William Beckford
Vathek
An Arabian Tale
Vathek ninth Caliph 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 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 produce agreeable companions and he succeeded the better as
his generosity was unbounded and his indulgencies unrestrained for he did not
think with the Caliph Omar Ben Abdalaziz 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 Alkoremi
which his father Motassem had erected on the hill of Pied Horses and which
commanded the whole city of Samarah 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 the 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 wellmanaged 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
palace that might gratify the curiosity of those who resorted to it although
he was not able to satisfy his own for of all men he was 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 Flambeaux and
aromatic lamps were here lighted in open day But the too powerful effects of
this agreeable delirium might be alleviated 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 Mirth or the Dangerous was
frequented by troops of young females beautiful as the Houris and not less
seducing who never failed to receive with caresses all whom the Caliph allowed
to approach them and enjoy a few hours of their company
Notwithstanding the sensuality in which Vathek indulged he experienced no
abatement in the love of his people who thought that a sovereign giving himself
up to pleasure was as able to govern as one who declared himself an enemy to
it 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 lifetime of his
father as to acquire a great deal of knowledge though not a sufficiency to
satisfy himself for he wished to know every thing even sciences that did not
exist He was fond of engaging in disputes with the learned but did not allow
them to push their opposition with warmth He stopped with presents the mouths
of those 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 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 shewed a 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 fifteen hundred stairs of his tower he cast his eyes below and beheld men
not larger than pismires mountains than shells and cities than beehives
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
upward 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 intruding and
unwelcome perception of his littleness with the thought of being great in the
eyes of others and flattered himself that the light of his mind would extend
beyond the reach of his sight and extort from 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 becoming an adept in the mysteries of astrology he
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 arrived in his metropolis a man so
abominably 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 merchandize this
stranger produced most of his curiosities which were not less admirable for
their workmanship than splendour had besides their several virtues described
on a parchment fastened to each There were slippers which by spontaneous
springs enabled the feet to walk knives that cut without motion of the hand
sabres that dealt the blow at the person they were wished to strike and the
whole enriched with gems that were hitherto unknown
The sabres especially the blades of which emitted a dazzling radiance
fixed more than all the rest the Caliphs 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 obeyed took little and remained silent
Vathek imagining that the merchants 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 ambercoloured teeth bestreaked with green
The Caliph though a little startled renewed his inquiries but without
being able to procure a reply At which beginning to be ruffled he exclaimed
»Knowest thou wretch 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 »but to no purpose« »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 one of the Caliphs 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 would have
continued in the same abject posture had not 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 and bound 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 dishes that were daily placed before him he could
taste of no more than thirtytwo
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 preyed 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 grates burst
asunder and his guards lying lifeless around him In the paroxism of his
passion he fell furiously on the poor carcases and kicked them till evening
without intermission His courtiers and vizirs 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 soon resounded through the streets of Samarah at length
reached the ears of Carathis his mother who flew in the utmost consternation
to try her ascendancy on the mind of her son Her tears and caresses called off
his attention and he was prevailed upon by her intreaties to be brought back
to the palace
Carathis apprehensive of leaving Vathek to himself had him put to bed
and seating herself by him endeavoured by her conversation to appease 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 the
sciences and systems of her country which all good Mussulmans hold in such
thorough abhorrence
Judiciary astrology was one of those sciences 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« said the Caliph as soon as he could speak »what a fool I have been not
for having bestowed forty thousand kicks on my guards who so tamely submitted
to death but for never considering that this extraordinary man was the same
that the planets had foretold whom instead of illtreating 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 tomorrow 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 coloured 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 my 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 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 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 whether one translates or 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 vizir 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 that 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 what had become
of the stranger
As to the Caliphs 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 to make it necessary that this new occupation of their
guardians should be transferred to 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 oh what
a great pity that 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 every thing is well 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 today 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 »today 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 such a
giddiness and debility that he could hardly support himself 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 any 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 excellent
husband his wives overwhelmed with grief at his deplorable situation
incessantly supplied him with prayers for his health and water for his thirst
In the mean time the Princess Carathis whose affliction no words can
describe instead of confining herself to sobbing and tears was closetted daily
with the vizir Morakanabad to find out some cure or mitigation of the
Caliphs 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 every where 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 have been 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 entwined with 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 numerous tufts of jonquils hyacinths and
