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gestures to each other with the only arm that remained； the sides of a
considerable waterfall were crowded by the deaf； amongst whom were
some from Pegu with ears uncommonly handsome and large； but were still
less able to hear than the rest； nor were there wanting others in abundance
with humpbacks； wenny necks； and even horns of an exquisite polish。
The Emir； to aggrandise the solemnity of the festival in honour of his
illustrious visitant； ordered the turf to be spread on all sides with skins and
table…cloths； upon which were served up for the good Mussulmans pilaus
of every line； with other orthodox dishes； and； by the express order of
Vathek； who was shamefully tolerant； small plates of abominations for
regaling the rest。 This prince； on seeing so many mouths put in motion；
began to think it time for employing his own； in spite； therefore； of every
remonstrance from the chief of his eunuchs； he resolved to have a dinner
dressed on the spot。 The complaisant Emir immediately gave orders for
a table to be placed in the shade of the willows。 The first service
consisted of fish； which they drew from a river flowing over sands of gold
at the foot of a lofty hill； these were broiled as fast as taken； and served up
with a sauce of vinegar； and small herbs that grow on Mount Sinai； for
everything with the Emir was excellent and pious。
The dessert was not quite set on when the sound of lutes from the hill
was repeated by the echoes of the neighbouring mountains。 The Caliph；
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with an emotion of pleasure and surprise； 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
ecstasy； suspending his repast； said to Bababalouk：
〃Are the Peris come down from their spheres？ Note her in particular
whose form is so perfect； venturously running on the brink of the precipice；
and turning back her head； as regardless of nothing but the graceful flow
of her robe； with what captivating impatience doth she contend with the
bushes for her veil！ could it be she who threw the jasmine at me？〃
〃Ay！ she it was； and you too would she throw from the top of the
rock；〃 answered Bababalouk； 〃for that is my good friend Nouronihar； who
so kindly lent me her swing； my dear lord and master；〃 added he； twisting
a twig that hung by the rind from a willow； 〃let me correct her for want of
respect； the Emir will have no reason to complain； since （bating what I
owe to his piety） he is much to be censured for keeping a troop of girls on
the mountains； whose sharp air gives their blood too brisk a circulation。〃
〃Peace； blasphemer！〃 said the Caliph； 〃speak not thus of her who over
her mountains leads my heart a willing captive； contrive rather that my
eyes may be fixed upon hers； that I may respire her sweet breath； as she
bounds panting along these delightful wilds！〃 On saying these words；
Vathek extended his arms towards the hill； and directing his eyes with an
anxiety unknown to him before； endeavoured to keep within view the
object that enthralled his soul； but her course was as difficult to follow as
the flight of one of those beautiful blue butterflies of Cashmere； 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
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ring of the imperial treasure。 Where have you left him； Sutlememe？ and
why is he now not here？〃
The agitated Caliph still wished to hear more； but she immediately
retired； with all her attendants； the fond monarch pursued her with his eyes
till she was gone out of sight； and then continued like a bewildered and
benighted traveller； from whom the clouds had obscured the constellation
that guided his way； the curtain of night seemed dropped before him；
everything appeared discoloured； the falling waters filled his soul with
dejection； and his tears trickled down the jasmines he had caught from
Nouronihar； and placed in his inflamed bosom； he snatched up a shining
pebble； to remind him of the scene where he felt the first tumults of love。
Two hours were elapsed； and evening drew on before he could resolve to
depart from the place； he often； but in vain； attempted to go； a soft languor
enervated the powers of his mind； extending himself on the brink of the
stream； he turned his eyes towards the blue summits of the mountain； and
exclaimed： 〃What concealest thou behind thee？ what is passing in thy
solitudes？ Whither is she gone？ O Heaven！ perhaps she is now
wandering in thy grottos； with her happy Gulchenrouz！〃
In the meantime 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 Leileh； or some unfortunate lovers of ancient days； tears insensibly
overflowed the cheeks of his auditors； the verses he composed （for； like
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Megnoun； he too was a poet） inspired that unresisting languor so
frequently fatal to the female heart； the women all doted upon him； for
though he had passed his thirteenth year； they still detained him in the
harem； his dancing was light as the gossamer waved by the zephyrs of
spring； but his arms； which twined so gracefully with those of the young
girls in the dance； could neither dart the lance in the chase； nor curb the
steeds that pastured his uncle's domains。 The bow； however； he drew
with a certain aim； and would have excelled his competitors in the race；
could he have broken the ties that bound him to Nouronihar。
The two brothers had mutually engaged their children to each other；
and Nouronihar loved her cousin more than her eyes； both had the same
tastes and amusements； the same long； languishing looks； the same tresses；
the same fair complexions； and when Gulchenrouz appeared in the dress
of his cousin he seemed to be more feminine than even herself。 If at any
time he left the harem to visit Fakreddin； it was with all the bashfulness of
a fawn； that consciously ventures from the lair of its dam； he was however；
wanton enough to mock the solemn old grey…beards to whom he was
subject； though sure to be rated without mercy in return； whenever this