the history of the caliph vathek(加里弗[1].维克史)-第14章
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Catoul。 Gaiety and good…humour prevailing； six good leagues were past
before the dawn； and the morning star was still glittering in the firmament
when the whole of this numerous train had halted on the banks of the
Tigris； where they encamped to repose for the rest of the day。
The three days that followed were spent in the same manner； but on
the fourth the heavens looked angry； lightnings broke forth in frequent
flashes； re…echoing peals of thunder succeeded； and the trembling
Circassians clung with all their might to their ugly guardians。 The Caliph
himself was greatly inclined to take shelter in the large town of Gulchissar；
the governor of which came forth to meet him； and tendered every kind of
refreshment the place could supply； but； having examined his tablets； he
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suffered the rain to soak him almost to the bone； notwithstanding the
importunity of his first favourites。 Though he began to regret the palace
of the senses； yet he lost not sight of his enterprise； and his sanguine
expectations confirmed his resolution； his geographers were ordered to
attend him； but the weather proved so terrible that these poor people
exhibited a lamentable appearance； and； as no long journeys had been
undertaken since the time of Haroun al Raschid； their maps of the different
countries were in a still worse plight than themselves； every one was
ignorant which way to turn； for Vathek； though well versed in the course
of the heavens； no longer knew his situation on earth； he thundered even
louder than the elements； and muttered forth certain hints of the bow…
string； which were not very soothing to literary ears。 Disgusted at the
toilsome weariness of the way； he determined to cross over the craggy
heights and follow the guidance of a peasant； who undertook to bring him
in four days to Rocnabad。 Remonstrances were all to no purpose； his
resolution was fixed； and an invasion commenced on the province of the
goats； who sped away in large troops before them。 It was curious to view
on these half calcined rocks camels richly caparisoned； and pavilions of
gold and silk waving on their summits； which till then had never been
covered but with sapless thistles and fern。
The females and eunuchs uttered shrill wailings at the sight of the
precipices below them； and the dreary prospects that opened in the vast
gorges of the mountains。 Before they could reach the ascent of the
steepest rock； night overtook them； and a boisterous tempest arose； which；
having rent the awnings of the palanquins and cages； exposed to the raw
gusts the poor ladies within； who had never before felt so piercing a cold。
The dark clouds that overcast the face of the sky deepened the horrors of
this disastrous night； insomuch that nothing could be heard distinctly but
the mewling of pages and lamentations of sultanas。
To increase the general misfortune； the frightful uproar of wild beasts
resounded at a distance； and there were soon perceived； in the forest they
were skirting； the glaring of eyes which could belong only to devils or
tigers。 The pioneers； who； as well as they could； had marked out a track；
and a part of the advanced guard were devoured before they had been in
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the least apprized of their danger。 The confusion that prevailed was
extreme； wolves； tigers； and other carnivorous animals； invited by the
howling of their companions； flocked together from every quarter； the
crashing of bones was heard on all sides； and a fearful rush of wings
overhead； for now vultures also began to be of the party。
The terror at length reached the main body of the troops which
surrounded the monarch and his harem； at the distance of two leagues
from the scene。 Vathek （voluptuously reposed in his capacious litter
upon cushions of silk； with two little pages beside him of complexions
more fair than the enamel of Franguestan； who were occupied in keeping
off flies） was soundly asleep； and contemplating in his dreams the
treasures of Soliman。 The shrieks； however； of his wives awoke him
with a start； and； instead of the Giaour with his key of gold； he beheld
Bababalouk full of consternation。
〃Sire；〃 exclaimed this good servant of the most potent of monarchs；
〃misfortune is arrived at its height； wild beasts； who entertain no more
reverence for your sacred person than for that of a dead ass； have beset
your camels and their drivers； thirty of the richest laden are already
become their prey； as well as your confectioners； your cooks； and
purveyors； and； unless our holy Prophet should protect us； we shall have
all eaten our last meal。〃
At the mention of eating the Caliph lost all patience； he began to
bellow； and even beat himself （for there was no seeing in the dark）。 The
rumour every instant increased； and Bababalouk； finding no good could be
done with his master； stopped both his ears against the hurly…burly of the
harem； and called out aloud： 〃Come； ladies and brothers！ all hands to
work！ strike light in a moment！ never shall it be said that the Commander
of the Faithful served to regale these infidel brutes。〃
Though there wanted not in this bevy of beauties a sufficient number
of capricious and wayward； yet on the present occasion they were all
compliance； fires were visible in a twinkling in all their cages； ten
thousand torches were lighted at once； the Caliph himself seized a large
one of wax； every person followed his example； and； by kindling ropes'
ends dipped in oil and fastened on poles； an amazing blaze was spread。
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The rocks were covered with the splendour of sunshine； the trails of sparks
wafted by the wind communicated to the dry fern； of which there was
plenty。 Serpents were observed to crawl forth from their retreats with
amazement and hissings； whilst the horses snorted； stamped the ground；
tossed their noses in the air； and plunged about without mercy。
One of the forests of cedar that bordered their way took fire； and the
branches that overhung the path； extending their flames to the muslins and
chintzes which covered the cages of the ladies； obliged them to jump out；
at the peril of their necks。 Vathek； who vented on the occasion a
thousand blasphemies； was himself compelled to touch with his sacred
feet the naked earth。
Never had such an incident happened before。 Full of mortification；
sh