carnations perfumed 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 watered by four sacred rivers
Here the nightingale sang the birth of the rose her wellbeloved and at the
same time lamented its shortlived beauty whilst the dove deplored the loss of
more substantial pleasures and the wakeful lark hailed the rising light that
reanimates the whole creation Here more than any where the mingled melodies
of birds expressed the various passions which inspired them and the exquisite
fruits which they pecked at pleasure seemed to have 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 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 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 dost thou
assimilate thyself to a dog O Caliph proud as thou art 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 what comest thou hither to do is it not enough
to have transformed a prince remarkable for his agility into a water budget
Perceivest thou not that I may perish by drinking to excess as well as by
thirst«
»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
moments 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
Nor would these transports have ceased had not the eloquence of Carathis
repressed them Having prevailed upon him to return to Samarah she caused a
herald 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 on this interesting subject
The Caliph in the meanwhile caused the palaces of the senses to be again
set open and as he found himself naturally 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 was blessed with 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 thirtytwo times covered
found himself incommoded by the voraciousness of his guest who was now
considerably declined in the Princes esteem Vathek however being unwilling
to betray the chagrin he could hardly disguise said in a whisper to Bababalouk
the chief of his eunuchs »You see how enormous his performances are in every
way 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 was announced Vathek in gratitude to his subjects having promised to
attend immediately arose from table and repaired thither leaning upon his
vizir who could scarcely support him so disordered was the poor Prince by the
wine he had drunk and still more by the extravagant vagaries of his boisterous
guest
The vizirs the officers of the crown and of the law arranged themselves in
a semicircle about their sovereign and preserved a respectful silence whilst
the Indian who looked as cool as if he had been fasting sat down without
ceremony on one of the steps 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 whose head was
embarrassed went on administering justice at haphazard till at length the
prime vizir 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
the operation of which will be sudden 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 vizir 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 was compounded the liquor you enjoined me to
take for it is suspected to be poison give also that explanation I have so
earnestly desired concerning the sabres you sold me and thus shew your
gratitude for the favours heaped on you«
Having pronounced these words in as moderate a tone as he 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 shewn 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 up and 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
After having traversed the halls galleries chambers kitchens gardens
and stables of the palace the Indian 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 a few which
his competitors in their eagerness designed for the ball
Carathis Morakanabad and two or three old vizirs whose wisdom had
hitherto withstood the attraction wishing to prevent Vathek from exposing
himself in the presence of his subjects fell down on 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 Muezins 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 Muezins 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 and terrified lest their charge should escape from their
sight the execrations of husbands urging forward and menacing each other
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 entered 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 yet 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 also
attribute to themselves absurdities which they could not prevent
The Caliph was the only person who 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 cruelly tormented him Vathek derided all their
remonstrances and having ordered a thousand flambeaux 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
daybreak retired to his tent where without taking the least sustenance he
continued to doze till the dusk of evening began again to come on He then
resumed his vigils as before and persevered in observing them for many nights
together At length fatigued with so fruitless 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 the folds of 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 had vanished from his view One night however
while he was walking as usual on the plain the moon and stars were eclipsed at
once 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 »Wouldest thou devote thyself to me adore 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 he answered in a style
that shewed 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 flambeaux 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 holding in his hand a golden key which he sounded
against the lock
»How« cried Vathek »can I descend to thee 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 children Take them from among
the most beautiful sons of thy vizirs 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 suggestions 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
fatal ball which no tongue had hitherto ventured to mention was 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 who
perceived how much it conduced to his project He put on the appearance of
affability to every one but especially to his vizirs and the grandees of his
court whom he failed not to regale with a sumptuous banquet during which he
insensibly directed the conversation to the children of his guests Having
asked with a goodnatured air which 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 withholden 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 shew 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 Caliphs 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 as 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 lately 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 heard save the
murmurs of the four fountains and the reeds and voices of shepherds calling to
each other from different eminences
The lovely innocents destined for the 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
unwilling 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 bodyguard of eunuchs was detached to measure out the lists
intended for the games and prepare the rings for the arrows of the young
archers 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 suspence 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 no
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
meanwhile 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 sprung 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 till his strength failed
him and then fell on the earth like one void of sense His vizirs 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 and I should have experienced
their fate had I not suddenly started 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
