the history of the caliph vathek(加里弗[1].维克史)-第12章
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〃Of what moment is it to us what you thought； or think？〃 cried
Carathis； 〃go； speed； tell Morakanabad that we immediately want him； and
take care how you stop by the way to make your insipid reflections。〃
Morakanabad delayed not to obey the summons； and was received by
Vathek and his mother with great solemnity； they told him； with an air of
composure and commiseration； that the fire at the top of the tower was
extinguished； but that it had cost the lives of the brave people who sought
to assist them。
〃Still more misfortunes；〃 cried Morakanabad； with a sigh。 〃Ah；
Commander of the Faithful； our holy Prophet is certainly irritated against
us！ it behoves you to appease him。〃
〃We will appease him hereafter！〃 replied the Caliph； with a smile that
augured nothing of good。 〃You will have leisure sufficient for your
supplications during my absence； for this country is the bane of my health；
I am disgusted with the mountain of the Four Fountains； and am resolved
to go and drink of the stream of Rocnabad； I long to refresh myself in the
delightful valleys which it waters。 Do you； with the advice of my mother；
govern my dominions； and take care to supply whatever her experiments
may demand； for you well know that our tower abounds in materials for
the advancement of science。〃
The tower but ill suited Morakanabad's taste。 Immense treasures had
been lavished upon it； and nothing had he ever seen carried thither but
female negroes； mutes； and abominable drugs。 Nor did he know well
what to think of Carathis； who； like a chameleon； could assume all
possible colours； her cursed eloquence had often driven the poor
Mussulman to his last shifts。 He considered； however； that if she
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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THE HISTORY OF THE CALIPH VATHEK
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
