisted of fish, which they drew from a river flowing over sands of +gold, at the foot of a lofty hill: these were broiled as fast as taken, +and served up with a sauce of vinegar and small herbs that grew on Mount +Sinai; for everything with the emir was excellent and pious. + +The dessert was not quite set on when the sound of lutes from the hill +was repeated by the echoes of the neighbouring mountains. The Caliph +with an emotion of pleasure and surprise, had no sooner raised up his +head than a handful of jasamine dropped on his face. An abundance of +tittering succeeded this frolic, and instantly appeared through the +bushes the elegant forms of several young females, skipping and bounding +like roes. The fragrance diffused from their hair struck the sense of +Vathek, who in an ecstasy, suspending his repast, said to Bababalouk: + +“Are the Peries {82} come down from their spheres? Note her in +particular whose form is so perfect, venturously running on the brink of +the precipice, and turning back her head as regardless of nothing but the +graceful flow of her robe. With what captivating impatience doth she +contend with the bushes for her veil? Could it be she who threw the +jasamine at me?” + +“Aye, she it was; and you too would she throw from the top of the rock,” +answered Bababalouk, “for that is my good friend Nouronihar, who so +kindly lent me her swing. My dear lord and master,” added he, twisting a +twig that hung by the rind from a willow, “let me correct her for her +want of respect: the emir will have no reason to complain, since (bating +what I owe to his piety) he is much to be censured for keeping a troop of +girls on the mountains, whose sharp air gives their blood too brisk a +circulation.” + +“Peace, blasphemer!” said the Caliph: “speak not thus of her who over her +mountains leads my heart a willing captive. Contrive, rather, that my +eyes may be fixed upon hers—that I may respire her sweet breath, as she +bounds panting along these delightful wilds!” + +On saying these words, Vathek extended his arms towards the hill, and +directing his eyes with an anxiety unknown to him before, endeavoured to +keep within view the object that enthralled his soul; but her course was +as difficult to follow as the flight of one of those beautiful blue +butterflies of Cachmere, which are at once so volatile and rare. + +The Caliph, not satisfied with seeing, wished also to hear Nouronihar, +and eagerly turned to catch the sound of her voice. At last he +distinguished her whispering to one of her companions behind the thicket +from whence she had thrown the jasamine: + +“A Caliph, it must be owned, is a fine thing to see, but my little +Gulchenrouz is much more amiable; one lock of his hair is of more value +to me than the richest embroidery of the Indies. I had rather that his +teeth should mischievously press my finger, than the richest ring of the +imperial treasure. Where have you left him, Sutlememe? and why is he now +not here?” + +The agitated Caliph still wished to hear more, but she immediately +retired with all her attendants. The fond monarch pursued her with his +eyes till she was gone out of sight, and then continued like a bewildered +and benighted traveller, from whom the clouds had obscured the +constellation that guided his way. The curtain of night seemed dropped +before him—everything appeared discoloured. The falling waters filled +his soul with dejection, and his tears trickled down the jasamines he had +caught from Nouronihar, and placed in his inflamed bosom. He snatched up +a shining pebble to remind him of the scene where he felt the first +tumults of love. Two hours were elapsed, and evening drew on before he +could resolve to depart from the place. He often, but in vain, attempted +to go: a soft languor enervated the powers of his mind. Extending +himself on the brink of the stream, he turned his eyes towards the blue +summits of the mountain, and exclaimed: + +“What concealest thou behind thee? what is passing in thy solitudes? +Whither is she gone? O heaven! perhaps she is now wandering in the +grottoes with her happy Gulchenrouz!” + +In the mean time the damps began to descend, and the emir, solicitous for +the health of the Caliph, ordered the imperial litter to be brought. +Vathek, absorbed in his reveries, was imperceptibly removed and conveyed +back to the saloon that received him the evening before. + +But let us leave the Caliph immersed in his new passion, and attend +Nouronihar beyond the rocks, where she had again joined her beloved +Gulchenrouz. This Gulchenrouz was the son of Ali Hassan, brother to the +emir, and the most delicate and lovely creature in the world. Ali +Hassan, who had been absent ten years on a voyage to the unknown seas, +committed at his departure this child, the only survivor of many, to the +care and protection of his brother. Gulchenrouz could write in various +characters with precision, and paint upon vellum the most elegant +arabesques that fancy could devise. His sweet voice accompanied the lute +in the most enchanting manner; and when he sung the loves of Megnoun and +Leileh, or some unfortunate lovers of ancient days, tears insensibly +overflowed the cheeks of his auditors. The verses he composed (for like +Megnoun, he too was a poet) inspired that unresisting languor so +frequently fatal to the female heart. The women all doated upon him, for +though he had passed his thirteenth year, they still detained him in the +harem. His dancing was light as the gossamer waved by the zephyrs of +spring; but his arms which twined so gracefully with those of the young +girls in the dance, could neither dart the lance in the chase, nor curb +the steeds that pastured his uncle’s domains. The bow, however, he drew +with a certain aim, and would have excelled his competitors in the race, +could he have broken the ties that bound him to Nouronihar. + +The two brothers had mutually engaged their children to each other; and +Nouronihar loved her cousin more than her eyes. Both had the same tastes +and amusements; the same long languishing looks; the same tresses; the +same fair complexions; and when Gulchenrouz appeared in the dress of his +cousin, he seemed to be more feminine than even herself. If at any time +he left the harem to visit Fakreddin, it was with all the bashfulness of +a fawn that consciously ventures from the lair of its dam; he was however +wanton enough to mock the solemn old grey-beards to whom he was subject, +though sure to be rated without mercy in return. Whenever this happened, +he would plunge into the recesses of the harem, and sobbing take refuge +in the arms of Nouronihar, who loved even his faults beyond the virtues +of others. + +It fell out this evening that after leaving the Caliph in the meadow, she +ran with Gulchenrouz over the green sward of the mountain that sheltered +the vale, where Fakreddin had chosen to reside. The sun was dilated on +the edge of the horizon; and the young people, whose fancies were lively +and inventive, imagined they beheld in the gorgeous clouds of the west +the domes of Shadukiam and Ambreabad, where the Peries have fixed their +abode. Nouronihar, sitting on the slope of the hill, supported on her +knees the perfumed head of Gulchenrouz. The air was calm, and no sound +stirred but the voices of other young girls who were drawing cool water +from the streams below. The unexpected arrival of the Caliph, and the +splendour that marked his appearance, had already filled with emotion the +ardent soul of Nouronihar. Her vanity irresistibly prompted her to pique +the prince’s attention, and this she before took good care to effect +whilst he picked up the jasamine she had thrown upon him. But when +Gulchenrouz asked after the flowers he had culled for her bosom, +Nouronihar was all in confusion. She hastily kissed his forehead, arose +in a flutter, and walked with unequal steps on the border of the +precipice. Night advanced, and the pure gold of the setting sun had +yielded to a sanguine red, the glow of which, like the reflection of a +burning furnace, flushed Nouronihar’s animated countenance. Gulchenrouz +alarmed at the agitation of his cousin, said to her with a supplicating +accent: + +“Let us be gone; the sky looks portentious: the tamarisks tremble more +than common; and the raw wind chills my very heart. Come, let us be +gone, ’tis a melancholy night.” + +Then taking hold of her hand he drew it towards the path he besought her +to go. Nouronihar unconsciously followed the attraction, for a thousand +strange imaginations occupied her spirit. She passed the large round of +honeysuckles, her favourite resort, without ever vouchsafing it a glance, +yet Gulchenrouz could not help snatching off a few shoots in his way, +though he ran as if a wild beast were behind. + +The young females seeing him approach in such haste, and according to +custom expecting a dance, instantly assembled in a circle and took each +other by the hand, but Gulchenrouz coming up out of breath, fell down at +once on the grass. This accident struck with consternation the whole of +this frolicsome party, whilst Nouronihar, half distracted, and overcome +both by the violence of her exercise and the tumult of her thoughts, sunk +feebly down at his side, cherished his cold hands in her bosom, and +chafed his temples with a fragrant unguent. At length he came to +himself, and wrapping up his head in the robe of his cousin, entreated +that she would not return to the harem. He was afraid of being snapped +at by Shaban his tutor, a wrinkled old eunuch of a surly disposition, for +having interrupted the stated walk of Nouronihar, he dreaded lest the +churl should take it amiss. The whole of this sprightly group, sitting +round upon a mossy knole, began to entertain themselves with various +pastimes, whilst their superintendents the eunuchs were gravely +conversing at a distance. The nurse of the emir’s daughter observing her +pupil sit ruminating with her eyes on the ground, endeavoured to amuse +her with diverting tales, to which Gulchenrouz, who had already forgotten +his inquietudes, listened with a breathless attention. He laughed; he +clapped his hands; and passed a hundred little tricks on the whole of the +company, without omitting the eunuchs, whom he provoked to run after him, +in spite of their age and decrepitude. + +During these occurrences the moon arose, the wind subsided, and the +evening became so serene and inviting that a resolution was taken to sup +on the spot. Sutlememe, who excelled in dressing a salad, having filled +large bowls of porcelain with eggs of small birds, curds turned with +citron juice, slices of cucumber, and the inmost leaves of delicate +herbs, handed it round from one to another, and gave each their shares in +a large spoon of cocknos. Gulchenrouz nestling as usual in the bosom of +Nouronihar, pouted out his vermillion little lips against the offer of +Sutlememe, and would take it only from the hand of his cousin, on whose +mouth he hung like a bee inebriated with the quintessence of flowers. +One of the eunuchs ran to fetch melons, whilst others were employed in +showering down almonds from the branches that overhung this amiable +party. + +In the midst of this festive scene there appeared a light on the top of +the highest mountain, which attracted the notice of every eye. This +light was not less bright than the moon when at full, and might have been +taken for her had it not been that the moon was already risen. The +phenomenon occasioned a general surprise, and no one could conjecture the +cause. It could not be a fire, for the light was clear and bluish; nor +had meteors ever been seen of that magnitude or splendour. This strange +light faded for a moment, and immediately renewed its brightness. It +first appeared motionless at the foot of the rock, whence it darted in an +instant to sparkle in a thicket of palm trees, from thence it glided +along the torrent, and at last fixed in a glen that was narrow and dark. +The moment it had taken its direction, Gulchenrouz, whose heart always +trembled at any thing sudden or rare, drew Nouronihar by the robe, and +anxiously requested her to return to the harem. The women were +importunate in seconding the entreaty, but the curiosity of the emir’s +daughter prevailed. She not only refused to go back, but resolved at all +hazards to pursue the appearance. Whilst they were debating what was +best to be done, the light shot forth so dazzling a blaze that they all +fled away shrieking. Nouronihar followed them a few steps, but coming to +the turn of a little bye path stopped, and went back alone. As she ran +with an alertness peculiar to herself, it was not long before she came to +the place where they had just been supping. The globe of fire now +appeared stationary in the glen, and burned in majestic stillness. +Nouronihar compressing her hands upon her bosom, hesitated for some +moments to advance. The solitude of her situation was new; the silence +of the night awful; and every object inspired sensations which till then +she never had felt. The affright of Gulchenrouz recurred to her mind; +and she a thousand times turned to go back, but this luminous appearance +was always before her. Urged on by an irresistible impulse, she +continued to approach it in defiance of every obstacle that opposed her +progress. + +At length she arrived at the opening of the glen, but instead of coming +up to the light, she found herself surrounded by darkness, except that at +a considerable distance a faint spark glimmered by fits. She stopped a +second time: the sound of waterfalls mingling their murmurs, the hollow +rustlings amongst the palm branches, and the funereal screams of the +birds from their rifted trunks, all conspired to fill her with terror. +She imagined every moment that she trod on some venomous reptile. All +the stories of malignant Dives, and dismal Goules thronged into her +memory, but her curiosity was notwithstanding more predominant than her +fears. She therefore firmly entered a winding track that led towards the +spark, but being a stranger to the path, she had not gone far till she +began to repent of her rashness. + +“Alas!” said she, “that I were but in those secure and illuminated +apartments where my evenings glided on with Gulchenrouz! Dear child, how +would thy heart flutter with terror wert thou wandering in these wild +solitudes like me.” + +At the close of this apostrophe she regained her road, and coming to +steps hewn out in the rock ascended them undismayed. The light, which +was now gradually enlarging, appeared above her on the summit of the +mountain. At length she distinguished a plaintive and melodious union of +voices proceeding from a sort of cavern, that resembled the dirges which +are sung over tombs. A sound likewise like that which arises from the +filling of baths, at the same time struck her ear. She continued +ascending, and discovered large wax torches in full blaze planted here +and there in the fissures of the rock. This preparation filled her with +fear, whilst the subtle and potent odour which the torches exhaled caused +her to sink almost lifeless at the entrance of the grot. + +Casting her eyes within in this kind of trance, she beheld a large +cistern of gold filled with a water, whose vapour distilled on her face a +dew of the essence of roses. A soft symphony resounded through the grot. +On the sides of the cistern she noticed appendages of royalty; diadems +and feathers of the heron, all sparkling with carbuncles. Whilst her +attention was fixed on this display of magnificence, the music ceased, +and a voice instantly demanded: + +“For what monarch were these torches kindled, this bath prepared, and +these habiliments? which belong not only to the sovereigns of the earth, +but even to the talismanic powers!” + +To which a second voice answered: + +“They are for the charming daughter of the emir Fakreddin.” + +“What,” replied the first, “for that trifler who consumes her time with a +giddy child, immersed in softness, and who at best can make but an +enervated husband?” + +“And can she,” rejoined the other voice, “be amused with such empty +trifles, whilst the Caliph, the sovereign of the world, he who is +destined to enjoy the treasures of the preadimite sultans, a prince six +feet high, and whose eyes pervade the inmost soul of a female, is +inflamed with the love of her? no, she will be wise enough to answer that +passion alone that can aggrandize her glory. No doubt she will, and +despise the puppet of her fancy; then all the riches this place contains, +as well as the carbuncle of Giamschid shall be hers.” + +“You judge right,” returned the first voice, “and I haste to Istakar to +prepare the palace of subterranean fire for the reception of the bridal +pair.” + +The voices ceased, the torches were extinguished, the most entire +darkness succeeded, and Nouronihar recovering with a start, found herself +reclined on a sofa in the harem of her father. She clapped her hands, +and immediately came together Gulchenrouz and her women, who, in despair +at having lost her, had despatched eunuchs to seek her in every +direction. Shaban appeared with the rest, and began to reprimand her +with an air of consequence: + +“Little impertinent,” said he, “whence got you false keys? or are you +beloved of some genius that hath given you a picklock? I will try the +extent of your power; come, to your chamber! through the two sky-lights, +and expect not the company of Gulchenrouz. Be expeditious! I will shut +you up in the double tower.” + +At these menaces Nouronihar indignantly raised her head, opened on Shaban +her black eyes, which since the important dialogue of the enchanted grot +were considerably enlarged, and said: + +“Go, speak thus to slaves! but learn to reverence her who is born to give +laws, and subject all to her power.” + +She was proceeding in the same style, but was interrupted by a sudden +exclamation of, + +“The Caliph! the Caliph!” + +The curtains at once were thrown open, and the slaves prostrate in double +rows, whilst poor little Gulchenrouz hid himself beneath the elevation of +a sofa. At first appeared a file of black eunuchs trailing after them +long trains of muslin embroidered with gold, and holding in their hands +censers, which dispensed as they passed the grateful perfume of the wood +of aloes. Next marched Bababalouk with a solemn strut, and tossing his +head as not over pleased at the visit. Vathek came close after superbly +robed; his gait was unembarrassed and noble, and his presence would have +engaged admiration, though he had not been the sovereign of the world. +He approached Nouronihar with a throbbing heart, and seemed enraptured at +the full effulgence of her radiant eyes, of which he had before caught +but a few glimpses; but she instantly depressed them, and her confusion +augmented her beauty. + +Bababalouk, who was a thorough adept in coincidences of this nature, and +knew that the worst game should be played with the best face, immediately +made a signal for all to retire, and no sooner did he perceive beneath +the sofa the little one’s feet, than he drew him forth without ceremony, +set him upon his shoulders, and lavished on him as he went off a thousand +odious caresses. Gulchenrouz cried out, and resisted till his cheeks +became the colour of the blossom of the pomegranite, and the tears that +started into his eyes shot forth a gleam of indignation. He cast a +significant glance at Nouronihar, which the Caliph noticing, asked: + +“Is that then your Gulchenrouz?” + +“Sovereign of the world,” answered she, “spare my cousin, whose innocence +and gentleness deserve not your anger!” + +“Take comfort,” said Vathek with a smile, “he is in good hands. +Bababalouk is fond of children, and never goes without sweetmeats and +comfits.” + +The daughter of Fakreddin was abashed; and suffered Gulchenrouz to be +borne away without adding a word. The tumult of her bosom betrayed her +confusion; and Vathek becoming still more impassioned, gave a loose to +his frenzy, which had only not subdued the last faint strugglings of +reluctance, when the emir suddenly bursting in, threw his face upon the +ground at the feet of the Caliph, and said: + +“Commander of the faithful, abase not yourself to the meanness of your +slave.” + +“No, emir,” replied Vathek, “I raise her to an equality with myself; I +declare her my wife; and the glory of your race shall extend from one +generation to another.” + +“Alas! my lord,” said Fakreddin, as he plucked off the honours of his +beard, “cut short the days of your faithful servant rather than force him +to depart from his word. Nouronihar, as her hands evince, is solemnly +promised to Gulchenrouz, the son of my bother, Ali Hassan; they are +united also in heart; their faith is mutually plighted; and affiances so +sacred cannot be broken.” + +“What, then,” replied the Caliph bluntly, “would you surrender this +divine beauty to a husband more womanish than herself? And can you +imagine that I will suffer her charms to decay in hands so inefficient +and nerveless? No! she is destined to live out her life within my +embraces: such is my will: retire, and disturb not the night I devote to +the homage of her charms.” + +The irritated emir drew forth his sabre, presented it to Vathek, and +stretching out his neck, said in a firm tone of voice: + +“Strike your unhappy host my lord! he has lived long enough, since he +hath seen the prophet’s vicegerent violate the rights of hospitality.” + +At his uttering these words, Nouronihar unable to support any longer the +conflict of her passions, sunk down in a swoon. Vathek, both terrified +for her life, and furious at an opposition to his will, bade Fakreddin +assist his daughter, and withdrew, darting his terrible look at the +unfortunate emir, who suddenly fell backward bathed in a sweat, cold as +the damp of death. + +Gulchenrouz, who had escaped from the hands of Bababalouk, and was that +instant returned, called out for help as loudly as he could, not having +strength to afford it himself. Pale and panting, the poor child +attempted to revive Nouronihar by caresses, and it happened that the +thrilling warmth of his lips restored her to life. Fakreddin beginning +also to recover from the look of the Caliph, with difficulty tottered to +a seat, and after warily casting round his eye to see if this dangerous +prince were gone, sent for Shaban and Sutlememe, and said to them apart— + +“My friends, violent evils require as violent remedies; the Caliph has +brought desolation and horror into my family, and how shall we resist his +power? Another of his looks will send me to my grave. Fetch then that +narcotic powder which the Dervise brought me from Aracan. A dose of it, +the effect of which will continue three days, must be administered to +each of these children. The Caliph will believe them to be dead, for +they will have all the appearance of death. We shall go as if to inter +them in the cave of Meimoune, at the entrance of the great desert of +sand, and near the cabin of my dwarfs. When all the spectators shall be +withdrawn, you, Shaban, and four select eunuchs shall convey them to the +lake, where provision shall be ready to support them a month; for, one +day allotted to the surprise this event will occasion, five to the tears, +a fortnight to reflection, and the rest to prepare for renewing his +progress, will, according to my calculation, fill up the whole time that +Vathek will tarry, and I shall then be freed from his intrusion.” + +“Your plan,” said Sutlememe, “is a good one, if it can but be effected. +I have remarked that Nouronihar is well able to support the glances of +the Caliph, and that he is far from being sparing of them to her; be +assured therefore, notwithstanding her fondness for Gulchenrouz, she will +never remain quiet while she knows him to be here, unless we can persuade +her that both herself and Gulchenrouz are really dead, and that they were +conveyed to those rocks for a limited season to expiate the little faults +of which their love was the cause. We will add that we killed ourselves +in despair, and that your dwarfs whom they never yet saw will preach to +them delectable sermons. I will engage that every thing shall succeed to +the bent of your wishes.” + +“Be it so,” said Fakreddin; “I approve your proposal; let us lose not a +moment to give it effect.” They forthwith hastened to seek for the +powder, which being mixed in a sherbet was immediately drunk by +Gulchenrouz and Nouronihar. Within the space of an hour both were seized +with violent palpitations, and a general numbness gradually ensued. They +arose from the floor, where they had remained ever since the Caliph’s +departure, and ascending to the sofa, reclined themselves at full length +upon it, clasped in each other’s embraces. + +“Cherish me, my dear Nouronihar,” said Gulchenrouz; “put thy hand upon my +heart, for it feels as if it were frozen. Alas! thou art as cold as +myself! hath the Caliph murdered us both with his terrible look?” + +“I am dying,” cried she in a faltering voice; “press me closer, I am +ready to expire!” + +“Let us die then together,” answered the little Gulchenrouz, whilst his +breast laboured with a convulsive sigh; “let me at least breathe forth my +soul on thy lips.” + +They spoke no more, and became as dead. + +Immediately the most piercing cries were heard through the harem, whilst +Shaban and Sutlememe personated with great adroitness the parts of +persons in despair. The emir, who was sufficiently mortified to be +forced into such untoward expedients, and had now for the first time made +a trial of his powder, was under no necessity of counterfeiting grief. +The slaves, who had flocked together from all quarters, stood motionless +at the spectacle before them. All lights were extinguished save two +lamps, which shed a wan glimmering over the faces of these lovely +flowers, that seemed to be faded in the spring-time of life. Funeral +vestments were prepared; their bodies were washed with rose water; their +beautiful tresses were braided and incensed; and they were wrapped in +symars whiter than alabaster. At the moment that their attendants were +placing two wreaths of their favourite jasamines on their brows, the +Caliph, who had just heard the tragical catastrophe, arrived. He looked +not less pale and haggard than the goules that wander at night among +graves. Forgetful of himself and every one else, he broke through the +midst of the slaves, fell prostrate at the foot of the sofa, beat his +bosom, called himself “atrocious murderer,” and invoked upon his head a +thousand imprecations. With a trembling hand he raised the veil that +covered the countenance of Nouronihar, and uttering a loud shriek fell +lifeless on the floor. The chief of the eunuchs dragged him off with +horrible grimaces, and repeated as he went: + +“Aye, I foresaw she would play you some ungracious turn.” + +No sooner was the Caliph gone than the emir commanded biers to be +brought, and forbade that any one should enter the harem. Every window +was fastened; all instruments of music were broken; and the Imams began +to recite their prayers. Towards the close of this melancholy day Vathek +sobbed in silence, for they had been forced to compose with anodynes his +convulsions of rage and desperation. + +At the dawn of the succeeding morning the wide folding doors of the +palace were set open, and the funeral procession moved forward for the +mountain. The wailful cries of “La Ilah illa Alla,” reached to the +Caliph, who was eager to cicatrize himself and attend the ceremonial; nor +could he have been dissuaded, had not his excessive weakness disabled him +from walking. At the few first steps he fell on the ground, and his +people were obliged to lay him on a bed, where he remained many days in +such a state of insensibility as excited compassion in the emir himself. + +When the procession was arrived at the grot of Meimoune, Shaban and +Sutlememe dismissed the whole of the train excepting the four +confidential eunuchs who were appointed to remain. After resting some +moments near the biers which had been left in the open air, they caused +them to be carried to the brink of a small lake whose banks were +overgrown with a hoary moss. This was the great resort of herons and +storks, which preyed continually on little blue fishes. The dwarfs, +instructed by the emir, soon repaired thither, and with the help of the +eunuchs began to construct cabins of rushes and reeds, a work in which +they had admirable skill. A magazine also was contrived for provisions, +with a small oratory for themselves, and a pyramid of wood neatly piled, +to furnish the necessary fuel, for the air was bleak in the hollows of +the mountains. + +At evening two fires were kindled on the brink of the lake, and the two +lovely bodies taken from their biers were carefully deposited upon a bed +of dried leaves within the same cabin. The dwarfs began to recite the +koran with their clear shrill voices, and Shaban and Sutlememe stood at +some distance anxiously waiting the effects of the powder. At length +Nouronihar and Gulchenrouz faintly stretched out their arms, and +gradually opening their eyes began to survey with looks of increasing +amazement every object around them. They even attempted to rise, but for +want of strength fell back again. Sutlememe on this administered a +cordial which the emir had taken care to provide. + +Gulchenrouz thoroughly aroused sneezed out aloud, and raising himself +with an effort that expressed his surprise, left the cabin, and inhaled +the fresh air with the greatest avidity. + +“Yes,” said he, “I breathe again! again do I exist! I hear sounds! I +behold a firmament spangled over with stars!” + +Nouronihar catching these beloved accents extricated herself from the +leaves, and ran to clasp Gulchenrouz to her bosom. The first objects she +remarked were their long symars, their garlands of flowers, and their +naked feet: she hid her face in her hands to reflect. The vision of the +enchanted bath, the despair of her father, and more vividly than both, +the majestic figure of Vathek recurred to her memory. She recollected +also, that herself and Gulchenrouz had been sick and dying; but all these +images bewildered her mind. Not knowing where she was, she turned her +eyes on all sides, as if to recognise the surrounding scene. This +singular lake, those flames reflected from its glassy surface, the pale +hues of its banks, the romantic cabins, the bull-rushes that sadly waved +their drooping heads, the storks whose melancholy cries blended with the +shrill voices of the dwarfs, every thing conspired to persuade them that +the angel of death had opened the portal of some other world. + +Gulchenrouz on his part, lost in wonder, clung to the neck of his cousin. +He believed himself in the region of phantoms, and was terrified at the +silence she preserved. At length addressing her: + +“Speak,” said he; “where are we! do you not see those spectres that are +stirring the burning coals? Are they the Monker and Nakir, come to throw +us into them? Does the fatal bridge cross this lake, whose solemn +stillness perhaps conceals from us an abyss, in which for whole ages we +shall be doomed incessantly to sink?” + +“No my children,” said Sutlememe going towards them; “take comfort, the +exterminating angel who conducted our souls hither after yours, hath +assured us that the chastisement of your indolent and voluptuous life +shall be restricted to a certain series of years, which you must pass in +this dreary abode, where the sun is scarcely visible, and where the soil +yields neither fruits nor flowers. These,” continued she, pointing to +the dwarfs, “will provide for our wants; for souls so mundane as ours +retain too strong a tincture of their earthly extraction. Instead of +meats, your food will be nothing but rice, and your bread shall be +moistened in the fogs that brood over the surface of the lake.” + +At this desolating prospect the poor children burst into tears, and +prostrated themselves before the dwarfs, who perfectly supported their +characters, and delivered an excellent discourse of a customary length +upon the sacred camel, which after a thousand years was to convey them to +the paradise of the faithful. + +The sermon being ended and ablutions performed, they praised Alla and the +prophet, supped very indifferently, and retired to their withered leaves. +Nouronihar and her little cousin consoled themselves on finding that, +though dead, they yet lay in one cabin. Having slept well before, the +remainder of the night was spent in conversation on what had befallen +them; and both, from a dread of apparitions, betook themselves for +protection to one another’s arms. + +In the morning, which was lowering and rainy, the dwarfs mounted high +poles like minarets, and called them to prayers. The whole congregation, +which consisted of Sutlememe, Shaban, the four eunuchs, and some storks, +were already assembled. The two children came forth from their cabin +with a slow and dejected pace. As their minds were in a tender and +melancholy mood, their devotions were performed with fervour. No sooner +were they finished than Gulchenrouz demanded of Sutlememe and the rest, +“how they happened to die so opportunely for his cousin and himself.” + +“We killed ourselves,” returned Sutlememe, “in despair at your death.” + +On this, said Nouronihar, who notwithstanding what was past, had not yet +forgotten her vision: + +“And the Caliph, is he also dead of his grief? and will he likewise come +hither?” + +The dwarfs, who were prepared with an answer, most demurely replied: + +“Vathek is damned beyond all redemption!” + +“I readily believe so,” said Gulchenrouz; “and am glad from my heart to +hear it, for I am convinced it was his horrible look that sent us hither, +to listen to sermons and mess upon rice.” + +One week passed away on the side of the lake unmarked by any variety; +Nouronihar ruminating on the grandeur of which death had deprived her, +and Gulchenrouz applying to prayers and to panniers along with the +dwarfs, who infinitely pleased him. Whilst this scene of innocence was +exhibiting in the mountains, the Caliph presented himself to the emir in +a new light. The instant he recovered the use of his senses, with a +voice that made Bababalouk quake, he thundered out: + +“Perfidious Giaour! I renounce thee for ever! it is thou who hast slain +my beloved Nouronihar! and I supplicate the pardon of Mahomet, who would +have preserved her to me had I been more wise. Let water be brought to +perform my ablutions, and let the pious Fakreddin be called to offer up +his prayers with mine, and reconcile me to him. Afterwards we will go +together and visit the sepulchre of the unfortunate Nouronihar. I am +resolved to become a hermit, and consume the residue of my days on this +mountain, in hope of expiating my crimes.” + +Nouronihar was not altogether so content, for though she felt a fondness +for Gulchenrouz, who to augment the attachment, had been left at full +liberty with her, yet she still regarded him as but a bauble that bore no +competition with the carbuncle of Giamschid. At times she indulged +doubts on the mode of her being, and scarcely could believe that the dead +had all the wants and the whims of the living. To gain satisfaction, +however, on so perplexing a topic, she arose one morning whilst all were +asleep with a breathless caution from the side of Gulchenrouz, and after +having given him a soft kiss, began to follow the windings of the lake +till it terminated with a rock whose top was accessible though lofty. +This she clambered up with considerable toil, and having reached the +summit, set forward in a run like a doe that unwittingly follows her +hunter. Though she skipped along with the alertness of an antelope, yet +at intervals she was forced to desist, and rest beneath the tamarisks to +recover her breath. Whilst she, thus reclined, was occupied with her +little reflections on the apprehension that she had some knowledge of the +place, Vathek, who finding himself that morning but ill at ease, had gone +forth before the dawn, presented himself on a sudden to her view. +Motionless with surprise, he durst not approach the figure before him, +which lay shrouded up in a symar extended on the ground, trembling and +pale, but yet lovely to behold. At length Nouronihar, with a mixture of +pleasure and affliction, raising her fine eyes to him, said: + +“My lord, are you come hither to eat rice and hear sermons with me?” + +“Beloved phantom!” cried Vathek, “dost thou speak? hast thou the same +graceful form? the same radiant features? art thou palpable likewise?” +and eagerly embracing her he added, “here are limbs and a bosom animated +with a gentle warmth! what can such a prodigy mean?” + +Nouronihar with diffidence answered: + +“You know my lord that I died on the night you honoured me with your +visit; my cousin maintains it was from one of your glances, but I cannot +believe him, for to me they seem not so dreadful. Gulchenrouz died with +me, and we were both brought into a region of desolation, where we are +fed with a wretched diet. If you be dead also, and are come hither to +join us, I pity your lot, for you will be stunned with the clang of the +dwarfs and the storks. Besides, it is mortifying in the extreme that you +as well as myself should have lost the treasures of the subterranean +palace.” + +At the mention of the subterranean palace, the Caliph suspended his +caresses, which indeed had proceeded pretty far, to seek from Nouronihar +an explanation of her meaning. She then recapitulated her vision—what +immediately followed—and the history of her pretended death; adding also +a description of the palace of expiation from whence she had fled; and +all in a manner that would have extorted his laughter, had not the +thoughts of Vathek been too deeply engaged. No sooner, however, had she +ended, than he again clasped her to his bosom, and said: + +“Light of my eyes! the mystery is unravelled; we both are alive! Your +father is a cheat, who for the sake of dividing hath deluded us both; and +the Giaour, whose design, as far as I can discover, is that we shall +proceed together, seems scarce a whit better. It shall be some time at +least before he find us in his palace of fire. Your lovely little person +in my estimation is far more precious than all the treasures of the +preadimite sultans, and I wish to possess it at pleasure, and in open day +for many a moon, before I go to burrow under ground like a mole.” + +“Forget this little trifler Gulchenrouz, and”— + +“Ah, my lord,” interposed Nouronihar, “let me entreat that you do him no +evil.” + +“No, no,” replied Vathek, “I have already bid you forbear to alarm +yourself for him. He has been brought up too much on milk and sugar to +stimulate my jealousy. We will leave him with the dwarfs, who by the bye +are my old acquaintances; their company will suit him far better than +yours. As to other matters, I will return no more to your father’s. I +want not to have my ears dinned by him and his dotards with the violation +of the rights of hospitality; as if it were less an honour for you to +espouse the sovereign of the world, than a girl dressed up like a boy.” + +Nouronihar could find nothing to oppose in a discourse so eloquent. She +only wished the amorous monarch had discovered more ardour for the +carbuncle of Giamschid; but flattered herself it would gradually +increase, and therefore yielded to his will with the most bewitching +submission. + +When the Caliph judged it proper he called for Bababalouk, who was asleep +in the cave of Meimoune, and dreaming that the phantom of Nouronihar +having mounted him once more on her swing, had just given him such a jerk +that he one moment soared above the mountains, and the next sunk into the +abyss. Starting from his sleep at the voice of his master, he ran +gasping for breath, and had nearly fallen backward at the sight, as he +believed, of the spectre, by whom he had so lately been haunted in his +dream. + +“Ah my lord,” cried he, recoiling ten steps, and covering his eyes with +both hands, “do you then perform the office of a goule? ’Tis true you +have dug up the dead, yet hope not to make her your prey; for after all +she hath caused me to suffer, she is even wicked enough to prey upon +you.” + +“Cease thy folly,” said Vathek, “and thou shalt soon be convinced that it +is Nouronihar herself, alive and well, whom I clasp to my breast. Go +only, and pitch my tents in the neighbouring valley. There will I fix my +abode with this beautiful tulip, whose colours I soon shall restore. +There exert thy best endeavours to procure whatever can augment the +enjoyments of life, till I shall disclose to thee more of my will.” + +The news of so unlucky an event soon reached the ears of the emir, who +abandoned himself to grief and despair, and began, as did all his old +greybeards, to begrime his visage with ashes. A total supineness ensued; +travellers were no longer entertained, no more plasters were spread, and +instead of the charitable activity that had distinguished this asylum, +the whole of its inhabitants exhibited only faces of a half cubit long, +and uttered groans that accorded with their forlorn situation. + +Though Fakreddin bewailed his daughter as lost to him for ever, yet +Gulchenrouz was not forgotten. He despatched immediate instruction to +Sutlememe, Shaban, and the dwarfs, enjoining them not to undeceive the +child in respect to his state, but under some pretence to convey him far +from the lofty rock at the extremity of the lake, to a place which he +should appoint, as safer from danger; for he suspected that Vathek +intended him evil. + +Gulchenrouz in the mean while was filled with amazement at not finding +his cousin; nor were the dwarfs at all less surprised; but Sutlememe, who +had more penetration, immediately guessed what had happened. Gulchenrouz +was amused with the delusive hope of once more embracing Nouronihar in +the interior recesses of the mountains, where the ground, strewed over +with orange blossoms and jasamines, offered beds much more inviting than +the withered leaves in their cabin, where they might accompany with their +voices the sounds of their lutes, and chase butterflies in concert. +Sutlememe was far gone in this sort of description when one of the four +eunuchs beckoned her aside to apprise her of the arrival of a messenger +from their fraternity, who had explained the secret of the flight of +Nouronihar, and brought the commands of the emir. A council with Shaban +and the dwarfs was immediately held. Their baggage being stowed in +consequence of it, they embarked in a shallop and quietly sailed with the +little one, who acquiesced in all their proposals. Their voyage +proceeded in the same manner, till they came to the place where the lake +sinks beneath the hollow of the rock, but as soon as the bark had entered +it, and Gulchenrouz found himself surrounded with darkness, he was seized +with a dreadful consternation, and incessantly uttered the most piercing +outcries; for he now was persuaded he should actually be damned for +having taken too many little freedoms in his life-time with his cousin. + +But let us return to the Caliph, and her who ruled over his heart. +Bababalouk had pitched the tents, and closed up the extremities of the +valley with magnificent screens of India cloth, which were guarded by +Ethiopian slaves with their drawn sabres. To preserve the verdure of +this beautiful enclosure in its natural freshness, the white eunuchs went +continually round it with their red water vessels. The waving of fans +was heard near the imperial pavilion, where by the voluptuous light that +glowed through the muslins, the Caliph enjoyed at full view all the +attractions of Nouronihar. Inebriated with delight, he was all ear to +her charming voice which accompanied the lute; while she was not less +captivated with his descriptions of Samarah and the tower full of +wonders, but especially with his relation of the adventure of the ball, +and the chasm of the Giaour with its ebony portal. + +In this manner they conversed for a day and a night; they bathed together +in a basin of black marble, which admirably relieved the fairness of +Nouronihar. Bababalouk, whose good graces this beauty had regained, +spared no attention that their repasts might be served up with the +minutest exactness: some exquisite rariety was ever placed before them; +and he sent even to Schiraz for that fragrant and delicious wine which +had been hoarded up in bottles prior to the birth of Mahomet. He had +excavated little ovens in the rock to bake the nice manchets which were +prepared by the hands of Nouronihar, from whence they had derived a +flavour so grateful to Vathek, that he regarded the ragouts of his other +wives as entirely maukish; whilst they would have died at the emir’s of +chagrin at finding themselves so neglected, if Fakreddin, notwithstanding +his resentment, had not taken pity upon them. + +The sultana Dilara, who till then had been the favourite, took this +dereliction of the Caliph to heart with a vehemence natural to her +character; for during her continuance in favour she had imbibed from +Vathek many of his extravagant fancies, and was fired with impatience to +behold the superb tombs of Istakar, and the palace of forty columns; +besides, having been brought up amongst the magi, she had fondly +cherished the idea of the Caliph’s devoting himself to the worship of +fire; thus his voluptuous and desultory life with her rival was to her a +double source of affliction. The transient piety of Vathek had +occasioned her some serious alarms, but the present