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 »Vizir 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 vizir »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 having been spared
the cares as well as the honour of paternity obeyed the mandate of the vizir
who seconding their exertions to the utmost of his power at length
accomplished his generous enterprize and retired as he resolved to lament at
his leisure
No sooner had the Caliph reentered 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 a powerful
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 mothers 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
surprize 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 hath 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 against 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 contrived within the thickness of the wall and known only
to herself and her son she first repaired to the mysterious recesses in which
were deposited the mummies that had been wrested 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 subtile and penetrating odour procured from
the interior of the Indies together with a thousand other horrible rarities
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
sculls and skeletons which Carathis had drawn forth from her cabinets all of
them making the most frightful contortions and uttering such shrill chatterings
that the Princess stunned by them and suffocated by the potency of the
exhalations was forced to quit the gallery after stripping it of a part of its
abominable treasures
Whilst she was thus occupied the Caliph who instead of the visions he
expected had acquired in these unsubstantial regions a voracious appetite was
greatly provoked at the mutes 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 bite them till Carathis arrived to terminate a
scene so indecent to the great content of these miserable creatures »Son what
means all this« said she panting for breath »I thought I heard as I came up
the shrieks of a thousand bats torn 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 brought« »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
tonight and think not of eating till that is performed know you not that
all solemn rites ought to be 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
twenty cubits high At length darkness approached and Carathis having stripped
herself to her inmost garment clapped her hands in an impulse of ecstacy 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 plenitude 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 took shelter under 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 for 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 styled 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
northeast wind drove an immense volume of flame against them At first they
recoiled but soon came back with redoubled 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 every one
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 dispatch 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 fifteen
hundred 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
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 the most faithful of his subjects all which
were thrown on the top of the pile Carathis whose presence of mind never
forsook her perceiving that she had carcasses sufficient to complete her
oblation commanded the chains to be stretched across the staircase and the
iron doors barricadoed 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 liquified horns diffused a
delicious perfume Carathis in transports anticipated the success of her
enterprize whilst her mutes and negresses to whom these sweets had given the
cholic retired grumbling to their cells
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 reposing 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 wellbeloved 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
Istakhar There I await thy coming that is the region of wonders there shalt
thou receive the diadem of Gian Ben Gian the talismans of Soliman and the
treasures of the preadamite 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 notwithstanding his habitual luxury had never before dined with
so much satisfaction He 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 pledge him at every bumper he 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 fifteen hundred stairs diverting
themselves as they went at the anxious faces they saw on the square through
the barbacans and loopholes 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 than 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 not to 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 I long to refresh myself in the delightful
vallies 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 Morakanabads 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 cameleon 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 masters 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 brought up to dress out Bababalouk and
the other black eunuchs that there remained not an ell of it 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 vipers amongst them and to break pots
of scorpions under the table They all bit to a wonder and Carathis would have
left her friends to die 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 who
had fulfilled their commission and brought back one of those precious besoms
which are used to sweep the sacred Cahaba 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 He heard the voice of Bababalouk
calling out from between the door and the tapestry that hung before it »Here
are the excellent Edris al Shafei and the seraphic Al Mouhateddin 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 »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 came and went 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 Edris al Shafei in a
low voice to his companion »I rather think he is in his oratory« answered Al
Mouhateddin Vathek who heard the dialogue cried out »What imports it you
how I am employed approach without delay« They advanced whilst the Caliph
without shewing 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 semicircle the
venerable Al Shafei drawing forth the besom from the embroidered and perfumed
scarves 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 some cobwebs that
hung from the ceiling gravely brushed them 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 of the whole transaction Their tears bedewed the
marble Al Mouhateddin 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
since they can boast of having seen more of my palace than any one besides«
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 heartbroken with sorrow and shame they never arose
The succeeding night Vathek attended by his mother ascended the tower to
see if every thing 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 artizans 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 delighted 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 at least three
dozen of 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 every
thing 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 the way to 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 reechoed 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 vizir and Bababalouk the Caliph descended the
great staircase of the tower in the sight of all his people He could not
forbear pausing at intervals to admire the superb appearance which every where
