the history of the caliph vathek(加里弗[1].维克史)-第22章
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immediately made a signal for all to retire； and no sooner did he perceive
beneath the sofa the little one's feet； than he drew him forth without
ceremony； set him upon his shoulders； and lavished on him as he went off
a thousand odious caresses； Gulchenrouz cried out； and resisted till his
cheeks became the colour of the blossom of the pomegranate； and the tears
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that started into his eyes shot forth a gleam of indignation； he cast a
significant glance at Nouronihar； which the Caliph noticing； asked： 〃Is that
then your Gulchenrouz？〃
〃Sovereign of the world？〃 answered she； 〃spare my cousin； whose
innocence and gentleness deserve not your anger。〃
〃Take comfort；〃 said Vathek； with a smile； 〃he is in good hands。
Bababalouk is fond of children； and never goes without sweetmeats and
comfits。〃
The daughter of Fakreddin was abashed； and suffered Gulchenrouz to
be borne away without adding a word。 The tumult of her bosom betrayed
her confusion； and Vathek； becoming still more impassioned； gave a loose
to his frenzy； which had only not subdued the last faint strugglings of
reluctance； when the Emir； suddenly bursting in； threw his face upon the
ground at the feet of the Caliph； and said：
〃Commander of the Faithful！ abase not yourself to the meanness of
your slave。〃
〃No； Emir；〃 replied Vathek； 〃I raise her to an equality with myself； I
declare her my wife； and the glory of your race shall extend from one
generation to another。〃
〃Alas！ my lord；〃 said Fakreddin； as he plucked off the honours of his
beard； 〃cut short the days of your faithful servant； rather than force him to
depart from his word。 Nouronihar； as her hands evince； is solemnly
promised to Gulchenrouz； the son of my brother Ali Hassan； they are
united also in heart； their faith is mutually plighted； and affiances so
sacred cannot be broken。〃
〃What then！〃 replied the Caliph； bluntly； 〃would you surrender this
divine beauty to a husband more womanish than herself？ and can you
imagine that I will suffer her charms to decay in hands so inefficient and
nerveless？ No！ she is destined to live out her life within my embraces：
such is my will； retire； and disturb not the time I devote to the homage of
her charms。〃
The irritated Emir drew forth his sabre； presented it to Vathek； and
stretching out his neck； said in a firm tone of voice： 〃Strike your
unhappy host； my lord！ he has lived long enough； since he hath seen the
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Prophet's Vicegerent violate the rites of hospitality。〃
At his uttering these words Nouronihar； unable to support any longer
the conflict of her passions； sank down in a swoon。 Vathek； both terrified
for her life and furious at an opposition to his will； bade Fakreddin assist
his daughter； and withdrew； darting his terrible look at the unfortunate
Emir； who suddenly fell backward； bathed in a sweat cold as the damp of
death。
Gulchenrouz； who had escaped from the hands of Bababalouk； and
was that instant returned； called out for help as loudly as he could； not
having strength to afford it himself。 Pale and panting； the poor child
attempted to revive Nouronihar by caresses； and it happened that the
thrilling warmth of his lips restored her to life。 Fakreddin beginning also
to recover from the look of the Caliph； with difficulty tottered to a seat；
and after warily casting round his eye to see if this dangerous prince was
gone； sent for Shaban and Sutlememe； and said to them apart：
〃My friends！ violent evils require as violent remedies； the Caliph has
brought desolation and horror into my family； and how shall we resist his
power？ another of his looks will send me to my grave。 Fetch then that
narcotic powder which the Dervish brought me from Aracan； a dose of it；
the effect of which will continue three days； must be administered to each
of these children； the Caliph will believe them to be dead； for they will
have all the appearance of death； we shall go as if to inter them in the cave
of Meimoune； at the entrance of the great desert of sand； and near the
cabin of my dwarfs。 When all the spectators shall be withdrawn； you；
Shaban； and four select eunuchs； shall convey them to the lake； where
provisions shall be ready to support them a month； for one day allotted to
the surprise this event will occasion； five to the tears； a fortnight to
reflection； and the rest to prepare for renewing his progress； will；
according to my calculation； fill up the whole time that Vathek will tarry；
and I shall then be freed from his intrusion。〃
〃Your plan；〃 said Sutlememe； 〃is a good one； if it can but be effected。
I have remarked that Nouronihar is well able to support the glances of the
Caliph； and that he is far from being sparing of them to her； be assured；
therefore； notwithstanding her fondness for Gulchenrouz； she will never
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remain quiet while she knows him to be here； unless we can persuade her
that both herself and Gulchenrouz are really dead； and that they were
conveyed to those rocks for a limited season to expiate the little faults of
which their love was the cause； we will add that we killed ourselves in
despair； and that your dwarfs； whom they never yet saw； will preach to
them delectable sermons。 I will engage that everything shall succeed to
the bent of your wishes。〃
〃Be it so！〃 said Fakreddin。 〃I approve your proposal； let us lose not a
moment to give it effect。〃
They forthwith hastened to seek for the powder； which； being mixed in
a sherbet； was immediately drank by Gulchenrouz and Nouronihar。 Within
the space of an hour both were seized with violent palpitations； and a
general numbness gradually ensued； they arose from the floor； where they
had remained ever since the Caliph's departure； and； ascending to the sofa；
reclined themselves at full length upon it； clasped in each other's
embraces。
〃Cherish me； my dear Nouronihar！〃 said Gulchenrouz； 〃put thy hand
upon my heart； for it feels as if it were frozen。 Alas！ thou art as cold as
myself！ Hath the Caliph murdered us both with his terrible look？〃
〃I am dying！〃 cried she in a faltering voice； 〃press me closer； I am
ready to expire！〃
〃Let us die then together；〃 answered the little Gulchenrouz； whilst his
breast laboured with a convulsive sigh； 〃let me at least breathe forth my
soul on thy lips！〃 They spoke no more； and became as dead。
Immediately the most piercing cries were heard through the harem；
whilst Shaban and Sutlememe personated with great adroitness the parts of
persons in despair。 The Emir； who was sufficiently mortified to be forced
