the history of the caliph vathek(加里弗[1].维克史)-第9节
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charge I will take on myself； and have no doubt of succeeding by means of
your treasures； which； as there are now so many others in store； may
without fear be exhausted。〃
Accordingly the princess； who possessed the most consummate skill in
the art of persuasion； went immediately back through the subterranean
passage； and presenting herself to the populace； from a window of the
palace； began to harangue them with all the address of which she was
mistress； whilst Bababalouk showered money from both hands amongst
the crowd； who by these united means were soon appeased； every person
retired to his home； and Carathis returned to the tower。
Prayer at break of day was announced； when Carathis and Vathek
ascended the steps which led to the summit of the tower； where they
remained for some time； though the weather was lowering and wet。 This
impending gloom corresponded with their malignant dispositions； but
when the sun began to break through the clouds they ordered a pavilion to
be raised； as a screen from the intrusion of his beams。 The Caliph；
overcome with fatigue； sought refreshment from repose； at the same time
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hoping that significant dreams might attend on his slumbers； whilst the
indefatigable Carathis； followed by a party of her mutes； descended to
prepare whatever she judged proper for the oblation of the approaching
night。
By secret stairs； known only to herself and to her son； she first repaired
to the mysterious recesses in which were deposited the mummies that had
been brought from the catacombs of the ancient Pharaohs； of these she
ordered several to be taken。 From thence she resorted to a gallery where；
under the guard of fifty female negroes； mute and blind of the right eye；
were preserved the oil of the most venomous serpents； rhinoceros' horns；
and woods of a subtle and penetrating odour procured from the interior of
the Indies； together with a thousand other horrible rarities。 This
collection had been formed for a purpose like the present by Carathis
herself； from a presentment 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 familiarise herself the better with the horrors in view； the princess
remained in the company of her negresses； who squinted in the most
amiable manner from the only eye they had； and leered with exquisite
delight at the skulls and skeletons which Carathis had drawn forth from
her cabinets； whose key she entrusted to no one； all of them making
contortions； and uttering a frightful jargon； but very amusing to the
princess； till at last； being stunned by their gibbering； and suffocated by
the potency of their exhalations； she was forced to quit the gallery； after
stripping it of a part of its treasures。
Whilst she was thus occupied； the Caliph； who； instead of the visions
he expected； had acquired in these insubstantial regions a voracious
appetite； was greatly provoked at the negresses； for； having totally
forgotten their deafness； he had impatiently asked them for food； and
seeing them regardless of his demand； he began to cuff； pinch； and push
them； till Carathis arrived to terminate a scene so indecent； to the great
content of these miserable creatures； who； having been brought up by her；
understood all her signs； and communicated in the same way their
thoughts in return。
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〃Son！ what means all this？〃 said she； panting for breath。 〃I thought I
heard as I came up the shrieks of a thousand bats tearing from their
crannies in the recesses of a cavern； and it was the outcry only of these
poor mutes； whom you were so unmercifully abusing。 In truth you but ill
deserve the admirable provision I have brought you。〃
〃Give it me instantly；〃 exclaimed the Caliph； 〃I am perishing for
hunger！〃
〃As to that；〃 answered she； 〃you must have an excellent stomach if it
can digest what I have been preparing。〃
〃Be quick；〃 replied the Caliph； 〃but； oh； heavens！ what horrors！ what
do you intend？〃
〃Come； come；〃 returned Carathis； 〃be not so squeamish； but help me
to arrange everything properly； and you shall see that what you reject with
such symptoms of disgust will soon complete your felicity。 Let us get
ready the pile for the sacrifice of to…night； and think not of eating till that
is performed； know you not that all solemn rites are preceded by a
rigorous abstinence？〃
The Caliph； not daring to object； abandoned himself to grief and the
wind that ravaged his entrails； whilst his mother went forward with the
requisite operations。 Phials of serpents' oil； mummies； and bones were
soon set in order on the balustrade of the tower； the pile began to rise； and
in three hours was as many cubits high。 At length darkness approached；
and Carathis； having stripped herself to her inmost garment； clapped her
hands in an impulse of ecstasy and struck light with all her force。 The
mutes followed her example； but Vathek； extenuated with hunger and
impatience； was unable to support himself； and fell down in a swoon。
The sparks had already kindled the dry wood； the venomous oil burst into
a thousand blue flames； the mummies dissolving emitted a thick dun
vapour； and the rhinoceros' horns beginning to consume； all together
diffused such a stench； that the Caliph； recovering； started from his trance；
and gazed wildly on the scene in full blaze around him。 The oil gushed
forth in a 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
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dazzling； that the Caliph； unable to withstand the heat and the blaze；
effected his escape； and clambered up the imperial standard。
In the meantime the inhabitants of Samarah； scared at the light which
shone over the city； arose in haste； ascended their roofs； beheld the tower
on fire； and hurried half naked to the square。 Their love to their sovereign
immediately awoke； and； apprehending him in danger of perishing in his
tower； their whole thoughts were occupied with the means of his safety。
Morakanabad flew from his retirement； wiped away his tears； and cried
out for water like the rest。 Bababalouk； whose olfactory nerves were
more familiarised to magical odours； readily conjecturing that Carathis
was engaged in her favourite amusements； strenuously exhorted them not
to be alarmed。 Him； however； they treated as an old poltroon； and
forbore not to style him a rascally traitor。 The camels and dromedaries
were advancing with water； but no one knew by which way to enter the
tower。 Whilst the populace was obstinate in forcing the doors a violent
east wind drove such a volume of flame against them； as at first forced
them off； but afterwards re…kindled their zeal； at the same time the stench
of the horns and mummies increasing； most of the crowd fell backward in
a state of suffocation； those that kept their feet mutually wondered at the
cause of the smell； and admonished each other to retire。 Morakanabad；
more sick than the rest； remained in a piteous condition； holding his nose
with one hand； he persisted in his efforts with the other to burst open the
doors and obtain admission。 A hundred and forty of the strongest and
most resolute at length