courted his view whilst the whole multitude even to the camels with their
sumptuous burthens 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 vizirs 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 base 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 acclamations of 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 they made full six leagues 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
reechoing 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 Ghulchissar 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 enterprize and his sanguine expectation 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 their maps of the
different countries spoiled by the rain were in a still worse plight than
themselves As no long journey had been undertaken since the time of Haroun al
Raschid every one was ignorant which way to turn and 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
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 apprized 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 crashing 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 Franguistan
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 is arrived at its height wild beasts who
entertain no more reverence for your sacred person than for a dead ass have
beset your camels and their drivers thirty of the most richly laden are already
become their prey as well as 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 hurlyburly 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 hast 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 apprized 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 dogdays 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 learnt the
use of their feet followed her their guards galloped after and the
cameldrivers brought up the rear as fast as their charge would permit
They soon reached the spot where the wild beasts had commenced the carnage
but which they had too much good sense not to leave at the approaching of the
tumult having made besides a most luxurious supper Bababalouk nevertheless
seized on a few of the plumpest which were unable to budge from the place and
began to flea them with admirable adroitness The cavalcade having proceeded so
far from the conflagration 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 mattress 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 eat 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 Vathek at length disturbed his repose
He awoke terrified and stung to the quick by wormwoodcolour flies which
emitted 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 is the Simurgh coming to pluck out my eyes as a punishment for
undertaking this impious enterprize« Having said this he 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 torrent 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 whom Carathis so
much loves fixed their abode in this place«
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 pomegranates 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 water for the 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 as 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 with his exterminating angels had
sent forth his 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 pomegranates 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 he recited his prayers and
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 inscribed by
Carathis these words which were indeed enough to make him tremble »Beware
of old doctors and their puny messengers of but one cubit high distrust their
pious frauds and instead of eating their melons empale on a spit the bearers
of them Shouldest thou be such a fool as to visit them the portal of the
subterranean palace will shut in thy face with such force as shall shake thee
asunder thy body shall be spit upon and bats will nestle 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
delicious 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 ones
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 a subject of
admiration not an inch of them was suffered to pass unexamined Knicknacks and
dainties were offered in profusion but all were declined with respectful
gravity They climbed up the sides of the Caliphs seat and placing themselves
each on one of his shoulders began to whisper prayers in his ears Their
tongues quivered like aspen leaves 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 greybeards 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
little 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 easy slopes which
the emir had ordered to be 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 vast building of free
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 depositary of secrets from
all parts of the world«
Nine pages beautiful as the day and decently clothed in robes of Egyptian
linen 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
tecthtrevan 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
Every man being 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 tiptoe 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 jasmine 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 emirs
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 rice boiled in milk of almonds saffron soups and lamb à la crême
of all which the Caliph was amazingly fond He took of each as much as he was
able testified his sense of the emirs 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
sopha and slept sounder than he ever had 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 hating 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
eyebrows 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 ninetyninth 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 not a little 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 the women which not a little delighted his heart »Ah ha what not
yet asleep« cried he and taking long strides as he spoke »did you not
suspect me of abjuring my charge« Two of the black eunuchs on hearing a voice
so loud left their 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
carnationcolour silk that hung before the doorway distinguished by means of
the softened splendor 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 as
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 and entangle
their hair to plague and detain Bababalouk and teased him besides with a
thousand vagaries
Nouronihar perceiving that he was nearly out of patience 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 your honied lips and to say truth my senses
are dazzled with the radiance that beams from your charms« »Repose then at
your ease« replied the beauty as she placed him on the pretended sofa which
quicker than lightning flew up 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 fill the air with the cries of a voice that resembled
the ringing of a cracked jar their peals of laughter were still predominant
Nouronihar in the inebriety of youthful spirits being used only to eunuchs
of ordinary harems and having never seen any thing so eminently disgusting was
far more diverted than all of the rest She began to parody some Persian verses
and sang with an accent most demurely piquant »Oh gentle white dove as thou
soarst 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 snapt suddenly asunder and Bababalouk fell floundering like a
turtle to the bottom of the bath This accident occasioned an universal shout
Twelve little doors till now unobserved flew open at once and the ladies in