was an evil of far +greater magnitude. She resolved therefore without hesitation to write to +Carathis, and acquaint her that all things went ill; that they had eaten, +slept, and revelled at an old emir’s, whose sanctity was very formidable, +and that after all the prospect of possessing the treasures of the +preadimite sultans was no less remote than before. This letter was +entrusted to the care of two woodmen who were at work on one of the great +forests of the mountains, and being acquainted with the shortest cuts, +arrived in ten days at Samarah. + +The princess Carathis was engaged at chess with Morakanabad, when the +arrival of these wood-fellers was announced. She, after some weeks of +Vathek’s absence, had forsaken the upper regions of her tower, because +everything appeared in confusion among the stars, whom she consulted +relative to the fate of her son. In vain did she renew her fumigations, +and extend herself on the roof to obtain mystic visions, nothing more +could she see in her dreams than pieces of brocade, nosegays of flowers, +and other unmeaning gewgaws. These disappointments had thrown her into a +state of dejection which no drug in her power was sufficient to remove. +Her only resource was in Morakanabad, who was a good man, and endowed +with a decent share of confidence, yet whilst in her company he never +thought himself on roses. + +No person knew aught of Vathek, and a thousand ridiculous stories were +propagated at his expense. The eagerness of Carathis may be easily +guessed at receiving the letter, as well as her rage at reading the +dissolute conduct of her son. + +“Is it so,” said she; “either I will perish, or Vathek shall enter the +palace of fire. Let me expire in flames, provided he may reign on the +throne of Soliman!” + +Having said this, and whirled herself round in a magical manner, which +struck Morakanabad with such terror as caused him to recoil, she ordered +her great camel Alboufaki to be brought, and the hideous Nerkes with the +unrelenting Cafour to attend. + +“I require no other retinue,” said she to Morakanabad: “I am going on +affairs of emergency, a truce therefore to parade! Take you care of the +people, fleece them well in my absence, for we shall expend large sums, +and one knows not what may betide.” + +The night was uncommonly dark, and a pestilential blast ravaged the plain +of Catoul that would have deterred any other traveller however urgent the +call; but Carathis enjoyed most whatever filled others with dread. +Nerkes concurred in opinion with her, and Cafour had a particular +predilection for a pestilence. In the morning this accomplished caravan, +with the wood-fellers who directed their route, halted on the edge of an +extensive marsh, from whence so noxious a vapour arose as would have +destroyed any animal but Alboufaki, who naturally inhaled these malignant +fogs. The peasants entreated their convoy not to sleep in this place. + +“To sleep,” cried Carathis, “what an excellent thought! I never sleep +but for visions; and as to my attendants, their occupations are too many +to close the only eye they each have.” + +The poor peasants, who were not over pleased with their party, remained +open-mouthed with surprise. + +Carathis alighted as well as her negresses, and severally stripping off +their outer garments, they all ran in their drawers to cull from those +spots where the sun shone fiercest, the venomous plants that grew on the +marsh. This provision was made for the family of the emir, and whoever +might retard the expedition to Istakar. The woodmen were overcome with +fear when they beheld these three horrible phantoms run, and not much +relishing the company of Alboufaki, stood aghast at the command of +Carathis to set forward, notwithstanding it was noon, and the heat fierce +enough to calcine even rocks. In spite, however, of every remonstrance, +they were forced implicitly to submit. + +Alboufaki, who delighted in solitude, constantly snorted whenever he +perceived himself near a habitation, and Carathis, who was apt to spoil +him with indulgence, as constantly turned him aside; so that the peasants +were precluded from procuring subsistence; for the milch goats and ewes +which Providence had sent towards the district they traversed, to refresh +travellers with their milk, all fled at the sight of the hideous animal +and his strange riders. As to Carathis, she needed no common aliment; +for her invention had previously furnished her with an opiate to stay her +stomach, some of which she imparted to her mutes. + +At the fall of night Alboufaki making a sudden stop, stamped with his +foot, which to Carathis, who understood his paces, was a certain +indication that she was near the confines of some cemetery. The moon +shed a bright light on the spot, which served to discover a long wall +with a large door in it standing a-jar, and so high that Alboufaki might +easily enter. The miserable guides, who perceived their end approaching, +humbly implored Carathis, as she had now so good an opportunity, to inter +them, and immediately gave up the ghost. Nerkes and Cafour, whose wit +was of a style peculiar to themselves, were by no means parsimonious of +it on the folly of these poor people, nor could any thing have been found +more suited to their taste than the site of the burying ground, and the +sepulchres which its precincts contained. There were at least two +thousand of them on the declivity of a hill; some in the form of +pyramids, others like columns, and in short the variety of their shapes +was endless. Carathis was too much immersed in her sublime +contemplations to stop at the view, charming as it appeared in her eyes. +Pondering the advantages that might accrue from her present situation, +she could not forbear to exclaim: + +“So beautiful a cemetery must be haunted by Gouls, and they want not for +intelligence! having heedlessly suffered my guides to expire, I will +apply for directions to them, and as an inducement, will invite them to +regale on these fresh corpses.” + +After this short soliloquy, she beckoned to Nerkes and Cafour, and made +signs with her fingers, as much as to say: + +“Go, knock against the sides of the tombs, and strike up your delightful +warblings, that are so like to those of the guests whose company I wish +to obtain.” + +The negresses, full of joy at the behests of their mistress, and +promising themselves much pleasure from the society of the Gouls, went +with an air of conquest, and began their knockings at the tombs. As +their strokes were repeated, a hollow noise was heard in the earth, the +surface hove up into heaps, and the Gouls on all sides protruded their +noses to inhale the effluvia which the carcasses of the woodmen began to +emit. + +They assembled before a sarcophagus of white marble, where Carathis was +seated between the bodies of her miserable guides. The princess received +her visitants with distinguished politeness, and when supper was ended, +proceeded with them to business. Having soon learnt from them every +thing she wished to discover, it was her intention to set forward +forthwith on her journey, but her negresses, who were forming tender +connections with the Gouls, importuned her with all their fingers to +wait, at least till the dawn. Carathis, however, being chastity in the +abstract, and an implacable enemy to love and repose, at once rejected +their prayer, mounted Alboufaki, and commanded them to take their seats +in a moment. Four days and four nights she continued her route, without +turning to the right hand or left; on the fifth she traversed the +mountains and half-burnt forests, and arrived on the sixth before the +beautiful screens which concealed from all eyes the voluptuous wanderings +of her son. + +It was day-break, and the guards were snoring on their posts in careless +security, when the rough trot of Alboufaki awoke them in consternation. +Imagining that a group of spectres ascended from the abyss was +approaching, they all without ceremony took to their heels. Vathek was +at that instant with Nouronihar in the bath, hearing tales and laughing +at Bababalouk who related them; but no sooner did the outcry of his +guards reach him, than he flounced from the water like a carp, and as +soon threw himself back at the sight of Carathis, who advancing with her +negresses upon Alboufaki, broke through the muslin awnings and veils of +the pavilion. At this sudden apparition Nouronihar (for she was not at +all times free from remorse) fancied that the moment of celestial +vengeance was come, and clung about the Caliph in amorous despondence. + +Carathis, still seated on her camel, foamed with indignation at the +spectacle which obtruded itself on her chaste view. She thundered forth +without check or mercy: + +“Thou double-headed and four legged monster! what means all this winding +and writhing? art thou not ashamed to be seen grasping this limber +sapling, in preference to the sceptre of the preadimite sultans? Is it +then for this paltry doxy that thou hast violated the conditions in the +parchment of our Giaour? Is it on her thou hast lavished thy precious +moments? Is this the fruit of the knowledge I have taught thee? Is this +the end of thy journey? Tear thyself from the arms of this little +simpleton; drown her in the water before me, and instantly follow my +guidance.” + +In the first ebullition of his fury, Vathek resolved to make a skeleton +of Alboufaki, and to stuff the skins of Carathis and her blacks; but the +ideas of the Giaour, the palace of Istakar, the sabres, and the +talismans, flashing before his imagination with the simultaneousness of +lightning, he became more moderate, and said to his mother in a civil but +decisive tone: + +“Dread lady, you shall be obeyed; but I will not drown Nouronihar; she is +sweeter to me than a Myrabolan comfit, and is enamoured of carbuncles, +especially that of Giamschid, which hath also been promised to be +conferred upon her; she therefore shall go along with us, for I intend to +repose with her beneath the canopies of Soliman; I can sleep no more +without her.” + +“Be it so,” replied Carathis alighting, and at the same time committing +Alboufaki to the charge of her women. + +Nouronihar, who had not yet quitted her hold, began to take courage, and +said with an accent of fondness to the Caliph: + +“Dear sovereign of my soul! I will follow thee, if it be thy will beyond +the Kaf, in the land of the Afrits. I will not hesitate to climb for +thee the nest of the Simurgh, who, this lady excepted, is the most awful +of created existences.” + +“We have here then,” subjoined Carathis, “a girl both of courage and +science.” + +Nouronihar had certainly both; but notwithstanding all her firmness, she +could not help casting back a look of regret upon the graces of her +little Gulchenrouz, and the days of tenderness she had participated with +him. She even dropped a few tears, which Carathis observed, and +inadvertently breathed out with a sigh: + +“Alas! my gentle cousin, what will become of him!” + +Vathek at this apostrophe knitted up his brows, and Carathis enquired +what it could mean. + +“She is preposterously sighing after a stripling with languishing eyes +and soft hair who loves her,” said the Caliph. + +“Where is he?” asked Carathis. “I must be acquainted with this pretty +child; for,” added she, lowering her voice, “I design before I depart to +regain the favour of the Giaour. There is nothing so delicious in his +estimation as the heart of a delicate boy, palpitating with the first +tumults of love.” + +Vathek as he came from the bath commanded Bababalouk to collect the women +and other moveables of his harem, embody his troops, and hold himself in +readiness to march in three days; whilst Carathis retired alone to a +tent, where the Giaour solaced her with encouraging visions; but at +length waking, she found at her feet Nerkes and Cafour, who informed her +by their signs, that having led Alboufaki to the borders of a lake, to +browse on some moss that looked tolerably venomous, they had discovered +certain blue fishes of the same kind with those in the reservoir on the +top of the tower. + +“Ah, ah,” said she, “I will go thither to them. These fish are past +doubt of a species that by a small operation I can render oracular. They +may tell me where this little Gulchenrouz is, whom I am bent upon +sacrificing.” + +Having thus spoken, she immediately set out with her swarthy retinue. + +It being but seldom that time is lost in the accomplishment of a wicked +enterprise, Carathis and her negresses soon arrived at the lake, where, +after burning the magical drugs with which they were always provided, +they, stripping themselves naked, waded to their chins, Nerkes and Cafour +waving torches around them, and Carathis pronouncing her barbarous +incantations. The fishes with one accord thrust forth their heads from +the water, which was violently rippled by the flutter of their fins, and +at length finding themselves constrained by the potency of the charm, +they opened their piteous mouths, said: + +“From gills to tail we are yours; what seek ye to know?” + +“Fishes,” answered she, “I conjure you by your glittering scales, tell me +where now is Gulchenrouz?” + +“Beyond the rock,” replied the shoal in full chorus: “will this content +you? for we do not delight in expanding our mouths.” + +“It will,” returned the princess: “I am not to learn that you like not +long conversations; I will leave you therefore to repose, though I had +other questions to propound.” + +The instant she had spoken the water became smooth, and the fishes at +once disappeared. + +Carathis, inflated with the venom of her projects, strode hastily over +the rock, and found the amiable Gulchenrouz asleep in an arbour, whilst +the two dwarfs were watching at his side, and ruminating their accustomed +prayers. These diminutive personages possessed the gift of divining +whenever an enemy to good Mussulmans approached; thus they anticipated +the arrival of Carathis, who stopping short, said to herself: + +“How placidly doth he recline his lovely little head! how pale and +languishing are his looks! it is just the very child of my wishes!” + +The dwarfs interrupted this delectable soliloquy by leaping instantly +upon her, and scratching her face with their utmost zeal. But Nerkes and +Cafour betaking themselves to the succour of their mistress, pinched the +dwarfs so severely in return, that they both gave up the ghost, imploring +Mahomet to inflict his sorest vengeance upon this wicked woman and all +her household. + +At the noise which this strange conflict occasioned in the valley, +Gulchenrouz awoke, and bewildered with terror sprung impetuously upon an +old fig-tree that rose against the acclivity of the rocks, from thence +gained their summits, and ran for two hours without once looking back. +At last, exhausted with fatigue, he fell as if dead into the arms of a +good old Genius, whose fondness for the company of children had made it +his sole occupation to protect them, and who, whilst performing his +wonted rounds through the air, happening on the cruel Giaour at the +instant of his growling in the horrible chasm, rescued the fifty little +victims which the impiety of Vathek had devoted to his maw. These the +Genius brought up in nests still higher than the clouds, and himself +fixed his abode in a nest more capacious than the rest, from which he had +expelled the possessors that had built it. + +These inviolable asylums were defended against the Dives and the Afrits +by waving streamers, on which were inscribed in characters of gold that +flashed like lightning, the names of Alla and the prophet. It was there +that Gulchenrouz, who as yet remained undeceived with respect to his +pretended death, thought himself in the mansions of eternal peace. He +admitted without fear the congratulations of his little friends, who were +all assembled in the nest of the venerable Genius, and vied with each +other in kissing his serene forehead and beautiful eye-lids. This he +found to be the state congenial to his soul—remote from the inquietudes +of earth—the impertinence of harems—the brutality of eunuchs—and the +lubricity of women. In this peaceable society his days, months, and +years glided on, nor was he less happy than the rest of his companions, +for the Genius, instead of burdening his pupils with perishable riches, +and the vain sciences of the world, conferred upon them the boon of +perpetual childhood. + +Carathis, unaccustomed to the loss of her prey, vented a thousand +execrations on her negresses for not seizing the child, instead of +amusing themselves with pinching to death the dwarfs, from which they +could gain no advantage. She returned into the valley murmuring, and +finding that her son was not risen from the arms of Nouronihar, +discharged her ill-humour upon both. The idea, however, of departing +next day for Istakar, and cultivating, through the good offices of the +Giaour, an intimacy with Eblis himself, at length consoled her chagrin: +but fate had ordained it otherwise. + +In the evening, as Carathis was conversing with Dilara, who through her +contrivance had become of the party, and whose taste resembled her own, +Bababalouk came to acquaint her “that the sky towards Samarah looked of a +fiery red, and seemed to portend some alarming disaster.” Immediately +recurring to her astrolabes and instruments of magic, she took the +altitude of the planets, and discovered by her calculations, to her great +mortification, that a formidable revolt had taken place at Samarah; that +Motavakel, availing himself of the disgust which was inveterate against +his brother had incited commotions amongst the populace, made himself +master of the palace, and actually invested the great tower, to which +Morakanabad had retired with a handful of the few that still remained +faithful to Vathek. + +“What,” exclaimed she, “must I lose then my tower, my mutes, my +negresses, my mummies, and worse than all, the laboratory, in which I +have spent so many a night, without knowing, at least, if my hair-brained +son will complete his adventure? No! I will not be the dupe! +Immediately will I speed to support Morakanabad. By my formidable art +the clouds shall sleet hail-stones in the faces of the assailants, and +shafts of red-hot iron on their heads. I will spring mines of serpents +and torpedoes from beneath them, and we shall soon see the stand they +will make against such an explosion!” + +Having thus spoken, Carathis hasted to her son, who was tranquilly +banqueting with Nouronihar in his superb carnation coloured tent. + +“Glutton that thou art,” cried she, “were it not for me, thou wouldst +soon find thyself the commander only of pies. Thy faithful subjects have +abjured the faith they swore to thee. Motavakel thy brother now reigns +on the hill of pied horses; and had I not some slight resources in the +tower, would not be easily persuaded to abdicate. But that time may not +be lost, I shall only add four words: strike tent to-night; set forward; +and beware how thou loiterest again by the way. Though thou hast +forfeited the conditions of the parchment, I am not yet without hope; for +it cannot be denied that thou hast violated to admiration the laws of +hospitality by seducing the daughter of the emir, after having partaken +of his bread and his salt. Such a conduct cannot but be delightful to +the Giaour; and if on thy march thou canst signalize thyself by an +additional crime, all will still go well, and thou shalt enter the palace +of Soliman in triumph. Adieu! Alboufaki and my negresses are waiting.” + +The Caliph had nothing to offer in reply: he wished his mother a +prosperous journey, and eat on till he had finished his supper. At +midnight the camp broke up, amidst the flourishing of trumpets and other +martial instruments; but loud indeed must have been the sound of the +tymbals, to overpower the blubbering of the emir and his long-beards, who +by an excessive profusion of tears had so far exhausted the radical +moisture, that their eyes shrivelled up in their sockets, and their hairs +dropped off by the roots. Nouronihar, to whom such a symphony was +painful, did not grieve to get out of hearing. She accompanied the +Caliph in the imperial litter, where they amused themselves with +imagining the splendour which was soon to surround them. The other +women, overcome with dejection, were dolefully rocked in their cages, +whilst Dilara consoled herself with anticipating the joy of celebrating +the rites of fire on the stately terraces of Istakar. + +In four days they reached the spacious valley of Rocnabad. The season of +spring was in all its vigour, and the grotesque branches of the almond +trees in full blossom fantastically chequered the clear blue sky. The +earth, variegated with hyacinths and jonquils, breathed forth a fragrance +which diffused through the soul a divine repose. Myriads of bees, and +scarce fewer of Santons had there taken up their abode. On the banks of +the stream hives and oratories were alternately ranged, and their +neatness and whiteness were set off by the deep green of the cypresses +that spired up amongst them. These pious personages amused themselves +with cultivating little gardens that abounded with flowers and fruits, +especially musk-melons of the best flavour that Persia could boast. +Sometimes dispersed over the meadow they entertained themselves with +feeding peacocks whiter than snow, and turtles more blue than the +sapphire. In this manner were they occupied when the harbingers of the +imperial procession began to proclaim: + +“Inhabitants of Rocnabad, prostrate yourselves on the brink of your pure +waters, and tender your thanksgivings to heaven that vouchsafeth to shew +you a ray of its glory; for lo! the commander of the faithful draws +near.” + +The poor Santons, filled with holy energy, having bustled to light up wax +torches in their oratories, and expand the koran on their ebony desks, +went forth to meet the Caliph with baskets of honeycomb, dates, and +melons. But whilst they were advancing in solemn procession and with +measured steps, the horses, camels, and guards wantoned over their tulips +and other flowers, and made a terrible havoc amongst them. The Santons +could not help casting from one eye a look of pity on the ravages +committing around them, whilst the other was fixed upon the Caliph and +heaven. Nouronihar, enraptured with the scenery of a place which brought +back to her remembrance the pleasing solitudes where her infancy had +passed, entreated Vathek to stop, but he, suspecting that each oratory +might be deemed by the Giaour a distinct habitation, commanded his +pioneers to level them all. The Santons stood motionless with horror at +the barbarous mandate, and at last broke out into lamentations, but these +were uttered with so ill a grace, that Vathek bade his eunuchs to kick +them from his presence. He then descended from the litter with +Nouronihar. They sauntered together in the meadow, and amused themselves +with culling flowers, and passing a thousand pleasantries on each other. +But the bees, who were staunch Mussulmans, thinking it their duty to +revenge the insult on their dear masters the Santons, assembled so +zealously to do it with effect, that the Caliph and Nouronihar were glad +to find their tents prepared to receive them. + +Bababalouk, who in capacity of purveyor, had acquitted himself with +applause, as to peacocks and turtles, lost no time in consigning some +dozens to the spit, and as many more to be fricasseed. Whilst they were +feasting, laughing, carousing, and blaspheming at pleasure on the banquet +so liberally furnished, the Moullahs, the Sheiks, the Cadis, and Imans of +Schiraz (who seemed not to have met the Santons) arrived, leading by +bridles of ribband, inscribed from the koran, a train of asses which were +loaded with the choicest fruits the country could boast. Having +presented their offerings to the Caliph, they petitioned him to honour +their city and mosques with his presence. + +“Fancy not,” said Vathek, “that you can detain me. Your presents I +condescend to accept, but beg you will let me be quiet, for I am not over +fond of resisting temptation. Retire then. Yet, as it is not decent for +personages so reverend to return on foot, and as you have not the +appearance of expert riders, my eunuchs shall tie you on your asses with +the precaution that your backs be not turned towards me, for they +understand etiquette.” + +In this deputation were some high-stomached Sheiks, who taking Vathek for +a fool, scrupled not to speak their opinion. These Bababalouk girded +with double cords; and having well disciplined their asses with nettles +behind, they all started with a preternatural alertness, plunging, +kicking, and running foul of each other in the most ludicrous manner +imaginable. + +Nouronihar and the Caliph mutually contended who should most enjoy so +degrading a sight. They burst out in volleys of laughter to see the old +men and their asses fall into the stream. The leg of one was fractured, +the shoulder of another dislocated, the teeth of a third dashed out, and +the rest suffered still worse. + +Two days more, undisturbed by fresh embassies, having been devoted to the +pleasures of Rocnabad, the expedition proceeded, leaving Schiraz on the +right, and verging towards a large plain, from whence were discernible on +the edge of the horizon the dark summits of the mountains of Istakar. + +At this prospect the Caliph and Nouronihar were unable to repress their +transports. They bounded from their litter to the ground, and broke +forth into such wild exclamations as amazed all within hearing. +Interrogating each other, they shouted, + +“Are we not approaching the radiant palace of light, or gardens more +delightful than those of Sheddad?” + +Infatuated mortals! they thus indulged delusive conjecture, unable to +fathom the decrees of the Most High! + +The good Genii who had not totally relinquished the superintendence of +Vathek, repairing to Mahomet in the seventh heaven, said: + +“Merciful Prophet! stretch forth thy propitious arms towards thy +vicegerent, who is ready to fall irretrievably into the snare which his +enemies the Dives have prepared to destroy him. The Giaour is awaiting +his arrival in the abominable palace of fire, where if he once set his +foot his perdition will be inevitable.” + +Mahomet answered with an air of indignation: + +“He hath too well deserved to be resigned to himself; but I permit you to +try if one effort more will be effectual to divert him from pursuing his +ruin.” + +One of these beneficent Genii, assuming without delay the exterior of a +shepherd, more renowned for his piety than all the Dervises and Santons +of the region, took his station near a flock of white sheep on the slope +of a hill, and began to pour forth from his flute such airs of pathetic +melody, as subdued the very soul; and awakening remorse, drove far from +it every frivolous fancy. At these energetic sounds, the sun hid himself +beneath a gloomy cloud; and the waters of two little lakes, that were +naturally clearer than chrystal, became a colour like blood. The whole +of this superb assembly, was involuntarily drawn towards the declivity of +the hill. With downcast eyes, they all stood abashed; each upbraiding +himself with the evil he had done. The heart of Dilara palpitated; and +the chief of the eunuchs, with a sigh of contrition, implored pardon of +the women, whom, for his own satisfaction, he had so often tormented. + +Vathek and Nouronihar turned pale in their litter; and, regarding each +other with haggard looks, reproached themselves—the one with a thousand +of the blackest crimes, a thousand projects of impious ambition; the +other, with the desolation of her family, and the perdition of the +amiable Gulchenrouz. Nouronihar persuaded herself that she heard in the +fatal music the groans of her dying father; and Vathek, the sobs of the +fifty children he had sacrificed to the Giaour. Amidst these complicated +pangs of anguish, they perceived themselves impelled towards the +shepherd, whose countenance was so commanding, that Vathek, for the first +time, felt overawed; whilst Nouronihar concealed her face with her hands. +The music paused, and the Genius, addressing the Caliph, said: + +“Deluded Prince! to whom Providence hath confided the care of innumerable +subjects, is it thus that thou fulfillest thy mission? Thy crimes are +already completed; and, art thou now hastening towards thy punishment? +Thou knowest, that beyond these mountains, Eblis and his accursed Dives +hold their infernal empire; and seduced by a malignant phantom, thou art +proceeding to surrender thyself to them! This moment is the last of +grace allowed thee! Abandon thy atrocious purpose. Return. Give back +Nouronihar to her father, who still retains a few sparks of life. +Destroy thy tower, with all its abominations. Drive Carathis from thy +councils. Be just to thy subjects. Respect the ministers of the +Prophet. Compensate for thy impieties by an exemplary life; and, instead +of squandering thy days in voluptuous indulgence, lament thy crimes on +the sepulchres of thy ancestors. Thou beholdest the clouds that obscure +the sun; at the instant he recovers his splendour, if thy heart be not +changed, the time of mercy assigned thee will be past for ever.” + +Vathek, depressed with fear, was on the point of prostrating himself at +the feet of the shepherd, whom he perceived to be of a nature superior to +man, but his pride prevailing, he audaciously lifted his head, and +glancing at him one of his terrible looks, said: + +“Whoever thou art, withhold thy useless admonitions. Thou wouldst either +delude me, or art thyself deceived. If what I have done be so criminal +as thou pretendest, there remains not for me a moment of grace. I have +traversed a sea of blood, to acquire a power which will make thy equals +tremble; deem not that I shall retire when in view of the port; or that I +will relinquish her who is dearer to me than either my life or thy mercy. +Let the sun appear! Let him illumine my career! It matters not where it +may end.” + +On uttering these words, which made even the Genius shudder, Vathek threw +himself into the arms of Nouronihar, and commanded that his horses should +be forced back to the road. + +There was no difficulty in obeying these orders, for the attraction had +ceased, the sun shone forth in all his glory, and the shepherd vanished +with a lamentable scream. + +The fatal impression of the music of the Genius remained, +notwithstanding, in the hearts of Vathek’s attendants. They viewed each +other with looks of consternation. At the approach of night, almost all +of them escaped; and, of this numerous assemblage, there only remained +the chief of the eunuchs, some idolatrous slaves, Dilara, and a few other +women, who, like herself, were votaries of the religion of the Magi. + +The Caliph, fired with the ambition of prescribing laws to the +Intelligences of Darkness, was but little embarrassed at this +dereliction. The impetuosity of his blood prevented him from sleeping; +nor did he encamp any more as before. Nouronihar, whose impatience, if +possible, exceeded his own, importuned him to hasten his march, and +lavished on him a thousand caresses, to beguile all reflection. She +fancied herself already more potent than Balkis; {134} and pictured to +her imagination the Genii falling prostrate at the foot of her throne. +In this manner they advanced by moonlight, till they came within view of +the two towering rocks, that form a kind of portal to the valley, at +whose extremity rose the vast ruins of Istakar. Aloft on the mountain, +glimmered the fronts of various royal mausoleums, the horror of which was +deepened by the shadows of night. They passed through two villages, +almost deserted; the only inhabitants remaining being a few feeble old +men, who at the sight of horses and litters fell upon their knees, and +cried out: + +“O heaven! is it then by these phantoms that we have been for six months +tormented! Alas! it was from the terror of these spectres, and the noise +beneath the mountains, that our people have fled, and left us at the +mercy of maleficent spirits!” + +The Caliph, to whom these complaints were but unpromising auguries, drove +over the bodies of these wretched old men, and at length arrived at the +foot of the terrace of black marble. There he descended from his litter, +handing down Nouronihar; both, with beating hearts, stared wildly around +them, and expected, with an apprehensive shudder, the approach of the +Giaour. But nothing as yet announced his appearance. + +A deathlike stillness reigned over the mountain, and through the air. +The moon dilated, on a vast platform, the shades of the lofty columns, +which reached from the terrace almost to the clouds. The gloomy +watch-towers, whose number could not be counted, were veiled by no roof: +and their capitals, of an architecture unknown in the records of the +earth, served as an asylum for the birds of darkness, which, alarmed at +the approach of such visitants, fled away croaking. + +The chief of the eunuchs, trembling with fear, besought Vathek that a +fire might be kindled. + +“No!” replied he, “there is no time left to think of such trifles; abide +where thou art, and expect my commands.” + +Having thus spoken, he presented his hand to Nouronihar, and ascending +the steps of a vast staircase, reached the terrace, which was flagged +with squares of marble, and resembled a smooth expanse of water, upon +whose surface not a leaf ever dared to vegetate. On the right rose the +watch-towers, ranged before the ruins of an immense palace, whose walls +were embossed with various figures. In front stood forth the colossal +forms of four creatures, composed of the leopard and the griffin; and +though but of stone, inspired emotions of terror. Near these were +distinguished by the splendour of the moon, which streamed full on the +place, characters like those on the sabres of the Giaour, that possessed +the same virtue of changing every moment. These, after vacillating for +some time, at last fixed in Arabic letters, and prescribed to the Caliph +the following words: + +“Vathek! thou hast violated the conditions of my parchment, and deservest +to be sent back; but in favour to thy companion, and as the meed for what +thou hast done to obtain it, Eblis permitteth that the portal of his +palace shall be opened, and the subterranean fire will receive thee into +the number of its adorers.” + +He scarcely had read these words before the mountain, against which the +terrace was reared, trembled; and the watch-towers were ready to topple +headlong upon them. The rock yawned, and disclosed within it a staircase +of polished marble, that seemed to approach the abyss. Upon each stair +were planted two large torches, like those Nouronihar had seen in her +vision, the camphorated vapour ascending from which gathered into a cloud +under the hollow of the vault. + +This appearance, instead of terrifying, gave new courage to the daughter +of Fakreddin. Scarcely deigning to bid adieu to the moon and the +firmament, she abandoned without hesitation the pure atmosphere, to +plunge into these infernal exhalations. The gait of those impious +personages was haughty and determined. As they descended, by the +effulgence of the torches, they gazed on each other with mutual +admiration, and both appeared so resplendent, that they already esteemed +themselves spiritual intelligences. The only circumstance that perplexed +them, was their not arriving at the bottom of the stairs. On hastening +their descent, with an ardent impetuosity, they felt their steps +accelerated to such a degree, that they seemed not walking, but falling +from a precipice. Their progress, however, was at length impeded by a +vast portal of ebony, which the Caliph without difficulty recognized. +Here the Giaour awaited them, with the key in his hand, + +“Ye are welcome!” said he to them, with a ghastly smile, “in spite of +Mahomet, and all his dependents. I will now admit you into that palace, +where you have so highly merited a place.” + +Whilst he was uttering these words, he touched the enamelled lock with +his key, and the doors at once expanded with a noise still louder than +the thunder of mountains, and as suddenly recoiled the moment they had +entered. + +The Caliph and Nouronihar beheld each other with amazement, at finding +themselves in a place which, though roofed with a vaulted ceiling, was so +spacious and lofty, that at first they took it for an immeasurable plain. +But their eyes at length growing to the grandeur of the objects at hand, +they extended their view to those at a distance, and discovered rows of +columns and arcades, which gradually diminished, till they terminated in +a point, radiant as the sun, when he darts his last beams athwart the +ocean. The pavement, strewed over with gold dust and saffron, exhaled so +subtile an odour, as almost overpowered them. They, however, went on, +and observed an infinity of censers, in which ambergris and the wood of +aloes were continually burning. Between the several columns were placed +tables, each spread with a profusion of viands, and wines of every +species, sparkling in vases of chrystal. A throng of Genii, and other +phantastic spirits, of each sex, danced lasciviously in troops, at the +sound of music which issued from beneath. + +In the midst of this immense hall, a vast multitude was incessantly +passing, who severally kept their right hands on their hearts, without +once regarding any thing around them. They had all the livid paleness of +death. Their eyes, deep sank in their sockets, resembled those +phosphoric meteors, that glimmer by night in places of interment. Some +stalked slowly on, absorbed in profound reverie; some shrieking with +agony, ran furiously about, like tigers wounded with poisoned arrows; +whilst others, grinding their teeth in rage, foamed along, more frantic +than the wildest maniac. They all avoided each other, and though +surrounded by a multitude that no one could number, each wandered at +random unheedful of the rest, as if alone on a desert which no foot had +trodden. + +Vathek and Nouronihar, frozen with terror at a sight so baleful, demanded +of the Giaour what these appearances might mean, and why these ambulating +spectres never withdrew their hands from their hearts. + +“Perplex not yourselves,” replied he bluntly, “with so much at once, you +will soon be acquainted with all; let us haste and present you to Eblis.” + +They continued their way through the multitude, but notwithstanding their +confidence at first, they were not sufficiently composed to examine with +attention the various perspectives of halls, and of galleries, that +opened on the right hand and left, which were all illuminated by torches +and braziers, whose flames rose in pyramids, to the centre of the vault. +At length they came to a place where long curtains, brocaded with crimson +and gold, fell from all parts, in striking confusion. Here the choirs +and dances were heard no longer. The light which glimmered came from +afar. + +After some time Vathek and Nouronihar perceived a gleam brightening +through the drapery, and entered a vast tabernacle, carpeted with the +skins of leopards. An infinity of elders, with streaming beards, and +afrits, in complete armour, had prostrated themselves before the ascent +of a lofty eminence, on the top of which, upon a globe of fire, sat the +formidable Eblis. His person was that of a young man, whose noble and +regular features seemed to have been tarnished by malignant vapours. In +his large eyes appeared both pride and despair; his flowing hair retained +some resemblance to that of an angel of light. In his hand, which +thunder had blasted, he swayed the iron sceptre, that causes the monster +Ouranabad, {140} the afrits, and all the powers of the abyss to tremble. +At his presence the heart of the Caliph sank within him, and, for the +first time, he fell prostrate on his face. Nouronihar, however, though +greatly dismayed, could not help admiring the person of Eblis, for she +expected to have seen some stupendous giant. Eblis, with a voice more +mild than might be imagined, but such as transfused through the soul the +deepest melancholy, said: + +“CREATURES OF CLAY, I receive you into mine empire. Ye are numbered +amongst my adorers. Enjoy whatever this palace affords—the treasures of +the preadimite sultans, their bickering sabres, and those talismans that +compel the Dives to open the subterranean expanses of the mountain of +Kaf, which communicate with these. There, insatiable as your curiosity +may be, shall you find sufficient to gratify it. You shall possess the +exclusive privilege of entering the fortress of Aherman, and the halls of +Argenk, where are portrayed all creatures endowed with intelligence, and +the various animals that inhabited the earth prior to the creation of +that contemptible being, whom ye denominate the Father of Mankind.” + +Vathek and Nouronihar feeling themselves revived and encouraged by this +harangue, eagerly said to the Giaour: + +“Bring us instantly to the place which contains these precious +talismans.” + +“Come,” answered this wicked Dive, with his malignant grin, “come, and +possess all that my sovereign hath promised, and more.” + +He then conducted them into a long aisle adjoining the tabernacle, +preceding them with hasty steps, and followed by his disciples with the +utmost alacrity. They reached at length a hall of great extent, and +covered with a lofty dome, around which appeared fifty portals of bronze, +secured with as many fastenings of iron. A funereal gloom prevailed over +the whole scene. Here, upon two beds of incorruptible cedar, lay +recumbent the fleshless forms of the preadimite kings, who had been +monarchs of the whole earth. They still possessed enough of life to be +conscious of their deplorable condition. Their eyes retained a +melancholy motion; they regarded each other with looks of the deepest +dejection, each holding his right hand motionless on his heart. At their +feet were inscribed the events of their several reigns, their power, +their pride, and their crimes. Soliman Raad, Soliman Daki, and Soliman +Di Gian Ben Gian, who, after having chained up the Dives in the dark +caverns of Kaf, became so presumptuous, as to doubt of the Supreme Power. +All these maintained great state, though not to be compared with the +eminence of Soliman Ben Daoud. + +This king, so renowned for his wisdom, was on the loftiest elevation, and +placed immediately under the dome. He appeared to possess more animation +than the rest, though, from time to time, he laboured with profound +sighs, and, like his companions, kept his right hand on his heart; yet +his countenance was more composed, and he seemed to be listening to the +sullen roar of a vast cataract, visible in part through the grated +portals. This was the only sound that intruded on the silence of these +doleful mansions. A range of brazen vases surrounded the elevation. + +“Remove the covers from these cabalistic depositaries,” said the Giaour +to Vathek, “and avail thyself of the talismans, which will break asunder +all these gates of bronze, and not only render thee master of the +treasures contained within them, but also of the spirits by which they +are guarded.” + +The Caliph, whom this ominous preliminary had entirely disconcerted, +approached the vases with faltering footsteps, and was ready to sink with +terror, when he heard the groans of Soliman. As he proceeded, a voice +from the livid lips of the prophet articulated these words: + +“In my lifetime, I filled a magnificent throne, having on my right hand +twelve thousand seats of gold, where the patriarchs and prophets heard my +doctrines; on my left the sages and doctors, upon as many thrones of +silver, were present at all my decisions. Whilst I thus administered +justice to innumerable multitudes, the birds of the air librating over +me, served as a canopy from the rays of the sun. My people flourished, +and my palace rose to the clouds. I erected a temple to the Most High, +which was the wonder of the universe; but I basely suffered myself to be +seduced by the love of women, and a curiosity that could not be +restrained by sub-lunary things. I listened to the counsels of Aherman, +and the daughter of Pharaoh; and adored fire, and the host of heaven. I +forsook the holy city, and commanded the Genii to rear the stupendous +palace of Istakar, and the terrace of the watch-towers, each of which was +consecrated to a star. There for a while I enjoyed myself in the zenith +of glory and pleasure. Not only men, but supernatural existences were +subject also to my will. I began to think, as these unhappy monarchs +around had already thought, that the vengeance of heaven was asleep, when +at once the thunder burst my structures asunder, and precipitated me +hither; where, however, I do not remain like the other inhabitants +totally destitute of hope, for an angel of light hath revealed, that in +consideration of the piety of my early youth, my woes shall come to an +end when this cataract shall for ever cease to flow. Till then I am in +torments, ineffable torments, an unrelenting fire preys on my heart.” + +Having uttered this exclamation, Soliman raised his hands towards heaven, +in token of supplication, and the Caliph discerned through his bosom, +which was transparent as crystal, his heart enveloped in flames. At a +sight so full of horror, Nouronihar fell back like one petrified, into +the arms of Vathek, who cried out with a convulsive sob: + +“O Giaour! whither hast thou brought us! Allow