the history of the caliph vathek(加里弗[1].维克史)-第15章
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feet the naked earth。
Never had such an incident happened before。 Full of mortification；
shame； and despondence； and not knowing how to walk； the ladies fell
into the dirt。 〃Must I go on foot？〃 said one； 〃Must I wet my feet？〃 cried
another； 〃Must I soil my dress？〃 asked a third； 〃Execrable Bababalouk！〃
exclaimed all； 〃Outcast of hell！ what hadst thou to do with torches？
Better were it to be eaten by tigers than to fall into our present condition！
we are for ever undone！ Not a porter is there in the army； nor a currier of
camels； but hath seen some part of our bodies； and； what is worse； our
very faces！〃 On saying this the most bashful amongst them hid their
foreheads on the ground； whist such as had more boldness flew at
Bababalouk； but he； well apprized of their humour； and not wanting in
shrewdness； betook himself to his heels along with his comrades； all
dropping their torches and striking their tymbals。
It was not less light than in the brightest of the dog…days； and the
weather was hot in proportion； but how degrading was the spectacle； to
behold the Caliph bespattered like an ordinary mortal！ As the exercise of
his faculties seemed to be suspended； one of his Ethiopian wives （for he
delighted in variety） clasped him in her arms； threw him upon her shoulder
like a sack of dates； and finding that the fire was hemming them in； set off
with no small expedition； considering the weight of her burden。 The
other ladies； who had just learnt the use of their feet； followed her； their
guards galloped after； and the camel…drivers brought up the rear as fast as
their charge would permit。
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They soon reached the spot where the wild beasts had commenced the
carnage； and which they had too much spirit to leave； notwithstanding the
approaching tumult and the luxurious supper they had made； Bababalouk
nevertheless seized on a few of the plumpest； which were unable to budge
from the place； and began to flay them with admirable adroitness。 The
cavalcade being got so far from the conflagration as that the heat felt
rather grateful than violent； it was immediately resolved on to halt。 The
tattered chintzes were picked up； the scraps left by the wolves and tigers
interred； and vengeance was taken on some dozens of vultures that were
too much glutted to rise on the wing。 The camels； which had been left
unmolested to make sal ammoniac； being numbered； and the ladies once
more enclosed in their cages； the imperial tent was pitched on the levellest
ground they could find。
Vathek； reposing upon a mattress of down； and tolerably recovered
from the jolting of the Ethiopian； who to his feelings seemed the roughest
trotting jade he had hitherto mounted； called out for something to eat。
But； alas！ those delicate cakes which had been baked in silver ovens for
his royal mouth； those rich manchets； amber comfits； flagons of Schiraz
wine； porcelain vases of snow； and grapes from the banks of the Tigris；
were all irremediably lost！ And nothing had Bababalouk to present in
their stead but a roasted wolf； vultures a la daube； aromatic herbs of the
most acrid poignancy； rotten truffles； boiled thistles； and such other wild
plants as most ulcerate the throat and parch up the tongue。 Nor was he
better provided in the article of drink； for he could procure nothing to
accompany these irritating viands but a few vials of abominable brandy；
which had been secreted by the scullions in their slippers。
Vathek made wry faces at so savage a repast； and Bababalouk
answered them with shrugs and contortions； the Caliph； however； ate with
tolerable appetite； and fell into a nap that lasted six hours。 The splendour
of the sun reflected from the white cliffs of the mountains； in spite of the
curtains that enclosed him； at length disturbed his repose； he awoke
terrified； and stung to the quick by those wormwood…coloured flies； which
emit from their wings a suffocating stench。 The miserable monarch was
perplexed how to act； though his wits were not idle in seeking expedients；
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whilst Bababalouk lay snoring amidst a swarm of those insects； that busily
thronged to pay court to his nose。 The little pages； famished with hunger；
had dropped their fans on the ground； and exerted their dying voices in
bitter reproaches on the Caliph； who now for the first time heard the
language of truth。
Thus stimulated； he renewed his imprecations against the Giaour； and
bestowed upon Mahomet some soothing expressions。 〃Where am I？〃
cried he； 〃what are these dreadful rocks？ these valleys of darkness？ are we
arrived at the horrible Kaf？ is the Simurgh coming to pluck out my eyes；
as a punishment for undertaking this impious enterprise！〃 Having said
this； he bellowed like a calf and turned himself towards an outlet in the
side of his pavilion； but； alas！ what objects occurred to his view！ on one
side a plain of black sand that appeared to be unbounded； and on the other
perpendicular crags； bristled over with those abominable thistles which
had so severely lacerated his tongue。 He fancied； however； that he
perceived； amongst the brambles and briers； some gigantic flowers； but
was mistaken； for these were only the dangling palampores and variegated
tatters of his gay retinue。 As there were several clefts in the rock from
whence water seemed to have flowed； Vathek applied his ear； with the
hope of catching the sound of some latent runnel； but could only
distinguish the low murmurs of his people； who were repining at their
journey； and complaining for the want of water。
〃To what purpose；〃 asked they； 〃have we been brought hither？ Hath
our Caliph another tower to build？ or have the relentless Afrits； whom
Carathis so much loves； fixed in this place their abode？〃
At the name of Carathis Vathek recollected the tablets he had received
from his mother； who assured him they were fraught with preternatural
qualities； and advised him to consult them as emergencies might require。
Whilst he was engaged in turning them over he heard a shout of joy and a
loud clapping of hands； the curtains of his pavilion were soon drawn back；
and he beheld Bababalouk； followed by a troop of his favourites；
conducting two dwarfs； each a cubit high； who brought between them a
large basket of melons； oranges； and pomegranates。 They were singing
in the sweetest tones the words that follow：
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〃We dwell on the top of these rocks in a cabin of rushes and canes； the
eagles envy us our nest； a small spring supplies us with Abdest； and we
daily repeat prayers which the P