an instant made their escape but not before having heaped all the towels on
his head and put out the lights that remained
The deplorable animal in water to the chin overwhelmed with darkness and
unable to extricate himself from the wrappers 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 were redoubled at every
relapse 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 sought for every where At last he was drawn forth almost smothered from
under the wisp of linen and wet even to the marrow Limping and his teeth
chattering with cold he approached 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 greybearded emir who knows nothing of
life And with what gracious damsels doth the place too abound Fancy to
yourself how they have soaked me like a burnt crust and made me dance like a
jackpudding the livelong night through on their damnable swing What an
excellent lesson for your sultanas into whom I had instilled such reserve and
decorum« Vathek comprehending not a syllable of all this invective obliged
him to relate minutely the transaction but instead of sympathizing with the
miserable sufferer he laughed immoderately at the device of the swing and the
figure of Bababalouk mounted 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 santons and derviches who were continually coming and
going but especially with the bramins faquirs 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 wherever he went another an ouranoutang whilst a third was furnished
with scourges and all performed to a charm Some would climb up trees holding
one foot in the air others poise themselves over a fire and without mercy
fillip 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 derviches 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 shedding 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 rid the estates of the emir of
his harem and all his menagerie« »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«
Wherever 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
greybeards 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 Pegû with ears uncommonly handsome and
large but who were still less able to hear than the rest Nor were there
wanting others in abundance with humpbacks 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 tablecloths 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 were prepared to the
great scandal of the faithful The holy assembly began to fall to The Caliph
in spite of every remonstrance from the chief of his eunuchs 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 every thing with the emir
was excellent and pious
The desert 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 surprize had no sooner raised up his head than a
handful of jasmine dropped on his face An abundance of tittering succeeded the
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 ecstacy suspending his
repast said to Bababalouk »Are the peries 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 her who threw the jasmine 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 wresting a twig 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 blamed for
keeping a troop of girls on the mountains where the sharpness of the air gives
their blood too brisk a circulation«
»Peace blasphemer« said the Caliph »speak not thus of her who over
these 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 Cachemire 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 jasmine »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 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 every thing appeared discoloured
The falling waters filled his soul with dejection and his tears trickled down
the jasmines he had caught from Nouronihar and placed in his inflamed bosom He
snatched up a few shining pebbles 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 pitiless rock what is passing in
thy solitudes Whither is she gone O heaven perhaps she is now wandering in
thy 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 sang the loves
of Megnoun and Leilah 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 and 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 chace nor curb the steeds that pastured in his
uncles 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 own beautiful 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 greybeards though sure to be rated without mercy
in return Whenever this happened he would hastily plunge into the recesses of
the harem and sobbing take refuge in the fond 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
Shaddukian 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 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 princes attention and this
she before took good care to effect whilst he picked up the jasmine 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 Nouronihars animated countenance Gulchenrouz alarmed at the agitation
of his cousin said to her with a supplicating accent »Let us begone the sky
looks portentous the tamarisks tremble more than common and the raw wind
chills my very heart Come let us begone 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 spirits 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 them 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
perfume At length he came to himself and wrapping up his head in the robe of
his cousin intreated 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 wonted walk of Nouronihar he dreaded
lest the churl should take it amiss The whole of this sprightly group sitting
round upon a mossy knoll began to entertain themselves with various pastimes
whilst their superintendants the eunuchs were gravely conversing at a
distance The nurse of the emirs 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
One of the eunuchs ran to fetch melons whilst others were employed in showering
down almonds from the branches that overhung this amiable party 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 with 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 nectar of flowers
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
not the moon already risen The phenomenon occasioned a general surprize 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 palmtrees 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 intreaty but
the curiosity of the emirs 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
pressing 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 excepting 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
among the palmbranches and the funereal screams of the birds from their rifted
trunks all conspired to fill her soul 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« Thus speaking she advanced and
coming up to steps hewn in the rock ascended them undismayed The light which
was now gradually enlarging appeared above her on the summit of the mountain
and as if proceeding from a cavern At length she distinguished a plaintive and
melodious union of voices that resembled the dirges which are sung over tombs
A sound like that which arises from the filling of baths struck her ear at the
same time She continued ascending and discovered large wax torches in full
blaze planted here and there in the fissures of the rock This appearance
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 the vapour of which 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 are these torches kindled this bath prepared and these
habiliments which belong not only to the sovereigns of the earth but even to
the talismanick 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 a pitiful husband« »And can she« rejoined the