us to depart, and I will +relinquish all thou hast promised. O Mahomet! remains there no more +mercy!” + +“None! none!” replied the malicious Dive. “Know, miserable prince, thou +art now in the abode of vengeance, and despair. Thy heart, also, will be +kindled, like those of the other votaries of Eblis. A few days are +allotted thee previous to this fatal period: employ them as thou wilt. +Recline on these heaps of gold: command the Infernal Potentates: range at +thy pleasure through these immense subterranean domains. No barrier +shall be shut against thee. As for me, I have fulfilled my mission. I +now leave thee to thyself.” + +At these words he vanished. + +The Caliph and Nouronihar remained in the most abject affliction. Their +tears unable to flow, scarcely could they support themselves. At length, +taking each other despondingly by the hand, they went faltering from this +fatal hall, indifferent which way they turned their steps. Every portal +opened at their approach. The Dives fell prostrate before them. Every +reservoir of riches was disclosed to their view, but they no longer felt +the incentives of curiosity, pride, or avarice. With like apathy they +heard the chorus of Genii, and saw the stately banquets prepared to +regale them. They went wandering on from chamber to chamber, hall to +hall, and gallery to gallery; all without bounds or limit; all +distinguishable by the same lowering gloom; all adorned with the same +awful grandeur; all traversed by persons in search of repose and +consolation, but who sought them in vain, for every one carried within +him a heart tormented in flames. Shunned by these various sufferers, who +seemed by their looks to be upbraiding the partners of their guilt, they +withdrew from them, to wait in direful suspense the moment which should +render them to each other the like objects of terror. + +“What,” exclaimed Nouronihar, “will the time come, when I shall snatch my +hand from thine!” + +“Ah!” said Vathek, “and shall my eyes ever cease to drink from thine long +draughts of enjoyment! Shall the moments of our reciprocal ecstasies be +reflected on with horror! It was not thou that broughtest me hither; the +principles by which Carathis perverted my youth have been the sole cause +of my perdition!” + +Having given vent to these painful expressions, he called to an Afrit, +who was stirring up one of the braziers, and bade him fetch the Princess +Carathis from the palace of Samarah. + +After issuing these orders, the Caliph and Nouronihar continued walking +amidst the silent crowd, till they heard voices at the end of the +gallery. Presuming them to proceed from some unhappy beings, who like +themselves were awaiting their final doom, they followed the sound, and +found it to come from a small square chamber, where they discovered +sitting on sofas, five young men of goodly figure, and a lovely female, +who were all holding a melancholy conversation, by the glimmering of a +lonely lamp. Each had a gloomy and forlorn air, and two of them were +embracing each other with great tenderness. On seeing the Caliph and the +daughter of Fakreddin enter they arose, saluted, and gave them place. +Then he who had appeared the most considerable of the group, addressed +himself thus to Vathek: + +“Strangers! who doubtless are in the same state of suspense as ourselves, +as you do not yet bear your hand on your heart, if you are come hither to +pass the interval allotted previous to the infliction of our common +punishment, condescend to relate the adventures that have brought you to +this fatal place; and we in return will acquaint you with ours; which +deserves but too well to be heard. We will trace back our crimes to +their source, though we are not permitted to repent. This is the only +employment suited to wretches like us.” + +The Caliph and Nouronihar assented to the proposal, and Vathek began, not +without tears and lamentations, a sincere recital of every circumstance +that had passed. When the afflicting narrative was closed, the young man +entered on his own. Each person proceeded in order, and when the fourth +prince had reached the midst of his adventures, a sudden noise +interrupted him, which caused the vault to tremble, and to open. + +Immediately a cloud descended, which gradually dissipating, discovered +Carathis, on the back of an Afrit, who grievously complained of his +burden. She, instantly springing to the ground, advanced towards her +son, and said: + +“What dost thou here, in this little square chamber? As the Dives are +become subject to thy beck, I expected to have found thee on the throne +of the preadimite kings.” + +“Execrable woman!” answered the Caliph; “cursed be the day thou gavest me +birth! Go! follow this Afrit; let him conduct thee to the hall of the +Prophet Soliman; there thou wilt learn to what these palaces are +destined, and how much I ought to abhor the impious knowledge thou hast +taught me.” + +“The height of power to which thou art arrived, has certainly turned thy +brain,” answered Carathis; “but I ask no more, than permission to show my +respect for the prophet. It is, however, proper thou shouldst know, +that, as the Afrit has informed me neither of us shall return to Samarah, +I requested his permission to arrange my affairs, and he politely +consented. Availing myself, therefore, of the few moments allowed me, I +set fire to the tower, and consumed in it the mutes, negresses, and +serpents, which have rendered me so much good service; nor should I have +been less kind to Morakanabad, had he not prevented me, by deserting at +last to thy brother. As for Bababalouk, who had the folly to return to +Samarah, and all the good brotherhood to provide husbands for thy wives, +I undoubtedly would have put them to the torture, could I but have +allowed them the time. Being, however, in a hurry, I only hung him, +after having caught him in a snare with thy wives; whilst them I buried +alive by the help of my negresses, who thus spent their last moments, +greatly to their satisfaction. With respect to Dilara, who ever stood +high in my favour, she hath evinced the greatness of her mind, by fixing +herself near, in the service of one of the Magi, and, I think, will soon +be our own.” + +Vathek, too much cast down to express the indignation excited by such a +discourse, ordered the Afrit to remove Carathis from his presence, and +continued immersed in thought, which his companions durst not disturb. + +Carathis, however, eagerly entered the dome of Soliman, and, without +regarding in the least the groans of the Prophet, undauntedly removed the +covers of the vases, and violently seized on the talismans. Then, with a +voice more loud than had hitherto been heard in these mansions, she +compelled the Dives to disclose to her the most secret treasures, the +most profound stores, which the Afrit himself had not seen. She passed +by rapid descents known only to Eblis and his most favoured Potentates, +and thus penetrated the very entrails of the earth, where breathes the +Sansar, or icy wind of death. Nothing appalled her dauntless soul. She +perceived, however, in all the inmates who bore their hands on their +heart, a little singularity not much to her taste. As she was emerging +from one of the abysses, Eblis stood forth to her view, but, +notwithstanding he displayed the full effulgence of his infernal majesty, +she preserved her countenance unaltered, and even paid her compliments +with considerable firmness. + +This superb monarch thus answered: + +“PRINCESS, whose knowledge and whose crimes have merited a conspicuous +rank in my empire, thou doest well to employ the leisure that remains, +for the flames and torments which are ready to seize on thy heart, will +not fail to provide thee with full employment.” + +He said this, and was lost in the curtains of his tabernacle. + +Carathis paused for a moment with surprise, but, resolved to follow the +advice of Eblis, she assembled all the choirs of Genii, and all the +Dives, to pay her homage. Thus marched she in triumph through a vapour +of perfumes, amidst the acclamations of all the malignant spirits; with +most of whom she had formed a previous acquaintance. She even attempted +to dethrone one of the Solimans, for the purpose of usurping his place, +when a voice, proceeding from the Abyss of Death, proclaimed: + +“ALL IS ACCOMPLISHED!” + +Instantaneously, the haughty forehead of the intrepid princess became +corrugated with agony; she uttered a tremendous yell, and fixed—no more +to be withdrawn—her right hand upon her heart, which was become a +receptacle of eternal fire. + +In this delirium, forgetting all ambitious projects, and her thirst for +that knowledge which should ever be hidden from mortals, she overturned +the offerings of the Genii; and, having execrated the hour she was +begotten, and the womb that had borne her, glanced off in a whirl that +rendered her invisible, and continued to revolve without intermission. + +At almost the same instant, the same voice announced to the Caliph, +Nouronihar, the five princes, and the princess, the awful and irrevocable +decree. Their hearts immediately took fire, and they at once lost the +most precious of the gifts of heaven—HOPE. These unhappy beings +recoiled, with looks of the most furious distraction. Vathek beheld in +the eyes of Nouronihar nothing but rage and vengeance; nor could she +discern ought in his but aversion and despair. The two princes who were +friends, and till that moment had preserved their attachment, shrunk +back, gnashing their teeth with mutual and unchangeable hatred. Kalilah +and his sister made reciprocal gestures of imprecation; whilst the two +other princes testified their horror for each other by the most ghastly +convulsions, and screams that could not be smothered. All severally +plunged themselves into the accursed multitude, there to wander in an +eternity of unabating anguish. + +Such was, and such should be, the punishment of unrestrained passions, +and atrocious actions. Such is, and such should be, the chastisement of +blind ambition, that would transgress those bounds which the Creator hath +prescribed to human knowledge, and by aiming at discoveries reserved for +pure intelligence, acquire that infatuated pride, which perceives not the +condition appointed to man is, TO BE IGNORANT AND HUMBLE. + +Thus the CALIPH VATHEK who, for the sake of empty pomp and forbidden +power, hath sullied himself with a thousand crimes, became a prey to +grief without end, and remorse without mitigation; whilst the humble and +despised GULCHENROUZ passed whole ages in undisturbed tranquillity, and +the pure happiness of childhood. + + + + +NOTES. + + +{7a} _Caliph_. This title amongst the Mahometans comprehends the +concrete character of prophet, priest, and king; and is used to signify +_the Vicar of God on earth_.—Habesci’s State of the Ottoman Empire, p. 9. +Herbelot, p. 985. + +{7b} _One of his eyes became so terrible_. The author of Nighiaristan +hath preserved a fact that supports this account; and there is no history +of Vathek, in which his _terrible eye_ is not mentioned. + +{8a} _Omar Ben Abdalaziz_. This Caliph was eminent above all others for +temperance and self-denial; insomuch, that he is believed to have been +raised to Mahomet’s bosom, as a reward for his abstinence in an age of +corruption. Herbelot, p. 690. + +{8b} _Samarah_. A city of the Babylonian Irak, supposed to have stood +on the site where Nimrod erected his tower. Khondemir relates, in his +life of Motassem, that this prince, to terminate the disputes which were +perpetually happening between the inhabitants of Bagdat and his Turkish +slaves, withdrew from thence; and, having fixed on a situation in the +plain of Catoul, there founded Samarah. He is said to have had in the +stables of this city a hundred and thirty thousand pied horses; each of +which carried, by his order, a sack of earth to a place he had chosen. +By this accumulation, an elevation was formed that commanded a view of +all Samarah, and served for the foundation of his magnificent palace. +Herbelot, p. 752, 808, 985. Anecdotes Arabes, p. 413. + +{9} _Houris_. The Virgins of Paradise, called, from their large black +eyes, _Hur al oyun_. An intercourse with these, according to the +institution of Mahomet, is to constitute the principal felicity of the +faithful. Not formed of clay, like mortal women, they are deemed in the +highest degree beautiful, and exempt from every inconvenience incident to +the sex. Al Koran; passim. + +{10} _Genii_. Genn or Ginn, in the Arabic, signifies a Genius or +Demon—a being of a higher order, and formed of more subtile matter than +man. According to Oriental mythology, the Genii governed the world long +before the creation of Adam. The Mahometans regarded them as an +intermediate race between angels and men, and capable of salvation: +whence Mahomet pretended a commission to convert them. Consonant to +this, we read that, “When the servant of God stood up to invoke him, it +wanted little but that the Genii had pressed on him in crowds, to hear +him rehearse the Koran.” Herbelot, p. 357. Al Koran ch. 72. + +{23} _Accursed Giaour_. Dives of this kind are frequently mentioned by +Eastern writers. Consult their tales in general, and especially those of +“The Fisherman,” “Aladdin,” and “The Princess of China.” + +{26a} _Bababalouk_, _the Chief of his Eunuchs_. As it was the +employment of the black eunuchs to wait upon, and guard the sultanas, to +the general superintendence of the Harem was particularly committed to +their chief. Habesci’s State of the Ottoman Empire, p. 155–6. + +{26b} _The Divan_. This was both the supreme council, and court of +justice, at which the Caliphs of the race of the Abassides assisted in +person to redress the injuries of every appellant. Herbelot, p. 298. + +{27} _The Prime Vizier_. Vazir, Vezir, or as we express it, Vizier, +literally signifies a porter; and by metaphor, the minister who bears the +principal burden of the state. + +{50} _Gian Ben Gian_. By this appellation was distinguished the monarch +of that species of beings, whom the Arabians denominate _Gian_ or _Ginn_, +that is, _Genii_; and the Tarik Thabari, _Peres_, _Feez_, or _Faeries_. + +{51} _Rocnabad_. The stream thus denominated flows near the city of +Schiraz. Its waters are uncommonly pure and limpid, and their banks +swarded with the finest verdure. + +{53} _Moullahs_. Those among the Mahometans who were bred to the law +had this title; and from their order the judges of cities and provinces +were taken. + +{55} _Bababalouk almost sunk with confusion_, _whilst_, _etc._ The +heinousness of Vathek’s profanation can only be judged of by an orthodox +Mussulman; or one who recollects the ablution and prayer indispensably +required on the exoneration of nature. Sale’s Prelim. Disc. p. 139. Al +Koran, ch. 4. Habesci’s State of the Ottoman Empire, p. 93. + +{67a} _Horrible Kaf_. This mountain, which in reality is no other than +Caucasus, was supposed to surround the earth, like a ring encompassing a +finger. The sun was believed to rise from one of its eminences (as over +Octa, by the Latin poets) and to set on the opposite; whence “from Kaf to +Kaf,” signified from one extremity of the earth to the other. + +{67b} _The Simurgh_. This is that wonderful bird of the East concerning +which so many marvels are told. It was not only endowed with reason, but +possessed also the knowledge of every language. This creature relates of +itself, that it had seen the great revolution of seven thousand years, +twelve times, commence and close; and, that in its duration, the world +had been seven times void of inhabitants, and as often replenished. The +Simurgh is represented as a great friend to the race of Adam, and not +less inimical to the Dives. + +{67c} _Afrits_. These were a kind of Medusa, or Lamia, supposed to be +the most terrible and cruel of all the orders of the Dives. Herbelot, p. +66. + +{68} _Deggial_. This word signifies properly a liar and imposter, but +is applied by Mahometan writers to their Antichrist. He is described as +having but one eye and eyebrow, and on his forehead the radicals of +_cafer_, or infidel, are said to be impressed. + +{79a} _Calenders_. These were a sort of men amongst the Mahometans who +abandoned father and mother, wife and children, relations and +possessions, to wander through the world, under a pretence of religion, +entirely subsisting on the fortuitous bounty of those they had the +address to dupe. Herbelot, Suppl. p. 204. + +{79b} _Santons_. A body of religionists who were also called _Abdals_, +and pretended to be inspired with the most enthusiastic raptures of +divine love. They were regarded by the vulgar as saints. Olearius, Tom. +I. p. 971. Herbelot, p. 5. + +{79c} _Dervises_. The term _dervise_ signifies a poor man, and is the +general appellation by which a religious sect amongst the Mahometans is +named. + +{79d} _Brahmins_. These constituted the principal caste of the Indians, +according to whose doctrines Brahma, from whom they are called, is the +first of the three created beings by whom the world was made. This +Brahma is said to have communicated to the Indians four books, in which +all the sciences and ceremonies of their religion are comprised. + +{79e} _Faquirs_. This sect were a kind of religious anchorites, who +spent their whole lives in the severest austerities and mortification. + +{82} _Peries_. The word Peri, in the Persian language, signifies that +beautiful race of creatures which constitutes the link between angels and +men. + +{134} _Balkis_. This was the Arabian name of the Queen of Sheba, who +went from the South to hear the wisdom and admire the glory of Solomon. +The Koran represents her as a worshipper of fire. Solomon is said not +only to have entertained her with the greatest magnificence, but also to +have raised her to his bed and his throne. Al Koran, ch. 27, and Sale’s +notes. Herbelot, p. 182. + +{140} _Ouranabad_. This monster is represented as a fierce flying +hydra, and belongs to the same class with the _Rakshe_, whose ordinary +food was serpents and dragons; the _Soham_, which had the head of a +horse, with four eyes, and the body of a flame-coloured dragon; the +_Syl_, a basilisk with a face resembling the human, but so tremendous +that no mortal could bear to behold it; the _Ejder_, and others. See +these respective titles in Richardson’s Dictionary, Persian, Arabic and +English. + + + + +***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK VATHEK*** + + +******* This file should be named 42401-0.txt or 42401-0.zip ******* + + +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: +http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/4/2/4/0/42401 + + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + + + + +Title: Vathek + An Arabian Tale + + +Author: William Beckford + + + +Release Date: March 24, 2013 [eBook #42401] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII) + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK VATHEK*** +</pre> +<p>This ebook was transcribed by Les Bowler.</p> +<h1>VATHEK;</h1> +<p style="text-align: center">AN ARABIAN TALE,</p> + +<div class="gapshortline"> </div> +<p style="text-align: center"><span +class="GutSmall">BY</span></p> +<p style="text-align: center">WILLIAM BECKFORD, ESQ.</p> + +<div class="gapshortline"> </div> +<p style="text-align: center"><span +class="GutSmall">WITH</span></p> +<p style="text-align: center">NOTES, CRITICAL AND +EXPLANATORY.</p> + +<div class="gapshortline"> </div> +<p style="text-align: center">LONDON:<br /> +GEORGE SLATER, 252, STRAND.</p> + +<div class="gapshortline"> </div> +<p style="text-align: center">1849.</p> +<h2><a name="pagei"></a><span class="pagenum">p. +i</span>MEMOIR.<br /> +<span class="GutSmall">BY WILLIAM NORTH.</span></h2> +<p><span class="smcap">William Beckford</span>, the author of the +following celebrated Eastern tale, was born in 1760, and died in +the spring of 1844, at the advanced age of eighty-four +years. It is to be regretted, that a man of so remarkable a +character, did not leave the world some record of a life offering +points of interest different from that of any of his +contemporaries, from the peculiarly studious retirement and +eccentric avocations in which it was chiefly passed. Such a +memoir would have formed a curious contrast with that of the late +M. de Chateaubriand, who, born nearly at the same period, <a +name="pageii"></a><span class="pagenum">p. ii</span>outlived but +by a few years, the strange Englishman, whose famous romance +forms a brilliant ornament to French literature, which even Atala +is unlikely to outlive in the memory of Chateaubriand’s +countrymen. All men of genius should write +autobiographies. Such works are inestimable lessons to +posterity. As it is, there are few men, of whom it is more +difficult to compose an elaborate and detailed history than the +author of “Vathek.” From such scanty sources as +are open to us, the reader must be content with a few striking +facts and illustrations, which may serve to convey some idea of +the idiosyncrasy of a man, whose whole life was a sort of +mystery, even to his personal acquaintances.</p> +<p>His great-great-grandfather was lieutenant-governor and +commander of the forces in Jamaica; and his grandfather president +of the council in the same island. His father, though not a +merchant, as has been represented, but a large landed proprietor, +both in England and the West Indies, was <a +name="pageiii"></a><span class="pagenum">p. iii</span>lord mayor +of London, and distinguished himself in presenting an address to +the king, George the Third,—by a spirited retort to his +majesty,—who had the ill-breeding to treat discourteously a +deputation which the lord mayor headed. The portraits of +Alderman Beckford, and his more celebrated son, were painted by +Sir Joshua Reynolds. The former died in 1770, leaving the +subject of this memoir the wealthiest commoner in England.</p> +<p>No pains were spared on the education of the young +Croesus—the lords Chatham and Camden being consulted by his +father on that subject. Besides Latin and Greek, he spoke +five modern languages, and wrote three with facility and +elegance. He read Persian and Arabic, designed with great +skill, and studied the science of music under the great +Mozart.</p> +<p>At the age of eighteen he visited Paris, and was introduced to +Voltaire. “On taking leave of me,” said +Beckford, “he placed his hand on my head, <a +name="pageiv"></a><span class="pagenum">p. iv</span>saying, +‘There, young Englishman, I give you the blessing of a very +old man.’ Voltaire was a mere skeleton—a bony +anatomy. His countenance I shall never forget.”</p> +<p>His first literary production, “Memoirs of Extraordinary +Painters,” was written at the early age of seventeen. +It would appear, that the old housekeeper at Fonthill, was in the +habit of edifying visitors to its picture gallery by a +description of the paintings, mainly derived from her own fertile +imagination. This suggested to our author, the humorous +idea of composing a catalogue of suppositious painters with +histories of each, equally fanciful and grotesque. +Henceforward, the old housekeeper had a printed guide (or rather, +mis-guider) to go by, and could discourse at large on the merits +of Og of Bashan! Waterslouchy of Amsterdam! and Herr Sucrewasser +of Vienna! their wives and styles! As for the country +squires, etc., “they,” Beckford tells us, “took +all for gospel.”</p> +<p><a name="pagev"></a><span class="pagenum">p. +v</span>“Vathek,”—the superb +“Vathek,” which Lord Byron so much admired, and on +which he so frequently complimented the +author,—“Vathek,” the finest of Oriental +romances, as “Lallah Rookh” is the first of Oriental +poems, by the pen of a “Frank,” was written and +published before our author had completed his twentieth year, it +having been composed at a <i>single sitting</i>! Yes, for +three days and two nights did the indefatigable author persevere +in his task. He completed it, and a serious illness was the +result. What other literary man ever equalled this feat of +rapidity and genius?</p> +<p>“Vathek” was originally written in French, of +which its style is a model. The translation which follows, +is not by the author himself, though he expressed perfect +satisfaction with it. It was originally published in +1786. For splendour of description, exquisite humour, and +supernatural interest and grandeur, it stands without a rival in +romance. In as thoroughly Oriental keeping, <a +name="pagevi"></a><span class="pagenum">p. vi</span>Hope’s +“Anastasius, or Memoirs of a Modern Greek,” which +Beckford himself highly admired, can alone be compared with +it.</p> +<p>Much of the description of Vathek’s palace, and even the +renowned “Hall of Eblis,” was afterwards visibly +embodied in the real Fonthill Abbey, of which wonders, almost as +fabulous, were at one time reported and believed.</p> +<p>Fonthill Abbey, which had been destroyed by fire, and re-built +during the life-time of the elder Beckford, was on account of its +bad site demolished, and again re-built under the superintendence +of our author himself, assisted by James Wyatt, Esq., the +architect, with a magnificence that excited the greatest +attention and wonder at the time. The total outlay of +building Fonthill, including furniture, articles of virtu, etc., +must have been enormous, not much within the million, as +estimated by the “Times.” A writer in the +“Athenæum” mentions £400,000 as the +sum. <a name="pagevii"></a><span class="pagenum">p. +vii</span>Beckford informed Mr. Cyrus Redding, that the exact +cost of building Fonthill was £273,000.</p> +<p>The distinguishing architectural peculiarity of Fonthill +Abbey, was a lofty tower, 280 feet in height. This tower +was prominently shadowed forth in “Vathek,” and shows +how strong a hold the idea had upon his mind. Such was his +impatience to see Fonthill completed, that he had the works +continued by torchlight, with relays of workmen. During the +progress of the building, the tower caught fire, and was partly +destroyed. The owner, however, was present, and enjoyed the +magnificent burning spectacle. It was soon restored; but a +radical fault in laying the foundation, caused it eventually to +fall down, and leave Fonthill a ruin in the life-time of its +founder.</p> +<p>Not so much his extravagant mode of life, which is the common +notion, as the loss of two large estates in a law suit (the value +of which may be inferred from the fact, that <i>fifteen hundred +slaves</i> were upon <a name="pageviii"></a><span +class="pagenum">p. viii</span>them) induced our author to quit +Fonthill, and offer it and its contents for public sale. +There was a general desire to see the interior of the palace, in +which its lord had lived in a luxurious seclusion, so little +admired by the curious of the fashionable world. “He +is fortunate,” says the “Times” of 1822, +“who finds a vacant chair within twenty miles of Fonthill; +the solitude of a private apartment is a luxury which few can +hope for.” . . . “Falstaff himself could not +<i>take his ease</i> at this moment within a dozen leagues of +Fonthill.” . . . “The beds through the county are +(literally) doing double duty—people who come in from a +distance during the night must wait to go to bed until others get +up in the morning.” . . . “Not a farm-house, however +humble,—not a cottage near Fonthill, but gives shelter to +fashion, to beauty, and rank; ostrich plumes, which, by their +very waving, we can trace back to Piccadilly, are seen nodding at +a casement window over a depopulated poultry-yard.”</p> +<p><a name="pageix"></a><span class="pagenum">p. ix</span>The +costly treasures of art and virtu, as well as the furniture of +the rich mansion, were scattered far and wide; and one of its +tables served the writer of this memoir to scribble upon, when +first stern necessity, or yet sterner ambition, urged him to add +his mite to the Babel tower of literature. At that table I +first read “Vathek.” I have read it often +since, and every perusal has increased my admiration.</p> +<p>Nearly fifty years after the publication of +“Vathek,” in 1835, Mr. Beckford published his +“Recollections of an Excursion to the Monasteries of +Alcobaca and Batalha,” which he had taken in 1795, together +with an epistolatory record of his observations in Italy, Spain +and Portugal, between the years 1780 and 1794. These are +marked, as he himself intimates, “with the bloom and heyday +of youthful spirits and youthful confidence, at a period when the +older order of things existed with all its picturesque pomps and +absurdities; when Venice enjoyed her Piombi and <a +name="pagex"></a><span class="pagenum">p. x</span>sub-marine +dungeons; Prance her Bastille; the Peninsula her Holy +Inquisition.” With none of those subjects, however, +are the letters occupied—but with delineations of +landscape, and the effects of natural phenomena. These +literary efforts appear to have exhausted their author’s +productive powers; in a word, he seems soon to have been +“used-up,” and then to have discontinued his search +after new sensations, or to have been content to live without +them.</p> +<p>After the sale of Fonthill, our author lived a considerable +time in Portugal, and hence Lord Byron, who was fond of casting +the shadow of his own imagination over every object, penned the +well-known lines at Cintra:</p> +<blockquote><p>“There thou, too, Vathek, England’s +wealthiest son, <br /> + Once formed thy paradise; as not aware<br /> + Where wanton wealth her mightiest deeds hath done, +<br /> +Meek peace, voluptuous lures, was ever wont to shun.</p> +<p> Here didst thou dwell; here scenes of +pleasure plan,<br /> + Beneath yon mountain’s ever beauteous brow;<br +/> + <a name="pagexi"></a><span class="pagenum">p. +xi</span>But now, as if a thing unblest by man,<br /> + Thy fairy dwelling is as lone as thou! <br /> + Here giant weeds a passage scarce allow <br /> + To halls deserted; portals gaping wide <br /> + Fresh lessons to the thinking bosom; how <br /> + Vain are the pleasaunces on earth supplied,<br /> +Swept into wrecks anon by time’s ungentle tide.”</p> +</blockquote> +<p>These sombre verses contrast strangely with Beckford’s +saying to Mr. Cyrus Redding, in his seventy-sixth year, +“that he had never felt a moments’ ennui in his +life.”</p> +<p>Beckford was in person scarcely above the middle height, +slender, and well formed, with features indicating great +intellectual power. He was exactly one year younger than +Pitt, the companion of his minority. His political +principles were popular, though it is recorded, that at a court +ball on the Queen’s birth-day, in 1782, he, with Miss +North, led up a country dance. He sat in parliament, in his +early years, both for Wells and Hendon, but retired on account of +bad health. This, however, he overcame by careful diet and +exercise, as testified <a name="pagexii"></a><span +class="pagenum">p. xii</span>by his great bodily activity almost +to the last. He was a man of most extensive reading, and +cultivated taste.</p> +<p>The last years of his life were passed at Bath—where he +united two houses in Lansdown Crescent, by an arch thrown across +the street, and containing his library, which was well selected, +and very extensive. Not far off, he again erected a tower, +180 feet high, of which the following description was given at +the time of his decease, by a correspondent of the +Athenæum:—</p> +<p>“Mr. Beckford, at an early period of his residence +there, erected a lofty tower, in the apartments of which were +placed many of his choicest paintings and articles of +virtu. Asiatic in its style, with gilded lattices and +blinds, or curtains, of crimson cloth, its striped ceilings, its +minaret, and other accessories, conveyed the idea that the being +who designed the place and endeavoured to carry out the plan, was +deeply imbued with the spirit of that <a +name="pagexiii"></a><span class="pagenum">p. xiii</span>lonely +grandeur and strict solitariness which obtains through all +countries and among all people of the East. The building +was surrounded by a high wall, and entrance afforded to the +garden in which the tower stood, by a door of small +dimensions. The garden itself was Eastern in its +character. Though comparatively circumscribed in its size, +nevertheless were to be found within it, solitary walks and deep +retiring shades, such as could be supposed Vathek, the mournful +and the magnificent, loved, and from the bowers of which might be +expected would suddenly fall upon the ear, sounds of the cymbal +and the dulcimer. The building contained several apartments +crowded with the finest paintings. At the time I made my +inspection the walls were crowded with the choicest productions +of the easel. The memory falls back upon ineffaceable +impressions of Old Franks, Breughel, Cuyp, Titian, (a Holy +Family), Hondekooter, Polemberg, and a host of other painters +whose works have immortalized Art. <a +name="pagexiv"></a><span class="pagenum">p. xiv</span>Ornaments +of the most exquisite gold fillagree, carvings in ivory and wood, +Raphaelesque china, goblets formed of gems, others fashioned by +the miraculous hands of Benvenuto Cellini, filled the many +cabinets and <i>recherché</i> receptacles created for such +things. The doors of the rooms were of finely polished +wood—the windows of single sweeps of plate glass—the +cornices of gilded silver; every part, both within and without, +bespeaking the wealth, the magnificence, and the taste of him who +had built this temple in dedication to grandeur, solitariness, +and the arts.”</p> +<p>From the summit of this tower, Mr. Beckford, and he alone +without a telescope,—could behold that other tower of his +youthful magnificence, Fonthill; on which he loved to gaze, with +feelings which it would be difficult to describe. His +eyesight was wonderful; he could gaze upon the sun like an eagle; +and on the day that the great tower at Fonthill fell he missed it +in the landscape <a name="pagexv"></a><span class="pagenum">p. +xv</span>long before the news of the catastrophe reached +Bath.</p> +<p>In conclusion, we have only to add, that our author, in his +life-time, had all that wealth can give, and in his grave his +memory will retain that which no wealth can purchase. +Whatever may have been his errors, they have died with him. +His genius yet lives, and “Vathek,” now for the first +time presented to the public in a popular form, will, whilst +English literature lasts, never want readers, and, while good +taste flourishes, admirers.</p> +<h2><a name="pagexvii"></a><span class="pagenum">p. +xvii</span>PREFACE.</h2> +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> original of the following +story, with some others of a similar kind, collected in the east +by a man of letters, was communicated to the editor above three +years ago. The pleasure he received from the perusal of it +induced him at that time to transcribe, and since to translate +it. How far the copy may be a just representation it +becomes not him to determine. He presumes however to hope +that if the difficulty of accommodating our English idioms to the +Arabic, preserving the correspondent tones of a diversified +narration, and discriminating the nicer touches of character +through the shades of foreign manners be <a +name="pagexviii"></a><span class="pagenum">p. xviii</span>duly +considered, a failure in some points will not preclude him from +all claim to indulgence; especially if those images, sentiments, +and passions, which being independent of local peculiarities, may +be expressed in every language, shall be found to retain their +native energy in our own.</p> +<h2><a name="page7"></a><span class="pagenum">p. +7</span>VATHEK.</h2> +<p><span class="smcap">Vathek</span>, ninth Caliph <a +name="citation7a"></a><a href="#footnote7a" +class="citation">[7a]</a> of the race of the Abassides, was the +son of Motassem, and the grandson of Haroun Al Raschid. +From an early accession to the throne, and the talents he +possessed to adorn it, his subjects were induced to expect that +his reign would be long and happy. His figure was pleasing +and majestic; but when he was angry, one of his eyes became so +terrible <a name="citation7b"></a><a href="#footnote7b" +class="citation">[7b]</a> that no person could bear to behold it; +and the wretch upon whom it was fixed instantly fell backward, +and sometimes expired. For fear, however, of depopulating +his dominions, and making his palace desolate, he but rarely gave +way to his anger.</p> +<p>Being much addicted to women, and the pleasures of the table, +he sought by his affability to procure agreeable companions; and +he succeeded the better, <a name="page8"></a><span +class="pagenum">p. 8</span>as his generosity was unbounded and +his indulgences unrestrained; for he was by no means scrupulous: +nor did he think, with the Caliph Omar Ben Abdalaziz, <a +name="citation8a"></a><a href="#footnote8a" +class="citation">[8a]</a> that it was necessary to make a hell of +this world to enjoy Paradise in the next.</p> +<p>He surpassed in magnificence all his predecessors. The +palace of Alkoremmi, which his father Motassem had erected on the +hill of Pied Horses, and which commanded the whole city of +Samarah, <a name="citation8b"></a><a href="#footnote8b" +class="citation">[8b]</a> was in his idea far too scanty: he +added, therefore, five wings, or rather other palaces, which he +destined for the particular gratification of each of his +senses.</p> +<p>In the first of these were tables continually covered with the +most exquisite dainties, which were supplied both by night and by +day according to their constant consumption; whilst the most +delicious wines, and the choicest cordials, flowed forth from a +hundred fountains, that were never exhausted. This palace +was called “The Eternal, or Unsatiating Banquet.”</p> +<p>The second was styled “The Temple of Melody, or the +Nectar of the Soul.” It was inhabited by the most +skilful musicians and admired poets of the time, who not only +displayed their talents within, but dispersing in bands without, +caused every surrounding scene to reverberate their songs, which +were continually varied in the most delightful succession.</p> +<p>The palace named “The Delight of the Eyes, or the +Support of Memory,” was one entire enchantment. +Rarities collected from every corner of the <a +name="page9"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 9</span>earth were +there found in such profusion as to dazzle and confound, but for +the order in which they were arranged. One gallery +exhibited the pictures of the celebrated Mani; and statues that +seemed to be alive. Here a well-managed perspective +attracted the sight; there, the magic of optics agreeably +deceived it; whilst the naturalist, on his part, exhibited in +their several classes the various gifts that heaven had bestowed +on our globe. In a word, Vathek omitted nothing in this +particular that might gratify the curiosity of those who resorted +to it, although he was not able to satisfy his own; for he was, +of all men, the most curious.</p> +<p>“The Palace of Perfumes,” which was termed +likewise, “The Incentive to Pleasure,” consisted of +various halls, where the different perfumes which the earth +produces were kept perpetually burning in censers of gold. +Flambeaus and aromatic lamps were here lighted in open day; but +the too powerful effects of this agreeable delirium might be +avoided by descending into an immense garden, where an assemblage +of every fragrant flower diffused through the air the purest +odours.</p> +<p>The fifth palace, denominated “The Retreat of Joy, or +the Dangerous,” was frequented by troops of young females, +beautiful as the Houris, <a name="citation9"></a><a +href="#footnote9" class="citation">[9]</a> and not less seducing, +who never failed to receive with caresses all whom the Caliph +allowed to approach them; for he was by no means disposed to be +jealous, as his own women were secluded within the palace he +inhabited himself.</p> +<p><a name="page10"></a><span class="pagenum">p. +10</span>Notwithstanding the sensuality in which Vathek indulged, +he experienced no abatement in the love of his people, who +thought that a sovereign immersed in pleasure was not less +tolerable to his subjects than one that employed himself in +creating them foes. But the unquiet and impetuous +disposition of the Caliph would not allow him to rest there: he +had studied so much for his amusement in the life-time of his +father as to acquire a great deal of knowledge, though not a +sufficiency to satisfy himself; for he wished to know everything; +even sciences that did not exist. He was fond of engaging +in disputes with the learned, but liked them not to push their +opposition with warmth. He stopped the mouths of those with +presents, whose mouths could be stopped; whilst others, whom his +liberality was unable to subdue, he sent to prison to cool their +blood; a remedy that often succeeded.</p> +<p>Vathek discovered also a predilection for theological +controversy; but it was not with the orthodox that he usually +held. By this means he induced the zealots to oppose him, +and then persecuted them in return; for he resolved, at any rate, +to have reason on his side.</p> +<p>The great prophet Mahomet, whose vicars the Caliphs are, +beheld with indignation from his abode in the seventh heaven the +irreligious conduct of such a vicegerent.</p> +<p>“Let us leave him to himself,” said he to the +Genii, <a name="citation10"></a><a href="#footnote10" +class="citation">[10]</a> who are always ready to receive his +commands; “let us see to what lengths his folly and <a +name="page11"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 11</span>impiety will +carry him; if he run into excess we shall know how to chastise +him. Assist him, therefore, to complete the tower which, in +imitation of Nimrod, he hath begun; not, like that great warrior, +to escape being drowned, but from the insolent curiosity of +penetrating the secrets of heaven: he will not divine the fate +that awaits him.”</p> +<p>The Genii obeyed; and when the workmen had raised their +structure a cubit in the day time, two cubits more were added in +the night. The expedition with which the fabric arose was +not a little flattering to the vanity of Vathek. He fancied +that even insensible matter showed forwardness to subserve his +designs; not considering that the successes of the foolish and +wicked form the first rod of their chastisement.</p> +<p>His pride arrived at its height when, having ascended, for the +first time, the eleven thousand stairs of his tower, he cast his +eyes below and beheld men not larger than pismires; mountains +than shells; and cities than bee-hives. The idea which such +an elevation inspired of his own grandeur completely bewildered +him; he was almost ready to adore himself; till lifting his eyes +upwards, he saw the stars as high above him as they appeared when +he stood on the surface of the earth. He consoled himself, +however, for this transient perception of his littleness with the +thought of being great in the eyes of the others, and flattered +himself that the light of his mind would extend beyond the reach +of <a name="page12"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 12</span>his +sight, and transfer to the stars the decrees of his destiny.</p> +<p>With this view the inquisitive prince passed most of his +nights on the summit of his tower, till he became an adept in the +mysteries of astrology, and imagined that the planets had +disclosed to him the most marvellous adventures, which were to be +accomplished by an extraordinary personage, from a country +altogether unknown. Prompted by motives of curiosity, he +had always been courteous to strangers; but from this instant he +redoubled his attention, and ordered it to be announced by sound +of trumpet, through all the streets of Samarah, that no one of +his subjects, on peril of his displeasure, should either lodge or +detain a traveller, but forthwith bring him to the palace.</p> +<p>Not long after this proclamation, there arrived in his +metropolis, a man so hideous that the very guards who arrested +him were forced to shut their eyes as they led him along. +The Caliph himself appeared startled at so horrible a visage; but +joy succeeded to this emotion of terror when the stranger +displayed to his view such rarities as he had never before seen, +and of which he had no conception.</p> +<p>In reality, nothing was ever so extraordinary as the +merchandise this stranger produced. Most of his +curiosities, which were not less admirable for their workmanship +than their splendour, had besides, their several virtues +described on a parchment fastened to each. There were +slippers which enabled the feet to walk; knives that cut without +the motion of a <a name="page13"></a><span class="pagenum">p. +13</span>hand; sabres which dealt the blow at the person they +were wished to strike; and the whole enriched with gems that were +hitherto unknown.</p> +<p>The sabres, whose blades emitted a dazzling radiance, fixed +more than all the Caliph’s attention, who promised himself +to decipher at his leisure the uncouth characters engraven on +their sides. Without, therefore, demanding their price, he +ordered all the coined gold to be brought from his treasury, and +commanded the merchant to take what he pleased. The +stranger complied with modesty and silence.</p> +<p>Vathek, imagining that the merchant’s taciturnity was +occasioned by the awe which his presence inspired, encouraged him +to advance, and asked him, with an air of condescension, +“Who he was? whence he came? and where he obtained such +beautiful commodities?”