the history of the caliph vathek(加里弗[1].维克史)-第13章
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enveloped； and secured from the profane gaze of vulgar eyes； arose from
his associates； and advanced； with an air of the most awful solemnity；
towards the supposed oratory； but with what astonishment！ with what
horror was he seized！ Vathek； bursting out into a villainous laugh；
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snatched the besom from his trembling hand； and； fixing upon some
cobwebs that hung suspended from the ceiling； gravely brushed away till
not a single one remained。 The old men； overpowered with amazement；
were unable to lift their heards from the ground； for； as Vathek had
carelessly left the tapestry between them half drawn； they were witnesses
to the whole transaction； their tears gushed forth on the marble； Al
Mouhadethin swooned through mortification and fatigue； whilst the
Caliph； throwing himself backward on his seat； shouted and clapped his
hands without mercy。 At last； addressing himself to Bababalouk： 〃My
dear black；〃 said he； 〃go； regale these pious poor souls with my good wine
from Shiraz； and； as they can boast of having seen more of my palace than
any one besides； let them also visit my office courts； and lead them out by
the back steps that go to my stables。〃 Having said this； he threw the
besom in their face； and went to enjoy the laugh with Carathis。
Bababalouk did all in his power to console the ambassadors； but the two
most infirm expired on the spot； the rest were carried to their beds； from
whence； being heart…broken with sorrow and shame； they never arose。
The succeeding night Vathek； attended by his mother； ascended the
tower to see if everything were ready for his journey； for he had great faith
in the influence of the stars。 The planets appeared in their most
favourable aspects。 The Caliph； to enjoy so flattering a sight； supped
gaily on the roof； and fancied that he heard during his repast loud shouts
of laughter resound through the sky； in a manner that inspired the fullest
assurance。
All was in motion at the palace； lights were kept burning through the
whole of the night； the sound of implements and of artisans finishing their
work； the voices of women and their guardians who sung at their
embroidery； all conspired to interrupt the stillness of nature and infinitely
delight the heart of Vathek； who imagined himself going in triumph to sit
upon the throne of Soliman。
The people were not less satisfied than himself； all assisted to
accelerate the moment which should rescue them from the wayward
caprices of so extravagant a master。
The day preceding the departure of this infatuated prince was
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employed by Carathis in repeating to him the decrees of the mysterious
parchment； which she had thoroughly gotten by heart； and in
recommending him not to enter the habitation of any one by the way； 〃for
well thou knowest；〃 added she； 〃how liquorish thy taste is after good
dishes and young damsels； let me； therefore； enjoin thee to be content with
thy old cooks； who are the best in the world； and not to forget that in thy
ambulatory seraglio there are three dozen pretty faces； which Bababalouk
hath not yet unveiled。 I myself have a great desire to watch over thy
conduct； and visit the subterranean palace； which no doubt contains
whatever can interest persons like us； there is nothing so pleasing as
retiring to caverns； my taste for dead bodies and everything like mummy
is decided； and I am confident thou wilt see the most exquisite of their
kind。 Forget me not； then； but the moment thou art in possession of the
talismans which are to open to thee the mineral kingdoms and the centre
of the earth itself； fail not to despatch some trusty genius to take me and
my cabinet； for the oil of the serpents I have pinched to death will be a
pretty present to the Giaour； who cannot but be charmed with such
dainties。〃
Scarcely had Carathis ended this edifying discourse when the sun；
setting behind the mountain of the Four Fountains； gave place to the rising
moon； this planet； being that evening at full； appeared of unusual beauty
and magnitude in the eyes of the women； the eunuchs； and the pages； who
were all impatient to set forward。 The city re…echoed with shouts of joy
and flourishing of trumpets； nothing was visible but plumes nodding on
pavilions； and aigrets shining in the mild lustre of the moon； the spacious
square resembled an immense parterre； variegated with the most stately
tulips of the East。
Arrayed in the robes which were only worn it the most distinguished
ceremonials； and supported by his Vizir and Bababalouk； the Caliph
descended the grand staircase of the tower in the sight of all his people； he
could not forbear pausing at intervals to admire the superb appearance
which everywhere courted his view； whilst the whole multitude； even to
the camels with their sumptuous burdens； knelt down before him。 For
some time a general stillness prevailed； which nothing happened to disturb
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but the shrill screams of some eunuchs in the rear； these vigilant guards；
having remarked certain cages of the ladies swagging somewhat awry； and
discovered that a few adventurous gallants had contrived to get in； soon
dislodged the enraptured culprits。 The majesty of so magnificent a
spectacle was not； however； violated by incidents like these。 Vathek
meanwhile saluted the moon with an idolatrous air； that neither pleased
Morakanabad nor the Doctors of the Law； any more than the vizirs and the
grandees of his court； who were all assembled to enjoy the last view of
their sovereign。
At length the clarions and trumpets from the top of the tower
announced the prelude of departure； though the instruments were in unison
with each other； yet a singular dissonance was blended with their sounds；
this proceeded from Carathis； who was singing her direful orisons to the
Giaour； whilst the negresses and mutes supplied thorough…base without
articulating a word。 The good Mussulmans fancied that they heard the
sullen hum of those nocturnal insects which presage evil； and importuned
Vathek to beware how he ventured his sacred person。
On a given signal the great standard of the Califat was displayed；
twenty thousand lances shone around it； and the Caliph； treading loyally
on the cloth of gold which had been spread for his feet； ascended his litter
amidst the general awe that possessed his subjects。
The expedition commenced with the utmost order and so entire a
silence； that even the locusts were heard from the thickets on the plain of
Catoul。 Gaiety and good…humour prevailing；