other voice »be amused with such empty toys whilst the Caliph the sovereign
of the world he who is destined to enjoy the treasures of the preadamite
sultans a prince six feet high and whose eyes pervade the inmost soul of a
female is inflamed with love for 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 Istakhar 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
dispatched 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 »have 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 the
dark chamber and expect not the company of Gulchenrouz be expeditious I
will shut you up and turn the key twice upon you« 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«
Proceeding in the same style she was interrupted by a sudden exclamation
of »The Caliph the Caliph« All the curtains were thrown open the slaves
prostrated themselves in double rows and poor little Gulchenrouz went to hide
beneath the couch 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 overpleased 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 ones feet than he drew him forth without ceremony set him upon his
shoulders and lavished on him as he went off a thousand unwelcome caresses
Gulchenrouz cried out and resisted till his cheeks became the colour of the
blossom of pomegranates and his tearful eyes sparkled with 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 a few grey hairs of his
beard »cut short the days of your faithful servant rather than force him to
depart from his word Nouronihar is solemnly promised to Gulchenrouz the son of
my brother 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 worship 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 prophets
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 as
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 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 the grave
Fetch then that narcotick powder which a dervish 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 bower
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 surprize 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 is good« said Sutlememe »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
that notwithstanding her fondness for Gulchenrouz she will never remain quiet
while she knows him to be here Let us 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 hastened to seek for the powder which being mixed in a sherbet was
immediately administered to 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 Caliphs departure and ascending to the sofa reclined themselves upon it
clasped in each others embraces »Cherish me my dear Nouronihar« said
Gulchenrouz »put thy hand upon my heart 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 faultering 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
springtime of life Funeral vestments were prepared their bodies were washed
with rosewater 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 jasmines 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 the 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 forbad that any one should enter the harem Every window was fastened all
instruments of music were broken and the Imans 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 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 surprize 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 simars 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 recognize the surrounding scene This
singular lake those flames reflected from its glassy surface the pale hues of
its banks the romantic cabins the bullrushes that sadly waved their drooping
heads the storks whose melancholy cries blended with the shrill voices of the
dwarfs every thing conspired to persuade her 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 Monker and
Nekir who are 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 the dead
might 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 anothers 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 a few storks that were
tired of fishing was 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 Nouronihar
who notwithstanding what had past had not yet forgotten her vision said »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 basketmaking 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« »And what do you intend to live upon there« inquired Bababalouk »I
hardly know« replied Vathek »but I will tell you when I feel hungry which I
believe will not soon be the case«
The arrival of Fakreddin put a stop to this conversation As soon as Vathek
saw him he threw his arms around his neck bedewed his face with a torrent of
tears and uttered things so affecting so pious that the emir crying for joy
congratulated himself in his heart upon having performed so admirable and
unexpected a conversion As for the pilgrimage to the mountain Fakreddin had
his reasons not to oppose it therefore each ascending his own litter they
started
Notwithstanding the vigilance with which his attendants watched the Caliph
they could not prevent his harrowing his cheeks with a few scratches when on
the place where he was told Nouronihar had been buried they were even obliged
to drag him away by force of hands from the melancholy spot However he swore
with a solemn oath that he would return thither every day This resolution did
not exactly please the emir yet he flattered himself that the Caliph might not
proceed farther and would merely perform his devotions in the cavern of
Meimouné Besides the lake was so completely concealed within the solitary
bosom of those tremendous rocks that he thought it utterly impossible any one
could ever find it This security of Fakreddin was also considerably
strengthened by the conduct of Vathek who performed his vow most scrupulously
and returned daily from the hill so devout and so contrite that all the
greybeards were in a state of ecstasy on account of it
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 one
morning whilst all were asleep she arose 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 the top of which was
accessible though lofty This she climbed with considerable toil and having
reached the summit set forward in a run like a doe before the hunter Though
she skipped 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 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 then come hither to eat rice and hear sermons with me« »Beloved
phantom« cried Vathek »thou dost speak thou hast the same graceful form the
same radiant features art thou palpable likewise« and eagerly embracing her
added »Here are limbs and a bosom animated with a gentle warmth What can
such a prodigy mean«
Nouronihar with indifference answered »You know my lord that I died on
the very 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 place 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 us 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 finds us in his palace of fire Your lovely little person in my
estimation is far more precious than all the treasures of the preadamite
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
intreat 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 fathers 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 Meimouné 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 sound 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 goul have you dug up the dead yet hope not to make her your prey
for after all she hath caused me to suffer she is wicked enough to prey even
upon you«