</p> +<p>The man, or rather monster, instead of making a reply, thrice +rubbed his forehead, which, as well as his body, was blacker than +ebony; four times clapped his paunch, the projection of which was +enormous; opened wide his huge eyes, which glowed like +firebrands; began to laugh with a hideous noise, and discovered +his long amber coloured teeth bestreaked with green.</p> +<p>The Caliph, though a little startled, renewed his enquiries, +but without being able to procure a reply. At which, +beginning to be ruffled, he exclaimed, “knowest thou, +varlet, who I am? and at whom thou art aiming thy +gibes?” Then addressing his guards, “have ye +heard him speak? is he dumb?”</p> +<p><a name="page14"></a><span class="pagenum">p. +14</span>“He hath spoken,” they replied, +“though but little.”</p> +<p>“Let him speak then again,” said Vathek, +“and tell me who he is, from whence he came, and where he +procured these singular curiosities, or I swear, by the ass of +Balaam, that I will make him rue his pertinacity.”</p> +<p>This menace was accompanied by the Caliph with one of his +angry and perilous glances, which the stranger sustained without +the slightest emotion, although his eyes were fixed on the +terrible eye of the prince.</p> +<p>No words can describe the amazement of the courtiers, when +they beheld this rude merchant withstand the encounter +unshocked. They all fell prostrate with their faces on the +ground, to avoid the risk of their lives, and continued in the +same abject posture till the Caliph exclaimed in a furious +tone:</p> +<p>“Up, cowards! seize the miscreant! see that he be +committed to prison, and guarded by the best of my +soldiers! Let him, however, retain the money I gave him; it +is not my intent to take from him his property, I only want him +to speak.”</p> +<p>No sooner had he uttered these words than the stranger was +surrounded, pinioned with strong fetters, and hurried away to the +prison of the great tower, which was encompassed by seven +empalements of iron bars, and armed with spikes in every +direction, longer and sharper than spits.</p> +<p>The Caliph, nevertheless, remained in the most violent +agitation. He sat down indeed to eat, but <a +name="page15"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 15</span>of the three +hundred covers that were daily placed before him, could taste of +no more than thirty-two.</p> +<p>A diet to which he had been so little accustomed, was +sufficient of itself to prevent him from sleeping, what then must +be its effect when joined to the anxiety that prayed upon his +spirits? At the first glimpse of dawn he hastened to the +prison, again to importune this intractable stranger; but the +rage of Vathek exceeded all bounds on finding the prison empty, +the gates burst asunder, and his guards lying lifeless around +him. In the paroxysm of his passion he fell furiously on +the poor carcases, and kicked them till evening without +intermission. His courtiers and viziers exerted their +efforts to soothe his extravagance, but finding every expedient +ineffectual, they all united in one vociferation:</p> +<p>“The Caliph is gone mad! the Caliph is out of his +senses!”</p> +<p>This outcry, which was soon resounded through the streets of +Samarah, at length reached the ears of Carathis, his mother: she +flew in the utmost consternation to try her ascendency on the +mind of her son. Her tears and caresses called off his +attention; and he was prevailed upon by her entreaties to be +brought back to the palace.</p> +<p>Carathis, apprehensive of leaving Vathek to himself, caused +him to be put to bed; and seating herself by him, endeavoured by +her conversation to heal and compose him. Nor could any one +have attempted it with better success; for the Caliph not only +loved her as a mother but respected her as a <a +name="page16"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 16</span>person of +superior genius. It was she who had induced him, being a +Greek herself, to adopt all the sciences and systems of her +country, which good Mussulmans hold in such thorough +abhorrence.</p> +<p>Judicial astrology was one of those systems in which Carathis +was a perfect adept. She began, therefore, with reminding +her son of the promise which the stars had made him; and +intimated an intention of consulting them again.</p> +<p>“Alas!” sighed the Caliph, as soon at he could +speak, “what a fool have I been! not for the kicks bestowed +on my guards, who so tamely submitted to death, but for never +considering that this extraordinary man was the same the planets +had foretold; whom, instead of ill-treating, I should have +conciliated by all the arts of persuasion.”</p> +<p>“The past,” said Carathis, “cannot be +recalled; but it behoves us to think of the future: perhaps you +may again see the object you so much regret: it is possible the +inscriptions on the sabres will afford information. Eat, +therefore, and take thy repose, my dear son. We will +consider, to-morrow, in what manner to act.”</p> +<p>Vathek yielded to her counsel as well as he could, and arose +in the morning with a mind more at ease. The sabres he +commanded to be instantly brought; and poring upon them through a +green glass, that their glittering might not dazzle, he set +himself in earnest to decipher the inscriptions; but his +reiterated attempts were all of them nugatory: in vain did he +beat his head and bite his nails; not a letter <a +name="page17"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 17</span>of the whole +was he able to ascertain. So unlucky a disappointment would +have undone him again, had not Carathis, by good fortune, entered +the apartment.</p> +<p>“Have patience, son!” said she. “You +certainly are possessed of every important science, but the +knowledge of languages is a trifle, at best; and the +accomplishment of none but a pedant. Issue forth a +proclamation that you will confer such rewards as become your +greatness upon any one that shall interpret what you do not +understand, and what it is beneath you to learn. You will +soon find your curiosity gratified.”</p> +<p>“That may be,” said the Caliph; “but in the +mean time I shall be horribly disgusted by a crowd of smatterers, +who will come to the trial as much for the pleasure of retailing +their jargon as from the hope of gaining the reward. To +avoid this evil, it will be proper to add that I will put every +candidate to death who shall fail to give satisfaction; for, +thank heaven, I have skill enough to distinguish between one that +translates and one that invents.”</p> +<p>“Of that I have no doubt,” replied Carathis, +“but to put the ignorant to death is somewhat severe, and +may be productive of dangerous effects. Content yourself +with commanding their beards to be burnt: beards, in a state, are +not quite so essential as men.”</p> +<p>The Caliph submitted to the reasons of his mother, and sending +for Morakanabad, his prime vizier, said:</p> +<p><a name="page18"></a><span class="pagenum">p. +18</span>“Let the common criers proclaim, not only in +Samarah, but throughout every city in my empire, that whosoever +will repair hither, and decipher certain characters which appear +to be inexplicable, shall experience the liberality for which I +am renowned; but that all who fail upon trial shall have their +beards burnt off to the last hair. Let them add also, that +I will bestow fifty beautiful slaves, and as many jars of +apricots from the isle of Kirmith, upon any man that shall bring +me intelligence of the stranger.”</p> +<p>The subjects of the Caliph, like their sovereign, being great +admirers of women, and apricots from Kirmith, felt their mouths +water at these promises, but were totally unable to gratify their +hankering, for no one knew which way the stranger had gone.</p> +<p>As to the Caliph’s other requisition the result was +different: the learned, the half-learned, and those who were +neither, but fancied themselves equal to both, came boldly to +hazard their beards, and all shamefully lost them.</p> +<p>The exaction of these forfeitures, which found sufficient +employment for the Eunuchs, gave them such a smell of singed hair +as greatly to disgust the ladies of the seraglio, and make it +necessary that this new occupation of their guardians should be +transferred into other hands.</p> +<p>At length, however, an old man presented himself, whose beard +was a cubit-and-a-half longer than any that had appeared before +him. The officers of <a name="page19"></a><span +class="pagenum">p. 19</span>the palace whispered to each other, +as they ushered him in:</p> +<p>“What a pity such a beard should be burnt!”</p> +<p>Even the Caliph, when he saw it, concurred with them in +opinion; but his concern was entirely needless. This +venerable personage read the characters with facility, and +explained them verbatim, as follows:</p> +<p>“We were made where everything good is made; we are the +least of the wonders of a place where all is wonderful; and +deserving the sight of the first potentate on earth.”</p> +<p>“You translate admirably!” cried Vathek. +“I know to what these marvellous characters allude. +Let him receive as many robes of honour, and thousands of sequins +of gold, as he hath spoken words. I am in some measure +relieved from the perplexity that embarrassed me!”</p> +<p>Vathek invited the old man to dine, and even to remain some +days in the palace. Unluckily for him, he accepted the +offer; for the Caliph having ordered him next morning to be +called, said:</p> +<p>“Read again to me what you have read already; I cannot +hear too often the promise that is made me, the completion of +which I languish to obtain.”</p> +<p>The old man forthwith put on his green spectacles; but they +instantly dropped from his nose, on perceiving that the +characters he had read the day preceding, had given place to +others of different import.</p> +<p><a name="page20"></a><span class="pagenum">p. +20</span>“What ails you?” asked the Caliph; +“and why these symptoms of wonder?”</p> +<p>“Sovereign of the world,” replied the old man, +“these sabres hold another language to-day, from that they +yesterday held.”</p> +<p>“How say you?” returned Vathek. “But +it matters not! tell me, if you can, what they mean.”</p> +<p>“It is this, my lord,” rejoined the old man: +“‘Woe to the rash mortal who seeks to know that of +which he should remain ignorant and to undertake that which +surpasseth his power!’”</p> +<p>“And woe to thee!” cried the Caliph, in a burst of +indignation: “to-day thou art void of understanding: begone +from my presence, they shall burn but the half of thy beard, +because thou wert yesterday fortunate in guessing. My gifts +I never resume.”</p> +<p>The old man, wise enough to perceive he had luckily escaped, +considering the folly of disclosing so disgusting a truth, +immediately withdrew, and appeared not again.</p> +<p>But it was not long before Vathek discovered abundant reason +to regret his precipitation; for though he could not decipher the +characters himself, yet, by constantly poring upon them, he +plainly perceived that they every day changed; and unfortunately +no other candidate offered to explain them. This perplexing +occupation inflamed his blood, dazzled his sight, and brought on +a giddiness and debility that he could not support. He +failed not, however, though in so reduced a condition, to be <a +name="page21"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 21</span>often carried +to his tower, as he flattered himself that he might there read in +the stars, which he went to consult, something more congruous to +his wishes. But in this his hopes were deluded; for his +eyes, dimmed by the vapours of his head, began to subserve his +curiosity so ill, that he beheld nothing but a thick dun cloud, +which he took for the most direful of omens.</p> +<p>Agitated with so much anxiety, Vathek entirely lost all +firmness; a fever seized him and his appetite failed. +Instead of being one of the greatest eaters, he became as +distinguished for drinking. So insatiable was the thirst +which tormented him, that his mouth, like a funnel, was always +open to receive the various liquors that might be poured into it +and especially cold water, which calmed him more than every +other.</p> +<p>This unhappy prince being thus incapacitated for the enjoyment +of any pleasure, commanded the palaces of the five senses to be +shut up; forebore to appear in public, either to display his +magnificence or administer justice; and retired to the inmost +apartment of his harem. As he had ever been an indulgent +husband, his wives, overwhelmed with grief at his deplorable +situation, incessantly offered their prayers for his health, and +unremittingly supplied him with water.</p> +<p>In the mean time, the Princess Carathis, whose affliction no +words can describe, instead of restraining herself to sobbing and +tears, was closeted daily with the Vizier Morakanabad, to find +out some cure <a name="page22"></a><span class="pagenum">p. +22</span>or mitigation of the Caliph’s disease. Under +the persuasion that it was caused by enchantment, they turned +over together leaf by leaf, all the books of magic that might +point out a remedy; and caused the horrible stranger, whom they +accused as the enchanter, to be everywhere sought for with the +strictest diligence.</p> +<p>At the distance of a few miles from Samarah stood a high +mountain, whose sides were swarded with wild thyme and basil, and +its summit overspread with so delightful a plain that it might be +taken for the Paradise destined for the faithful. Upon it +grew a hundred thickets of eglantine and other fragrant shrubs; a +hundred arbours of roses, jessamine, and honeysuckle; as many +clumps of orange trees, cedar, and citron; whose branches, +interwoven with the palm, the pomegranate, and the vine, +presented every luxury that could regale the eye or the +taste. The ground was strewed with violets, harebells, and +pansies; in the midst of which sprung forth tufts of jonquils, +hyacinths, and carnations, with every other perfume that +impregnates the air. Four fountains, not less clear than +deep, and so abundant as to slake the thirst of ten armies, +seemed purposely placed here to make the scene more resemble the +garden of Eden, which was watered by the four sacred +rivers. Here the nightingale sang the birth of the rose, +her well-beloved, and at the same time lamented its short-lived +beauty; whilst the turtle deplored the loss of more substantial +pleasures and the wakeful lark hailed the rising <a +name="page23"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 23</span>light that +reanimates the whole creation. Here, more than anywhere, +the mingled melodies of birds expressed the various passions they +inspired; as if the exquisite fruits, which they pecked at +pleasure, had given them a double energy.</p> +<p>To this mountain Vathek was sometimes brought, for the sake of +breathing a purer air; and especially, to drink at will of the +four fountains, which were reputed in the highest degree +salubrious, and sacred to himself. His attendants were his +mother, his wives, and some eunuchs, who assiduously employed +themselves in filling capacious bowls of rock crystal, and +emulously presenting them to him. But it frequently +happened that his avidity exceeded their zeal; insomuch that he +would prostrate himself upon the ground to lap up the water, of +which he could never have enough.</p> +<p>One day when this unhappy prince had been long lying in so +debasing a posture, a voice, hoarse but strong, thus addressed +him:</p> +<p>“Why assumest thou the function of a dog, oh Caliph, so +proud of thy dignity and power?”</p> +<p>At this apostrophe he raised up his head and beheld the +stranger that had caused him so much affliction. Inflamed +with anger at the sight, he exclaimed:</p> +<p>“Accursed Giaour! <a name="citation23"></a><a +href="#footnote23" class="citation">[23]</a> what comest thou +hither to do? is it not enough to have transformed a prince, +remarkable for his agility, into one of those leather barrels +which the Bedouin Arabs carry on their camels when they traverse +the deserts? Perceivest <a name="page24"></a><span +class="pagenum">p. 24</span>thou not that I may perish by +drinking to excess, no less than by a total +abstinence?”</p> +<p>“Drink then this draught,” said the stranger, as +he presented to him a phial of a red and yellow mixture; +“and to satiate the thirst of thy soul as well as of thy +body, know that I am an Indian, but from a region of India which +is wholly unknown.”</p> +<p>The Caliph, delighted to see his desires accomplished in part, +and flattering himself with the hope of obtaining their entire +fulfilment, without a moment’s hesitation swallowed the +potion, and instantaneously found his health restored, his thirst +appeased, and his limbs as agile as ever.</p> +<p>In the transports of his joy, Vathek leaped upon the neck of +the frightful Indian, and kissed his horrid mouth and hollow +cheeks, as though they had been the coral lips, and the lilies +and roses of his most beautiful wives; whilst they, less +terrified than jealous at the sight, dropped their veils to hide +the blush of mortification that suffused their foreheads.</p> +<p>Nor would the scene have closed here, had not Carathis, with +all the art of insinuation, a little repressed the raptures of +her son. Having prevailed upon him to return to Samarah, +she caused a herald to precede him, whom she commanded to +proclaim as loudly as possible:</p> +<p>“The wonderful stranger hath appeared again; he hath +healed the Caliph; he hath spoken! he hath spoken!”</p> +<p>Forthwith all the inhabitants of this vast city <a +name="page25"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 25</span>quitted their +habitations, and ran together in crowds to see the procession of +Vathek and the Indian, whom they now blessed as much as they had +before execrated, incessantly shouting,</p> +<p>“He hath healed our sovereign; he hath spoken! he hath +spoken!”</p> +<p>Nor were these words forgotten in the public festivals, which +were celebrated the same evening to testify the general joy, for +the poets applied them as a chorus to all the songs they +composed.</p> +<p>The Caliph, in the mean while caused the palaces of the senses +to be again set open, and as he found himself prompted to visit +that of taste, in preference to the rest, immediately ordered a +splendid entertainment, to which his great officers and favourite +courtiers were all invited. The Indian, who was placed near +the prince, seemed to think that as a proper acknowledgment of so +distinguished a privilege, he could neither eat, drink, nor talk +too much. The various dainties were no sooner served up +than they vanished, to the great mortification of Vathek, who +piqued himself on being the greatest eater alive, and at this +time in particular had an excellent appetite.</p> +<p>The rest of the company looked round at each other in +amazement, but the Indian without appearing to observe it, +quaffed large bumpers to the health of each of them: sung in a +style altogether extravagant; related stories at which he laughed +immoderately; and poured forth extemporaneous verses which would +not have been thought bad, but <a name="page26"></a><span +class="pagenum">p. 26</span>for the strange grimaces with which +they were uttered. In a word, his loquacity was equal to +that of a hundred astrologers; he ate as much as a hundred +porters, and caroused in proportion.</p> +<p>The Caliph, notwithstanding the table had been thirty times +covered, found himself incommoded by the voraciousness of his +guest, who was now considerably declined in the prince’s +esteem. Vathek, however, being unwilling to betray the +chagrin he could hardly disguise, said in a whisper to +Bababalouk, <a name="citation26a"></a><a href="#footnote26a" +class="citation">[26a]</a> the chief of his eunuchs:</p> +<p>“You see how enormous his performances in every way are; +what would be the consequence should he get at my wives? +Go! redouble your vigilance, and be sure look well to my +Circassians, who would be more to his taste than all of the +rest.”</p> +<p>The bird of the morning had thrice renewed his song, when the +hour of the divan <a name="citation26b"></a><a +href="#footnote26b" class="citation">[26b]</a> sounded. +Vathek, in gratitude to his subjects, having promised to attend, +immediately arose from table and repaired thither leaning upon +his vizier, who could scarcely support him, so disordered was the +poor prince by the wine he had drank, and still more by the +extravagant vagaries of his boisterous guest.</p> +<p>The viziers, the officers of the crown, and of the law, +arranged themselves in a semi-circle about their sovereign, and +preserved a respectful silence, whilst the Indian, who looked as +cool as if come from a fast, sat down without ceremony on a step +of the <a name="page27"></a><span class="pagenum">p. +27</span>throne, laughing in his sleeve at the indignation with +which his temerity had filled the spectators.</p> +<p>The Caliph, however, whose ideas were confused and his head +embarrassed, went on administering justice at hap-hazard, till at +length the prime vizier <a name="citation27"></a><a +href="#footnote27" class="citation">[27]</a> perceiving his +situation, hit upon a sudden expedient to interrupt the audience, +and rescue the honour of his master, to whom he said in a +whisper:</p> +<p>“My lord, the princess Carathis, who hath passed the +night in consulting the planets, informs you that they portend +you evil; and the danger is urgent. Beware, lest this +stranger whom you have so lavishly recompensed for his magical +gewgaws, should make some attempt on your life: his liquor, which +at first had the appearance of effecting your cure, may be no +more than a poison of a sudden operation. Slight not this +surmise; ask him, at least, of what it was compounded; whence he +procured it; and mention the sabres, which you seem to have +forgotten.”</p> +<p>Vathek, to whom the insolent airs of the stranger became every +moment less supportable, intimated to his vizier by a wink of +acquiescence, that he would adopt his advice, and at once turning +towards the Indian, said:</p> +<p>“Get up and declare in full divan of what drugs the +liquor was compounded you enjoined me to take, for it is +suspected to be poison; add also the explanation I have so +earnestly desired concerning the sabres you sold me, and thus +show your gratitude for the favours heaped on you.”</p> +<p><a name="page28"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 28</span>Having +pronounced these words in as moderate a tone as a Caliph well +could, he waited in silent expectation for an answer; but the +Indian, still keeping his seat, began to renew his loud shouts of +laughter, and exhibit the same horrid grimaces he had shown them +before, without vouchsafing a word in reply. Vathek, no +longer able to brook such insolence, immediately kicked him from +the steps, instantly descending repeated his blow, and persisted +with such assiduity, as incited all who were present to follow +his example. Every foot was aimed at the Indian, and no +sooner had any one given him a kick than he felt himself +constrained to reiterate the stroke.</p> +<p>The stranger afforded them no small entertainment; for being +both short and plump, he collected himself into a ball and rolled +round on all sides at the blows of his assailants, who pressed +after him wherever he turned, with an eagerness beyond +conception, whilst their numbers were every moment +increasing. The ball, indeed, in passing from one apartment +to another, drew every person after it that came in its way, +insomuch that the whole palace was thrown into confusion, and +resounded with a tremendous clamour. The women of the +harem, amazed at the uproar, flew to their blinds to discover the +cause, but no sooner did they catch a glimpse of the ball than +feeling themselves unable to refrain, they broke from the +clutches of their eunuchs, who to stop their flight pinched them +till they bled, but in vain; whilst themselves, though <a +name="page29"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 29</span>trembling +with terror at the escape of their charge, were as incapable of +resisting the attraction.</p> +<p>The Indian, after having traversed the halls, galleries, +chambers, kitchens, gardens, and stables of the palace, at last +took his course through the courts, whilst the Caliph, pursuing +him closer than the rest, bestowed as many kicks as he possibly +could, yet not without receiving now and then one, which his +competitors, in their eagerness, designed for the ball.</p> +<p>Carathis, Morakanabad, and two or three old viziers whose +wisdom had hitherto withstood the attraction, wishing to prevent +Vathek from exposing himself in the presence of his subjects, +fell down in his way to impede the pursuit, but he, regardless of +their obstruction, leaped over their heads, and went on as +before. They then ordered the muezzins to call the people +to prayers, both for the sake of getting them out of the way, and +of endeavouring by their petitions to avert the calamity; but +neither of these expedients was a whit more successful. The +sight of this fatal ball was alone sufficient to draw after it +every beholder. The muezzins themselves, though they saw it +but at a distance, hastened down from their minarets and mixed +with the crowd, which continued to increase in so surprising a +manner, that scarce an inhabitant was left in Samarah, except the +aged, the sick confined to their beds, and infants at the breast, +whose nurses could run more nimbly without them. Even +Carathis, Morakanabad, and the rest, were all become of the +party.</p> +<p><a name="page30"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 30</span>The +shrill screams of the females who had broken from their +apartments, and were unable to extricate themselves from the +pressure of the crowd, together with those of the eunuchs +jostling after them, terrified lest their charge should escape +from their sight, increased by the execrations of husbands urging +forward and menacing both, kicks given and received, stumblings +and overthrows at every step, in a word, the confusion that +universally prevailed, rendered Samarah like a city taken by +storm, and devoted to absolute plunder.</p> +<p>At last the cursed Indian, who still preserved his rotundity +of figure, after passing through all the streets and public +places, and leaving them empty, rolled onwards to the plain of +Catoul, and traversed the valley at the foot of the mountain of +the four fountains.</p> +<p>As a continual fall of water had excavated an immense gulph in +the valley, whose opposite side was closed in by a steep +acclivity, the Caliph and his attendants were apprehensive lest +the ball should bound into the chasm, and to prevent it, +redoubled their efforts, but in vain. The Indian persevered +in his onward direction, and as had been apprehended, glancing +from the precipice with the rapidity of lightning, was lost in +the gulph below.</p> +<p>Vathek would have followed the perfidious Giaour, had not an +invisible agency arrested his progress. The multitude that +pressed after him were at once checked in the same manner, and a +calm instantaneously ensued. They all gazed at each other +with <a name="page31"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 31</span>an +air of astonishment; and notwithstanding that the loss of veils +and turbans, together with torn habits, and dust blended with +sweat, presented a most laughable spectacle, there was not one +smile to be seen; on the contrary, all with looks of confusion +and sadness returned in silence to Samarah, and retired to their +inmost apartments, without ever reflecting that they had been +impelled by an invisible power into the extravagance for which +they reproached themselves: for it is but just, that men who so +often arrogate to their own merit the good of which they are but +instruments, should attribute to themselves the absurdities which +they could not prevent.</p> +<p>The Caliph was the only person that refused to leave the +valley. He commanded his tents to be pitched there, and +stationed himself on the very edge of the precipice, in spite of +the representations of Carathis and Morakanabad, who pointed out +the hazard of its brink giving way, and the vicinity to the +magician that had so severely tormented him. Vathek derided +all their remonstrances; and having ordered a thousand flambeaus +to be lighted, and directed his attendants to proceed in lighting +more, lay down on the slippery margin, and attempted, by the help +of this artificial splendour, to look through that gloom which +all the fires of the empyrean had been insufficient to +pervade. One while he fancied to himself voices arising +from the depth of the gulph, at another he seemed to distinguish +the accents of the Indian, but all was no more than the hollow <a +name="page32"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 32</span>murmur of +waters, and the din of the cataracts that rushed from steep to +steep, down the sides of the mountain.</p> +<p>Having passed the night in this cruel perturbation, the Caliph +at day-break retired to his tent, where, without taking the least +sustenance, he continued to doze till the dusk of evening began +to come on; he then resumed his vigils as before, and persevered +in observing them for many nights together. At length, +fatigued with so successless an employment, he sought relief from +change. To this end he sometimes paced with hasty strides +across the plain; and as he wildly gazed at the stars, reproached +them with having deceived him; but lo! on a sudden the clear blue +sky appeared streaked over with streams of blood, which reached +from the valley even to the city of Samarah. As this awful +phenomenon seemed to touch his tower, Vathek at first thought of +repairing thither to view it more distinctly, but feeling himself +unable to advance, and being overcome with apprehension, he +muffled up his face in his robe.</p> +<p>Terrifying as these prodigies were, this impression upon him +was no more than momentary, and served only to stimulate his love +of the marvellous. Instead, therefore, of returning to his +palace, he persisted in the resolution of abiding where the +Indian vanished from his view. One night, however, while he +was walking as usual on the plain, the moon and the stars at once +were eclipsed, and a total darkness ensued. The earth +trembled beneath him, and a voice <a name="page33"></a><span +class="pagenum">p. 33</span>came forth, the voice of the Giaour, +who in accents more sonorous than thunder, thus addressed +him:</p> +<p>“Would’st thou devote thyself to me? adore then +the terrestrial influences, and abjure Mahomet. On these +conditions I will bring thee to the palace of subterranean fire: +there shalt thou behold, in immense depositories, the treasures +which the stars have promised thee, and which will be conferred +by those intelligences whom thou shalt thus render +propitious. It was from thence I brought my sabres; and it +is there that Soliman Ben Daoud reposes, surrounded by the +talismans that control the world.”</p> +<p>The astonished Caliph trembled as he answered, yet in a style +that showed him to be no novice in preternatural adventures:</p> +<p>“Where art thou? Be present to my eyes; dissipate +the gloom that perplexes me, and of which I deem thee the +cause. After the many flambeaus I have burnt to discover +thee, thou mayest at least grant a glimpse of thy horrible +visage.”</p> +<p>“Abjure then Mahomet,” replied the Indian, +“and promise me full proofs of thy sincerity; otherwise +thou shalt never behold me again.”</p> +<p>The unhappy Caliph, instigated by insatiable curiosity, +lavished his promises in the utmost profusion. The sky +immediately brightened; and by the light of the planets, which +seemed almost to blaze, Vathek beheld the earth open, and at the +extremity of a vast black chasm a portal of ebony, before which +stood the Indian, still blacker, holding in his hand a golden +key, that caused the lock to resound.</p> +<p><a name="page34"></a><span class="pagenum">p. +34</span>“How,” cried Vathek, “can I descend to +thee, without the certainty of breaking my neck? Come take +me, and instantly open the portal.”</p> +<p>“Not so fast,” replied the Indian, +“impatient Caliph! Know that I am parched with +thirst, and cannot open this door till my thirst be thoroughly +appeased. I require the blood of fifty of the most +beautiful sons of thy viziers and great men, or neither can my +thirst nor thy curiosity be satisfied. Return to Samarah; +procure for me this necessary libation; come back hither; throw +it thyself into this chasm; and then shalt thou see!”</p> +<p>Having thus spoken, the Indian turned his back on the Caliph, +who, incited by the suggestion of demons, resolved on the direful +sacrifice. He now pretended to have regained his +tranquillity, and set out for Samarah amidst the acclamations of +a people who still loved him, and forbore not to rejoice when +they believed him to have recovered his reason. So +successfully did he conceal the emotion of his heart, that even +Carathis and Morakanabad were equally deceived with the +rest. Nothing was heard of but festivals and +rejoicings. The ball, which no tongue had hitherto ventured +to mention, was again brought on the tapis. A general laugh +went round; though many, still smarting under the hands of the +surgeon, from the hurts received in that memorable adventure, had +no great reason for mirth.</p> +<p>The prevalence of this gay humour was not a little grateful to +Vathek, as perceiving how much it conduced to his project. +He put on the appearance <a name="page35"></a><span +class="pagenum">p. 35</span>of affability to every one; but +especially to his viziers, and the grandees of his court, whom he +failed not to regale with a sumptuous banquet, during which he +insensibly inclined the conversation to the children of his +guests. Having asked, with a good-natured air, who of them +were blessed with the handsomest boys, every father at once +asserted the pretensions of his own; and the contest +imperceptibly grew so warm, that nothing could have with-holden +them from coming to blows but their profound reverence for the +person of the Caliph. Under the pretence, therefore, of +reconciling the disputants, Vathek took upon him to decide; and +with this view commanded the boys to be brought.</p> +<p>It was not long before a troop of these poor children made +their appearance, all equipped by their fond mothers with such +ornaments as might give the greatest relief to their beauty, or +most advantageously display the graces of their age. But +whilst this brilliant assemblage attracted the eyes and hearts of +every one besides, the Caliph scrutinized each in his turn with a +malignant avidity that passed for attention, and selected from +their number the fifty whom he judged the Giaour would +prefer.</p> +<p>With an equal show of kindness as before, he proposed to +celebrate a festival on the plain, for the entertainment of his +young favourites, who he said ought to rejoice still more than +all at the restoration of his health, on account of the favours +he intended for them.</p> +<p><a name="page36"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 36</span>The +Caliph’s proposal was received with the greatest delight, +and soon published through Samarah. Litters, camels, and +horses were prepared. Women and children, old men and +young—every one placed himself in the station he +chose. The cavalcade set forward, attended by all the +confectioners in the city and its precincts. The populace, +following on foot, composed an amazing crowd, and occasioned no +little noise. All was joy; nor did any one call to mind +what most of them had suffered when they first travelled the road +they were now passing so gaily.</p> +<p>The evening was serene, the air refreshing, the sky clear, and +the flowers exhaled their fragrance. The beams of the +declining sun, whose mild splendour reposed on the summit of the +mountain, shed a glow of ruddy light over its green declivity, +and the white flocks sporting upon it. No sounds were +audible, save the murmurs of the four fountains, and the reeds +and voices of shepherds, calling to each other from different +eminences.</p> +<p>The lovely innocents, proceeding to the destined sacrifice, +added not a little to the hilarity of the scene. They +approached the plain full of sportiveness; some coursing +butterflies, others culling flowers, or picking up the shining +little pebbles that attracted their notice. At intervals, +they nimbly started from each other, for the sake of being caught +again, and mutually imparting a thousand caresses.</p> +<p>The dreadful chasm, at whose bottom the portal of ebony was +placed, began to appear at a distance. It looked like a +black streak that divided the plain. <a +name="page37"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 37</span>Morakanabad +and his companions took it for some work which the Caliph had +ordered. Unhappy men! little did they surmise for what it +was destined.</p> +<p>Vathek, not liking that they should examine it too nearly, +stopped the procession, and ordered a spacious circle to be +formed on this side, at some distance from the accursed +chasm. The body-guard of eunuchs was detached, to measure +out the lists intended for the games, and prepare ringles for the +lines to keep off the crowd. The fifty competitors were +soon stripped, and presented to the admiration of the spectators +the suppleness and grace of their delicate limbs. Their +eyes sparkled with a joy which those of their fond parents +reflected. Every one offered wishes for the little +candidate nearest his heart, and doubted not of his being +victorious. A breathless suspense awaited the contest of +these amiable and innocent victims.</p> +<p>The Caliph, availing himself of the first moment to retire +from the crowd, advanced towards the chasm, and there heard, yet +not without shuddering, the voice of the Indian; who, gnashing +his teeth, eagerly demanded:</p> +<p>“Where are they? Where are they? perceivest thou +not how my mouth waters?”</p> +<p>“Relentless Giaour!” answered Vathek, with +emotion, “can nothing content thee but the massacre of +these lovely victims? Ah! wert thou to behold their beauty, +it must certainly move thy compassion.”</p> +<p>“Perdition on thy compassion, babbler!” cried <a +name="page38"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 38</span>the +Indian. “Give them me! instantly give them, or my +portal shall be closed against thee for ever!”</p> +<p>“Not so loudly,” replied the Caliph, blushing.</p> +<p>“I understand thee,” returned the Giaour, with the +grin of an ogre: “thou wantest to summon up more presence +of mind. I will for a moment forbear.”</p> +<p>During this exquisite dialogue the games went forward with all +alacrity, and at length concluded, just as the twilight began to +overcast the mountains. Vathek, who was still standing on +the edge of the chasm, called out with all his might:</p> +<p>“Let my fifty little favourites approach me, separately; +and let them come in the order of their success. To the +first I will give my diamond bracelet; to the second my collar of +emeralds; to the third my aigret of rubies; to the fourth my +girdle of topazes; and to the rest, each a part of my dress, even +down to my slippers.”</p> +<p>This declaration was received with reiterated acclamations; +and all extolled the liberality of a prince who would thus strip +himself for the amusement of his subjects and the encouragement +of the rising generation.</p> +<p>The Caliph in the mean while undressed himself by degrees; and +raising his arm as high as he was able, made each of the prizes +glitter in the air; but, whilst he delivered it with one hand to +the child, who sprang forward to receive it, he with the other +pushed the poor innocent into the gulph, where the <a +name="page39"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 39</span>Giaour, with +a sullen muttering, incessantly repeated “More! +more!”</p> +<p>This dreadful device was executed with so much dexterity, that +the boy who was approaching him remained unconscious of the fate +of his forerunner; and as to the spectators, the shades of +evening, together with their distance, precluded them from +perceiving any object distinctly. Vathek, having in this +manner thrown in the last of the fifty, and expecting that the +Giaour on receiving him would have presented the key, already +fancied himself as great as Soliman, and consequently above being +amenable for what he had done; when, to his utter amazement, the +chasm closed, and the ground became as entire as the rest of the +plain.</p> +<p>No language could express his rage and despair. He +execrated the perfidy of the Indian; loaded him with the most +infamous invectives; and stamped with his foot as resolving to be +heard. He persisted in this demeanour till his strength +failed him, and then fell on the earth like one void of +sense. His viziers and grandees, who were nearer than the +rest, supposed him at first to be sitting on the grass at play +with their amiable children; but at length, prompted by doubt, +they advanced towards the spot, and found the Caliph alone, who +wildly demanded what they wanted.</p> +<p>“Our children! our children!” cried they.</p> +<p>“It is assuredly pleasant,” said he, “to +make me accountable for accidents. Your children, while at +play, fell from the precipice that was here; and I <a +name="page40"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 40</span>should have +experienced their fate had I not been saved by a sudden start +back.”</p> +<p>At these words, the fathers of the fifty boys cried out aloud: +the mothers repeated their exclamations an octave higher; whilst +the rest, without knowing the cause, soon drowned the voices of +both, with still louder lamentations of their own.</p> +<p>“Our Caliph,” said they, and the report soon +circulated, “Our Caliph has played us this trick, to +gratify his accursed Giaour. Let us punish him for his +perfidy! let us avenge ourselves! let us avenge the blood of the +innocent! let us throw this cruel Prince into the gulph that is +near, and let his name be mentioned no more!”</p> +<p>At this rumour, and these menaces, Carathis, full of +consternation, hastened to Morakanabad, and said:</p> +<p>“Vizier, you have lost two beautiful boys, and must +necessarily be the most afflicted of fathers; but you are +virtuous; save your master!”</p> +<p>“I will brave every hazard,” replied the Vizier, +“to rescue him from his present danger; but afterwards will +abandon him to his fate. Bababalouk,” continued he, +“put yourself at the head of your Eunuchs, disperse the +mob, and if possible bring back this unhappy Prince to his +palace.”</p> +<p>Bababalouk and his fraternity, felicitating each other in a +low voice on their disability of ever being fathers, obeyed the +mandate of the Vizier; who, seconding their exertions to the +utmost of his power, <a name="page41"></a><span +class="pagenum">p. 41</span>at length accomplished his generous +enterprise, and retired, as he resolved, to lament at his +leisure.</p> +<p>No sooner had the Caliph re-entered his palace, than Carathis +commanded the doors to be fastened; but perceiving the tumult to +be still violent, and hearing the imprecations which resounded +from all quarters, she said to her son:</p> +<p>“Whether the populace be right or wrong, it behoves you +to provide for your safety: let us retire to your own apartment, +and from thence, through the subterranean passage known only to +ourselves, into your tower; there, with the assistance of the +mutes who never leave it, we may be able to make some +resistance. Bababalouk, supposing us to be still in the +palace, will guard its avenues for his own sake; and we shall +soon find, without the counsels of that blubberer Morakanabad, +what expedient may be the best to adopt.”</p> +<p>Vathek, without making the least reply, acquiesced in his +mother’s proposal, and repeated as he went:</p> +<p>“Nefarious Giaour! where art thou? hast thou not yet +devoured those poor children? where are thy sabres? thy golden +key? thy talismans?”</p> +<p>Carathis, who guessed from these interrogations a part of the +truth, had no difficulty to apprehend in getting at the whole, as +soon as he should be a little composed in his tower. This +Princess was so far from being influenced by scruples that she +was as wicked as woman could be, which is not saying a little, +for the sex pique themselves on their superiority in every +competition. The recital of the Caliph therefore <a +name="page42"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 42</span>occasioned +neither terror nor surprise to his mother; she felt no emotion +but from the promises of the Giaour; and said to her son:</p> +<p>“This Giaour, it must be confessed, is somewhat +sanguinary in his taste, but the terrestrial powers are always +terrible: nevertheless, what the one has promised and the others +can confer, will prove a sufficient indemnification. No +crimes should be thought too dear for such a reward. +Forbear then to revile the Indian: you have not fulfilled the +conditions to which his services are annexed. For instance, +is not a sacrifice to the subterranean Genii required? and should +we not be prepared to offer it as soon as the tumult is +subsided? This charge I will take on myself, and have no +doubt of succeeding by means of your treasures; which, as there +are now so many others in store, may without fear be +exhausted.”