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than crystal； became of a colour like blood。 The whole of this superb
assembly was involuntarily drawn towards the declivity of the hill； with
downcast eyes they all stood abashed； each upbraiding himself with the
evil he had done； the heart of Dilara palpitated； and the chief of the
eunuchs with a sigh of contrition implored pardon of the women； whom
for his own satisfaction he had so often tormented。
Vathek and Nouronihar turned pale in their litter； and； regarding each
other with haggard looks； reproached themselvesthe one with a thousand
of the blackest crimes； a thousand projects of impious ambitionthe other
with the desolation of her family； and the perdition of the amiable
Gulchenrouz。 Nouronihar persuaded herself that she heard in the fatal
music the groans of her dying father； and Vathek the sobs of the fifty
children he had sacrificed to the Giaour。 Amidst these complicated pangs
of anguish they perceived themselves impelled towards the shepherd；
whose countenance was so commanding； that Vathek for the first time felt
overawed； whilst Nouronihar concealed her face with her hands。
The music paused； and the Genius； addressing the Caliph； said：
〃Deluded Prince！ to whom Providence hath confided the care of
innumerable subjects； is it thus that thou fulfillest thy mission？ Thy crimes
are already completed； and art thou now hastening towards thy
punishment？ Thou knowest that beyond these mountains Eblis and his
accursed Dives hold their infernal empire； and； seduced by a malignant
phantom； thou art proceeding to surrender thyself to them！ This moment
is the last of grace allowed thee； abandon thy atrocious purpose； return；
give back Nouronihar to her father； who still retains a few sparks of life；
destroy thy tower with all its abominations； drive Carathis from thy
councils； be just to thy subjects； respect the ministers of the Prophet；
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compensate for thy impieties by an exemplary life； and； instead of
squandering thy days in voluptuous indulgence； lament thy crimes on the
sepulchres of thy ancestors。 Thou beholdest the clouds that obscure the
sun； at the instant he recovers his splendour； if thy heart be not changed；
the time of mercy assigned thee will be past for ever。〃
Vathek； depressed with fear； was on the point of prostrating himself at
the feet of the shepherd； whom he perceived to be of a nature superior to
man； but； his pride prevailing； he audaciously lifted his head； and；
glancing at him one of his terrible looks； said： 〃Whoever thou art；
withhold thy useless admonitions； thou wouldst either delude me； or art
thyself deceived。 If what I have done be so criminal as thou pretendest；
there remains not for me a moment of grace； I have traversed a sea of
blood to acquire a power which will make thy equals tremble； deem not
that I shall retire when in view of the port； or that I will relinquish her who
is dearer to me than either my life or thy mercy。 Let the sun appear！ let
him illumine my career！ it matters not where it may end。〃 On uttering
these words； which made even the Genius shudder； Vathek threw himself
into the arms of Nouronihar； and commanded that his horse should be
forced back to the road。
There was no difficulty in obeying these orders； for the attraction had
ceased； the sun shone forth in all his glory； and the shepherd vanished with
a lamentable scream。
The fatal impression of the music of the Genius remained；
notwithstanding； in the heart of Vathek's attendants； they viewed each
other with looks of consternation； at the approach of night almost all of
them escaped； and of this numerous assemblage there only remained the
chief of the eunuchs； some idolatrous slaves； Dilara and a few other
women； who； like herself； were votaries of the religion of the Magi。
The Caliph； fired with the ambition of prescribing laws to the
Intelligences of Darkness； was but little embarrassed at this dereliction；
the impetuosity of his blood prevented him from sleeping； nor did he
encamp any more as before。 Nouronihar； whose impatience； if possible；
exceeded his own； importuned him to hasten his march； and lavished on
him a thousand caresses to beguile all reflection； she fancied herself
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already more potent than Balkis； and pictured to her imagination the Genii
falling prostrate at the foot of her throne。 In this manner they advanced
by moonlight； till they came within view of the two towering rocks that
form a kind of portal to the valley； at whose extremity rose the vast ruins
of Istakar。 Aloft on the mountain glimmered the fronts of various royal
mausoleums； the horror of which was deepened by the shadows of night。
They passed through two villages almost deserted； the only inhabitants
remaining being a few feeble old men； who； at the sight of horses and
litters； fell upon their knees and cried out：
〃O Heaven！ is it then by these phantoms that we have been for six
months tormented？ Alas！ it was from the terror of these spectres and the
noise beneath the mountains； that our people have fled； and left us at the
mercy of maleficent spirits！〃
The Caliph； to whom these complaints were but unpromising auguries；
drove over the bodies of these wretched old men； and at length arrived at
the foot of the terrace of black marble； there he descended from his litter；
handing down Nouronihar； both with beating hearts stared wildly around
them； and expected with an apprehensive shudder the approach of the
Giaour； but nothing as yet announced his appearance。
A death…like stillness reigned over the mountain and through the air；
the moon dilated on a vast platform the shades of the lofty columns； which
reached from the terrace almost to the clouds； the gloomy watch…towers；
whose numbers could not be counted； were veiled by no roof； and their
capitals； of an architecture unknown in the records of the earth； served as
an asylum for the birds of darkness； which； alarmed at the approach of
such visitants； fled away croaking。
The chief of the eunuchs； trembling with fear； besought Vathek that a
fire might be kindled。
〃No！〃 replied he； 〃there is no time left to think of such trifles； abide
where thou art； and expect my commands。〃
Having thus spoken； he presented his hand to Nouronihar； and；
ascending the steps of a vast staircase； reached the terrace； which was
flagged with squares of marble； and resembled a smooth expanse of water；
upon whose surface not a leaf ever dared to vegetate； on the right rose the
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watch…towers； ranged before the ruins of an immense palace； whose walls
were embossed with various figures； in front stood forth the colossal
forms of four creatures； composed of the leopard and the griffin； and；
though but of stone； inspired emotions of terror； near these were
distinguished by the splendour of the moon； which streamed full on the
place； characters like those on the sabres of the Giaour； that possessed the
same virtue of changing every moment； these； after vacillating for some
time； at last fixed in Arabic letters； and prescribed to the Caliph the
following words：
〃Vathek！ thou hast violated the conditions of my parchment； and
deservest to be sent back； but； in favour to thy companion； and as the
meed for what thou hast done to obtain it； EBLIS permitteth that the portal
of his pal