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tymbals to overpower the blubbering of the Emir and his long…beards； 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 the clear blue sky； the
earth； variegated with hyacinths and jonquils； breathed forth a fragrance
which diffused through the soul a divine repose； 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
musk…melons 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 show 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
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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； entreated Vathek to stop； but he； suspecting that each oratory
might be deemed by the Giaour a distinct 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
on their dear masters the Santons； assembled so zealously to do it with
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 Imams 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 over…
fond 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
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the precaution that your backs be not turned towards me； for they
understand etiquette。〃
In this deputation were some high…stomached 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 each other in the most ludicrous manner
imaginable。
Nouronihar and the Caliph mutually contended who should most enjoy
so degrading a sight； they burst out in volleys 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 Shiraz 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。〃
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One of these beneficent Genii； assuming without delay the exterior of
a shepherd； more renowned for his piety than all the Dervises 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； awakening 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 su