the history of the caliph vathek(加里弗[1].维克史)-第17章
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linen； very long and very modest； were standing at each door。 They
received the whole retinue with an easy and inviting air。 Four of the
most amiable placed the Caliph on a magnificent taktrevan； four others；
somewhat less graceful； took charge of Bababalouk； who capered for joy
at the snug little cabin that fell to his share； the pages that remained waited
on the rest of the train。
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When everything masculine was gone out of sight the gate of a large
enclosure on the right turned on its harmonious hinges and a young female
of a slender form came forth； her light brown hair floated in the hazy
breeze of the twilight； a troop of young maidens； like the Pleiades；
attended her on tip…toe。 They hastened to the pavilions that contained the
sultanas； and the young lady； gracefully bending； said to them：
〃Charming Princesses； everything is ready； we have prepared beds for
your repose； and strewed your apartments with jasmine； no insects will
keep off slumber from visiting your eyelids； we will dispel them with a
thousand plumes； come then； amiable ladies！ refresh your delicate feet and
your ivory limbs in baths of rose water； and； by the light of perfumed
lamps your servants will amuse you with tales。〃
The sultanas accepted with pleasure these obliging offers； and
followed the young lady to the Emir's harem； where we must for a
moment leave them； and return to the Caliph。
Vathek found himself beneath a vast dome； illuminated by a thousand
lamps of rock crystal； as many vases of the same material； filled with
excellent sherbet； sparkled on a large table； where a profusion of viands
were spread； amongst others were sweetbreads stewed in milk of almonds；
saffron soups； and lamb a la creme； of all which the Caliph was amazingly
fond。 He took of each as much as he was able； testified his sense of the
Emir's friendship by the gaiety of his heart； and made the dwarfs dance
against their will； for these little devotees durst not refuse the Commander
of the Faithful； at last he spread himself on the sofa； and slept sounder
than he had ever before。
Beneath this dome a general silence prevailed； for there was nothing to
disturb it but the jaws of Bababalouk； who had untrussed himself to eat
with greater advantage； being anxious to make amends for his fast in the
mountains。 As his spirits were too high to admit of his sleeping； and not
loving to be idle； he proposed with himself to visit the harem； and repair to
his charge of the ladies； to examine if they had been properly lubricated
with the balm of Mecca； if their eyebrows and tresses were in order； and；
in a word； to perform all the little offices they might need。 He sought for
a long time together； but without being able to find out the door； he durst
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not speak aloud； for fear of disturbing the Caliph； and not a soul was
stirring in the precincts of the palace； he almost despaired of effecting his
purpose； when a low whispering just reached his ear； it came from the
dwarfs who were returned to their old occupation； and for the nine
hundred and ninety…ninth time in their lives； were reading over the Koran。
They very politely invited Bababalouk to be of their party； but his head
was full of other concerns。 The dwarfs； though scandalised at his
dissolute morals； directed him to the apartments he wanted to find； his
way thither lay through a hundred dark corridors； along which he groped
as he went； and at last began to catch from the extremity of a passage the
charming gossiping of the women； which not a little delighted his heart。
〃Ah； ha！ what； not yet asleep！〃 cried he； and； taking long strides as he
spoke。 〃Did you not suspect me of abjuring my charge？ I stayed but to
finish what my master had left。〃
Two of the black eunuchs； on hearing a voice so loud； detached a party
in haste； sabre in hand； to discover the cause； but presently was repeated
on all sides： 〃'Tis only Bababalouk！ no one but Bababalouk！〃 This
circumspect guardian； having gone up to a thin veil of carnation…coloured
silk that hung before the doorway； distinguished； by means of the softened
splendour that shone through it； an oval bath of dark porphyry； surrounded
by curtains festooned in large folds； through the apertures between them；
as they were not drawn close； groups of young slaves were visible；
amongst whom Bababalouk perceived his pupils； indulgingly expanding
their arms； as if to embrace the perfumed water and refresh themselves
after their fatigues。 The looks of tender languor； their confidential
whispers； and the enchanting smiles with which they were imparted； the
exquisite fragrance of the roses； all combined to inspire a voluptuousness；
which even Bababalouk himself was scarce able to withstand。
He summoned up； however； his usual solemnity； and； in the
peremptory tone of authority； commanded the ladies instantly to leave the
bath。 Whilst he was issuing these mandates the young Nouronihar；
daughter of the Emir； who was sprightly as an antelope； and full of wanton
gaiety； beckoned one of her slaves to let down the great swing； which was
suspended to the ceiling by cords of silk； and whilst this was doing；
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winked to her companions in the bath； who； chagrined to be forced from
so soothing a state of indolence； began to twist it round Bababalouk； and
tease him with a thousand vagaries。
When Nouronihar perceived that he was exhausted with fatigue； she
accosted him with an arch air of respectful concern； and said： 〃My lord；
it is not by any means decent that the chief eunuch of the Caliph； our
Sovereign； should thus continue standing； deign but to recline your
graceful person upon this sofa； which will burst with vexation if it have
not the honour to receive you。〃
Caught by these flattering accents； Bababalouk gallantly replied：
〃Delight of the apple of my eye！ I accept the invitation of thy honeyed
lips； and； to say truth； my senses are dazzled with the radiance that beams
from thy charms。〃
〃Repose； then； at your ease；〃 replied the beauty； and placed him on the
pretended sofa； which； quicker than lightning； gave way all at once。 The
rest of the women； having aptly conceived her design； sprang naked from
the bath； and plied the swing with such unmerciful jerks； that it swept
through the whole compass of a very lofty dome； and took from the poor
victim all power of respiration； sometimes his feet rased the surface of the
water； and at others the skylight almost flattened his nose； in vain did he
pierce the air with the cries of a voice that resembled