»Cease to play the fool« said Vathek »and thou shalt soon be convinced
that it is Nouronihar herself alive and well whom I clasp to my breast Go 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 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 half a 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 dispatched 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 meanwhile was filled with amazement at not finding his
cousin nor were the dwarfs 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 jasmines
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 Sutlememe was far gone in this sort of description when one of the
four eunuchs beckoned her aside to apprize 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 a 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 lifetime 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 inclosure in
its natural freshness white eunuchs went continually round it with gilt 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 the whole day and at night they bathed
together in a basin of black marble which admirably set off 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 rarity 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 of
chagrin at the emirs 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 Caliphs 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 emirs whose sanctity was very formidable and that
after all the prospect of possessing the treasures of the preadamite sultans
was no less remote than before This letter was entrusted to the care of two
woodmen who were at work in one of the great forests of the mountains and who
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 woodfellers was announced She after some weeks of Vatheks
absence had forsaken the upper regions of her tower because every thing
appeared in confusion among the stars which 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 of course 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 blew from 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 woodfellers 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 with delight 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 have« The poor peasants who were not
overpleased with their party remained openmouthed with surprise
Carathis alighted as well as her negresses and severally stripping off
their outer garments they all ran 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 dusk Alboufaki making a sudden stop stampt with his foot which to
Carathis who knew his ways 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 ajar 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 Carathis was too eager to execute her plan
to stop at the view charming as it appeared in her eyes Pondering the
advantages that might accrue from her present situation she said to herself
»So beautiful a cemetery must be haunted by gouls they never want for
intelligence having heedlessly suffered my stupid 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 wise 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«
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 carcases 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
supper being ended they talked of business Carathis soon learnt from them
every thing she wanted to discover and without loss of time prepared to set
forward on her journey Her negresses who were forming tender connexions with
the gouls importuned her with all their fingers to wait at least till the
dawn But Carathis being chastity in the abstract and an implacable enemy to
love intrigues and sloth at once rejected their prayer mounted Alboufaki and
commanded them to take their seats instantly Four days and four nights she
continued her route without interruption On the fifth she traversed craggy
mountains and halfburnt forests and arrived on the sixth before the
beautiful screens which concealed from all eyes the voluptuous wanderings of her
son
It was daybreak 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 doubleheaded and fourlegged 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 preadamite 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 had resolved to rip open the
body of Alboufaki and to stuff it with those of the negresses and of Carathis
herself but the remembrance 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 upon the sofas 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 black 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 beings« »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 thought
of regret upon the graces of her little Gulchenrouz and the days of tender
endearments she had participated with him She even dropped a few tears
which the Caliph observed and inadvertently breathed out with a sigh »Alas
my gentle cousin what will become of thee« Vathek at this apostrophe
knitted up his brows and Carathis inquired 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 within 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 grey 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 ha« 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
enterprize Carathis and her negresses soon arrived at the lake where after
burning the magical drugs with which they were always provided they stripped
themselves naked and 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 and
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 are not used to 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 and climbed
an old figtree that rose against the acclivity of the rocks from thence he
gained their summits and ran for two hours without once looking back At last
exhausted with fatigue he fell senseless into the arms of a good old genius
whose fondness for the company of children had made it his sole occupation to
protect them Whilst performing his wonted rounds through the air he had
pounced on the cruel Giaour at the instant of his growling in the horrible
chasm and had rescued the fifty little victims which the impiety of Vathek had
devoted to his voracity 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 Rocs 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 eyelids Remote from the inquietudes of the world the
impertinence of harems the brutality of eunuchs and the inconstancy of women
there he found a place truly congenial to the delights of his soul 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 burthening his
pupils with perishable riches and vain sciences 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 two insignificant 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 illhumour upon
both The idea however of departing next day for Istakar and of 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 the favourite resort of my
nightly lucubrations without knowing at least if my hairbrained 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 pour grapeshot in
the faces of the assailants and shafts of redhot iron on their heads I will
let loose my stores of hungry serpents and torpedos 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 carnationcoloured tent »Glutton that thou
art« cried she »were it not for me thou wouldst soon find thyself the mere
commander of savoury 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 a few words
Strike tent tonight 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 at the door«
The Caliph had nothing to offer in reply he wished his mother a prosperous
journey and ate 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 greybeards 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 with hyacinths and jonquils breathed
