按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
short…lived beauty； whilst the turtle deplored the loss of more substantial
pleasures； and the wakeful lark hailed the rising light that re…animates the
whole creation。 Here more than anywhere the mingled melodies of birds
14
… Page 15…
THE HISTORY OF THE CALIPH VATHEK
expressed the various passions they inspired； as if the exquisite fruits
which they pecked at pleasure had given them a double energy。
To this mountain Vathek was sometimes brought for the sake of
breathing a purer air； and especially to drink at will of the four fountains；
which were reputed in the highest degree salubrious and sacred to himself。
His attendants were his mother； his wives； and some eunuchs； who
assiduously employed themselves in filling capacious bowls of rock
crystal； and emulously presenting them to him； but it frequently happened
that his avidity exceeded their zeal； insomuch that he would prostrate
himself upon the ground to lap up the water； of which he could never have
enough。
One day； when this unhappy prince had been long lying in so debasing
a posture； a voice； hoarse but strong； thus addressed him： 〃Why assumest
thou the function of a dog； O Caliph； so proud of thy dignity and power？〃
At this apostrophe he raised his head； and beheld the stranger that had
caused him so much affliction。 Inflamed with anger at the sight； he
exclaimed …
〃Accursed Giaour！ what comest thou hither to do？ Is it not enough to
have transformed a prince remarkable for his agility into one of those
leather barrels which the Bedouin Arabs carry on their camels when they
traverse the deserts？ Perceivest thou not that I may perish by drinking to
excess no less than by a total abstinence？〃
〃Drink then this draught；〃 said the stranger； as he presented to him a
phial of a red and yellow mixture； 〃and； to satiate the thirst of thy soul as
well as of thy body； know that I am an Indian； but from a region of India
which is wholly unknown。〃
The Caliph delighted to see his desires accomplished in part； and
flattering himself with the hope of obtaining their entire fulfilment；
without a moment's hesitation swallowed the potion； and instantaneously
found his health restored； his thirst appeased； and his limbs as agile as
ever。
In the transports of his joy Vathek leaped upon the neck of the frightful
Indian； and kissed his horrid mouth and hollow cheeks as though they had
been the coral lips and the lilies and roses of his most beautiful wives；
15
… Page 16…
THE HISTORY OF THE CALIPH VATHEK
whilst they； less terrified than jealous at the sight； dropped their veils to
hide the blush of mortification that suffused their foreheads。
Nor would the scene have closed here； had not Carathis； with all the
art of insinuation； a little repressed the raptures of her son。 Having
prevailed upon him to return to Samarah； she caused a herald to precede
him； whom she commanded to proclaim as loudly as possible： 〃The
wonderful stranger hath appeared again； he hath healed the Caliph； he hath
spoken！ he hath spoken！〃
Forthwith all the inhabitants of this vast city quitted their habitations；
and ran together in crowds to see the procession of Vathek and the Indian；
whom they now blessed as much as they had before execrated； incessantly
shouting： 〃He hath healed our sovereign； he hath spoken！ he hath
spoken！〃 Nor were these words forgotten in the public festivals which
were celebrated the same evening； to testify the general joy； for the poets
applied them as a chorus to all the songs they composed。
The Caliph in the meanwhile caused the palaces of the senses to be
again set open； and； as he found himself prompted to visit that of taste in
preference to the rest； immediately ordered a splendid entertainment； to
which his great officers and favourite courtiers were all invited。 The
Indian； who was placed near the prince； seemed to think that as a proper
acknowledgment of so distinguished a privilege he could neither eat； drink；
nor talk too much。 The various dainties were no sooner served up than
they vanished； to the great mortification of Vathek； who piqued himself on
being the greatest eater alive； and at this time in particular had an excellent
appetite。
The rest of the company looked round at each other in amazement； but
the Indian； without appearing to observe it； quaffed large bumpers to the
health of each of them； sung in a style altogether extravagant； related
stories at which he laughed immoderately； and poured forth
extemporaneous verses； which would not have been thought bad but for
the strange grimaces with which they were uttered。 In a word； his
loquacity was equal to that of a hundred astrologers； he ate as much as a
hundred porters； and caroused in proportion。
The Caliph； notwithstanding the table had been thirty times covered；
16
… Page 17…
THE HISTORY OF THE CALIPH VATHEK
found himself incommoded by the voraciousness of his guest； who was
now considerably declined in the prince's esteem。 Vathek； however； being
unwilling to betray the chagrin he could hardly disguise； said in a whisper
to Bababalouk； the chief of his eunuchs： 〃You see how enormous his
performances in every way are； what would be the consequence should he
get at my wives？ Go！ redouble your vigilance； and be sure look well to
my Circassians； who would be more to his taste than all of the rest。〃
The bird of the morning had thrice renewed his song when the hour of
the Divan sounded。 Vathek； in gratitude to his subjects； having promised
to attend； immediately rose from table and repaired thither； leaning upon
his vizir； who could scarcely support him； so disordered was the poor
prince by the wine he had drunk； and still more by the extravagant
vagaries of his boisterous guest。
The vizirs； the officers of the crown and of the law； arranged
themselves in a semicircle about their sovereign； and preserved a
respectful silence； whilst the Indian； who looked as cool as if come from a
fast； sat down without ceremony on the step of the throne； laughing in his
sleeve at the indignation with which his temerity had filled the spectators。
The Caliph； however； whose ideas were confused and his head
embarrassed； went on administering justice at haphazard； till at length the
prime vizir； perceiving his situation； hit upon a sudden expedient to
interrupt the audience and rescue the honour of his master； to whom he
said in a whisper： 〃My Lord； the Princess Carathis； who hath passed the
night in consulting the planets； informs you that they portend you evil； and
the danger is urgent。 Beware lest this stranger； whom you have so lavishly
recompensed for his magical gewgaws； should make some attempt on
your life； his liquor； which at first had the appearance of effecting your
cure； may be no more than a poison of a sudden operation。 Slight not
this surmise； ask him at least of what it was compounded； whence he
procured it； and mention the sabres which you seem to have forgotten。〃
Vathek； to whom the insolent airs of the stranger became every
moment less supportable； intimated to his vizir by a wink of acquiescence
that he would adopt his advice； and at once turning towards the Indian；
said： 〃Get up and declare in full Divan of what drugs the liquor was
17
… Page 18…
THE HISTORY OF THE CALIPH VATHEK
compounded you enjoined me to take； for it is suspected to be poison； add
also the explanation I have so earnestly desired concerning the sabres you
sold me； and thus show your gratitude for the favours heaped on you。〃
Havin