</p> +<p>Accordingly, the Princess, who possessed the most consummate +skill in the art of persuasion, went immediately back through the +subterranean passage, and presenting herself to the populace from +a window of the palace, began to harangue them with all the +address of which she was mistress, whilst Bababalouk showered +money from both hands amongst the crowd, who by these united +means were soon appeased. Every person retired to his home, +and Carathis returned to the tower.</p> +<p>Prayer at break of day was announced, when Carathis and Vathek +ascended the steps which led to the summit of the tower, where +they remained <a name="page43"></a><span class="pagenum">p. +43</span>for some time, though the weather was lowering and +wet. This impending gloom corresponded with their malignant +dispositions; but when the sun began to break through the clouds, +they ordered a pavilion to be raised as a screen from the +intrusion of his beams. The Caliph, overcome with fatigue, +sought refreshment from repose, at the same time hoping that +significant dreams might attend on his slumbers; whilst the +indefatigable Carathis, followed by a party of her mutes, +descended to prepare whatever she judged proper for the oblation +of the approaching night.</p> +<p>By secret stairs, known only to herself and her son, she first +repaired to the mysterious recesses in which were deposited the +mummies that had been brought from the catacombs of the ancient +Pharaohs. Of these she ordered several to be taken. +From thence she resorted to a gallery, where, under the guard of +fifty female negroes, mute, and blind of the right eye, were +preserved the oil of the most venomous serpents, +rhinoceros’ horns, and woods of a subtle and penetrating +odour, procured from the interior of the Indies, together with a +thousand other horrible rarieties. This collection had been +formed for a purpose like the present, by Carathis herself, from +a presentiment that she might one day enjoy some intercourse with +the infernal powers, to whom she had ever been passionately +attached, and to whose taste she was no stranger.</p> +<p>To familiarize herself the better with the horrors in view, +the Princess remained in the company of <a +name="page44"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 44</span>her +negresses, who squinted in the most amiable manner from the only +eye they had, and leered with exquisite delight at the skulls and +skeletons which Carathis had drawn forth from her cabinets, whose +key she entrusted to no one; all of them making contortions, and +uttering a frightful jargon, but very amusing to the Princess +till at last, being stunned by their gibbering, and suffocated by +the potency of their exhalations, she was forced to quit the +gallery, after stripping it of a part of its treasures.</p> +<p>Whilst she was thus occupied, the Caliph, who instead of the +visions he expected, had acquired in these insubstantial regions +a voracious appetite, was greatly provoked at the negresses: for, +having totally forgotten their deafness, he had impatiently asked +them for food; and seeing them regardless of his demand, he began +to cuff, pinch, and push them, till Carathis arrived to terminate +a scene so indecent, to the great content of these miserable +creatures, who having been brought up by her, understood all her +signs, and communicated in the same way their thoughts in +return.</p> +<p>“Son! what means all this?” said she, panting for +breath. “I thought I heard as I came up, the shrieks +of a thousand bats, tearing from their crannies in the recesses +of a cavern, and it was the outcry only of these poor mutes, whom +you were so unmercifully abusing. In truth you but ill +deserve the admirable provision I have brought you.”</p> +<p>“Give it me instantly!” exclaimed the Caliph: +“I am perishing for hunger!”</p> +<p><a name="page45"></a><span class="pagenum">p. +45</span>“As to that,” answered she, “you must +have an excellent stomach if it can digest what I have been +preparing.”</p> +<p>“Be quick,” replied the Caliph. “But +oh, heavens! what horrors! What do you intend?”</p> +<p>“Come, come,” returned Carathis, “be not so +squeamish, but help me to arrange every thing properly, and you +shall see that what you reject with such symptoms of disgust will +soon complete your felicity. Let us get ready the pile for +the sacrifice of to-night, and think not of eating till that is +performed. Know you not that all solemn rites are preceded +by a rigorous abstinence?”</p> +<p>The Caliph, not daring to object, abandoned himself to grief, +and the wind that ravaged his entrails, whilst his mother went +forward with the requisite operations. Phials of +serpents’ oil, mummies, and bones, were soon set in order +on the balustrade of the tower. The pile began to rise; and +in three hours was as many cubits high. At length, darkness +approached, and Carathis having stripped herself to her inmost +garment, clapped her hands in an impulse of ecstasy, and struck +light with all her force. The mutes followed her example: +but Vathek, extenuated with hunger and impatience, was unable to +support himself, and fell down in a swoon. The sparks had +already kindled the dry wood; the venomous oil burst into a +thousand blue flames; the mummies, dissolving, emitted a thick +dun vapour; and the rhinoceros’ horns beginning to consume; +all together diffused such a stench, that the Caliph, <a +name="page46"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 46</span>recovering, +started from his trance and gazed wildly on the scene in full +blaze around him. The oil gushed forth in a plentitude of +streams; and the negresses, who supplied it without intermission, +united their cries to those of the Princess. At last the +fire became so violent, and the flames reflected from the +polished marble so dazzling, that the Caliph, unable to withstand +the heat and the blaze, effected his escape, and clambered up the +imperial standard.</p> +<p>In the mean time, the inhabitants of Samarah, scared at the +light which shone over the city, arose in haste, ascended their +roofs, beheld the tower on fire, and hurried half-naked to the +square. Their love to their sovereign immediately awoke; +and apprehending him in danger of perishing in his tower, their +whole thoughts were occupied with the means of his safety. +Morakanabad flew from his retirement, wiped away his tears, and +cried out for water like the rest. Bababalouk, whose +olfactory nerves were more familiarized to magical odours, +readily conjecturing that Carathis was engaged in her favourite +amusements, strenuously exhorted them not to be alarmed. +Him, however, they treated as an old poltroon; and forbore not to +style him a rascally traitor. The camels and dromedaries +were advancing with water, but no one knew by which way to enter +the tower. Whilst the populace was obstinate in forcing the +doors, a violent east wind drove such a volume of flame against +them, as at first forced them off; but afterwards, rekindled +their zeal. At the <a name="page47"></a><span +class="pagenum">p. 47</span>same time, the stench of the horns +and mummies increasing, most of the crowd fell backward in a +state of suffocation. Those that kept their feet mutually +wondered at the cause of the smell, and admonished each other to +retire. Morakanabad, more sick than the rest, remained in a +piteous condition. Holding his nose with one hand, he +persisted in his efforts with the other to burst open the doors, +and obtain admission. A hundred and forty of the strongest +and most resolute at length accomplished their purpose. +Having gained the staircase by their violent exertions, they +attained a great height in a quarter of an hour.</p> +<p>Carathis, alarmed at the signs of her mutes, advanced to the +staircase, went down a few steps, and heard several voices +calling out from below:</p> +<p>“You shall in a moment have water!”</p> +<p>Being rather alert, considering her age, she presently +regained the top of the tower, and bade her son suspend the +sacrifice for some minutes, adding:</p> +<p>“We shall soon be enabled to render it more +grateful. Certain dolts of your subjects, imagining, no +doubt, that we were on fire, have been rash enough to break +through those doors, which had hitherto remained inviolate, for +the sake of bringing up water. They are very kind, you must +allow, so soon to forget the wrongs you have done them: but that +is of little moment. Let us offer them to the Giaour. +Let them come up: our mutes, who neither want strength nor +experience, will soon despatch them, exhausted as they are with +fatigue.”</p> +<p><a name="page48"></a><span class="pagenum">p. +48</span>“Be it so,” answered the Caliph, +“provided we finish, and I dine.”</p> +<p>In fact, these good people, out of breath from ascending +eleven thousand stairs in such haste, and chagrined at having +spilt, by the way, the water they had taken, were no sooner +arrived at the top than the blaze of the flames and the fumes of +the mummies at once overpowered their senses. It was a +pity! for they beheld not the agreeable smile with which the +mutes and the negresses adjusted the cord to their necks: these +amiable personages rejoiced, however, no less at the scene. +Never before had the ceremony of strangling been performed with +so much facility. They all fell without the least +resistance or struggle; so that Vathek, in the space of a few +moments, found himself surrounded by the dead bodies of his most +faithful subjects, all of which were thrown on the top of the +pile.</p> +<p>Carathis, whose presence of mind never forsook her, perceiving +that she had carcases sufficient to complete her oblation, +commanded the chains to be stretched across the staircase, and +the iron doors barricaded, that no more might come up.</p> +<p>No sooner were these orders obeyed, than the tower shook; the +dead bodies vanished in the flames; which at once changed from a +swarthy crimson to a bright rose colour. An ambient vapour +emitted the most exquisite fragrance; the marble columns rang +with harmonious sounds, and the liquefied horns diffused a +delicious perfume. Carathis, in transports, anticipated the +success of her <a name="page49"></a><span class="pagenum">p. +49</span>enterprise; whilst the mutes and negresses, to whom +these sweets had given the cholic, retired to their cells +grumbling.</p> +<p>Scarcely were they gone, when, instead of the pile, horns, +mummies, and ashes, the Caliph both saw and felt, with a degree +of pleasure which he could not express, a table, covered with the +most magnificent repast: flaggons of wine, and vases of exquisite +sherbet, floating on snow. He availed himself, without +scruple, of such an entertainment; and had already laid hands on +a lamb stuffed with pistachios, whilst Carathis was privately +drawing from a fillagreen urn, a parchment that seemed to be +endless; and which had escaped the notice of her son. +Totally occupied, in gratifying an importunate appetite, he left +her to peruse it, without interruption; which having finished, +she said to him, in an authoritative tone,</p> +<p>“Put an end to your gluttony, and hear the splendid +promises with which you are favoured!” She then read, +as follows:</p> +<p>“Vathek, my well-beloved, thou hast surpassed my hopes: +my nostrils have been regaled by the savour of thy mummies, thy +horns; and, still more, by the lives devoted on the pile. +At the full of the moon, cause the bands of thy musicians, and +thy tymbals, to be heard; depart from thy palace surrounded by +all the pageants of majesty; thy most faithful slaves, thy best +beloved wives; thy most magnificent litters; thy richest loaden +camels; and set forward on thy way to Istakar. There await +I thy coming. <a name="page50"></a><span class="pagenum">p. +50</span>That is the region of wonders. There shalt thou +receive the diadem of Gian Ben Gian, <a name="citation50"></a><a +href="#footnote50" class="citation">[50]</a> the talismans of +Soliman, and the treasures of the preadimite Sultans: there shalt +thou be solaced with all kinds of delight. But, beware how +thou enterest any dwelling on thy route, or thou shalt feel the +effects of my anger.”</p> +<p>The Caliph, who, notwithstanding his habitual luxury, had +never before dined with so much satisfaction, gave full scope to +the joy of these golden tidings, and betook himself to drinking +anew. Carathis, whose antipathy to wine was by no means +insuperable, failed not to supply a reason for every bumper, +which they ironically quaffed to the health of Mahomet. +This infernal liquor completed their impious temerity, and +prompted them to utter a profusion of blasphemies. They +gave a loose to their wit, at the expense of the ass of Balaam, +the dog of the seven sleepers, and the other animals admitted +into the paradise of Mahomet. In this sprightly humour they +descended the eleven thousand stairs, diverting themselves as +they went at the anxious faces they saw on the square, through +the oilets of the tower, and at length arrived at the royal +apartments by the subterranean passage. Bababalouk was +parading to and fro, and issuing his mandates with great pomp to +the eunuchs, who were snuffing the lights and painting the eyes +of the Circassians. No sooner did he catch sight of the +Caliph and his mother than he exclaimed,</p> +<p>“Hah! you have then, I perceive, escaped from the +flames; I was not, however, altogether out of doubt.”</p> +<p><a name="page51"></a><span class="pagenum">p. +51</span>“Of what moment is it to us what you thought or +think?” cried Carathis “go, speed, tell Morakanabad +that we immediately want him; and take care how you stop by the +way to make your insipid reflections.”</p> +<p>Morakanabad delayed not to obey the summons, and was received +by Vathek and his mother with great solemnity. They told +him with an air of composure and commiseration that the fire at +the top of the tower was extinguished, but that it had cost the +lives of the brave people who sought to assist them.</p> +<p>“Still more misfortunes!” cried Morakanabad with a +sigh. “Ah, commander of the faithful, our holy +prophet is certainly irritated against us! it behoves you to +appease him.”</p> +<p>“We will appease him hereafter,” replied the +Caliph, with a smile that augured nothing of good. +“You will have leisure sufficient for your supplications +during my absence; for this country is the bane of my +health. I am disgusted with the mountain of the Four +Fountains, and am resolved to go and drink of the stream of +Rocnabad. <a name="citation51"></a><a href="#footnote51" +class="citation">[51]</a> I long to refresh myself in the +delightful valleys which it waters. Do you, with the advice +of my mother, govern my dominions; and take care to supply +whatever her experiments may demand; for you well know that our +tower abounds in materials for the advancement of +science.”</p> +<p>The tower but ill suited Morakanabad’s taste. +Immense treasures had been lavished upon it, and nothing had he +ever seen carried thither but female <a name="page52"></a><span +class="pagenum">p. 52</span>negroes, mutes, and abominable +drugs. Nor did he know well what to think of Carathis, who +like a chamelion could assume all possible colours. Her +cursed eloquence had often driven the poor Mussulman to his last +shifts. He considered, however, that if she possessed but +few good qualities, her son had still fewer, and that the +alternative, on the whole, would be in her favour. +Consoled, therefore, with this reflection, he went in good +spirits to soothe the populace, and make the proper arrangements +for his master’s journey.</p> +<p>Vathek, to conciliate the spirits of the subterranean palace, +resolved that his expedition should be uncommonly splendid. +With this view he confiscated on all sides the property of his +subjects, whilst his worthy mother stripped the seraglios she +visited of the gems they contained. She collected all the +sempstresses and embroiderers of Samarah, and other cities, to +the distance of sixty leagues, to prepare pavilions, palanquins, +sofas, canopies, and litters, for the train of the monarch. +There was not left in Masulipatan a single piece of chintz; and +so much muslin had been bought up to dress out Bababalouk and the +other black eunuchs, that there remained not an ell in the whole +Irak of Babylon.</p> +<p>During these preparations, Carathis, who never lost sight of +her great object, which was to obtain favour with the powers of +darkness, made select parties of the fairest and most delicate +ladies of the city; but in the midst of their gaiety she +contrived to introduce serpents amongst them, and to break <a +name="page53"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 53</span>pots of +scorpions under the table. They all bit to a wonder, and +Carathis would have left them to bite, were it not that to fill +up the time, she now and then amused herself in curing their +wounds with an excellent anodyne of her own invention; for this +good princess abhorred being indolent.</p> +<p>Vathek, who was not altogether so active as his mother, +devoted his time to the sole gratification of his senses, in the +palaces which were severally dedicated to them. He +disgusted himself no more with the divan or the mosque. One +half of Samarah followed his example, whilst the other lamented +the progress of corruption.</p> +<p>In the midst of these transactions, the embassy returned which +had been sent in pious times to Mecca. It consisted of the +most reverend moullahs, <a name="citation53"></a><a +href="#footnote53" class="citation">[53]</a> who had fulfilled +their commission, and brought back one of those precious besoms +which are used to sweep the sacred caaba; a present truly worthy +of the greatest potentate on earth!</p> +<p>The Caliph happened at this instant to be engaged in an +apartment by no means adapted to the reception of embassies, +though adorned with a certain magnificence, not only to render it +agreeable, but also because he resorted to it frequently, and +staid a considerable time together. Whilst occupied in this +retreat, he heard the voice of Bababalouk calling out from +between the door and the tapestry that hung before it:</p> +<p>“Here are the excellent Mahomet Ebn Edris al Shafei, and +the seraphic Al Mouhadethin, who have <a name="page54"></a><span +class="pagenum">p. 54</span>brought the besom from Mecca, and +with tears of joy entreat they may present it to your majesty in +person.”</p> +<p>“Let them bring the besom hither, it may be of +use,” said Vathek, who was still employed, not having quite +racked off his wine.</p> +<p>“How!” answered Bababalouk, half aloud and +amazed.</p> +<p>“Obey,” replied the Caliph, “for it is my +sovereign will; go instantly! vanish! for here will I receive the +good folk who have thus filled thee with joy.”</p> +<p>The eunuch departed muttering, and bade the venerable train +attend him. A sacred rapture was diffused amongst these +reverend old men. Though fatigued with the length of their +expedition, they followed Bababalouk with an alertness almost +miraculous, and felt themselves highly flattered as they swept +along the stately porticos, that the Caliph would not receive +them like ambassadors in ordinary, in his hall of audience. +Soon reaching the interior of the harem (where, through blinds of +persian they perceived large soft eyes, dark and blue, that went +and came like lightning) penetrated with respect and wonder, and +full of their celestial mission, they advanced in procession +towards the small corridors that appeared to terminate in +nothing, but nevertheless led to the cell where the Caliph +expected their coming.</p> +<p>“What! is the commander of the faithful sick?” +said Ebn Edris al Shafei, in a low voice to his companion.</p> +<p><a name="page55"></a><span class="pagenum">p. +55</span>“I rather think he is in his oratory,” +answered Al Mouhadethin.</p> +<p>Vathek, who heard the dialogue, cried out “What imports +it you how I am employed? approach without delay.”</p> +<p>They advanced, and Bababalouk almost sunk with confusion, <a +name="citation55"></a><a href="#footnote55" +class="citation">[55]</a> whilst the Caliph, without showing +himself, put forth his hand from behind the tapestry that hung +before the door, and demanded of them the besom.</p> +<p>Having prostrated themselves as well as the corridor would +permit, and even in a tolerable semi-circle, the venerable Al +Shafei, drawing forth the besom from the embroidered and perfumed +scarfs in which it had been enveloped, and secured from the +profane gaze of vulgar eyes, arose from his associates and +advanced with an air of the most awful solemnity towards the +supposed oratory; but with what astonishment! with what horror +was he seized!</p> +<p>Vathek, bursting out into a villainous laugh, snatched the +besom from his trembling hand, and fixing upon it some cobwebs +that hung suspended from the ceiling, gravely brushed away till +not a single one remained.</p> +<p>The old men, overpowered with amazement, were unable to lift +their beards from the ground; for as Vathek had carelessly left +the tapestry between them half drawn, they were witnesses to the +whole transaction. Their tears gushed forth on the +marble. Al Mouhadethin swooned through mortification and +fatigue, whilst the Caliph, throwing himself <a +name="page56"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 56</span>backward on +his seat, shouted and clapped his hands without mercy. At +last, addressing himself to Bababalouk:</p> +<p>“My dear black,” said he, “go, regale these +pious poor souls with my good wine from Shiraz; and as they can +boast of having seen more of my palace than any one besides, let +them also visit my office courts, and lead them out by the back +steps that go to my stables.” Having said this, he +threw the besom in their face, and went to enjoy the laugh with +Carathis.</p> +<p>Bababalouk did all in his power to console the ambassadors, +but the two most infirm expired on the spot; the rest were +carried to their beds, from whence, being heart-broken with +sorrow and shame, they never arose.</p> +<p>The succeeding night, Vathek, attended by his mother, ascended +the tower to see if everything were ready for his journey, for he +had great faith in the influence of the stars. The planets +appeared in their most favourable aspects. The Caliph, to +enjoy so flattering a sight, supped gaily on the roof, and +fancied that he heard, during his repast, loud shouts of laughter +resound through the sky, in a manner that inspired the fullest +assurance.</p> +<p>All was in motion at the palace; lights were kept burning +through the whole of the night; the sound of implements, and of +artisans finishing their work; the voices of women and their +guardians who sung at their embroidery; all conspired to +interrupt the stillness of nature, and infinitely delight the +heart of <a name="page57"></a><span class="pagenum">p. +57</span>Vathek, who imagined himself going in triumph to sit +upon the throne of Soliman.</p> +<p>The people were not less satisfied than himself; all assisted +to accelerate the moment which should rescue them from the +wayward caprices of so extravagant a master.</p> +<p>The day preceding the departure of this infatuated prince was +employed by Carathis in repeating to him the decrees of the +mysterious parchment, which she had thoroughly gotten by heart; +and in recommending him not to enter the habitation of any one by +the way; “for well thou knowest,” added she, +“how liquorish thy taste is after good dishes and young +damsels; let me therefore enjoin thee to be content with thy old +cooks, who are the best in the world; and not to forget that in +thy ambulatory seraglio there are three dozen pretty faces, which +Bababalouk hath not yet unveiled. I, myself, have a great +desire to watch over thy conduct, and visit the subterranean +palace, which no doubt contains whatever can interest persons +like us. There is nothing so pleasing as retiring to +caverns; my taste for dead bodies and everything like mummy is +decided; and I am confident thou wilt see the most exquisite of +their kind. Forget me not then, but the moment thou art in +possession of the talismans which are to open to thee the mineral +kingdoms, and the centre of the earth itself, fail not to +dispatch some trusty genius to take me and my cabinet, for the +oil of the serpents I have pinched to death will be a pretty +present to the Giaour, who cannot but be charmed with such +dainties.”</p> +<p><a name="page58"></a><span class="pagenum">p. +58</span>Scarcely had Carathis ended this edifying discourse, +when the sun, setting behind the mountain of the Four Fountains, +gave place to the rising moon. This planet being that +evening at full, appeared of unusual beauty and magnitude in the +eyes of the women, the eunuchs, and the pages, who were all +impatient to set forward. The city re-echoed with shouts of +joy and flourishing of trumpets. Nothing was visible but +plumes nodding on pavilions, and aigrets shining in the mild +lustre of the moon. The spacious square resembled an +immense parterre, variegated with the most stately tulips of the +east.</p> +<p>Arrayed in the robes which were only worn at the most +distinguished ceremonials, and supported by his vizier and +Bababalouk, the Caliph descended the grand staircase of the tower +in the sight of all his people. He could not forbear +pausing at intervals to admire the superb appearance which +everywhere courted his view, whilst the whole multitude, even to +the camels with their sumptuous burdens, knelt down before +him. For some time a general stillness prevailed, which +nothing happened to disturb, but the shrill screams of some +eunuchs in the rear. These vigilant guards having remarked +certain cages of the ladies swagging somewhat awry, and +discovered that a few adventurous gallants had contrived to get +in, soon dislodged the enraptured culprits, and consigned them +with good commendations, to the surgeons of the serail. The +majesty of so magnificent a spectacle was not, however, violated +<a name="page59"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 59</span>by +incidents like these. Vathek, meanwhile, saluted the moon +with an idolatrous air, that neither pleased Morakanabad nor the +doctors of the law, any more than the viziers and grandees of his +court, who were all assembled to enjoy the last view of their +sovereign.</p> +<p>At length the clarions and trumpets from the top of the tower +announced the prelude of departure. Though the instruments +were in unison with each other, yet a singular dissonance was +blended with their sounds. This proceeded from Carathis, +who was singing her direful orisons to the Giaour, whilst the +negresses and mutes supplied thorough bass without articulating a +word. The good Mussulmans fancied that they heard the +sullen hum of those nocturnal insects which presage evil, and +importuned Vathek to beware how he ventured his sacred +person.</p> +<p>On a given signal the great standard of the Califat was +displayed; twenty thousand lances shone around it; and the +Caliph, treading royally on the cloth of gold which had been +spread for his feet, ascended his litter amidst the general awe +that possessed his subjects.</p> +<p>The expedition commenced with the utmost order, and so entire +a silence, that even the locusts were heard from the thickets on +the plain of Catoul. Gaiety and good humour prevailing, six +good leagues were past before the dawn; and the morning star was +still glittering in the firmament when the whole of this numerous +train had halted on the <a name="page60"></a><span +class="pagenum">p. 60</span>banks of the Tigris, where they +encamped to repose for the rest of the day.</p> +<p>The three days that followed were spent in the same manner, +but on the fourth the heavens looked angry, lightnings broke +forth in frequent flashes, re-echoing peals of thunder succeeded, +and the trembling Circassians clung with all their might to their +ugly guardians. The Caliph himself was greatly inclined to +take shelter in the large town of Gulchissar, the governor of +which came forth to meet him, and tendered every kind of +refreshment the place could supply. But having examined his +tablets, he suffered the rain to soak him almost to the bone, +notwithstanding the importunity of his first favourites. +Though he began to regret the palace of the senses, yet he lost +not sight of his enterprise, and his sanguine expectations +confirmed his resolution. His geographers were ordered to +attend him, but the weather proved so terrible, that these poor +people exhibited a lamentable appearance; and as no long journeys +had been undertaken since the time of Haroun al Raschid, their +maps of the different countries were in a still worse plight than +themselves. Every one was ignorant which way to turn; for +Vathek, though well versed in the course of the heavens, no +longer knew his situation on earth. He thundered even +louder than the elements, and muttered forth certain hints of the +bowstring which were not very soothing to literary ears. +Disgusted at the toilsome weariness of the way, he determined to +cross over the craggy heights, and <a name="page61"></a><span +class="pagenum">p. 61</span>follow the guidance of a peasant, who +undertook to bring him, in four days, to Rocnabad. +Remonstrances were all to no purpose, his resolution was fixed, +and an invasion commenced on the province of the goats, who sped +away in large troops before them. It was curious to view on +these half calcined rocks camels richly caparisoned, and +pavilions of gold and silk waving on their summits, which till +then had never been covered, but with sapless thistles and +fern.</p> +<p>The females and eunuchs uttered shrill wailings at the sight +of the precipices below them, and the dreary prospects that +opened in the vast gorges of the mountains. Before they +could reach the ascent of the steepest rock night overtook them, +and a boisterous tempest arose, which having rent the awnings of +the palanquins and cages, exposed to the raw gusts the poor +ladies within, who had never before felt so piercing a +cold. The dark clouds that overcast the face of the sky +deepened the horrors of this disastrous night, insomuch that +nothing could be heard distinctly but the mewling of pages, and +lamentations of sultanas.</p> +<p>To increase the general misfortune, the frightful uproar of +wild beasts resounded at a distance, and there were soon +perceived in the forest they were skirting the glaring of eyes +which could belong only to devils or tigers. The pioneers, +who as well as they could, had marked out a track, and a part of +the advanced guard were devoured before they had been in the +least apprised of their danger. The confusion that +prevailed was extreme. Wolves, <a name="page62"></a><span +class="pagenum">p. 62</span>tigers, and other carnivorous +animals, invited by the howling of their companions, flocked +together from every quarter. The crushing of bones was +heard on all sides, and a fearful rush of wings over head, for +now vultures also began to be of the party.</p> +<p>The terror at length reached the main body of the troops which +surrounded the monarch and his harem, at the distance of two +leagues from the scene. Vathek (voluptuously reposed in his +capacious litter upon cushions of silk, with two little pages +beside him, of complexions more fair than the enamel of +Franguestan, who were occupied in keeping off flies) was soundly +asleep, and contemplating in his dreams the treasures of +Soliman. The shrieks, however, of his wives awoke him with +a start, and instead of the Giaour with his key of gold, he +beheld Bababalouk full of consternation.</p> +<p>“Sire,” exclaimed this good servant of the most +potent of monarchs, “misfortune has arrived at its height; +wild beasts, who entertain no more reverence for your sacred +person than for that of a dead ass, have beset your camels and +their drivers: thirty of the richest laden are already become +their prey, as well as all your confectioners, your cooks, and +purveyors, and unless our holy prophet should protect us, we +shall have all eaten our last meal.”</p> +<p>At the mention of eating, the Caliph lost all patience. +He began to bellow, and even beat himself, for there was no +seeing in the dark. The rumour every instant increased, and +Bababalouk finding no good could be done with his master <a +name="page63"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 63</span>stopped both +his ears against the hurly-burly of the harem, and called out +aloud:</p> +<p>“Come, ladies and brothers! all hands to work! strike +light in a moment! never shall it be said that the commander of +the faithful served to regale these infidel brutes.”</p> +<p>Though there wanted not in this bevy of beauties a sufficient +number of capricious and wayward, yet, on the present occasion +they were all compliance. Fires were visible in a twinkling +in all their cages. Ten thousand torches were lighted at +once. The Caliph himself seized a large one of wax; every +person followed his example; and by kindling ropes ends dipped in +oil and fastened on poles, an amazing blaze was spread. The +rocks were covered with the splendour of sunshine. The +trails of sparks wafted by the wind, communicated to the dry +fern, of which there was plenty. Serpents were observed to +crawl forth from their retreats with amazement and hissings, +whilst the horses snorted, stamped the ground, tossed their noses +in the air, and plunged about without mercy.</p> +<p>One of the forests of cedar that bordered their way took fire, +and the branches that overhung the path extending their flames to +the muslins and chintzes which covered the cages of the ladies, +obliged them to jump out at the peril of their necks. +Vathek, who vented on the occasion a thousand blasphemies, was +himself compelled to touch with his sacred feet the naked +earth.</p> +<p>Never had such an incident happened before. <a +name="page64"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 64</span>Full of +mortification, shame and despondence, and not knowing how to +walk, the ladies fell into the dirt.</p> +<p>“Must I go on foot,” said one.</p> +<p>“Must I wet my feet,” cried another.</p> +<p>“Must I soil my dress,” asked a third.</p> +<p>“Execrable Bababalouk,” exclaimed all; +“Outcast of hell! what hadst thou to do with torches? +Better were it to be eaten by tigers than to fall into our +present condition; we are for ever undone. Not a porter is +there in the army, nor a currier of camels but hath seen some +part of our bodies, and what is worse, our very faces!”</p> +<p>On saying this, the most bashful amongst them hid their +foreheads on the ground, whilst such as had more boldness flew at +Bababalouk, but he, well apprised of their humour, and not +wanting in shrewdness, betook himself to his heels along with his +comrades, all dropping their torches and striking their +tymbals.</p> +<p>It was not less light than in the brightest of the dog-days, +and the weather was hot in proportion; but how degrading was the +spectacle, to behold the Caliph bespattered like an ordinary +mortal! As the exercise of his faculties seemed to be +suspended, one of his Ethiopian wives (for he delighted in +variety) clasped him in her arms, threw him upon her shoulder +like a sack of dates, and finding that the fire was hemming them +in, set off with no small expedition, considering the weight of +her burden. The other ladies who had just learned the use +of their feet <a name="page65"></a><span class="pagenum">p. +65</span>followed her; their guards galloped after; and the camel +drivers brought up the rear as fast as their charge would +permit.</p> +<p>They soon reached the spot where the wild beasts had commenced +the carnage, and which they had too much spirit to leave, +notwithstanding the approaching tumult, and the luxurious supper +they had made. Bababalouk nevertheless seized on a few of +the plumpest, which were unable to budge from the place, and +began to flay them with admirable adroitness. The cavalcade +being got so far from the conflagration as that the heat felt +rather grateful than violent, it was immediately resolved on to +halt. The tattered chintzes were picked up; the scraps left +by the wolves and tigers interred; and vengeance was taken on +some dozens of vultures that were too much glutted to rise on the +wing. The camels which had been left unmolested to make +sal-ammoniac being numbered, and the ladies once more inclosed in +their cages, the imperial tent was pitched on the levellest +ground they could find.</p> +<p>Vathek, reposing upon a matress of down, and tolerably +recovered from the jolting of the Ethiopian, who, to his feelings +seemed the roughest trotting jade he had hitherto mounted, called +out for something to eat; but alas! those delicate cakes which +had been baked in silver ovens for his royal mouth, those rich +manchets, amber comfits, flaggons of Schiraz wine, porcelain +vases of snow, and grapes from the banks of the Tigris, were all +irremediably lost; and nothing had Bababalouk to present in <a +name="page66"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 66</span>their stead, +but a roasted wolf, vultures à la daube, aromatic herbs of +the most acrid poignancy, rotten truffles, boiled thistles, and +such other wild plants as must ulcerate the throat and parch up +the tongue. Nor was he better provided in the article of +drink, for he could procure nothing to accompany these irritating +viands but a few phials of abominable brandy, which had been +secreted by the scullions in their slippers.</p> +<p>Vathek made wry faces at so savage a repast, and Bababalouk +answered them with shrugs and contortions. The Caliph +however ate with tolerable appetite, and fell into a nap that +lasted six hours. The splendour of the sun, reflected from +the white cliffs of the mountains in spite of the curtains that +inclosed him, at length disturbed his repose. He awoke +terrified, and stung to the quick by those wormwood-coloured +flies which emit from their wings a suffocating stench. The +miserable monarch was perplexed how to act, though his wits were +not idle in seeking expedients, whilst Bababalouk lay snoring +amidst a swarm of those insects, that busily thronged to pay +court to his nose. The little pages, famished with hunger, +had dropped their fans on the ground, and exerted their dying +voices in bitter reproaches on the Caliph, who now for the first +time heard the language of truth.</p> +<p>Thus stimulated, he renewed his imprecations against the +Giaour, and bestowed upon Mahomet some soothing expressions.</p> +<p>“Where am I?” cried he; “What are these <a +name="page67"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 67</span>dreadful +rocks; these valleys of darkness? Are we arrived at the +horrible Kaf? <a name="citation67a"></a><a href="#footnote67a" +class="citation">[67a]</a> Is the Simurgh <a +name="citation67b"></a><a href="#footnote67b" +class="citation">[67b]</a> coming to pluck out my eyes as a +punishment for undertaking this impious enterprise?”</p> +<p>Having said this, he bellowed like a calf, and turned himself +towards an outlet in the side of his pavilion. But alas! +what objects occurred to his view! on one side a plain of black +sand that appeared to be unbounded, and on the other +perpendicular crags bristled over with those abominable thistles +which had so severely lacerated his tongue. He fancied, +however, that he perceived amongst the brambles and briars some +gigantic flowers, but was mistaken, for these were only the +dangling palampores and variegated tatters of his gay +retinue. As there were several clefts in the rock from +whence water seemed to have flowed, Vathek applied his ear with +the hope of catching the sound of some latent runnel, but could +only distinguish the low murmurs of his people, who were repining +at their journey, and complaining for the want of water.</p> +<p>“To what purpose,” asked they, “have we been +brought hither? Hath our Caliph another tower to build? or +have the relentless Afrits <a name="citation67c"></a><a +href="#footnote67c" class="citation">[67c]</a> whom Carathis so +much loves, fixed in this place their abode?”</p> +<p>At the name of Carathis, Vathek recollected the tablets he had +received from his mother, who assured him they were fraught with +preternatural qualities, and advised him to consult them as +emergencies might require. Whilst he was engaged in turning +them over, he heard a shout of joy, <a name="page68"></a><span +class="pagenum">p. 68</span>and a loud clapping of hands. +The curtains of his pavilion were soon drawn back, and he beheld +Bababalouk, followed by a troop of his favourites, conducting two +dwarfs, each a cubit high, who brought between them a large +basket of melons, oranges, and pomegranites. They were +singing in the sweetest tones the words that follow:</p> +<p>“We dwell on the top of these rocks, in a cabin of +rushes and canes; the eagles envy us our nest; a small spring +supplies us with abdest, and we daily repeat prayers which the +prophet approves. We love you, O commander of the faithful! +our master, the good emir Fakreddin, loves you also; he reveres +in your person the vicegerent of Mahomet. Little as we are, +in us he confides; he knows our hearts to be good, as our bodies +are contemptible, and hath placed us here to aid those who are +bewildered on these dreary mountains. Last night, whilst we +were occupied within our cell in reading the holy koran, a sudden +hurricane blew out our lights and rocked our habitation. +For two whole hours a palpable darkness prevailed: but we heard +sounds at a distance which we conjectured to proceed from the +bells of a cafila, passing over the rocks. Our ears were +soon filled with deplorable shrieks, frightful roarings, and the +sound of tymbals. Chilled with terror, we concluded that +the Deggial <a name="citation68"></a><a href="#footnote68" +class="citation">[68]</a> with his exterminating angels had sent +forth their plagues on the earth. In the midst of these +melancholy reflections, we perceived flames of the deepest red +glow in the horizon, and found ourselves in a few <a +name="page69"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 69</span>moments +covered with flakes of fire. Amazed at so strange an +appearance, we took up the volume dictated by the blessed +intelligence, and kneeling by the light of the fire that +surrounded us, we recited the verse which says: ‘Put no +trust in any thing but the mercy of heaven; there is no help save +in the holy prophet; the mountain of Kaf itself may tremble; it +is the power of Alla only that cannot be moved.’ +After having pronounced these words, we felt consolation, and our +minds were hushed into a sacred repose. Silence ensued, and +our ears clearly distinguished a voice in the air, saying: +‘Servants of my faithful servant, go down to the happy +valley of Fakreddin; tell him that an illustrious opportunity now +offers to satiate the thirst of his hospitable heart. The +commander of true believers is this day bewildered amongst these +mountains, and stands in need of thy aid.’ We obeyed +with joy the angelic mission, and our master, filled with pious +zeal, hath culled with his own hands these melons, oranges, and +pomegranites. He is following us with a hundred dromedaries +laden with the purest waters of his fountains, and is coming to +kiss the fringe of your consecrated robe, and implore you to +enter his humble habitation, which, placed amidst these barren +wilds, resembles an emerald set in lead.”</p> +<p>The dwarfs having ended their address, remained still +standing, and with hands crossed upon their bosoms, preserved a +respectful silence.</p> +<p>Vathek, in the midst of this curious harangue <a +name="page70"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 70</span>seized the +basket, and long before it was finished, the fruits had dissolved +in his mouth. As he continued to eat, his piety increased, +and in the same breath which recited his prayers, he called for +the koran and sugar.</p> +<p>Such was the state of his mind when the tablets, which were +thrown by at the approach of the dwarfs, again attracted his +eye. He took them up, but was ready to drop on the ground +when he beheld, in large red characters, these words inscribed by +Carathis, which were indeed enough to make him tremble.</p> +<p>“Beware of thy old doctors, and their puny messengers of +but one cubit high; distrust their pious frauds; and instead of +eating their melons, impale on a spit the bearers of them. +Shouldst thou be such a fool as to visit them, the portal of the +subterranean palace will be shut in thy face, and with such force +as shall shake thee asunder; thy body shall be spit upon, and +bats will engender in thy belly.”</p> +<p>“To what tends this ominous rhapsody?” cries the +Caliph; “and must I then perish in these deserts with +thirst, whilst I may refresh myself in the valley of melons and +cucumbers? Accursed be the Giaour with his portal of ebony! +he hath made me dance attendance too long already. Besides, +who shall prescribe laws to me? I, forsooth, must not enter +any one’s habitation! Be it so, but what one can I +enter that is not my own.”