forth a delightful fragrance 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 muskmelons 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 intreated Vathek to stop but he suspecting that these
oratories might be deemed by the Giaour an 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 offered to their dear masters the santons
assembled so zealously to do it with good 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 riband 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 overfond 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 highstomached 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 one another in
the most ludicrous manner imaginable
Nouronihar and the Caliph mutually contended who should most enjoy so
degrading a sight They burst out in peals 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 derviches 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 wakening 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
crystal became of 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 illume 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 heart of Vatheks 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 powers 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 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 the extremity of
which 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 the malificent 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 watchtowers whose number
could not be counted were covered by no roof and their capitals of an
architecture unknown in the records of the earth served as an asylum for the
birds of night 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 blade of grass ever dared to
vegetate On the right rose the watchtowers 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 and which possessed the same
virtue of changing every moment These after vacillating for some time fixed
at last 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 watchtowers 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 of which ascended and gathered itself 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 usher you into that palace
where you have so highly merited a place« Whilst he was uttering these words
he touched the enameled lock with his key and the doors at once flew open
with a noise still louder than the thunder of the dog days 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 familiar to the grandeur of the surrounding
objects 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 ambergrise 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 crystal A throng
of Genii and other fantastic spirits of either sex danced lasciviously 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
sunk 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 where 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
with so much at once« replied he bluntly »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 solemn 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 hung around 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 Ouranbad the afrits and all the powers of the abyss to
tremble At his presence the heart of the Caliph sunk within him and 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 penetrated the soul and filled it with 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 preadamite
sultans their fulminating 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
objects to gratify it You shall possess the exclusive privilege of entering the
fortresses of Aherman and the halls of Argenk where are pourtrayed 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
preadamite 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 one another 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 Daki and Soliman called 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 cataract visible
in part through one of 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 the 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 hovering over me served as a canopy against 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
sublunary things I listened to the counsels of Aherman and the daughter of
Pharaoh and adored fire and the hosts 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 beings 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 were unable to flow and 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 of 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 louring 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 it is but right she should have her share of it« 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 croud 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 four young men
of goodly figure and a lovely female who were 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 made
room for them Then he who appeared the most considerable of the group
addressed himself thus to Vathek »Strangers who doubtless are in the same
state of suspense with 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 deserve but too well to be heard To trace back our crimes to their
source though we are not permitted to repent 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 third 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 preadamite
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«
»Has the height of power to which thou art arrived turned thy brain«
answered Carathis »but I ask no more than permission to shew my respect for
Soliman the prophet It is however proper thou shouldest 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 to provide husbands for thy wives I undoubtedly would have
put him to the torture but being in a hurry I only hung him after having
decoyed him in a snare with thy wives whom 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 one of our society«
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 thoughts 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 within 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 the 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 dost well to avail
thyself of the leisure that remains for the flames and torments which are
ready to seize on thy heart will not fail to provide thee soon with full
employment« He said 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 rapid whirl that rendered her invisible and
continued to revolve without intermission
Almost at the same instant the same voice announced to the Caliph
Nouronihar the four princes and the princess the awful and irrevocable
decree Their hearts immediately took fire and they at once lost the most
precious gift 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 aught 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 all
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 deeds Such shall be the chastisement of that blind curiosity which
would transgress those bounds the wisdom of the Creator has prescribed to human
knowledge and such the dreadful disappointment of that restless ambition
which aiming at discoveries reserved for beings of a supernatural order
perceives not through its infatuated pride that the condition of man upon
earth is to be humble and ignorant
Thus the Caliph Vathek who for the sake of empty pomp and forbidden power
had sullied himself with a thousand crimes became a prey to grief without end
and remorse without mitigation whilst the humble the despised Gulchenrouz
passed whole ages in undisturbed tranquillity and in the pure happiness of
childhood