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possessed but few good qualities； her son had still fewer； and that the
alternative on the whole would be in her favour。 Consoled； therefore；
with this reflection； he went in good spirits to soothe the populace； and
make the proper arrangements for his master's journey。
Vathek； to conciliate the Spirits of the subterranean palace； resolved
that his expedition should be uncommonly splendid。 With this view he
confiscated on all sides the property of his subjects； whilst his worthy
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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 Masulipatam a single piece of chintz； and so much muslin had been
bought up to dress out Bababalouk and the other black eunuchs； that there
remained not an ell in the whole Irak of Babylon。
During these preparations Carathis； who never lost sight of her great
object； which was to obtain favour with the Powers of Darkness； made
select parties of the fairest and most delicate ladies of the city； but in the
midst of their gaiety she contrived to introduce serpents amongst them；
and to break pots of scorpions under the table； they all bit to a wonder； and
Carathis would have left them to bite； were it not that； to fill up the time；
she now and then amused herself in curing their wounds with an excellent
anodyne of her own invention； for this good princess abhorred being
indolent。
Vathek； who was not altogether so active as his mother； devoted his
time to the sole gratification of his senses； in the palaces which were
severally dedicated to them； he disgusted himself no more with the Divan
or the Mosque。 One half of Samarah followed his example； whilst the
other lamented the progress of corruption。 In the midst of these
transactions the embassy returned which had been sent in pious times to
Mecca。 It consisted of the most reverend Moullahs； 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
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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；
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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