</p> +<p>Bababalouk, who lost not a syllable of this <a +name="page71"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 71</span>soliloquy, +applauded it with all his heart; and the ladies, for the first +time, agreed with him in opinion. The dwarfs were +entertained, caressed, and seated with great ceremony on little +cushions of satin. The symmetry of their persons was the +subject of criticism; not an inch of them was suffered to pass +unexamined. Nick-nacks and dainties were offered in +profusion, but all were declined with respectful gravity. +They clambered up the sides of the Caliph’s seat, and +placing themselves each on one of his shoulders, began to whisper +prayers in his ears. Their tongues quivered like the leaves +of a poplar, and the patience of Vathek was almost exhausted, +when the acclamations of the troops announced the approach of +Fakreddin, who was come with a hundred old grey-beards, and as +many korans and dromedaries. They instantly set about their +ablutions, and began to repeat the Bismillah. Vathek, to +get rid of these officious monitors, followed their example, for +his hands were burning.</p> +<p>The good Emir, who was punctiliously religious, and likewise a +great dealer in compliments, made an harangue five times more +prolix and insipid than his harbingers had already +delivered. The Caliph, unable any longer to refrain, +exclaimed:</p> +<p>“For the love of Mahomet, my dear Fakreddin, have done! +let us proceed to your valley, and enjoy the fruits that heaven +hath vouchsafed you.” The hint of proceeding put all +into motion. The venerable attendants of the emir set +forward somewhat slowly, but Vathek having ordered his little <a +name="page72"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 72</span>pages, in +private, to goad on the dromedaries, loud fits of laughter broke +forth from the cages, for the unwieldy curvetting of these poor +beasts, and the ridiculous distress of their superannuated riders +afforded the ladies no small entertainment.</p> +<p>They descended, however, unhurt into the valley, by the large +steps which the emir had cut in the rock; and already the +murmuring of streams and the rustling of leaves began to catch +their attention. The cavalcade soon entered a path, which +was skirted by flowering shrubs, and extended to a vast wood of +palm-trees whose branches overspread a building of hewn +stone. This edifice was crowned with nine domes, and +adorned with as many portals of bronze, on which was engraven the +following inscription:</p> +<p>“This is the asylum of pilgrims, the refuge of +travellers, and the depository of secrets for all parts of the +world.”</p> +<p>Nine pages beautiful as the day, and clothed in robes of +Egyptian linen, very long and very modest, were standing at each +door. They received the whole retinue with an easy and +inviting air. Four of the most amiable placed the Caliph on +a magnificent taktrevan; four others, somewhat less graceful, +took charge of Bababalouk, who capered for joy at the snug little +cabin that fell to his share; the pages that remained, waited on +the rest of the train.</p> +<p>When every thing masculine was gone out of sight, the gate of +a large inclosure on the right turned on its harmonious hinges, +and a young female <a name="page73"></a><span class="pagenum">p. +73</span>of a slender form came forth. Her light brown hair +floated in the hazy breeze of the twilight. A troop of +young maidens, like the Pleiades, attended her on tip-toe. +They hastened to the pavilions that contained the sultanas; and +the young lady gracefully bending said to them:</p> +<p>“Charming princesses, every thing is ready; we have +prepared beds for your repose, and strewed your apartments with +jasamine; no insects will keep off slumber from visiting your +eyelids; we will dispel them with a thousand plumes. Come +then, amiable ladies! refresh your delicate feet and your ivory +limbs in baths of rose water, and by the light of perfumed lamps +your servants will amuse you with tales.”</p> +<p>The sultanas accepted with pleasure these obliging offers, and +followed the young lady to the emir’s harem, where we must +for a moment leave them and return to the Caliph.</p> +<p>Vathek found himself beneath a vast dome illuminated by a +thousand lamps of rock crystal, as many vases of the same +material filled with excellent sherbet sparkled on a large table, +where a profusion of viands were spread. Amongst others +were sweetbreads stewed in milk of almonds, saffron soups, and +lamb à la crême, of all of which the Caliph was +amazingly fond. He took of each as much as he was able; +testified his sense of the emir’s friendship by the gaiety +of his heart; and made the dwarfs dance against their will; for +these little devotees durst not refuse the commander of the +faithful. At <a name="page74"></a><span class="pagenum">p. +74</span>last he spread himself on the sofa and slept sounder +than he had ever before.</p> +<p>Beneath this dome a general silence prevailed, for there was +nothing to disturb it but the jaws of Bababalouk, who had +untrussed himself to eat with greater advantage, being anxious to +make amends for his fast in the mountains. As his spirits +were too high to admit of his sleeping, and not loving to be +idle, he proposed with himself to visit the harem, and repair to +his charge of the ladies, to examine if they had been properly +lubricated with the balm of Mecca, if their eye-brows and tresses +were in order, and in a word, to perform all the little offices +they might need. He sought for a long time together, but +without being able to find out the door. He durst not speak +aloud for fear of disturbing the Caliph, and not a soul was +stirring in the precincts of the palace. He almost +despaired of effecting his purpose, when a low whispering just +reached his ear: it came from the dwarfs, who were returned to +their old occupation, and for the nine hundred and ninety-ninth +time in their lives were reading over the koran. They very +politely invited Bababalouk to be of their party, but his head +was full of other concerns. The dwarfs, though scandalized +at his dissolute morals, directed him to the apartments he wanted +to find. His way thither lay through a hundred dark +corridors, along which he groped as he went, and at last began to +catch, from the extremity of a passage, the charming gossiping of +women, which not a little delighted his heart.</p> +<p><a name="page75"></a><span class="pagenum">p. +75</span>“Ah, ah! what not yet asleep?” cried he, and +taking long strides as he spoke, “did you not suspect me of +abjuring my charge? I stayed but to finish what my master +had left.”</p> +<p>Two of the black eunuchs on hearing a voice so loud detached a +party in haste, sabre in hand, to discover the cause, but +presently was repeated on all sides:</p> +<p>“’Tis only Bababalouk, no one but +Bababalouk!”</p> +<p>This circumspect guardian having gone up to a thin veil of +carnation colour silk that hung before the doorway, distinguished +by means of a softened splendour that shone through it, an oval +bath of dark porphyry surrounded by curtains festooned in large +folds. Through the apertures between them, as they were not +drawn close, groups of young slaves were visible, amongst whom +Bababalouk perceived his pupils indulgingly expanding their arms, +as if to embrace the perfumed water, and refresh themselves after +their fatigues. The looks of tender languor, their +confidential whispers, and the enchanting smiles with which they +were imparted, the exquisite fragrance of the roses, all combined +to inspire a voluptuousness which even Bababalouk himself was +scarce able to withstand.</p> +<p>He summoned up, however, his usual solemnity, and in the +peremptory tone of authority commanded the ladies instantly to +leave the bath. Whilst he was issuing these mandates, the +young Nouronihar, daughter of the emir, who was sprightly as an +antelope, and full of wanton gaiety, beckoned one <a +name="page76"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 76</span>of her slaves +to let down the great swing, which was suspended to the ceiling +by cords of silk, and whilst this was doing winked to her +companions in the bath, who chagrined to be forced from so +soothing a state of indolence, began to twist it round +Bababalouk, and teaze him with a thousand vagaries.</p> +<p>When Nouronihar perceived that he was exhausted with fatigue, +she accosted him with an arch air of respectful concern, and +said:</p> +<p>“My lord, it is not by any means decent that the chief +eunuch of the Caliph our sovereign should thus continue standing, +deign but to recline your graceful person upon this sofa, which +will burst with vexation if it have not the honour to receive +you.”</p> +<p>Caught by these flattering accents, Bababalouk gallantly +replied:</p> +<p>“Delight of the apple of my eye! I accept the +invitation of thy honied lips, and to say truth, my senses are +dazzled with the radiance that beams from thy charms.”</p> +<p>“Repose, then, at your ease,” replied the beauty, +and placed him on the pretended sofa, which, quicker than +lightning, gave way all at once. The rest of the women +having aptly conceived her design, sprang naked from the bath and +plied the swing with such unmerciful jerks, that it swept through +the whole compass of a very lofty dome, and took from the poor +victim all power of respiration. Sometimes his feet rased +the surface of the water, and at others the skylight almost +flattened <a name="page77"></a><span class="pagenum">p. +77</span>his nose. In vain did he pierce the air with the +cries of a voice that resembled the ringing of a cracked basin, +for their peals of laughter were still more predominant.</p> +<p>Nouronihar in the inebriety of youthful spirits being used +only to eunuchs of ordinary harems, and having never seen any +thing so royal and disgusting, was far more diverted than all of +the rest. She began to parody some Persian verses, and sung +with an accent most demurely piquant:</p> +<blockquote><p>“O gentle white dove as thou soar’st +through the air, <br /> +Vouchsafe one kind glance on the mate of thy love: <br /> +Melodious Philomel I am thy rose;<br /> +Warble some couplet to ravish my heart!”</p> +</blockquote> +<p>The sultanas and their slaves stimulated by these pleasantries +persevered at the swing with such unremitted assiduity, that at +length the cord which had secured it snapped suddenly asunder, +and Bababalouk fell floundering like a turtle to the bottom of +the bath. This accident occasioned a universal shout. +Twelve little doors till now unobserved flew open at once, and +the ladies in an instant made their escape, after throwing all +the towels on his head, and putting out the lights that +remained.</p> +<p>The deplorable animal, in water to the chin, overwhelmed with +darkness, and unable to extricate himself from the warp that +embarrassed him, was still doomed to hear for his further +consolation, the fresh bursts of merriment his disaster +occasioned. He bustled but in vain to get from the bath, +for the margin was become so slippery with the oil spilt in <a +name="page78"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 78</span>breaking the +lamps, that at every effort he slid back with a plunge, which +resounded aloud through the hollow of the dome. These +cursed peals of laughter at every relapse were redoubled, and he, +who thought the place infested rather by devils than women, +resolved to cease groping, and abide in the bath, where he amused +himself with soliloquies interspersed with imprecations, of which +his malicious neighbours, reclining on down, suffered not an +accent to escape. In this delectable plight the morning +surprised him. The Caliph, wondering at his absence, had +caused him to be everywhere sought for. At last he was +drawn forth almost smothered from the whisp of linen, and wet +even to the marrow. Limping, and chattering his teeth, he +appeared before his master, who inquired what was the matter, and +how he came soused in so strange a pickle.</p> +<p>“And why did you enter this cursed lodge?” +answered Bababalouk, gruffly. “Ought a monarch like +you to visit with his harem the abode of a grey bearded emir who +knows nothing of life? And with what gracious damsels does +the place too abound! Fancy to yourself how they have +soaked me like a burnt crust, and made me dance like a +jack-pudding the live-long night through on their damnable +swing. What an excellent lesson for your sultanas to +follow, into whom I have instilled such reserve and +decorum!”</p> +<p>Vathek, comprehending not a syllable of all this invective, +obliged him to relate minutely the transaction; but instead of +sympathising with the <a name="page79"></a><span +class="pagenum">p. 79</span>miserable sufferer, he laughed +immoderately at the device of the swing, and the figure of +Bababalouk mounting upon it. The stung eunuch could +scarcely preserve the semblance of respect.</p> +<p>“Aye, laugh my lord! laugh,” said he, “but I +wish this Nouronihar would play some trick on you; she is too +wicked to spare even majesty itself.”</p> +<p>These words made for the present but a slight impression on +the Caliph, but they not long after recurred to his mind.</p> +<p>This conversation was cut short by Fakreddin, who came to +request that Vathek would join in the prayers and ablutions to be +solemnized on a spacious meadow, watered by innumerable +streams. The Caliph found the waters refreshing, but the +prayers abominably irksome. He diverted himself however +with the multitude of Calenders, <a name="citation79a"></a><a +href="#footnote79a" class="citation">[79a]</a> Santons, <a +name="citation79b"></a><a href="#footnote79b" +class="citation">[79b]</a> and Dervises <a +name="citation79c"></a><a href="#footnote79c" +class="citation">[79c]</a> who were continually coming and going, +but especially with the Brahmins, <a name="citation79d"></a><a +href="#footnote79d" class="citation">[79d]</a> Faquirs, <a +name="citation79e"></a><a href="#footnote79e" +class="citation">[79e]</a> and other enthusiasts, who had +travelled from the heart of India, and halted on their way with +the emir. These latter had each of them some mummery +peculiar to himself. One dragged a huge chain where ever he +went, another an ourang-outang, whilst a third was furnished with +scourges, and all performed to a charm. Some clambered up +trees, holding one foot in the air; others poised themselves over +a fire, and without mercy fillipped their noses. There were +some amongst them that cherished vermin, which were not +ungrateful in requiting their caresses. These rambling +fanatics <a name="page80"></a><span class="pagenum">p. +80</span>revolted the hearts of the Dervises, the Calenders, and +Santons; however the vehemence of their aversion soon subsided +under the hope that the presence of the Caliph would cure their +folly, and convert them to the Mussulman faith. But alas! +how great was their disappointment! for Vathek, instead of +preaching to them, treated them as buffoons; bade them present +his compliments to Visnow and Ixhora, and discovered a +predilection for a squat old man from the Isle of Serendib, who +was more ridiculous than any of the rest.</p> +<p>“Come,” said he, “for the love of your gods, +bestow a few slaps on your chops to amuse me.”</p> +<p>The old fellow offended at such an address began loudly to +weep; but as he betrayed a villainous drivelling in his tears, +the Caliph turned his back and listened to Bababalouk, who +whispered, whilst he held the umbrella over him:</p> +<p>“Your majesty should be cautious of this odd assembly, +which hath been collected I know not for what. Is it +necessary to exhibit such spectacles to a mighty potentate, with +interludes of talapoins more mangy than dogs? Were I you, I +would command a fire to be kindled, and at once purge the earth +of the emir, his harem, and all his menagery.”</p> +<p>“Tush, dolt,” answered Vathek, “and know +that all this infinitely charms me. Nor shall I leave the +meadow till I have visited every hive of these pious +mendicants.”</p> +<p>Where ever the Caliph directed his course, objects of pity +were sure to swarm round him: the blind, <a +name="page81"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 81</span>the purblind, +smarts without noses, damsels without ears, each to extol the +munificence of Fakreddin, who, as well as his attendant +grey-beards, dealt about gratis plasters and cataplasms to all +that applied. At noon a superb corps of cripples made its +appearance; and soon after advanced by platoons on the plain the +completest association of invalids that had ever been embodied +till then. The blind went groping with the blind; the lame +limped on together; and the maimed made gestures to each other +with the only arm that remained. The sides of a +considerable waterfall were crowded by the deaf, amongst whom +were some from Pegu, with ears uncommonly handsome and large, but +were still less able to hear than the rest. Nor were there +wanting others in abundance with hump backs, wenny necks, and +even horns of an exquisite polish.</p> +<p>The emir, to aggrandize the solemnity of the festival in +honour of his illustrious visitant, ordered the turf to be spread +on all sides with skins and table cloths, upon which were served +up for the good mussulmans pilaus of every hue, with other +orthodox dishes, and by the express order of Vathek, who was +shamefully tolerant, small plates of abominations for regaling +the rest. This prince on seeing so many mouths put in +motion began to think it time for employing his own. In +spite, therefore, of every remonstrance from the chief of his +eunuchs, he resolved to have a dinner dressed on the spot. +The complaisant emir immediately gave orders for a table to be +placed in the shade of the willows. <a +name="page82"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 82</span>The first +service consisted of fish, which they drew from a river flowing +over sands of gold, at the foot of a lofty hill: these were +broiled as fast as taken, and served up with a sauce of vinegar +and small herbs that grew on Mount Sinai; for everything with the +emir was excellent and pious.</p> +<p>The dessert was not quite set on when the sound of lutes from +the hill was repeated by the echoes of the neighbouring +mountains. The Caliph with an emotion of pleasure and +surprise, had no sooner raised up his head than a handful of +jasamine dropped on his face. An abundance of tittering +succeeded this frolic, and instantly appeared through the bushes +the elegant forms of several young females, skipping and bounding +like roes. The fragrance diffused from their hair struck +the sense of Vathek, who in an ecstasy, suspending his repast, +said to Bababalouk:</p> +<p>“Are the Peries <a name="citation82"></a><a +href="#footnote82" class="citation">[82]</a> come down from their +spheres? Note her in particular whose form is so perfect, +venturously running on the brink of the precipice, and turning +back her head as regardless of nothing but the graceful flow of +her robe. With what captivating impatience doth she contend +with the bushes for her veil? Could it be she who threw the +jasamine at me?”</p> +<p>“Aye, she it was; and you too would she throw from the +top of the rock,” answered Bababalouk, “for that is +my good friend Nouronihar, who so kindly lent me her swing. +My dear lord and master,” added he, twisting a twig that +hung by the <a name="page83"></a><span class="pagenum">p. +83</span>rind from a willow, “let me correct her for her +want of respect: the emir will have no reason to complain, since +(bating what I owe to his piety) he is much to be censured for +keeping a troop of girls on the mountains, whose sharp air gives +their blood too brisk a circulation.”</p> +<p>“Peace, blasphemer!” said the Caliph: “speak +not thus of her who over her mountains leads my heart a willing +captive. Contrive, rather, that my eyes may be fixed upon +hers—that I may respire her sweet breath, as she bounds +panting along these delightful wilds!”</p> +<p>On saying these words, Vathek extended his arms towards the +hill, and directing his eyes with an anxiety unknown to him +before, endeavoured to keep within view the object that +enthralled his soul; but her course was as difficult to follow as +the flight of one of those beautiful blue butterflies of +Cachmere, which are at once so volatile and rare.</p> +<p>The Caliph, not satisfied with seeing, wished also to hear +Nouronihar, and eagerly turned to catch the sound of her +voice. At last he distinguished her whispering to one of +her companions behind the thicket from whence she had thrown the +jasamine:</p> +<p>“A Caliph, it must be owned, is a fine thing to see, but +my little Gulchenrouz is much more amiable; one lock of his hair +is of more value to me than the richest embroidery of the +Indies. I had rather that his teeth should mischievously +press my finger, than the richest ring of the imperial +treasure. <a name="page84"></a><span class="pagenum">p. +84</span>Where have you left him, Sutlememe? and why is he now +not here?”</p> +<p>The agitated Caliph still wished to hear more, but she +immediately retired with all her attendants. The fond +monarch pursued her with his eyes till she was gone out of sight, +and then continued like a bewildered and benighted traveller, +from whom the clouds had obscured the constellation that guided +his way. The curtain of night seemed dropped before +him—everything appeared discoloured. The falling +waters filled his soul with dejection, and his tears trickled +down the jasamines he had caught from Nouronihar, and placed in +his inflamed bosom. He snatched up a shining pebble to +remind him of the scene where he felt the first tumults of +love. Two hours were elapsed, and evening drew on before he +could resolve to depart from the place. He often, but in +vain, attempted to go: a soft languor enervated the powers of his +mind. Extending himself on the brink of the stream, he +turned his eyes towards the blue summits of the mountain, and +exclaimed:</p> +<p>“What concealest thou behind thee? what is passing in +thy solitudes? Whither is she gone? O heaven! perhaps +she is now wandering in the grottoes with her happy +Gulchenrouz!”</p> +<p>In the mean time the damps began to descend, and the emir, +solicitous for the health of the Caliph, ordered the imperial +litter to be brought. Vathek, absorbed in his reveries, was +imperceptibly removed and conveyed back to the saloon that +received him the evening before.</p> +<p><a name="page85"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 85</span>But let +us leave the Caliph immersed in his new passion, and attend +Nouronihar beyond the rocks, where she had again joined her +beloved Gulchenrouz. This Gulchenrouz was the son of Ali +Hassan, brother to the emir, and the most delicate and lovely +creature in the world. Ali Hassan, who had been absent ten +years on a voyage to the unknown seas, committed at his departure +this child, the only survivor of many, to the care and protection +of his brother. Gulchenrouz could write in various +characters with precision, and paint upon vellum the most elegant +arabesques that fancy could devise. His sweet voice +accompanied the lute in the most enchanting manner; and when he +sung the loves of Megnoun and Leileh, or some unfortunate lovers +of ancient days, tears insensibly overflowed the cheeks of his +auditors. The verses he composed (for like Megnoun, he too +was a poet) inspired that unresisting languor so frequently fatal +to the female heart. The women all doated upon him, for +though he had passed his thirteenth year, they still detained him +in the harem. His dancing was light as the gossamer waved +by the zephyrs of spring; but his arms which twined so gracefully +with those of the young girls in the dance, could neither dart +the lance in the chase, nor curb the steeds that pastured his +uncle’s domains. The bow, however, he drew with a +certain aim, and would have excelled his competitors in the race, +could he have broken the ties that bound him to Nouronihar.</p> +<p>The two brothers had mutually engaged their <a +name="page86"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 86</span>children to +each other; and Nouronihar loved her cousin more than her +eyes. Both had the same tastes and amusements; the same +long languishing looks; the same tresses; the same fair +complexions; and when Gulchenrouz appeared in the dress of his +cousin, he seemed to be more feminine than even herself. If +at any time he left the harem to visit Fakreddin, it was with all +the bashfulness of a fawn that consciously ventures from the lair +of its dam; he was however wanton enough to mock the solemn old +grey-beards to whom he was subject, though sure to be rated +without mercy in return. Whenever this happened, he would +plunge into the recesses of the harem, and sobbing take refuge in +the arms of Nouronihar, who loved even his faults beyond the +virtues of others.</p> +<p>It fell out this evening that after leaving the Caliph in the +meadow, she ran with Gulchenrouz over the green sward of the +mountain that sheltered the vale, where Fakreddin had chosen to +reside. The sun was dilated on the edge of the horizon; and +the young people, whose fancies were lively and inventive, +imagined they beheld in the gorgeous clouds of the west the domes +of Shadukiam and Ambreabad, where the Peries have fixed their +abode. Nouronihar, sitting on the slope of the hill, +supported on her knees the perfumed head of Gulchenrouz. +The air was calm, and no sound stirred but the voices of other +young girls who were drawing cool water from the streams +below. The unexpected arrival of the Caliph, and the +splendour that marked <a name="page87"></a><span +class="pagenum">p. 87</span>his appearance, had already filled +with emotion the ardent soul of Nouronihar. Her vanity +irresistibly prompted her to pique the prince’s attention, +and this she before took good care to effect whilst he picked up +the jasamine she had thrown upon him. But when Gulchenrouz +asked after the flowers he had culled for her bosom, Nouronihar +was all in confusion. She hastily kissed his forehead, +arose in a flutter, and walked with unequal steps on the border +of the precipice. Night advanced, and the pure gold of the +setting sun had yielded to a sanguine red, the glow of which, +like the reflection of a burning furnace, flushed +Nouronihar’s animated countenance. Gulchenrouz +alarmed at the agitation of his cousin, said to her with a +supplicating accent:</p> +<p>“Let us be gone; the sky looks portentious: the +tamarisks tremble more than common; and the raw wind chills my +very heart. Come, let us be gone, ’tis a melancholy +night.”</p> +<p>Then taking hold of her hand he drew it towards the path he +besought her to go. Nouronihar unconsciously followed the +attraction, for a thousand strange imaginations occupied her +spirit. She passed the large round of honeysuckles, her +favourite resort, without ever vouchsafing it a glance, yet +Gulchenrouz could not help snatching off a few shoots in his way, +though he ran as if a wild beast were behind.</p> +<p>The young females seeing him approach in such haste, and +according to custom expecting a dance, instantly assembled in a +circle and took each other by the hand, but Gulchenrouz coming up +out of <a name="page88"></a><span class="pagenum">p. +88</span>breath, fell down at once on the grass. This +accident struck with consternation the whole of this frolicsome +party, whilst Nouronihar, half distracted, and overcome both by +the violence of her exercise and the tumult of her thoughts, sunk +feebly down at his side, cherished his cold hands in her bosom, +and chafed his temples with a fragrant unguent. At length +he came to himself, and wrapping up his head in the robe of his +cousin, entreated that she would not return to the harem. +He was afraid of being snapped at by Shaban his tutor, a wrinkled +old eunuch of a surly disposition, for having interrupted the +stated walk of Nouronihar, he dreaded lest the churl should take +it amiss. The whole of this sprightly group, sitting round +upon a mossy knole, began to entertain themselves with various +pastimes, whilst their superintendents the eunuchs were gravely +conversing at a distance. The nurse of the emir’s +daughter observing her pupil sit ruminating with her eyes on the +ground, endeavoured to amuse her with diverting tales, to which +Gulchenrouz, who had already forgotten his inquietudes, listened +with a breathless attention. He laughed; he clapped his +hands; and passed a hundred little tricks on the whole of the +company, without omitting the eunuchs, whom he provoked to run +after him, in spite of their age and decrepitude.</p> +<p>During these occurrences the moon arose, the wind subsided, +and the evening became so serene and inviting that a resolution +was taken to sup on <a name="page89"></a><span class="pagenum">p. +89</span>the spot. Sutlememe, who excelled in dressing a +salad, having filled large bowls of porcelain with eggs of small +birds, curds turned with citron juice, slices of cucumber, and +the inmost leaves of delicate herbs, handed it round from one to +another, and gave each their shares in a large spoon of +cocknos. Gulchenrouz nestling as usual in the bosom of +Nouronihar, pouted out his vermillion little lips against the +offer of Sutlememe, and would take it only from the hand of his +cousin, on whose mouth he hung like a bee inebriated with the +quintessence of flowers. One of the eunuchs ran to fetch +melons, whilst others were employed in showering down almonds +from the branches that overhung this amiable party.</p> +<p>In the midst of this festive scene there appeared a light on +the top of the highest mountain, which attracted the notice of +every eye. This light was not less bright than the moon +when at full, and might have been taken for her had it not been +that the moon was already risen. The phenomenon occasioned +a general surprise, and no one could conjecture the cause. +It could not be a fire, for the light was clear and bluish; nor +had meteors ever been seen of that magnitude or splendour. +This strange light faded for a moment, and immediately renewed +its brightness. It first appeared motionless at the foot of +the rock, whence it darted in an instant to sparkle in a thicket +of palm trees, from thence it glided along the torrent, and at +last fixed in a glen that was narrow and dark. The moment +<a name="page90"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 90</span>it had +taken its direction, Gulchenrouz, whose heart always trembled at +any thing sudden or rare, drew Nouronihar by the robe, and +anxiously requested her to return to the harem. The women +were importunate in seconding the entreaty, but the curiosity of +the emir’s daughter prevailed. She not only refused +to go back, but resolved at all hazards to pursue the +appearance. Whilst they were debating what was best to be +done, the light shot forth so dazzling a blaze that they all fled +away shrieking. Nouronihar followed them a few steps, but +coming to the turn of a little bye path stopped, and went back +alone. As she ran with an alertness peculiar to herself, it +was not long before she came to the place where they had just +been supping. The globe of fire now appeared stationary in +the glen, and burned in majestic stillness. Nouronihar +compressing her hands upon her bosom, hesitated for some moments +to advance. The solitude of her situation was new; the +silence of the night awful; and every object inspired sensations +which till then she never had felt. The affright of +Gulchenrouz recurred to her mind; and she a thousand times turned +to go back, but this luminous appearance was always before +her. Urged on by an irresistible impulse, she continued to +approach it in defiance of every obstacle that opposed her +progress.</p> +<p>At length she arrived at the opening of the glen, but instead +of coming up to the light, she found herself surrounded by +darkness, except that at a considerable distance a faint spark +glimmered by <a name="page91"></a><span class="pagenum">p. +91</span>fits. She stopped a second time: the sound of +waterfalls mingling their murmurs, the hollow rustlings amongst +the palm branches, and the funereal screams of the birds from +their rifted trunks, all conspired to fill her with terror. +She imagined every moment that she trod on some venomous +reptile. All the stories of malignant Dives, and dismal +Goules thronged into her memory, but her curiosity was +notwithstanding more predominant than her fears. She +therefore firmly entered a winding track that led towards the +spark, but being a stranger to the path, she had not gone far +till she began to repent of her rashness.</p> +<p>“Alas!” said she, “that I were but in those +secure and illuminated apartments where my evenings glided on +with Gulchenrouz! Dear child, how would thy heart flutter +with terror wert thou wandering in these wild solitudes like +me.”</p> +<p>At the close of this apostrophe she regained her road, and +coming to steps hewn out in the rock ascended them +undismayed. The light, which was now gradually enlarging, +appeared above her on the summit of the mountain. At length +she distinguished a plaintive and melodious union of voices +proceeding from a sort of cavern, that resembled the dirges which +are sung over tombs. A sound likewise like that which +arises from the filling of baths, at the same time struck her +ear. She continued ascending, and discovered large wax +torches in full blaze planted here and there in the fissures of +the rock. This preparation filled her with fear, whilst <a +name="page92"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 92</span>the subtle +and potent odour which the torches exhaled caused her to sink +almost lifeless at the entrance of the grot.</p> +<p>Casting her eyes within in this kind of trance, she beheld a +large cistern of gold filled with a water, whose vapour distilled +on her face a dew of the essence of roses. A soft symphony +resounded through the grot. On the sides of the cistern she +noticed appendages of royalty; diadems and feathers of the heron, +all sparkling with carbuncles. Whilst her attention was +fixed on this display of magnificence, the music ceased, and a +voice instantly demanded:</p> +<p>“For what monarch were these torches kindled, this bath +prepared, and these habiliments? which belong not only to the +sovereigns of the earth, but even to the talismanic +powers!”</p> +<p>To which a second voice answered:</p> +<p>“They are for the charming daughter of the emir +Fakreddin.”</p> +<p>“What,” replied the first, “for that trifler +who consumes her time with a giddy child, immersed in softness, +and who at best can make but an enervated husband?”</p> +<p>“And can she,” rejoined the other voice, “be +amused with such empty trifles, whilst the Caliph, the sovereign +of the world, he who is destined to enjoy the treasures of the +preadimite sultans, a prince six feet high, and whose eyes +pervade the inmost soul of a female, is inflamed with the love of +her? no, she will be wise enough to answer that <a +name="page93"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 93</span>passion alone +that can aggrandize her glory. No doubt she will, and +despise the puppet of her fancy; then all the riches this place +contains, as well as the carbuncle of Giamschid shall be +hers.”</p> +<p>“You judge right,” returned the first voice, +“and I haste to Istakar to prepare the palace of +subterranean fire for the reception of the bridal +pair.”</p> +<p>The voices ceased, the torches were extinguished, the most +entire darkness succeeded, and Nouronihar recovering with a +start, found herself reclined on a sofa in the harem of her +father. She clapped her hands, and immediately came +together Gulchenrouz and her women, who, in despair at having +lost her, had despatched eunuchs to seek her in every +direction. Shaban appeared with the rest, and began to +reprimand her with an air of consequence:</p> +<p>“Little impertinent,” said he, “whence got +you false keys? or are you beloved of some genius that hath given +you a picklock? I will try the extent of your power; come, +to your chamber! through the two sky-lights, and expect not the +company of Gulchenrouz. Be expeditious! I will shut +you up in the double tower.”</p> +<p>At these menaces Nouronihar indignantly raised her head, +opened on Shaban her black eyes, which since the important +dialogue of the enchanted grot were considerably enlarged, and +said:</p> +<p>“Go, speak thus to slaves! but learn to reverence her +who is born to give laws, and subject all to her +power.”</p> +<p><a name="page94"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 94</span>She was +proceeding in the same style, but was interrupted by a sudden +exclamation of,</p> +<p>“The Caliph! the Caliph!”</p> +<p>The curtains at once were thrown open, and the slaves +prostrate in double rows, whilst poor little Gulchenrouz hid +himself beneath the elevation of a sofa. At first appeared +a file of black eunuchs trailing after them long trains of muslin +embroidered with gold, and holding in their hands censers, which +dispensed as they passed the grateful perfume of the wood of +aloes. Next marched Bababalouk with a solemn strut, and +tossing his head as not over pleased at the visit. Vathek +came close after superbly robed; his gait was unembarrassed and +noble, and his presence would have engaged admiration, though he +had not been the sovereign of the world. He approached +Nouronihar with a throbbing heart, and seemed enraptured at the +full effulgence of her radiant eyes, of which he had before +caught but a few glimpses; but she instantly depressed them, and +her confusion augmented her beauty.</p> +<p>Bababalouk, who was a thorough adept in coincidences of this +nature, and knew that the worst game should be played with the +best face, immediately made a signal for all to retire, and no +sooner did he perceive beneath the sofa the little one’s +feet, than he drew him forth without ceremony, set him upon his +shoulders, and lavished on him as he went off a thousand odious +caresses. Gulchenrouz cried out, and resisted till his +cheeks became the colour of the blossom of the pomegranite, and +the tears that <a name="page95"></a><span class="pagenum">p. +95</span>started into his eyes shot forth a gleam of +indignation. He cast a significant glance at Nouronihar, +which the Caliph noticing, asked:</p> +<p>“Is that then your Gulchenrouz?”</p> +<p>“Sovereign of the world,” answered she, +“spare my cousin, whose innocence and gentleness deserve +not your anger!”</p> +<p>“Take comfort,” said Vathek with a smile, +“he is in good hands. Bababalouk is fond of children, +and never goes without sweetmeats and comfits.”</p> +<p>The daughter of Fakreddin was abashed; and suffered +Gulchenrouz to be borne away without adding a word. The +tumult of her bosom betrayed her confusion; and Vathek becoming +still more impassioned, gave a loose to his frenzy, which had +only not subdued the last faint strugglings of reluctance, when +the emir suddenly bursting in, threw his face upon the ground at +the feet of the Caliph, and said:</p> +<p>“Commander of the faithful, abase not yourself to the +meanness of your slave.”</p> +<p>“No, emir,” replied Vathek, “I raise her to +an equality with myself; I declare her my wife; and the glory of +your race shall extend from one generation to another.”</p> +<p>“Alas! my lord,” said Fakreddin, as he plucked off +the honours of his beard, “cut short the days of your +faithful servant rather than force him to depart from his +word. Nouronihar, as her hands evince, is solemnly promised +to Gulchenrouz, the son of my bother, Ali Hassan; they are united +also in heart; <a name="page96"></a><span class="pagenum">p. +96</span>their faith is mutually plighted; and affiances so +sacred cannot be broken.”</p> +<p>“What, then,” replied the Caliph bluntly, +“would you surrender this divine beauty to a husband more +womanish than herself? And can you imagine that I will +suffer her charms to decay in hands so inefficient and +nerveless? No! she is destined to live out her life within +my embraces: such is my will: retire, and disturb not the night I +devote to the homage of her charms.”</p> +<p>The irritated emir drew forth his sabre, presented it to +Vathek, and stretching out his neck, said in a firm tone of +voice:</p> +<p>“Strike your unhappy host my lord! he has lived long +enough, since he hath seen the prophet’s vicegerent violate +the rights of hospitality.”</p> +<p>At his uttering these words, Nouronihar unable to support any +longer the conflict of her passions, sunk down in a swoon. +Vathek, both terrified for her life, and furious at an opposition +to his will, bade Fakreddin assist his daughter, and withdrew, +darting his terrible look at the unfortunate emir, who suddenly +fell backward bathed in a sweat, cold as the damp of death.</p> +<p>Gulchenrouz, who had escaped from the hands of Bababalouk, and +was that instant returned, called out for help as loudly as he +could, not having strength to afford it himself. Pale and +panting, the poor child attempted to revive Nouronihar by +caresses, and it happened that the thrilling warmth of his lips +restored her to life. Fakreddin beginning <a +name="page97"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 97</span>also to +recover from the look of the Caliph, with difficulty tottered to +a seat, and after warily casting round his eye to see if this +dangerous prince were gone, sent for Shaban and Sutlememe, and +said to them apart—</p> +<p>“My friends, violent evils require as violent remedies; +the Caliph has brought desolation and horror into my family, and +how shall we resist his power? Another of his looks will +send me to my grave. Fetch then that narcotic powder which +the Dervise brought me from Aracan. A dose of it, the +effect of which will continue three days, must be administered to +each of these children. The Caliph will believe them to be +dead, for they will have all the appearance of death. We +shall go as if to inter them in the cave of Meimoune, at the +entrance of the great desert of sand, and near the cabin of my +dwarfs. When all the spectators shall be withdrawn, you, +Shaban, and four select eunuchs shall convey them to the lake, +where provision shall be ready to support them a month; for, one +day allotted to the surprise this event will occasion, five to +the tears, a fortnight to reflection, and the rest to prepare for +renewing his progress, will, according to my calculation, fill up +the whole time that Vathek will tarry, and I shall then be freed +from his intrusion.”</p> +<p>“Your plan,” said Sutlememe, “is a good one, +if it can but be effected. I have remarked that Nouronihar +is well able to support the glances of the Caliph, and that he is +far from being sparing of them to her; be assured therefore, +notwithstanding her <a name="page98"></a><span class="pagenum">p. +98</span>fondness for Gulchenrouz, she will never remain quiet +while she knows him to be here, unless we can persuade her that +both herself and Gulchenrouz are really dead, and that they were +conveyed to those rocks for a limited season to expiate the +little faults of which their love was the cause. We will +add that we killed ourselves in despair, and that your dwarfs +whom they never yet saw will preach to them delectable +sermons. I will engage that every thing shall succeed to +the bent of your wishes.”</p> +<p>“Be it so,” said Fakreddin; “I approve your +proposal; let us lose not a moment to give it +effect.” They forthwith hastened to seek for the +powder, which being mixed in a sherbet was immediately drunk by +Gulchenrouz and Nouronihar. Within the space of an hour +both were seized with violent palpitations, and a general +numbness gradually ensued. They arose from the floor, where +they had remained ever since the Caliph’s departure, and +ascending to the sofa, reclined themselves at full length upon +it, clasped in each other’s embraces.</p> +<p>“Cherish me, my dear Nouronihar,” said +Gulchenrouz; “put thy hand upon my heart, for it feels as +if it were frozen. Alas! thou art as cold as myself! hath +the Caliph murdered us both with his terrible look?”</p> +<p>“I am dying,” cried she in a faltering voice; +“press me closer, I am ready to expire!”</p> +<p>“Let us die then together,” answered the little +Gulchenrouz, whilst his breast laboured with a <a +name="page99"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 99</span>convulsive +sigh; “let me at least breathe forth my soul on thy +lips.”</p> +<p>They spoke no more, and became as dead.</p> +<p>Immediately the most piercing cries were heard through the +harem, whilst Shaban and Sutlememe personated with great +adroitness the parts of persons in despair. The emir, who +was sufficiently mortified to be forced into such untoward +expedients, and had now for the first time made a trial of his +powder, was under no necessity of counterfeiting grief. The +slaves, who had flocked together from all quarters, stood +motionless at the spectacle before them. All lights were +extinguished save two lamps, which shed a wan glimmering over the +faces of these lovely flowers, that seemed to be faded in the +spring-time of life. Funeral vestments were prepared; their +bodies were washed with rose water; their beautiful tresses were +braided and incensed; and they were wrapped in symars whiter than +alabaster. At the moment that their attendants were placing +two wreaths of their favourite jasamines on their brows, the +Caliph, who had just heard the tragical catastrophe, +arrived. He looked not less pale and haggard than the +goules that wander at night among graves. Forgetful of +himself and every one else, he broke through the midst of the +slaves, fell prostrate at the foot of the sofa, beat his bosom, +called himself “atrocious murderer,” and invoked upon +his head a thousand imprecations. With a trembling hand he +raised the veil that covered the countenance of Nouronihar, and +uttering a loud shriek fell <a name="page100"></a><span +class="pagenum">p. 100</span>lifeless on the floor. The +chief of the eunuchs dragged him off with horrible grimaces, and +repeated as he went:</p> +<p>“Aye, I foresaw she would play you some ungracious +turn.”