the history of the caliph vathek(加里弗[1].维克史)-第24章
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moistened in the fogs that brood over the surface of the lake。〃
At this desolating prospect the poor children burst into tears； and
prostrated themselves before the dwarfs； who perfectly supported their
characters； and delivered an excellent discourse of a customary length
upon the sacred camel； which after a thousand years was to convey them
to the paradise of the faithful。
The sermon being ended； and ablutions performed； they praised Allah
and the Prophet； supped very indifferently； and retired to their withered
leaves。 Nouronihar and her little cousin consoled themselves on finding
that； though dead； they yet lay in one cabin。 Having slept well before； the
remainder of the night was spent in conversation on what had befallen
them； and both； from a dread of apparitions； betook themselves for
protection to one another's arms。
In the morning； which was lowering and rainy； the dwarfs mounted
high poles like minarets； and called them to prayers； the whole
congregation； which consisted of Sutlememe； Shaban； the four eunuchs；
and some storks； were already assembled。 The two children came forth
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from their cabin with a slow and dejected pace； as their minds were in a
tender and melancholy mood； their devotions were performed with fervour。
No sooner were they finished； than Gulchenrouz demanded of Sutlememe
and the rest； 〃how they happened to die so opportunely for his cousin and
himself。〃
〃We killed ourselves；〃 returned Sutlememe； 〃in despair at your death。〃
On this； said Nouronihar； who； notwithstanding what was past； had not yet
forgotten her vision： 〃And the Caliph！ is he also dead of his grief？ and
will he likewise come hither？〃
The dwarfs； who were prepared with an answer； most demurely replied：
〃Vathek is damned beyond all redemption！〃
〃I readily believe so；〃 said Gulchenrouz； 〃and I am glad from my heart
to hear it； for I am convinced it was his horrible look that sent us hither to
listen to sermons and mess upon rice。〃
One week passed away on the side of the lake unmarked by any
variety； Nouronihar ruminating on the grandeur of which death had
deprived her； and Gulchenrouz applying to prayers and to panniers； along
with the dwarfs； who infinitely pleased him。
Whilst this scene of innocence was exhibiting in the mountains； the
Caliph presented himself to the Emir in a new light； the instant he
recovered the use of his senses； with a voice that made Bababalouk quake；
he thundered out： 〃Perfidious Giaour！ I renounce thee for ever！ it is
thou who hast slain my beloved Nouronihar！ and I supplicate the pardon
of Mahomet； who would have preserved her to me had I been more wise；
let water be brought to perform my ablutions； and let the pious Fakreddin
be called to offer up his prayers with mine； and reconcile me to him；
afterwards we will go together and visit the sepulchre of the unfortunate
Nouronihar； I am resolved to become a hermit； and consume the residue of
my days on this mountain； in hope of expiating my crimes。〃
Nouronihar was not altogether so content； for though she felt a
fondness for Gulchenrouz； who； to augment the attachment； had been left
at full liberty with her； yet she still regarded him as but a bauble； that bore
no competition with the carbuncle of Giamschid。 At times she indulged
doubts on the mode of her being； and scarcely could believe that the dead
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had all the wants and the whims of the living。 To gain satisfaction；
however； on so perplexing a topic； she arose one morning whilst all were
asleep； with a breathless caution； from the side of Gulchenrouz； and； after
having given him a soft kiss； began to follow the windings of the lake till
it terminated with a rock； whose top was accessible； though lofty； this she
clambered up with considerable toil； and having reached the summit； set
forward in a run； like a doe that unwittingly follows her hunter； though she
skipped along with the alertness of an antelope； yet at intervals she was
forced to desist； and rest beneath the tamarisks to recover her breath。
Whilst she； thus reclined； was occupied with her little reflections on the
apprehension that she had some knowledge of the place； Vathek； who；
finding himself that morning but ill at ease； had gone forth before the
dawn； presented himself on a sudden to her view； motionless with surprise；
he durst not approach the figure before him； which lay shrouded up in a
simar； extended on the ground； trembling and pale； but yet lovely to
behold。 At length Nouronihar； with a mixture of pleasure and affliction；
raising her fine eyes to him； said： 〃My lord； are you come hither to eat
rice and hear sermons with me？〃
〃Beloved phantom！〃 cried Vathek； 〃dost thou speak？ hast thou the
same graceful form？ the same radiant features？ art thou palpable
likewise？〃 and； eagerly embracing her； added： 〃here are limbs and a
bosom animated with a gentle warmth！ what can such a prodigy mean？〃
Nouronihar with diffidence answered： 〃You know； my lord； that I
died on the night you honoured me with your visit； my cousin maintains it
was from one of your glances； but I cannot believe him； for to me they
seem not so dreadful。 Gulchenrouz died with me； and we were both
brought into a region of desolation； where we are fed with a wretched diet。
If you be dead also； and are come hither to join us； I pity your lot； for you
will be stunned with the noise of the dwarfs and the storks； besides； it is
mortifying in the extreme that you； as well as myself； should have lost the
treasures of the subterranean palace。〃
At the mention of the subterranean palace the Caliph suspended his
caresses； to seek from Nouronihar an explanation of her meaning。 She
then recapitulated her vision； what immediately followed； and the history
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of her pretended death； adding also a description of the place of expiation
from whence she had fled； and all in a manner that would have extorted
his laughter； had not the thoughts of Vathek been too deeply engaged。
No sooner； however； had she ended； than he again clasped her to his
bosom； and said：
〃Light of my eyes！ the mystery is unravelled； we both are alive！ your
father is a cheat； who； for the sake of dividing； hath deluded us both； and
the Giaour； whose design； as far as I can discover； is that we shall proceed
together； seems scarce a whit better； it shall be some time at least before
he find us in his palace of fire。 Your lovely little person in my estimation
is far more precious than all the treasures of the pre…adamite Sultans； and I
wish to possess it at pleasure； and in open day； for many a moon； before I
go to burrow underground like a mole。 Forget this little trifler
