the history of caliph vathek-第9节
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re 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 Caaba： a present truly worthy of the greatest potentate on earth！
The Caliph happened at this instant to be engaged in an apartment by no means adapted to the reception of embassies； though adorned with a certain magnificence； not only to render it agreeable； but also because he resorted to it frequently； and stayed a considerable time together。 Whilst occupied in this retreat he heard the voice of Bababalouk calling out from between the door and the tapestry that hung before it： 〃Here are the excellent Mahomet Ebn Edris al Shafei； and the seraphic Al Mouhadethin； who have brought the besom from Mecca； and with tears of joy intreat they may present it to your majesty in person。〃
〃Let them bring the besom hither； it may be of use；〃 said Vathek； who was still employed； not having quite racked off his wine。
〃How！〃 said 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 porticoes； that the Caliph would not receive them like ambassadors in ordinary in his hall of audience。 Soon reaching the interior of the harem （where； through blinds of Persian； they perceived large soft eyes； dark and blue； that went and came like lightning）； penetrated with respect and wonder； and full of their celestial mission； they advanced in procession towards the small corridors that appeared to terminate in nothing； but nevertheless led to the cell where the Caliph expected their coming。
〃What！ is the Commander of the Faithful sick？〃 said Ebn Edris al Shafei in a low voice to his companion。
〃I rather think he is in his oratory；〃 answered Al Mouhadethin。
Vathek； who heard the dialogue； cried out： 〃What imports it you how I am employed？ approach without delay。〃
They advanced； and Bababalouk almost sunk with confusion； whilst the Caliph； without showing himself； put forth his hand from behind the tapestry that hung before the door； and demanded of them the besom。 Having prostrated themselves as well as the corridor would permit； and even in a tolerable 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 suspended from the ceiling； gravely brushed away till not a single one remained。 The old men； overpowered with amazement； were unable to lift their heards from the ground； for； as Vathek had carelessly left the tapestry between them half drawn； they were witnesses to the whole transaction； their tears gushed forth on the marble； Al Mouhadethin swooned through mortification and fatigue； whilst the Caliph； throwing himself backward on his seat； shouted and clapped his hands without mercy。 At last； addressing himself to Bababalouk： 〃My dear black；〃 said he； 〃go； regale these pious poor souls with my good wine from Shiraz； and； as they can boast of having seen more of my palace than any one besides； let them also visit my office courts； and lead them out by the back steps that go to my stables。〃 Having said this； he threw the besom in their face； and went to enjoy the laugh with Carathis。 Bababalouk did all in his power to console the ambassadors； but the two most infirm expired on the spot； the rest were carried to their beds； from whence； being heart…broken with sorrow and shame； they never arose。
The succeeding night Vathek； attended by his mother； ascended the tower to see if everything were ready for his journey； for he had great faith in the influence of the stars。 The planets appeared in their most favourable aspects。 The Caliph； to enjoy so flattering a sight； supped gaily on the roof； and fancied that he heard during his repast loud shouts of laughter resound through the sky； in a manner that inspired the fullest assurance。
All was in motion at the palace； lights were kept burning through the whole of the night； the sound of implements and of artisans finishing their work； the voices of women and their guardians who sung at their embroidery； all conspired to interrupt the stillness of nature and infinitely delight the heart of Vathek； who imagined himself going in triumph to sit upon the throne of Soliman。
The people were not less satisfied than himself； all assisted to accelerate the moment which should rescue them from the wayward caprices of so extravagant a master。
The day preceding the departure of this infatuated prince was employed by Carathis in repeating to him the decrees of the mysterious parchment； which she had thoroughly gotten by heart； and in recommending him not to enter the habitation of any one by the way； 〃for well thou knowest；〃 added she； 〃how liquorish thy taste is after good dishes and young damsels； let me； therefore； enjoin thee to be content with thy old cooks； who are the best in the world； and not to forget that in thy ambulatory seraglio there are three dozen pretty faces； which Bababalouk hath not yet unveiled。 I myself have a great desire to watch over thy conduct； and visit the subterranean palace； which no doubt contains whatever can interest persons like us； there is nothing so pleasing as retiring to caverns； my taste for dead bodies and everything like mummy is decided； and I am confident thou wilt see the most exquisite of their kind。 Forget me not； then； but the moment thou art in possession of the talismans which are to open to thee the mineral kingdoms and the centre of the earth itself； fail not to despatch some trusty genius to take me and my cabinet； for the oil of the serpents I have pinched to death will be a pretty present to the Giaour； who cannot but be charmed with such dainties。〃
Scarcely had Carathis ended this edifying discourse when the sun； setting behind the mountain of the Four Fountains； gave place to the rising moon； this planet； being that evening at full； appeared of unusual beauty and magnitude in the eyes of the women； the eunuchs； and the pages； who were all impatient to set forward。 The city re…echoed with shouts of joy and flourishing of trumpets； nothing was visible but plumes nodding on pavilions； and aigrets shining in the mild lustre of the moon； the spacious square resembled an immense parterre； variegated with the most stately tulips of the East。
Arrayed in the robes which were only worn it the most distinguished ceremonials； and supported by his Vizir and Bababalouk； the Caliph descended the grand staircase of the tower in the sight of all his people； he could not forbear pausing at intervals to admire the superb appearance which everywhere courted his view； whilst the whole multitude； even to the camels with their sumptuous burdens； knelt down before him。 For some time a general stillness prevailed； which nothing happened to disturb but the shrill screams of some eunuchs in the rear； these vigilant guards； having remarked certain cages of the ladies swagging somewhat awry； and discovered that a few adventurous gallants had contrived to get in； soon dislodged the enraptured culprits。 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 the 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； an