</p> +<p>No sooner was the Caliph gone than the emir commanded biers to +be brought, and forbade that any one should enter the +harem. Every window was fastened; all instruments of music +were broken; and the Imams began to recite their prayers. +Towards the close of this melancholy day Vathek sobbed in +silence, for they had been forced to compose with anodynes his +convulsions of rage and desperation.</p> +<p>At the dawn of the succeeding morning the wide folding doors +of the palace were set open, and the funeral procession moved +forward for the mountain. The wailful cries of “La +Ilah illa Alla,” reached to the Caliph, who was eager to +cicatrize himself and attend the ceremonial; nor could he have +been dissuaded, had not his excessive weakness disabled him from +walking. At the few first steps he fell on the ground, and +his people were obliged to lay him on a bed, where he remained +many days in such a state of insensibility as excited compassion +in the emir himself.</p> +<p>When the procession was arrived at the grot of Meimoune, +Shaban and Sutlememe dismissed the whole of the train excepting +the four confidential eunuchs who were appointed to remain. +After resting some moments near the biers which had been <a +name="page101"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 101</span>left in the +open air, they caused them to be carried to the brink of a small +lake whose banks were overgrown with a hoary moss. This was +the great resort of herons and storks, which preyed continually +on little blue fishes. The dwarfs, instructed by the emir, +soon repaired thither, and with the help of the eunuchs began to +construct cabins of rushes and reeds, a work in which they had +admirable skill. A magazine also was contrived for +provisions, with a small oratory for themselves, and a pyramid of +wood neatly piled, to furnish the necessary fuel, for the air was +bleak in the hollows of the mountains.</p> +<p>At evening two fires were kindled on the brink of the lake, +and the two lovely bodies taken from their biers were carefully +deposited upon a bed of dried leaves within the same cabin. +The dwarfs began to recite the koran with their clear shrill +voices, and Shaban and Sutlememe stood at some distance anxiously +waiting the effects of the powder. At length Nouronihar and +Gulchenrouz faintly stretched out their arms, and gradually +opening their eyes began to survey with looks of increasing +amazement every object around them. They even attempted to +rise, but for want of strength fell back again. Sutlememe +on this administered a cordial which the emir had taken care to +provide.</p> +<p>Gulchenrouz thoroughly aroused sneezed out aloud, and raising +himself with an effort that expressed his surprise, left the +cabin, and inhaled the fresh air with the greatest avidity.</p> +<p>“Yes,” said he, “I breathe again! again do I +<a name="page102"></a><span class="pagenum">p. +102</span>exist! I hear sounds! I behold a firmament +spangled over with stars!”</p> +<p>Nouronihar catching these beloved accents extricated herself +from the leaves, and ran to clasp Gulchenrouz to her bosom. +The first objects she remarked were their long symars, their +garlands of flowers, and their naked feet: she hid her face in +her hands to reflect. The vision of the enchanted bath, the +despair of her father, and more vividly than both, the majestic +figure of Vathek recurred to her memory. She recollected +also, that herself and Gulchenrouz had been sick and dying; but +all these images bewildered her mind. Not knowing where she +was, she turned her eyes on all sides, as if to recognise the +surrounding scene. This singular lake, those flames +reflected from its glassy surface, the pale hues of its banks, +the romantic cabins, the bull-rushes that sadly waved their +drooping heads, the storks whose melancholy cries blended with +the shrill voices of the dwarfs, every thing conspired to +persuade them that the angel of death had opened the portal of +some other world.</p> +<p>Gulchenrouz on his part, lost in wonder, clung to the neck of +his cousin. He believed himself in the region of phantoms, +and was terrified at the silence she preserved. At length +addressing her:</p> +<p>“Speak,” said he; “where are we! do you not +see those spectres that are stirring the burning coals? Are +they the Monker and Nakir, come to throw us into them? Does +the fatal bridge cross this lake, whose solemn stillness perhaps +conceals from us an <a name="page103"></a><span +class="pagenum">p. 103</span>abyss, in which for whole ages we +shall be doomed incessantly to sink?”</p> +<p>“No my children,” said Sutlememe going towards +them; “take comfort, the exterminating angel who conducted +our souls hither after yours, hath assured us that the +chastisement of your indolent and voluptuous life shall be +restricted to a certain series of years, which you must pass in +this dreary abode, where the sun is scarcely visible, and where +the soil yields neither fruits nor flowers. These,” +continued she, pointing to the dwarfs, “will provide for +our wants; for souls so mundane as ours retain too strong a +tincture of their earthly extraction. Instead of meats, +your food will be nothing but rice, and your bread shall be +moistened in the fogs that brood over the surface of the +lake.”</p> +<p>At this desolating prospect the poor children burst into +tears, and prostrated themselves before the dwarfs, who perfectly +supported their characters, and delivered an excellent discourse +of a customary length upon the sacred camel, which after a +thousand years was to convey them to the paradise of the +faithful.</p> +<p>The sermon being ended and ablutions performed, they praised +Alla and the prophet, supped very indifferently, and retired to +their withered leaves. Nouronihar and her little cousin +consoled themselves on finding that, though dead, they yet lay in +one cabin. Having slept well before, the remainder of the +night was spent in conversation on what had befallen them; and +both, from a dread of apparitions, <a name="page104"></a><span +class="pagenum">p. 104</span>betook themselves for protection to +one another’s arms.</p> +<p>In the morning, which was lowering and rainy, the dwarfs +mounted high poles like minarets, and called them to +prayers. The whole congregation, which consisted of +Sutlememe, Shaban, the four eunuchs, and some storks, were +already assembled. The two children came forth from their +cabin with a slow and dejected pace. As their minds were in +a tender and melancholy mood, their devotions were performed with +fervour. No sooner were they finished than Gulchenrouz +demanded of Sutlememe and the rest, “how they happened to +die so opportunely for his cousin and himself.”</p> +<p>“We killed ourselves,” returned Sutlememe, +“in despair at your death.”</p> +<p>On this, said Nouronihar, who notwithstanding what was past, +had not yet forgotten her vision:</p> +<p>“And the Caliph, is he also dead of his grief? and will +he likewise come hither?”</p> +<p>The dwarfs, who were prepared with an answer, most demurely +replied:</p> +<p>“Vathek is damned beyond all redemption!”</p> +<p>“I readily believe so,” said Gulchenrouz; +“and am glad from my heart to hear it, for I am convinced +it was his horrible look that sent us hither, to listen to +sermons and mess upon rice.”</p> +<p>One week passed away on the side of the lake unmarked by any +variety; Nouronihar ruminating on the grandeur of which death had +deprived her, <a name="page105"></a><span class="pagenum">p. +105</span>and Gulchenrouz applying to prayers and to panniers +along with the dwarfs, who infinitely pleased him. Whilst +this scene of innocence was exhibiting in the mountains, the +Caliph presented himself to the emir in a new light. The +instant he recovered the use of his senses, with a voice that +made Bababalouk quake, he thundered out:</p> +<p>“Perfidious Giaour! I renounce thee for ever! it is thou +who hast slain my beloved Nouronihar! and I supplicate the pardon +of Mahomet, who would have preserved her to me had I been more +wise. Let water be brought to perform my ablutions, and let +the pious Fakreddin be called to offer up his prayers with mine, +and reconcile me to him. Afterwards we will go together and +visit the sepulchre of the unfortunate Nouronihar. I am +resolved to become a hermit, and consume the residue of my days +on this mountain, in hope of expiating my crimes.”</p> +<p>Nouronihar was not altogether so content, for though she felt +a fondness for Gulchenrouz, who to augment the attachment, had +been left at full liberty with her, yet she still regarded him as +but a bauble that bore no competition with the carbuncle of +Giamschid. At times she indulged doubts on the mode of her +being, and scarcely could believe that the dead had all the wants +and the whims of the living. To gain satisfaction, however, +on so perplexing a topic, she arose one morning whilst all were +asleep with a breathless caution from the side of Gulchenrouz, +and after having given him a soft kiss, began to follow the +windings of the lake till it <a name="page106"></a><span +class="pagenum">p. 106</span>terminated with a rock whose top was +accessible though lofty. This she clambered up with +considerable toil, and having reached the summit, set forward in +a run like a doe that unwittingly follows her hunter. +Though she skipped along with the alertness of an antelope, yet +at intervals she was forced to desist, and rest beneath the +tamarisks to recover her breath. Whilst she, thus reclined, +was occupied with her little reflections on the apprehension that +she had some knowledge of the place, Vathek, who finding himself +that morning but ill at ease, had gone forth before the dawn, +presented himself on a sudden to her view. Motionless with +surprise, he durst not approach the figure before him, which lay +shrouded up in a symar extended on the ground, trembling and +pale, but yet lovely to behold. At length Nouronihar, with +a mixture of pleasure and affliction, raising her fine eyes to +him, said:</p> +<p>“My lord, are you come hither to eat rice and hear +sermons with me?”</p> +<p>“Beloved phantom!” cried Vathek, “dost thou +speak? hast thou the same graceful form? the same radiant +features? art thou palpable likewise?” and eagerly +embracing her he added, “here are limbs and a bosom +animated with a gentle warmth! what can such a prodigy +mean?”</p> +<p>Nouronihar with diffidence answered:</p> +<p>“You know my lord that I died on the night you honoured +me with your visit; my cousin maintains it was from one of your +glances, but I cannot believe <a name="page107"></a><span +class="pagenum">p. 107</span>him, for to me they seem not so +dreadful. Gulchenrouz died with me, and we were both +brought into a region of desolation, where we are fed with a +wretched diet. If you be dead also, and are come hither to +join us, I pity your lot, for you will be stunned with the clang +of the dwarfs and the storks. Besides, it is mortifying in +the extreme that you as well as myself should have lost the +treasures of the subterranean palace.”</p> +<p>At the mention of the subterranean palace, the Caliph +suspended his caresses, which indeed had proceeded pretty far, to +seek from Nouronihar an explanation of her meaning. She +then recapitulated her vision—what immediately +followed—and the history of her pretended death; adding +also a description of the palace of expiation from whence she had +fled; and all in a manner that would have extorted his laughter, +had not the thoughts of Vathek been too deeply engaged. No +sooner, however, had she ended, than he again clasped her to his +bosom, and said:</p> +<p>“Light of my eyes! the mystery is unravelled; we both +are alive! Your father is a cheat, who for the sake of +dividing hath deluded us both; and the Giaour, whose design, as +far as I can discover, is that we shall proceed together, seems +scarce a whit better. It shall be some time at least before +he find us in his palace of fire. Your lovely little person +in my estimation is far more precious than all the treasures of +the preadimite sultans, and I wish to possess it at pleasure, and +in open day for many a <a name="page108"></a><span +class="pagenum">p. 108</span>moon, before I go to burrow under +ground like a mole.”</p> +<p>“Forget this little trifler Gulchenrouz, +and”—</p> +<p>“Ah, my lord,” interposed Nouronihar, “let +me entreat that you do him no evil.”</p> +<p>“No, no,” replied Vathek, “I have already +bid you forbear to alarm yourself for him. He has been +brought up too much on milk and sugar to stimulate my +jealousy. We will leave him with the dwarfs, who by the bye +are my old acquaintances; their company will suit him far better +than yours. As to other matters, I will return no more to +your father’s. I want not to have my ears dinned by +him and his dotards with the violation of the rights of +hospitality; as if it were less an honour for you to espouse the +sovereign of the world, than a girl dressed up like a +boy.”</p> +<p>Nouronihar could find nothing to oppose in a discourse so +eloquent. She only wished the amorous monarch had +discovered more ardour for the carbuncle of Giamschid; but +flattered herself it would gradually increase, and therefore +yielded to his will with the most bewitching submission.</p> +<p>When the Caliph judged it proper he called for Bababalouk, who +was asleep in the cave of Meimoune, and dreaming that the phantom +of Nouronihar having mounted him once more on her swing, had just +given him such a jerk that he one moment soared above the +mountains, and the next sunk into the abyss. Starting from +his sleep at the voice of his master, he ran gasping for breath, +and had nearly <a name="page109"></a><span class="pagenum">p. +109</span>fallen backward at the sight, as he believed, of the +spectre, by whom he had so lately been haunted in his dream.</p> +<p>“Ah my lord,” cried he, recoiling ten steps, and +covering his eyes with both hands, “do you then perform the +office of a goule? ’Tis true you have dug up the +dead, yet hope not to make her your prey; for after all she hath +caused me to suffer, she is even wicked enough to prey upon +you.”</p> +<p>“Cease thy folly,” said Vathek, “and thou +shalt soon be convinced that it is Nouronihar herself, alive and +well, whom I clasp to my breast. Go only, and pitch my +tents in the neighbouring valley. There will I fix my abode +with this beautiful tulip, whose colours I soon shall +restore. There exert thy best endeavours to procure +whatever can augment the enjoyments of life, till I shall +disclose to thee more of my will.”</p> +<p>The news of so unlucky an event soon reached the ears of the +emir, who abandoned himself to grief and despair, and began, as +did all his old greybeards, to begrime his visage with +ashes. A total supineness ensued; travellers were no longer +entertained, no more plasters were spread, and instead of the +charitable activity that had distinguished this asylum, the whole +of its inhabitants exhibited only faces of a half cubit long, and +uttered groans that accorded with their forlorn situation.</p> +<p>Though Fakreddin bewailed his daughter as lost to him for +ever, yet Gulchenrouz was not forgotten. He despatched +immediate instruction to Sutlememe, <a name="page110"></a><span +class="pagenum">p. 110</span>Shaban, and the dwarfs, enjoining +them not to undeceive the child in respect to his state, but +under some pretence to convey him far from the lofty rock at the +extremity of the lake, to a place which he should appoint, as +safer from danger; for he suspected that Vathek intended him +evil.</p> +<p>Gulchenrouz in the mean while was filled with amazement at not +finding his cousin; nor were the dwarfs at all less surprised; +but Sutlememe, who had more penetration, immediately guessed what +had happened. Gulchenrouz was amused with the delusive hope +of once more embracing Nouronihar in the interior recesses of the +mountains, where the ground, strewed over with orange blossoms +and jasamines, offered beds much more inviting than the withered +leaves in their cabin, where they might accompany with their +voices the sounds of their lutes, and chase butterflies in +concert. Sutlememe was far gone in this sort of description +when one of the four eunuchs beckoned her aside to apprise her of +the arrival of a messenger from their fraternity, who had +explained the secret of the flight of Nouronihar, and brought the +commands of the emir. A council with Shaban and the dwarfs +was immediately held. Their baggage being stowed in +consequence of it, they embarked in a shallop and quietly sailed +with the little one, who acquiesced in all their proposals. +Their voyage proceeded in the same manner, till they came to the +place where the lake sinks beneath the hollow of the rock, but as +soon as the bark had entered it, and Gulchenrouz <a +name="page111"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 111</span>found +himself surrounded with darkness, he was seized with a dreadful +consternation, and incessantly uttered the most piercing +outcries; for he now was persuaded he should actually be damned +for having taken too many little freedoms in his life-time with +his cousin.</p> +<p>But let us return to the Caliph, and her who ruled over his +heart. Bababalouk had pitched the tents, and closed up the +extremities of the valley with magnificent screens of India +cloth, which were guarded by Ethiopian slaves with their drawn +sabres. To preserve the verdure of this beautiful enclosure +in its natural freshness, the white eunuchs went continually +round it with their red water vessels. The waving of fans +was heard near the imperial pavilion, where by the voluptuous +light that glowed through the muslins, the Caliph enjoyed at full +view all the attractions of Nouronihar. Inebriated with +delight, he was all ear to her charming voice which accompanied +the lute; while she was not less captivated with his descriptions +of Samarah and the tower full of wonders, but especially with his +relation of the adventure of the ball, and the chasm of the +Giaour with its ebony portal.</p> +<p>In this manner they conversed for a day and a night; they +bathed together in a basin of black marble, which admirably +relieved the fairness of Nouronihar. Bababalouk, whose good +graces this beauty had regained, spared no attention that their +repasts might be served up with the minutest exactness: some +exquisite rariety was ever placed <a name="page112"></a><span +class="pagenum">p. 112</span>before them; and he sent even to +Schiraz for that fragrant and delicious wine which had been +hoarded up in bottles prior to the birth of Mahomet. He had +excavated little ovens in the rock to bake the nice manchets +which were prepared by the hands of Nouronihar, from whence they +had derived a flavour so grateful to Vathek, that he regarded the +ragouts of his other wives as entirely maukish; whilst they would +have died at the emir’s of chagrin at finding themselves so +neglected, if Fakreddin, notwithstanding his resentment, had not +taken pity upon them.</p> +<p>The sultana Dilara, who till then had been the favourite, took +this dereliction of the Caliph to heart with a vehemence natural +to her character; for during her continuance in favour she had +imbibed from Vathek many of his extravagant fancies, and was +fired with impatience to behold the superb tombs of Istakar, and +the palace of forty columns; besides, having been brought up +amongst the magi, she had fondly cherished the idea of the +Caliph’s devoting himself to the worship of fire; thus his +voluptuous and desultory life with her rival was to her a double +source of affliction. The transient piety of Vathek had +occasioned her some serious alarms, but the present was an evil +of far greater magnitude. She resolved therefore without +hesitation to write to Carathis, and acquaint her that all things +went ill; that they had eaten, slept, and revelled at an old +emir’s, whose sanctity was very formidable, and that after +all the prospect of <a name="page113"></a><span +class="pagenum">p. 113</span>possessing the treasures of the +preadimite sultans was no less remote than before. This +letter was entrusted to the care of two woodmen who were at work +on one of the great forests of the mountains, and being +acquainted with the shortest cuts, arrived in ten days at +Samarah.</p> +<p>The princess Carathis was engaged at chess with Morakanabad, +when the arrival of these wood-fellers was announced. She, +after some weeks of Vathek’s absence, had forsaken the +upper regions of her tower, because everything appeared in +confusion among the stars, whom she consulted relative to the +fate of her son. In vain did she renew her fumigations, and +extend herself on the roof to obtain mystic visions, nothing more +could she see in her dreams than pieces of brocade, nosegays of +flowers, and other unmeaning gewgaws. These disappointments +had thrown her into a state of dejection which no drug in her +power was sufficient to remove. Her only resource was in +Morakanabad, who was a good man, and endowed with a decent share +of confidence, yet whilst in her company he never thought himself +on roses.</p> +<p>No person knew aught of Vathek, and a thousand ridiculous +stories were propagated at his expense. The eagerness of +Carathis may be easily guessed at receiving the letter, as well +as her rage at reading the dissolute conduct of her son.</p> +<p>“Is it so,” said she; “either I will perish, +or Vathek shall enter the palace of fire. Let me <a +name="page114"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 114</span>expire in +flames, provided he may reign on the throne of +Soliman!”</p> +<p>Having said this, and whirled herself round in a magical +manner, which struck Morakanabad with such terror as caused him +to recoil, she ordered her great camel Alboufaki to be brought, +and the hideous Nerkes with the unrelenting Cafour to attend.</p> +<p>“I require no other retinue,” said she to +Morakanabad: “I am going on affairs of emergency, a truce +therefore to parade! Take you care of the people, fleece +them well in my absence, for we shall expend large sums, and one +knows not what may betide.”</p> +<p>The night was uncommonly dark, and a pestilential blast +ravaged the plain of Catoul that would have deterred any other +traveller however urgent the call; but Carathis enjoyed most +whatever filled others with dread. Nerkes concurred in +opinion with her, and Cafour had a particular predilection for a +pestilence. In the morning this accomplished caravan, with +the wood-fellers who directed their route, halted on the edge of +an extensive marsh, from whence so noxious a vapour arose as +would have destroyed any animal but Alboufaki, who naturally +inhaled these malignant fogs. The peasants entreated their +convoy not to sleep in this place.</p> +<p>“To sleep,” cried Carathis, “what an +excellent thought! I never sleep but for visions; and as to +<a name="page115"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 115</span>my +attendants, their occupations are too many to close the only eye +they each have.”</p> +<p>The poor peasants, who were not over pleased with their party, +remained open-mouthed with surprise.</p> +<p>Carathis alighted as well as her negresses, and severally +stripping off their outer garments, they all ran in their drawers +to cull from those spots where the sun shone fiercest, the +venomous plants that grew on the marsh. This provision was +made for the family of the emir, and whoever might retard the +expedition to Istakar. The woodmen were overcome with fear +when they beheld these three horrible phantoms run, and not much +relishing the company of Alboufaki, stood aghast at the command +of Carathis to set forward, notwithstanding it was noon, and the +heat fierce enough to calcine even rocks. In spite, +however, of every remonstrance, they were forced implicitly to +submit.</p> +<p>Alboufaki, who delighted in solitude, constantly snorted +whenever he perceived himself near a habitation, and Carathis, +who was apt to spoil him with indulgence, as constantly turned +him aside; so that the peasants were precluded from procuring +subsistence; for the milch goats and ewes which Providence had +sent towards the district they traversed, to refresh travellers +with their milk, all fled at the sight of the hideous animal and +his strange riders. As to Carathis, she needed no common +aliment; for her invention had previously <a +name="page116"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 116</span>furnished +her with an opiate to stay her stomach, some of which she +imparted to her mutes.</p> +<p>At the fall of night Alboufaki making a sudden stop, stamped +with his foot, which to Carathis, who understood his paces, was a +certain indication that she was near the confines of some +cemetery. The moon shed a bright light on the spot, which +served to discover a long wall with a large door in it standing +a-jar, and so high that Alboufaki might easily enter. The +miserable guides, who perceived their end approaching, humbly +implored Carathis, as she had now so good an opportunity, to +inter them, and immediately gave up the ghost. Nerkes and +Cafour, whose wit was of a style peculiar to themselves, were by +no means parsimonious of it on the folly of these poor people, +nor could any thing have been found more suited to their taste +than the site of the burying ground, and the sepulchres which its +precincts contained. There were at least two thousand of +them on the declivity of a hill; some in the form of pyramids, +others like columns, and in short the variety of their shapes was +endless. Carathis was too much immersed in her sublime +contemplations to stop at the view, charming as it appeared in +her eyes. Pondering the advantages that might accrue from +her present situation, she could not forbear to exclaim:</p> +<p>“So beautiful a cemetery must be haunted by Gouls, and +they want not for intelligence! having heedlessly suffered my +guides to expire, I will apply <a name="page117"></a><span +class="pagenum">p. 117</span>for directions to them, and as an +inducement, will invite them to regale on these fresh +corpses.”</p> +<p>After this short soliloquy, she beckoned to Nerkes and Cafour, +and made signs with her fingers, as much as to say:</p> +<p>“Go, knock against the sides of the tombs, and strike up +your delightful warblings, that are so like to those of the +guests whose company I wish to obtain.”</p> +<p>The negresses, full of joy at the behests of their mistress, +and promising themselves much pleasure from the society of the +Gouls, went with an air of conquest, and began their knockings at +the tombs. As their strokes were repeated, a hollow noise +was heard in the earth, the surface hove up into heaps, and the +Gouls on all sides protruded their noses to inhale the effluvia +which the carcasses of the woodmen began to emit.</p> +<p>They assembled before a sarcophagus of white marble, where +Carathis was seated between the bodies of her miserable +guides. The princess received her visitants with +distinguished politeness, and when supper was ended, proceeded +with them to business. Having soon learnt from them every +thing she wished to discover, it was her intention to set forward +forthwith on her journey, but her negresses, who were forming +tender connections with the Gouls, importuned her with all their +fingers to wait, at least till the dawn. Carathis, however, +being chastity in the abstract, and an implacable enemy to love +and repose, at once <a name="page118"></a><span +class="pagenum">p. 118</span>rejected their prayer, mounted +Alboufaki, and commanded them to take their seats in a +moment. Four days and four nights she continued her route, +without turning to the right hand or left; on the fifth she +traversed the mountains and half-burnt forests, and arrived on +the sixth before the beautiful screens which concealed from all +eyes the voluptuous wanderings of her son.</p> +<p>It was day-break, and the guards were snoring on their posts +in careless security, when the rough trot of Alboufaki awoke them +in consternation. Imagining that a group of spectres +ascended from the abyss was approaching, they all without +ceremony took to their heels. Vathek was at that instant +with Nouronihar in the bath, hearing tales and laughing at +Bababalouk who related them; but no sooner did the outcry of his +guards reach him, than he flounced from the water like a carp, +and as soon threw himself back at the sight of Carathis, who +advancing with her negresses upon Alboufaki, broke through the +muslin awnings and veils of the pavilion. At this sudden +apparition Nouronihar (for she was not at all times free from +remorse) fancied that the moment of celestial vengeance was come, +and clung about the Caliph in amorous despondence.</p> +<p>Carathis, still seated on her camel, foamed with indignation +at the spectacle which obtruded itself on her chaste view. +She thundered forth without check or mercy:</p> +<p>“Thou double-headed and four legged monster! <a +name="page119"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 119</span>what means +all this winding and writhing? art thou not ashamed to be seen +grasping this limber sapling, in preference to the sceptre of the +preadimite sultans? Is it then for this paltry doxy that +thou hast violated the conditions in the parchment of our +Giaour? Is it on her thou hast lavished thy precious +moments? Is this the fruit of the knowledge I have taught +thee? Is this the end of thy journey? Tear thyself +from the arms of this little simpleton; drown her in the water +before me, and instantly follow my guidance.”</p> +<p>In the first ebullition of his fury, Vathek resolved to make a +skeleton of Alboufaki, and to stuff the skins of Carathis and her +blacks; but the ideas of the Giaour, the palace of Istakar, the +sabres, and the talismans, flashing before his imagination with +the simultaneousness of lightning, he became more moderate, and +said to his mother in a civil but decisive tone:</p> +<p>“Dread lady, you shall be obeyed; but I will not drown +Nouronihar; she is sweeter to me than a Myrabolan comfit, and is +enamoured of carbuncles, especially that of Giamschid, which hath +also been promised to be conferred upon her; she therefore shall +go along with us, for I intend to repose with her beneath the +canopies of Soliman; I can sleep no more without her.”</p> +<p>“Be it so,” replied Carathis alighting, and at the +same time committing Alboufaki to the charge of her women.</p> +<p>Nouronihar, who had not yet quitted her hold, <a +name="page120"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 120</span>began to +take courage, and said with an accent of fondness to the +Caliph:</p> +<p>“Dear sovereign of my soul! I will follow thee, if +it be thy will beyond the Kaf, in the land of the Afrits. I +will not hesitate to climb for thee the nest of the Simurgh, who, +this lady excepted, is the most awful of created +existences.”</p> +<p>“We have here then,” subjoined Carathis, “a +girl both of courage and science.”</p> +<p>Nouronihar had certainly both; but notwithstanding all her +firmness, she could not help casting back a look of regret upon +the graces of her little Gulchenrouz, and the days of tenderness +she had participated with him. She even dropped a few +tears, which Carathis observed, and inadvertently breathed out +with a sigh:</p> +<p>“Alas! my gentle cousin, what will become of +him!”</p> +<p>Vathek at this apostrophe knitted up his brows, and Carathis +enquired what it could mean.</p> +<p>“She is preposterously sighing after a stripling with +languishing eyes and soft hair who loves her,” said the +Caliph.</p> +<p>“Where is he?” asked Carathis. “I must +be acquainted with this pretty child; for,” added she, +lowering her voice, “I design before I depart to regain the +favour of the Giaour. There is nothing so delicious in his +estimation as the heart of a delicate boy, palpitating with the +first tumults of love.”</p> +<p>Vathek as he came from the bath commanded <a +name="page121"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 121</span>Bababalouk +to collect the women and other moveables of his harem, embody his +troops, and hold himself in readiness to march in three days; +whilst Carathis retired alone to a tent, where the Giaour solaced +her with encouraging visions; but at length waking, she found at +her feet Nerkes and Cafour, who informed her by their signs, that +having led Alboufaki to the borders of a lake, to browse on some +moss that looked tolerably venomous, they had discovered certain +blue fishes of the same kind with those in the reservoir on the +top of the tower.</p> +<p>“Ah, ah,” said she, “I will go thither to +them. These fish are past doubt of a species that by a +small operation I can render oracular. They may tell me +where this little Gulchenrouz is, whom I am bent upon +sacrificing.”</p> +<p>Having thus spoken, she immediately set out with her swarthy +retinue.</p> +<p>It being but seldom that time is lost in the accomplishment of +a wicked enterprise, Carathis and her negresses soon arrived at +the lake, where, after burning the magical drugs with which they +were always provided, they, stripping themselves naked, waded to +their chins, Nerkes and Cafour waving torches around them, and +Carathis pronouncing her barbarous incantations. The fishes +with one accord thrust forth their heads from the water, which +was violently rippled by the flutter of their fins, and at length +finding themselves constrained by the potency of the charm, they +opened their piteous mouths, said:</p> +<p><a name="page122"></a><span class="pagenum">p. +122</span>“From gills to tail we are yours; what seek ye to +know?”</p> +<p>“Fishes,” answered she, “I conjure you by +your glittering scales, tell me where now is +Gulchenrouz?”</p> +<p>“Beyond the rock,” replied the shoal in full +chorus: “will this content you? for we do not delight in +expanding our mouths.”</p> +<p>“It will,” returned the princess: “I am not +to learn that you like not long conversations; I will leave you +therefore to repose, though I had other questions to +propound.”</p> +<p>The instant she had spoken the water became smooth, and the +fishes at once disappeared.</p> +<p>Carathis, inflated with the venom of her projects, strode +hastily over the rock, and found the amiable Gulchenrouz asleep +in an arbour, whilst the two dwarfs were watching at his side, +and ruminating their accustomed prayers. These diminutive +personages possessed the gift of divining whenever an enemy to +good Mussulmans approached; thus they anticipated the arrival of +Carathis, who stopping short, said to herself:</p> +<p>“How placidly doth he recline his lovely little head! +how pale and languishing are his looks! it is just the very child +of my wishes!”</p> +<p>The dwarfs interrupted this delectable soliloquy by leaping +instantly upon her, and scratching her face with their utmost +zeal. But Nerkes and Cafour betaking themselves to the +succour of their mistress, pinched the dwarfs so severely in +return, that they both gave up the ghost, imploring <a +name="page123"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 123</span>Mahomet to +inflict his sorest vengeance upon this wicked woman and all her +household.</p> +<p>At the noise which this strange conflict occasioned in the +valley, Gulchenrouz awoke, and bewildered with terror sprung +impetuously upon an old fig-tree that rose against the acclivity +of the rocks, from thence gained their summits, and ran for two +hours without once looking back. At last, exhausted with +fatigue, he fell as if dead into the arms of a good old Genius, +whose fondness for the company of children had made it his sole +occupation to protect them, and who, whilst performing his wonted +rounds through the air, happening on the cruel Giaour at the +instant of his growling in the horrible chasm, rescued the fifty +little victims which the impiety of Vathek had devoted to his +maw. These the Genius brought up in nests still higher than +the clouds, and himself fixed his abode in a nest more capacious +than the rest, from which he had expelled the possessors that had +built it.</p> +<p>These inviolable asylums were defended against the Dives and +the Afrits by waving streamers, on which were inscribed in +characters of gold that flashed like lightning, the names of Alla +and the prophet. It was there that Gulchenrouz, who as yet +remained undeceived with respect to his pretended death, thought +himself in the mansions of eternal peace. He admitted +without fear the congratulations of his little friends, who were +all assembled in the nest of the venerable Genius, and vied with +each other in kissing his serene forehead and beautiful +eye-lids. <a name="page124"></a><span class="pagenum">p. +124</span>This he found to be the state congenial to his +soul—remote from the inquietudes of earth—the +impertinence of harems—the brutality of eunuchs—and +the lubricity of women. In this peaceable society his days, +months, and years glided on, nor was he less happy than the rest +of his companions, for the Genius, instead of burdening his +pupils with perishable riches, and the vain sciences of the +world, conferred upon them the boon of perpetual childhood.</p> +<p>Carathis, unaccustomed to the loss of her prey, vented a +thousand execrations on her negresses for not seizing the child, +instead of amusing themselves with pinching to death the dwarfs, +from which they could gain no advantage. She returned into +the valley murmuring, and finding that her son was not risen from +the arms of Nouronihar, discharged her ill-humour upon +both. The idea, however, of departing next day for Istakar, +and cultivating, through the good offices of the Giaour, an +intimacy with Eblis himself, at length consoled her chagrin: but +fate had ordained it otherwise.</p> +<p>In the evening, as Carathis was conversing with Dilara, who +through her contrivance had become of the party, and whose taste +resembled her own, Bababalouk came to acquaint her “that +the sky towards Samarah looked of a fiery red, and seemed to +portend some alarming disaster.” Immediately +recurring to her astrolabes and instruments of magic, she took +the altitude of the planets, and discovered by her calculations, +to her great mortification, that a formidable revolt had taken +place at Samarah; <a name="page125"></a><span class="pagenum">p. +125</span>that Motavakel, availing himself of the disgust which +was inveterate against his brother had incited commotions amongst +the populace, made himself master of the palace, and actually +invested the great tower, to which Morakanabad had retired with a +handful of the few that still remained faithful to Vathek.</p> +<p>“What,” exclaimed she, “must I lose then my +tower, my mutes, my negresses, my mummies, and worse than all, +the laboratory, in which I have spent so many a night, without +knowing, at least, if my hair-brained son will complete his +adventure? No! I will not be the dupe! Immediately +will I speed to support Morakanabad. By my formidable art +the clouds shall sleet hail-stones in the faces of the +assailants, and shafts of red-hot iron on their heads. I +will spring mines of serpents and torpedoes from beneath them, +and we shall soon see the stand they will make against such an +explosion!”</p> +<p>Having thus spoken, Carathis hasted to her son, who was +tranquilly banqueting with Nouronihar in his superb carnation +coloured tent.</p> +<p>“Glutton that thou art,” cried she, “were it +not for me, thou wouldst soon find thyself the commander only of +pies. Thy faithful subjects have abjured the faith they +swore to thee. Motavakel thy brother now reigns on the hill +of pied horses; and had I not some slight resources in the tower, +would not be easily persuaded to abdicate. But that time +may not be lost, I shall only add four words: strike tent +to-night; set forward; and <a name="page126"></a><span +class="pagenum">p. 126</span>beware how thou loiterest again by +the way. Though thou hast forfeited the conditions of the +parchment, I am not yet without hope; for it cannot be denied +that thou hast violated to admiration the laws of hospitality by +seducing the daughter of the emir, after having partaken of his +bread and his salt. Such a conduct cannot but be delightful +to the Giaour; and if on thy march thou canst signalize thyself +by an additional crime, all will still go well, and thou shalt +enter the palace of Soliman in triumph. Adieu! +Alboufaki and my negresses are waiting.”</p> +<p>The Caliph had nothing to offer in reply: he wished his mother +a prosperous journey, and eat on till he had finished his +supper. At midnight the camp broke up, amidst the +flourishing of trumpets and other martial instruments; but loud +indeed must have been the sound of the tymbals, to overpower the +blubbering of the emir and his long-beards, who by an excessive +profusion of tears had so far exhausted the radical moisture, +that their eyes shrivelled up in their sockets, and their hairs +dropped off by the roots. Nouronihar, to whom such a +symphony was painful, did not grieve to get out of hearing. +She accompanied the Caliph in the imperial litter, where they +amused themselves with imagining the splendour which was soon to +surround them. The other women, overcome with dejection, +were dolefully rocked in their cages, whilst Dilara consoled +herself with anticipating the joy of <a name="page127"></a><span +class="pagenum">p. 127</span>celebrating the rites of fire on the +stately terraces of Istakar.</p> +<p>In four days they reached the spacious valley of +Rocnabad. The season of spring was in all its vigour, and +the grotesque branches of the almond trees in full blossom +fantastically chequered the clear blue sky. The earth, +variegated with hyacinths and jonquils, breathed forth a +fragrance which diffused through the soul a divine repose. +Myriads of bees, and scarce fewer of Santons had there taken up +their abode. On the banks of the stream hives and oratories +were alternately ranged, and their neatness and whiteness were +set off by the deep green of the cypresses that spired up amongst +them. These pious personages amused themselves with +cultivating little gardens that abounded with flowers and fruits, +especially musk-melons of the best flavour that Persia could +boast. Sometimes dispersed over the meadow they entertained +themselves with feeding peacocks whiter than snow, and turtles +more blue than the sapphire. In this manner were they +occupied when the harbingers of the imperial procession began to +proclaim:</p> +<p>“Inhabitants of Rocnabad, prostrate yourselves on the +brink of your pure waters, and tender your thanksgivings to +heaven that vouchsafeth to shew you a ray of its glory; for lo! +the commander of the faithful draws near.”</p> +<p>The poor Santons, filled with holy energy, having bustled to +light up wax torches in their oratories, and expand the koran on +their ebony desks, went <a name="page128"></a><span +class="pagenum">p. 128</span>forth to meet the Caliph with +baskets of honeycomb, dates, and melons. But whilst they +were advancing in solemn procession and with measured steps, the +horses, camels, and guards wantoned over their tulips and other +flowers, and made a terrible havoc amongst them. The +Santons could not help casting from one eye a look of pity on the +ravages committing around them, whilst the other was fixed upon +the Caliph and heaven. Nouronihar, enraptured with the +scenery of a place which brought back to her remembrance the +pleasing solitudes where her infancy had passed, entreated Vathek +to stop, but he, suspecting that each oratory might be deemed by +the Giaour a distinct habitation, commanded his pioneers to level +them all. The Santons stood motionless with horror at the +barbarous mandate, and at last broke out into lamentations, but +these were uttered with so ill a grace, that Vathek bade his +eunuchs to kick them from his presence. He then descended +from the litter with Nouronihar. They sauntered together in +the meadow, and amused themselves with culling flowers, and +passing a thousand pleasantries on each other. But the +bees, who were staunch Mussulmans, thinking it their duty to +revenge the insult on their dear masters the Santons, assembled +so zealously to do it with effect, that the Caliph and Nouronihar +were glad to find their tents prepared to receive them.</p> +<p>Bababalouk, who in capacity of purveyor, had acquitted himself +with applause, as to peacocks and turtles, lost no time in +consigning some dozens to <a name="page129"></a><span +class="pagenum">p. 129</span>the spit, and as many more to be +fricasseed. Whilst they were feasting, laughing, carousing, +and blaspheming at pleasure on the banquet so liberally +furnished, the Moullahs, the Sheiks, the Cadis, and Imans of +Schiraz (who seemed not to have met the Santons) arrived, leading +by bridles of ribband, inscribed from the koran, a train of asses +which were loaded with the choicest fruits the country could +boast. Having presented their offerings to the Caliph, they +petitioned him to honour their city and mosques with his +presence.</p> +<p>“Fancy not,” said Vathek, “that you can +detain me. Your presents I condescend to accept, but beg +you will let me be quiet, for I am not over fond of resisting +temptation. Retire then. Yet, as it is not decent for +personages so reverend to return on foot, and as you have not the +appearance of expert riders, my eunuchs shall tie you on your +asses with the precaution that your backs be not turned towards +me, for they understand etiquette.”</p> +<p>In this deputation were some high-stomached Sheiks, who taking +Vathek for a fool, scrupled not to speak their opinion. +These Bababalouk girded with double cords; and having well +disciplined their asses with nettles behind, they all started +with a preternatural alertness, plunging, kicking, and running +foul of each other in the most ludicrous manner imaginable.</p> +<p>Nouronihar and the Caliph mutually contended who should most +enjoy so degrading a sight. They burst out in volleys of +laughter to see the old men <a name="page130"></a><span +class="pagenum">p. 130</span>and their asses fall into the +stream. The leg of one was fractured, the shoulder of +another dislocated, the teeth of a third dashed out, and the rest +suffered still worse.</p> +<p>Two days more, undisturbed by fresh embassies, having been +devoted to the pleasures of Rocnabad, the expedition proceeded, +leaving Schiraz on the right, and verging towards a large plain, +from whence were discernible on the edge of the horizon the dark +summits of the mountains of Istakar.</p> +<p>At this prospect the Caliph and Nouronihar were unable to +repress their transports. They bounded from their litter to +the ground, and broke forth into such wild exclamations as amazed +all within hearing. Interrogating each other, they +shouted,</p> +<p>“Are we not approaching the radiant palace of light, or +gardens more delightful than those of Sheddad?”</p> +<p>Infatuated mortals! they thus indulged delusive conjecture, +unable to fathom the decrees of the Most High!</p> +<p>The good Genii who had not totally relinquished the +superintendence of Vathek, repairing to Mahomet in the seventh +heaven, said:</p> +<p>“Merciful Prophet! stretch forth thy propitious arms +towards thy vicegerent, who is ready to fall irretrievably into +the snare which his enemies the Dives have prepared to destroy +him. The Giaour is awaiting his arrival in the abominable +palace of fire, where if he once set his foot his perdition will +be inevitable.”</p> +<p><a name="page131"></a><span class="pagenum">p. +131</span>Mahomet answered with an air of indignation:</p> +<p>“He hath too well deserved to be resigned to himself; +but I permit you to try if one effort more will be effectual to +divert him from pursuing his ruin.”</p> +<p>One of these beneficent Genii, assuming without delay the +exterior of a shepherd, more renowned for his piety than all the +Dervises and Santons of the region, took his station near a flock +of white sheep on the slope of a hill, and began to pour forth +from his flute such airs of pathetic melody, as subdued the very +soul; and awakening remorse, drove far from it every frivolous +fancy. At these energetic sounds, the sun hid himself +beneath a gloomy cloud; and the waters of two little lakes, that +were naturally clearer than chrystal, became a colour like +blood. The whole of this superb assembly, was involuntarily +drawn towards the declivity of the hill. With downcast +eyes, they all stood abashed; each upbraiding himself with the +evil he had done. The heart of Dilara palpitated; and the +chief of the eunuchs, with a sigh of contrition, implored pardon +of the women, whom, for his own satisfaction, he had so often +tormented.</p> +<p>Vathek and Nouronihar turned pale in their litter; and, +regarding each other with haggard looks, reproached +themselves—the one with a thousand of the blackest crimes, +a thousand projects of impious ambition; the other, with the +desolation of her family, and the perdition of the amiable +Gulchenrouz. Nouronihar persuaded herself that she heard <a +name="page132"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 132</span>in the +fatal music the groans of her dying father; and Vathek, the sobs +of the fifty children he had sacrificed to the Giaour. +Amidst these complicated pangs of anguish, they perceived +themselves impelled towards the shepherd, whose countenance was +so commanding, that Vathek, for the first time, felt overawed; +whilst Nouronihar concealed her face with her hands. The +music paused, and the Genius, addressing the Caliph, said:</p> +<p>“Deluded Prince! to whom Providence hath confided the +care of innumerable subjects, is it thus that thou fulfillest thy +mission? Thy crimes are already completed; and, art thou +now hastening towards thy punishment? Thou knowest, that +beyond these mountains, Eblis and his accursed Dives hold their +infernal empire; and seduced by a malignant phantom, thou art +proceeding to surrender thyself to them! This moment is the +last of grace allowed thee! Abandon thy atrocious +purpose. Return. Give back Nouronihar to her father, +who still retains a few sparks of life. Destroy thy tower, +with all its abominations. Drive Carathis from thy +councils. Be just to thy subjects. Respect the +ministers of the Prophet. Compensate for thy impieties by +an exemplary life; and, instead of squandering thy days in +voluptuous indulgence, lament thy crimes on the sepulchres of thy +ancestors. Thou beholdest the clouds that obscure the sun; +at the instant he recovers his splendour, if thy heart be not +changed, the time of mercy assigned thee will be past for +ever.”</p> +<p><a name="page133"></a><span class="pagenum">p. +133</span>Vathek, depressed with fear, was on the point of +prostrating himself at the feet of the shepherd, whom he +perceived to be of a nature superior to man, but his pride +prevailing, he audaciously lifted his head, and glancing at him +one of his terrible looks, said:</p> +<p>“Whoever thou art, withhold thy useless +admonitions. Thou wouldst either delude me, or art thyself +deceived. If what I have done be so criminal as thou +pretendest, there remains not for me a moment of grace. I +have traversed a sea of blood, to acquire a power which will make +thy equals tremble; deem not that I shall retire when in view of +the port; or that I will relinquish her who is dearer to me than +either my life or thy mercy. Let the sun appear! Let +him illumine my career! It matters not where it may +end.”</p> +<p>On uttering these words, which made even the Genius shudder, +Vathek threw himself into the arms of Nouronihar, and commanded +that his horses should be forced back to the road.</p> +<p>There was no difficulty in obeying these orders, for the +attraction had ceased, the sun shone forth in all his glory, and +the shepherd vanished with a lamentable scream.</p> +<p>The fatal impression of the music of the Genius remained, +notwithstanding, in the hearts of Vathek’s +attendants. They viewed each other with looks of +consternation. At the approach of night, almost all of them +escaped; and, of this numerous assemblage, there only remained +the chief of the eunuchs, some <a name="page134"></a><span +class="pagenum">p. 134</span>idolatrous slaves, Dilara, and a few +other women, who, like herself, were votaries of the religion of +the Magi.</p> +<p>The Caliph, fired with the ambition of prescribing laws to the +Intelligences of Darkness, was but little embarrassed at this +dereliction. The impetuosity of his blood prevented him +from sleeping; nor did he encamp any more as before. +Nouronihar, whose impatience, if possible, exceeded his own, +importuned him to hasten his march, and lavished on him a +thousand caresses, to beguile all reflection. She fancied +herself already more potent than Balkis; <a +name="citation134"></a><a href="#footnote134" +class="citation">[134]</a> and pictured to her imagination the +Genii falling prostrate at the foot of her throne. In this +manner they advanced by moonlight, till they came within view of +the two towering rocks, that form a kind of portal to the valley, +at whose extremity rose the vast ruins of Istakar. Aloft on +the mountain, glimmered the fronts of various royal mausoleums, +the horror of which was deepened by the shadows of night. +They passed through two villages, almost deserted; the only +inhabitants remaining being a few feeble old men, who at the +sight of horses and litters fell upon their knees, and cried +out:</p> +<p>“O heaven! is it then by these phantoms that we have +been for six months tormented! Alas! it was from the terror +of these spectres, and the noise beneath the mountains, that our +people have fled, and left us at the mercy of maleficent +spirits!”</p> +<p>The Caliph, to whom these complaints were but unpromising +auguries, drove over the bodies of these <a +name="page135"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 135</span>wretched +old men, and at length arrived at the foot of the terrace of +black marble. There he descended from his litter, handing +down Nouronihar; both, with beating hearts, stared wildly around +them, and expected, with an apprehensive shudder, the approach of +the Giaour. But nothing as yet announced his +appearance.</p> +<p>A deathlike stillness reigned over the mountain, and through +the air. The moon dilated, on a vast platform, the shades +of the lofty columns, which reached from the terrace almost to +the clouds. The gloomy watch-towers, whose number could not +be counted, were veiled by no roof: and their capitals, of an +architecture unknown in the records of the earth, served as an +asylum for the birds of darkness, which, alarmed at the approach +of such visitants, fled away croaking.</p> +<p>The chief of the eunuchs, trembling with fear, besought Vathek +that a fire might be kindled.</p> +<p>“No!” replied he, “there is no time left to +think of such trifles; abide where thou art, and expect my +commands.”</p> +<p>Having thus spoken, he presented his hand to Nouronihar, and +ascending the steps of a vast staircase, reached the terrace, +which was flagged with squares of marble, and resembled a smooth +expanse of water, upon whose surface not a leaf ever dared to +vegetate. On the right rose the watch-towers, ranged before +the ruins of an immense palace, whose walls were embossed with +various figures. In front stood forth the colossal forms of +<a name="page136"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 136</span>four +creatures, composed of the leopard and the griffin; and though +but of stone, inspired emotions of terror. Near these were +distinguished by the splendour of the moon, which streamed full +on the place, characters like those on the sabres of the Giaour, +that possessed the same virtue of changing every moment. +These, after vacillating for some time, at last fixed in Arabic +letters, and prescribed to the Caliph the following words:</p> +<p>“Vathek! thou hast violated the conditions of my +parchment, and deservest to be sent back; but in favour to thy +companion, and as the meed for what thou hast done to obtain it, +Eblis permitteth that the portal of his palace shall be opened, +and the subterranean fire will receive thee into the number of +its adorers.”</p> +<p>He scarcely had read these words before the mountain, against +which the terrace was reared, trembled; and the watch-towers were +ready to topple headlong upon them. The rock yawned, and +disclosed within it a staircase of polished marble, that seemed +to approach the abyss. Upon each stair were planted two +large torches, like those Nouronihar had seen in her vision, the +camphorated vapour ascending from which gathered into a cloud +under the hollow of the vault.</p> +<p>This appearance, instead of terrifying, gave new courage to +the daughter of Fakreddin. Scarcely deigning to bid adieu +to the moon and the firmament, she abandoned without hesitation +the pure atmosphere, to plunge into these infernal +exhalations. <a name="page137"></a><span +class="pagenum">p. 137</span>The gait of those impious personages +was haughty and determined. As they descended, by the +effulgence of the torches, they gazed on each other with mutual +admiration, and both appeared so resplendent, that they already +esteemed themselves spiritual intelligences. The only +circumstance that perplexed them, was their not arriving at the +bottom of the stairs. On hastening their descent, with an +ardent impetuosity, they felt their steps accelerated to such a +degree, that they seemed not walking, but falling from a +precipice. Their progress, however, was at length impeded +by a vast portal of ebony, which the Caliph without difficulty +recognized. Here the Giaour awaited them, with the key in +his hand,</p> +<p>“Ye are welcome!” said he to them, with a ghastly +smile, “in spite of Mahomet, and all his dependents. +I will now admit you into that palace, where you have so highly +merited a place.”</p> +<p>Whilst he was uttering these words, he touched the enamelled +lock with his key, and the doors at once expanded with a noise +still louder than the thunder of mountains, and as suddenly +recoiled the moment they had entered.</p> +<p>The Caliph and Nouronihar beheld each other with amazement, at +finding themselves in a place which, though roofed with a vaulted +ceiling, was so spacious and lofty, that at first they took it +for an immeasurable plain. But their eyes at length growing +to the grandeur of the objects at hand, they extended their view +to those at a <a name="page138"></a><span class="pagenum">p. +138</span>distance, and discovered rows of columns and arcades, +which gradually diminished, till they terminated in a point, +radiant as the sun, when he darts his last beams athwart the +ocean. The pavement, strewed over with gold dust and +saffron, exhaled so subtile an odour, as almost overpowered +them. They, however, went on, and observed an infinity of +censers, in which ambergris and the wood of aloes were +continually burning. Between the several columns were +placed tables, each spread with a profusion of viands, and wines +of every species, sparkling in vases of chrystal. A throng +of Genii, and other phantastic spirits, of each sex, danced +lasciviously in troops, at the sound of music which issued from +beneath.</p> +<p>In the midst of this immense hall, a vast multitude was +incessantly passing, who severally kept their right hands on +their hearts, without once regarding any thing around them. +They had all the livid paleness of death. Their eyes, deep +sank in their sockets, resembled those phosphoric meteors, that +glimmer by night in places of interment. Some stalked +slowly on, absorbed in profound reverie; some shrieking with +agony, ran furiously about, like tigers wounded with poisoned +arrows; whilst others, grinding their teeth in rage, foamed +along, more frantic than the wildest maniac. They all +avoided each other, and though surrounded by a multitude that no +one could number, each wandered at random unheedful of the rest, +as if alone on a desert which no foot had trodden.</p> +<p>Vathek and Nouronihar, frozen with terror at a <a +name="page139"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 139</span>sight so +baleful, demanded of the Giaour what these appearances might +mean, and why these ambulating spectres never withdrew their +hands from their hearts.</p> +<p>“Perplex not yourselves,” replied he bluntly, +“with so much at once, you will soon be acquainted with +all; let us haste and present you to Eblis.”</p> +<p>They continued their way through the multitude, but +notwithstanding their confidence at first, they were not +sufficiently composed to examine with attention the various +perspectives of halls, and of galleries, that opened on the right +hand and left, which were all illuminated by torches and +braziers, whose flames rose in pyramids, to the centre of the +vault. At length they came to a place where long curtains, +brocaded with crimson and gold, fell from all parts, in striking +confusion. Here the choirs and dances were heard no +longer. The light which glimmered came from afar.</p> +<p>After some time Vathek and Nouronihar perceived a gleam +brightening through the drapery, and entered a vast tabernacle, +carpeted with the skins of leopards. An infinity of elders, +with streaming beards, and afrits, in complete armour, had +prostrated themselves before the ascent of a lofty eminence, on +the top of which, upon a globe of fire, sat the formidable +Eblis. His person was that of a young man, whose noble and +regular features seemed to have been tarnished by malignant +vapours. In his large eyes appeared both pride and despair; +his flowing hair retained some resemblance to that of <a +name="page140"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 140</span>an angel of +light. In his hand, which thunder had blasted, he swayed +the iron sceptre, that causes the monster Ouranabad, <a +name="citation140"></a><a href="#footnote140" +class="citation">[140]</a> the afrits, and all the powers of the +abyss to tremble. At his presence the heart of the Caliph +sank within him, and, for the first time, he fell prostrate on +his face. Nouronihar, however, though greatly dismayed, +could not help admiring the person of Eblis, for she expected to +have seen some stupendous giant. Eblis, with a voice more +mild than might be imagined, but such as transfused through the +soul the deepest melancholy, said:</p> +<p>“<span class="smcap">Creatures of clay</span>, I receive +you into mine empire. Ye are numbered amongst my +adorers. Enjoy whatever this palace affords—the +treasures of the preadimite sultans, their bickering sabres, and +those talismans that compel the Dives to open the subterranean +expanses of the mountain of Kaf, which communicate with +these. There, insatiable as your curiosity may be, shall +you find sufficient to gratify it. You shall possess the +exclusive privilege of entering the fortress of Aherman, and the +halls of Argenk, where are portrayed all creatures endowed with +intelligence, and the various animals that inhabited the earth +prior to the creation of that contemptible being, whom ye +denominate the Father of Mankind.”</p> +<p>Vathek and Nouronihar feeling themselves revived and +encouraged by this harangue, eagerly said to the Giaour:</p> +<p>“Bring us instantly to the place which contains these +precious talismans.”</p> +<p><a name="page141"></a><span class="pagenum">p. +141</span>“Come,” answered this wicked Dive, with his +malignant grin, “come, and possess all that my sovereign +hath promised, and more.”</p> +<p>He then conducted them into a long aisle adjoining the +tabernacle, preceding them with hasty steps, and followed by his +disciples with the utmost alacrity. They reached at length +a hall of great extent, and covered with a lofty dome, around +which appeared fifty portals of bronze, secured with as many +fastenings of iron. A funereal gloom prevailed over the +whole scene. Here, upon two beds of incorruptible cedar, +lay recumbent the fleshless forms of the preadimite kings, who +had been monarchs of the whole earth. They still possessed +enough of life to be conscious of their deplorable +condition. Their eyes retained a melancholy motion; they +regarded each other with looks of the deepest dejection, each +holding his right hand motionless on his heart. At their +feet were inscribed the events of their several reigns, their +power, their pride, and their crimes. Soliman Raad, Soliman +Daki, and Soliman Di Gian Ben Gian, who, after having chained up +the Dives in the dark caverns of Kaf, became so presumptuous, as +to doubt of the Supreme Power. All these maintained great +state, though not to be compared with the eminence of Soliman Ben +Daoud.</p> +<p>This king, so renowned for his wisdom, was on the loftiest +elevation, and placed immediately under the dome. He +appeared to possess more animation than the rest, though, from +time to time, he <a name="page142"></a><span class="pagenum">p. +142</span>laboured with profound sighs, and, like his companions, +kept his right hand on his heart; yet his countenance was more +composed, and he seemed to be listening to the sullen roar of a +vast cataract, visible in part through the grated portals. +This was the only sound that intruded on the silence of these +doleful mansions. A range of brazen vases surrounded the +elevation.</p> +<p>“Remove the covers from these cabalistic +depositaries,” said the Giaour to Vathek, “and avail +thyself of the talismans, which will break asunder all these +gates of bronze, and not only render thee master of the treasures +contained within them, but also of the spirits by which they are +guarded.”</p> +<p>The Caliph, whom this ominous preliminary had entirely +disconcerted, approached the vases with faltering footsteps, and +was ready to sink with terror, when he heard the groans of +Soliman. As he proceeded, a voice from the livid lips of +the prophet articulated these words:</p> +<p>“In my lifetime, I filled a magnificent throne, having +on my right hand twelve thousand seats of gold, where the +patriarchs and prophets heard my doctrines; on my left the sages +and doctors, upon as many thrones of silver, were present at all +my decisions. Whilst I thus administered justice to +innumerable multitudes, the birds of the air librating over me, +served as a canopy from the rays of the sun. My people +flourished, and my palace rose to the clouds. I erected a +temple to the Most High, which was the wonder of the universe; +but I basely <a name="page143"></a><span class="pagenum">p. +143</span>suffered myself to be seduced by the love of women, and +a curiosity that could not be restrained by sub-lunary +things. I listened to the counsels of Aherman, and the +daughter of Pharaoh; and adored fire, and the host of +heaven. I forsook the holy city, and commanded the Genii to +rear the stupendous palace of Istakar, and the terrace of the +watch-towers, each of which was consecrated to a star. +There for a while I enjoyed myself in the zenith of glory and +pleasure. Not only men, but supernatural existences were +subject also to my will. I began to think, as these unhappy +monarchs around had already thought, that the vengeance of heaven +was asleep, when at once the thunder burst my structures asunder, +and precipitated me hither; where, however, I do not remain like +the other inhabitants totally destitute of hope, for an angel of +light hath revealed, that in consideration of the piety of my +early youth, my woes shall come to an end when this cataract +shall for ever cease to flow. Till then I am in torments, +ineffable torments, an unrelenting fire preys on my +heart.”</p> +<p>Having uttered this exclamation, Soliman raised his hands +towards heaven, in token of supplication, and the Caliph +discerned through his bosom, which was transparent as crystal, +his heart enveloped in flames. At a sight so full of +horror, Nouronihar fell back like one petrified, into the arms of +Vathek, who cried out with a convulsive sob:</p> +<p>“O Giaour! whither hast thou brought us! <a +name="page144"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 144</span>Allow us to +depart, and I will relinquish all thou hast promised. O +Mahomet! remains there no more mercy!”</p> +<p>“None! none!” replied the malicious Dive. +“Know, miserable prince, thou art now in the abode of +vengeance, and despair. Thy heart, also, will be kindled, +like those of the other votaries of Eblis. A few days are +allotted thee previous to this fatal period: employ them as thou +wilt. Recline on these heaps of gold: command the Infernal +Potentates: range at thy pleasure through these immense +subterranean domains. No barrier shall be shut against +thee. As for me, I have fulfilled my mission. I now +leave thee to thyself.”</p> +<p>At these words he vanished.</p> +<p>The Caliph and Nouronihar remained in the most abject +affliction. Their tears unable to flow, scarcely could they +support themselves. At length, taking each other +despondingly by the hand, they went faltering from this fatal +hall, indifferent which way they turned their steps. Every +portal opened at their approach. The Dives fell prostrate +before them. Every reservoir of riches was disclosed to +their view, but they no longer felt the incentives of curiosity, +pride, or avarice. With like apathy they heard the chorus +of Genii, and saw the stately banquets prepared to regale +them. They went wandering on from chamber to chamber, hall +to hall, and gallery to gallery; all without bounds or limit; all +distinguishable by the same lowering gloom; all adorned with the +same awful grandeur; all traversed <a name="page145"></a><span +class="pagenum">p. 145</span>by persons in search of repose and +consolation, but who sought them in vain, for every one carried +within him a heart tormented in flames. Shunned by these +various sufferers, who seemed by their looks to be upbraiding the +partners of their guilt, they withdrew from them, to wait in +direful suspense the moment which should render them to each +other the like objects of terror.</p> +<p>“What,” exclaimed Nouronihar, “will the time +come, when I shall snatch my hand from thine!”</p> +<p>“Ah!” said Vathek, “and shall my eyes ever +cease to drink from thine long draughts of enjoyment! Shall +the moments of our reciprocal ecstasies be reflected on with +horror! It was not thou that broughtest me hither; the +principles by which Carathis perverted my youth have been the +sole cause of my perdition!”</p> +<p>Having given vent to these painful expressions, he called to +an Afrit, who was stirring up one of the braziers, and bade him +fetch the Princess Carathis from the palace of Samarah.</p> +<p>After issuing these orders, the Caliph and Nouronihar +continued walking amidst the silent crowd, till they heard voices +at the end of the gallery. Presuming them to proceed from +some unhappy beings, who like themselves were awaiting their +final doom, they followed the sound, and found it to come from a +small square chamber, where they discovered sitting on sofas, +five young men of goodly figure, and a lovely female, who were +all holding a <a name="page146"></a><span class="pagenum">p. +146</span>melancholy conversation, by the glimmering of a lonely +lamp. Each had a gloomy and forlorn air, and two of them +were embracing each other with great tenderness. On seeing +the Caliph and the daughter of Fakreddin enter they arose, +saluted, and gave them place. Then he who had appeared the +most considerable of the group, addressed himself thus to +Vathek:</p> +<p>“Strangers! who doubtless are in the same state of +suspense as ourselves, as you do not yet bear your hand on your +heart, if you are come hither to pass the interval allotted +previous to the infliction of our common punishment, condescend +to relate the adventures that have brought you to this fatal +place; and we in return will acquaint you with ours; which +deserves but too well to be heard. We will trace back our +crimes to their source, though we are not permitted to +repent. This is the only employment suited to wretches like +us.”</p> +<p>The Caliph and Nouronihar assented to the proposal, and Vathek +began, not without tears and lamentations, a sincere recital of +every circumstance that had passed. When the afflicting +narrative was closed, the young man entered on his own. +Each person proceeded in order, and when the fourth prince had +reached the midst of his adventures, a sudden noise interrupted +him, which caused the vault to tremble, and to open.</p> +<p>Immediately a cloud descended, which gradually dissipating, +discovered Carathis, on the back of an Afrit, who grievously +complained of his burden. <a name="page147"></a><span +class="pagenum">p. 147</span>She, instantly springing to the +ground, advanced towards her son, and said:</p> +<p>“What dost thou here, in this little square +chamber? As the Dives are become subject to thy beck, I +expected to have found thee on the throne of the preadimite +kings.”</p> +<p>“Execrable woman!” answered the Caliph; +“cursed be the day thou gavest me birth! Go! follow +this Afrit; let him conduct thee to the hall of the Prophet +Soliman; there thou wilt learn to what these palaces are +destined, and how much I ought to abhor the impious knowledge +thou hast taught me.”</p> +<p>“The height of power to which thou art arrived, has +certainly turned thy brain,” answered Carathis; “but +I ask no more, than permission to show my respect for the +prophet. It is, however, proper thou shouldst know, that, +as the Afrit has informed me neither of us shall return to +Samarah, I requested his permission to arrange my affairs, and he +politely consented. Availing myself, therefore, of the few +moments allowed me, I set fire to the tower, and consumed in it +the mutes, negresses, and serpents, which have rendered me so +much good service; nor should I have been less kind to +Morakanabad, had he not prevented me, by deserting at last to thy +brother. As for Bababalouk, who had the folly to return to +Samarah, and all the good brotherhood to provide husbands for thy +wives, I undoubtedly would have put them to the torture, could I +but have allowed them the time. Being, however, in a <a +name="page148"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 148</span>hurry, I +only hung him, after having caught him in a snare with thy wives; +whilst them I buried alive by the help of my negresses, who thus +spent their last moments, greatly to their satisfaction. +With respect to Dilara, who ever stood high in my favour, she +hath evinced the greatness of her mind, by fixing herself near, +in the service of one of the Magi, and, I think, will soon be our +own.”</p> +<p>Vathek, too much cast down to express the indignation excited +by such a discourse, ordered the Afrit to remove Carathis from +his presence, and continued immersed in thought, which his +companions durst not disturb.</p> +<p>Carathis, however, eagerly entered the dome of Soliman, and, +without regarding in the least the groans of the Prophet, +undauntedly removed the covers of the vases, and violently seized +on the talismans. Then, with a voice more loud than had +hitherto been heard in these mansions, she compelled the Dives to +disclose to her the most secret treasures, the most profound +stores, which the Afrit himself had not seen. She passed by +rapid descents known only to Eblis and his most favoured +Potentates, and thus penetrated the very entrails of the earth, +where breathes the Sansar, or icy wind of death. Nothing +appalled her dauntless soul. She perceived, however, in all +the inmates who bore their hands on their heart, a little +singularity not much to her taste. As she was emerging from +one of the abysses, Eblis stood forth to her view, but, +notwithstanding he displayed the full effulgence of <a +name="page149"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 149</span>his +infernal majesty, she preserved her countenance unaltered, and +even paid her compliments with considerable firmness.</p> +<p>This superb monarch thus answered:</p> +<p>“<span class="smcap">Princess</span>, whose knowledge +and whose crimes have merited a conspicuous rank in my empire, +thou doest well to employ the leisure that remains, for the +flames and torments which are ready to seize on thy heart, will +not fail to provide thee with full employment.”</p> +<p>He said this, and was lost in the curtains of his +tabernacle.</p> +<p>Carathis paused for a moment with surprise, but, resolved to +follow the advice of Eblis, she assembled all the choirs of +Genii, and all the Dives, to pay her homage. Thus marched +she in triumph through a vapour of perfumes, amidst the +acclamations of all the malignant spirits; with most of whom she +had formed a previous acquaintance. She even attempted to +dethrone one of the Solimans, for the purpose of usurping his +place, when a voice, proceeding from the Abyss of Death, +proclaimed:</p> +<p>“<span class="smcap">All is +accomplished</span>!”</p> +<p>Instantaneously, the haughty forehead of the intrepid princess +became corrugated with agony; she uttered a tremendous yell, and +fixed—no more to be withdrawn—her right hand upon her +heart, which was become a receptacle of eternal fire.</p> +<p>In this delirium, forgetting all ambitious projects, and her +thirst for that knowledge which should ever <a +name="page150"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 150</span>be hidden +from mortals, she overturned the offerings of the Genii; and, +having execrated the hour she was begotten, and the womb that had +borne her, glanced off in a whirl that rendered her invisible, +and continued to revolve without intermission.</p> +<p>At almost the same instant, the same voice announced to the +Caliph, Nouronihar, the five princes, and the princess, the awful +and irrevocable decree. Their hearts immediately took fire, +and they at once lost the most precious of the gifts of +heaven—<span class="smcap">hope</span>. These unhappy +beings recoiled, with looks of the most furious +distraction. Vathek beheld in the eyes of Nouronihar +nothing but rage and vengeance; nor could she discern ought in +his but aversion and despair. The two princes who were +friends, and till that moment had preserved their attachment, +shrunk back, gnashing their teeth with mutual and unchangeable +hatred. Kalilah and his sister made reciprocal gestures of +imprecation; whilst the two other princes testified their horror +for each other by the most ghastly convulsions, and screams that +could not be smothered. All severally plunged themselves +into the accursed multitude, there to wander in an eternity of +unabating anguish.</p> +<p>Such was, and such should be, the punishment of unrestrained +passions, and atrocious actions. Such is, and such should +be, the chastisement of blind ambition, that would transgress +those bounds which the Creator hath prescribed to human +knowledge, and by aiming at discoveries reserved for pure +intelligence, acquire that infatuated pride, which <a +name="page151"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 151</span>perceives +not the condition appointed to man is, <span class="smcap">to be +ignorant and humble</span>.</p> +<p>Thus the <span class="smcap">Caliph Vathek</span> who, for the +sake of empty pomp and forbidden power, hath sullied himself with +a thousand crimes, became a prey to grief without end, and +remorse without mitigation; whilst the humble and despised <span +class="smcap">Gulchenrouz</span> passed whole ages in undisturbed +tranquillity, and the pure happiness of childhood.</p> +<h2><a name="page153"></a><span class="pagenum">p. +153</span>NOTES.</h2> +<p><a name="footnote7a"></a><a href="#citation7a" +class="footnote">[7a]</a> <i>Caliph</i>. This title +amongst the Mahometans comprehends the concrete character of +prophet, priest, and king; and is used to signify <i>the Vicar of +God on earth</i>.—Habesci’s State of the Ottoman +Empire, p. 9. Herbelot, p. 985.</p> +<p><a name="footnote7b"></a><a href="#citation7b" +class="footnote">[7b]</a> <i>One of his eyes became so +terrible</i>. The author of Nighiaristan hath preserved a +fact that supports this account; and there is no history of +Vathek, in which his <i>terrible eye</i> is not mentioned.</p> +<p><a name="footnote8a"></a><a href="#citation8a" +class="footnote">[8a]</a> <i>Omar Ben Abdalaziz</i>. +This Caliph was eminent above all others for temperance and +self-denial; insomuch, that he is <a name="page154"></a><span +class="pagenum">p. 154</span>believed to have been raised to +Mahomet’s bosom, as a reward for his abstinence in an age +of corruption. Herbelot, p. 690.</p> +<p><a name="footnote8b"></a><a href="#citation8b" +class="footnote">[8b]</a> <i>Samarah</i>. A city of +the Babylonian Irak, supposed to have stood on the site where +Nimrod erected his tower. Khondemir relates, in his life of +Motassem, that this prince, to terminate the disputes which were +perpetually happening between the inhabitants of Bagdat and his +Turkish slaves, withdrew from thence; and, having fixed on a +situation in the plain of Catoul, there founded Samarah. He +is said to have had in the stables of this city a hundred and +thirty thousand pied horses; each of which carried, by his order, +a sack of earth to a place he had chosen. By this +accumulation, an elevation was formed that commanded a view of +all Samarah, and served for the foundation of his magnificent +palace. Herbelot, p. 752, 808, 985. Anecdotes Arabes, +p. 413.</p> +<p><a name="footnote9"></a><a href="#citation9" +class="footnote">[9]</a> <i>Houris</i>. The Virgins +of Paradise, called, from their large black eyes, <i>Hur al +oyun</i>. An intercourse with these, according to the +institution of Mahomet, is to constitute the principal felicity +of the faithful. Not formed of clay, like mortal women, +they are deemed in the highest degree beautiful, and exempt from +<a name="page155"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 155</span>every +inconvenience incident to the sex. Al Koran; passim.</p> +<p><a name="footnote10"></a><a href="#citation10" +class="footnote">[10]</a> <i>Genii</i>. Genn or Ginn, +in the Arabic, signifies a Genius or Demon—a being of a +higher order, and formed of more subtile matter than man. +According to Oriental mythology, the Genii governed the world +long before the creation of Adam. The Mahometans regarded +them as an intermediate race between angels and men, and capable +of salvation: whence Mahomet pretended a commission to convert +them. Consonant to this, we read that, “When the +servant of God stood up to invoke him, it wanted little but that +the Genii had pressed on him in crowds, to hear him rehearse the +Koran.” Herbelot, p. 357. Al Koran ch. 72.</p> +<p><a name="footnote23"></a><a href="#citation23" +class="footnote">[23]</a> <i>Accursed Giaour</i>. +Dives of this kind are frequently mentioned by Eastern +writers. Consult their tales in general, and especially +those of “The Fisherman,” “Aladdin,” and +“The Princess of China.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote26a"></a><a href="#citation26a" +class="footnote">[26a]</a> <i>Bababalouk</i>, <i>the Chief +of his Eunuchs</i>. As it was the employment of the black +eunuchs to wait upon, and guard the sultanas, to the general <a +name="page156"></a><span class="pagenum">p. +156</span>superintendence of the Harem was particularly committed +to their chief. Habesci’s State of the Ottoman +Empire, p. 155–6.</p> +<p><a name="footnote26b"></a><a href="#citation26b" +class="footnote">[26b]</a> <i>The Divan</i>. This was +both the supreme council, and court of justice, at which the +Caliphs of the race of the Abassides assisted in person to +redress the injuries of every appellant. Herbelot, p. +298.</p> +<p><a name="footnote27"></a><a href="#citation27" +class="footnote">[27]</a> <i>The Prime Vizier</i>. +Vazir, Vezir, or as we express it, Vizier, literally signifies a +porter; and by metaphor, the minister who bears the principal +burden of the state.</p> +<p><a name="footnote50"></a><a href="#citation50" +class="footnote">[50]</a> <i>Gian Ben Gian</i>. By +this appellation was distinguished the monarch of that species of +beings, whom the Arabians denominate <i>Gian</i> or <i>Ginn</i>, +that is, <i>Genii</i>; and the Tarik Thabari, <i>Peres</i>, +<i>Feez</i>, or <i>Faeries</i>.</p> +<p><a name="footnote51"></a><a href="#citation51" +class="footnote">[51]</a> <i>Rocnabad</i>. The stream +thus denominated flows near the city of Schiraz. Its waters +are uncommonly pure and limpid, and their banks swarded with the +finest verdure.</p> +<p><a name="footnote53"></a><a href="#citation53" +class="footnote">[53]</a> <a name="page157"></a><span +class="pagenum">p. 157</span><i>Moullahs</i>. Those among +the Mahometans who were bred to the law had this title; and from +their order the judges of cities and provinces were taken.</p> +<p><a name="footnote55"></a><a href="#citation55" +class="footnote">[55]</a> <i>Bababalouk almost sunk with +confusion</i>, <i>whilst</i>, <i>etc.</i> The heinousness +of Vathek’s profanation can only be judged of by an +orthodox Mussulman; or one who recollects the ablution and prayer +indispensably required on the exoneration of nature. +Sale’s Prelim. Disc. p. 139. Al Koran, ch. 4. +Habesci’s State of the Ottoman Empire, p. 93.</p> +<p><a name="footnote67a"></a><a href="#citation67a" +class="footnote">[67a]</a> <i>Horrible Kaf</i>. This +mountain, which in reality is no other than Caucasus, was +supposed to surround the earth, like a ring encompassing a +finger. The sun was believed to rise from one of its +eminences (as over Octa, by the Latin poets) and to set on the +opposite; whence “from Kaf to Kaf,” signified from +one extremity of the earth to the other.</p> +<p><a name="footnote67b"></a><a href="#citation67b" +class="footnote">[67b]</a> <i>The Simurgh</i>. This +is that wonderful bird of the East concerning which so many +marvels are told. It was not <a name="page158"></a><span +class="pagenum">p. 158</span>only endowed with reason, but +possessed also the knowledge of every language. This +creature relates of itself, that it had seen the great revolution +of seven thousand years, twelve times, commence and close; and, +that in its duration, the world had been seven times void of +inhabitants, and as often replenished. The Simurgh is +represented as a great friend to the race of Adam, and not less +inimical to the Dives.</p> +<p><a name="footnote67c"></a><a href="#citation67c" +class="footnote">[67c]</a> <i>Afrits</i>. These were +a kind of Medusa, or Lamia, supposed to be the most terrible and +cruel of all the orders of the Dives. Herbelot, p. 66.</p> +<p><a name="footnote68"></a><a href="#citation68" +class="footnote">[68]</a> <i>Deggial</i>. This word +signifies properly a liar and imposter, but is applied by +Mahometan writers to their Antichrist. He is described as +having but one eye and eyebrow, and on his forehead the radicals +of <i>cafer</i>, or infidel, are said to be impressed.</p> +<p><a name="footnote79a"></a><a href="#citation79a" +class="footnote">[79a]</a> <i>Calenders</i>. These +were a sort of men amongst the Mahometans who abandoned father +and mother, wife and children, relations and possessions, to +wander through the world, under a pretence of religion, entirely +subsisting on the fortuitous bounty of those they had the address +to dupe. Herbelot, Suppl. p. 204.</p> +<p><a name="footnote79b"></a><a href="#citation79b" +class="footnote">[79b]</a> <a name="page159"></a><span +class="pagenum">p. 159</span><i>Santons</i>. A body of +religionists who were also called <i>Abdals</i>, and pretended to +be inspired with the most enthusiastic raptures of divine +love. They were regarded by the vulgar as saints. +Olearius, Tom. I. p. 971. Herbelot, p. 5.</p> +<p><a name="footnote79c"></a><a href="#citation79c" +class="footnote">[79c]</a> <i>Dervises</i>. The term +<i>dervise</i> signifies a poor man, and is the general +appellation by which a religious sect amongst the Mahometans is +named.</p> +<p><a name="footnote79d"></a><a href="#citation79d" +class="footnote">[79d]</a> <i>Brahmins</i>. These +constituted the principal caste of the Indians, according to +whose doctrines Brahma, from whom they are called, is the first +of the three created beings by whom the world was made. +This Brahma is said to have communicated to the Indians four +books, in which all the sciences and ceremonies of their religion +are comprised.</p> +<p><a name="footnote79e"></a><a href="#citation79e" +class="footnote">[79e]</a> <i>Faquirs</i>. This sect +were a kind of religious anchorites, who spent their whole lives +in the severest austerities and mortification.</p> +<p><a name="footnote82"></a><a href="#citation82" +class="footnote">[82]</a> <a name="page160"></a><span +class="pagenum">p. 160</span><i>Peries</i>. The word Peri, +in the Persian language, signifies that beautiful race of +creatures which constitutes the link between angels and men.</p> +<p><a name="footnote134"></a><a href="#citation134" +class="footnote">[134]</a> <i>Balkis</i>. This was +the Arabian name of the Queen of Sheba, who went from the South +to hear the wisdom and admire the glory of Solomon. The +Koran represents her as a worshipper of fire. Solomon is +said not only to have entertained her with the greatest +magnificence, but also to have raised her to his bed and his +throne. Al Koran, ch. 27, and Sale’s notes. +Herbelot, p. 182.</p> +<p><a name="footnote140"></a><a href="#citation140" +class="footnote">[140]</a> <i>Ouranabad</i>. This +monster is represented as a fierce flying hydra, and belongs to +the same class with the <i>Rakshe</i>, whose ordinary food was +serpents and dragons; the <i>Soham</i>, which had the head of a +horse, with four eyes, and the body of a flame-coloured dragon; +the <i>Syl</i>, a basilisk with a face resembling the human, but +so tremendous that no mortal could bear to behold it; the +<i>Ejder</i>, and others. See these respective titles in +Richardson’s Dictionary, Persian, Arabic and English.</p> +<p>***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK VATHEK***</p> +<pre> + + +***** This file should be named 42401-h.htm or 42401-h.zip****** + + +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: +http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/4/2/4/0/42401 + + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. 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