the history of the caliph vathek(加里弗[1].维克史)-第30章
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their transports； they bounded from their litter to the ground； and broke
forth into such wild exclamations； as amazed all within hearing。
Interrogating each other； they shouted； 〃Are we not approaching the
radiant palace of light？ or gardens more delightful than those of
Sheddad？〃 Infatuated mortals！ they thus indulged delusive conjecture；
unable to fathom the decrees of the Most High！
The good Genii； who had not totally relinquished the superintendence
of Vathek； repairing to Mahomet in the seventh heaven； said： 〃Merciful
Prophet！ stretch forth thy propitious arms towards thy Vicegerent； who is
ready to fall irretrievably into the snare which his enemies； the Dives； have
prepared to destroy him； the Giaour is awaiting his arrival in the
abominable palace of fire； where； if he once set his foot； his perdition will
be inevitable。〃
Mahomet answered with an air of indignation： He hath too well
deserved to be resigned to himself； but I permit you to try if one effort
more will be effectual to divert him from pursuing his ruin。〃
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One of these beneficent Genii； assuming without delay the exterior of
a shepherd； more renowned for his piety than all the Dervises and Santons
of the region； took his station near a flock of white sheep on the slope of a
hill； and began to pour forth from his flute such airs of pathetic melody as
subdued the very soul； and； awakening remorse； drove far from it every
frivolous fancy。 At these energetic sounds the sun hid himself beneath a
gloomy cloud； and the waters of two little lakes； that were naturally clearer
than crystal； became of a colour like blood。 The whole of this superb
assembly was involuntarily drawn towards the declivity of the hill； with
downcast eyes they all stood abashed； each upbraiding himself with the
evil he had done； the heart of Dilara palpitated； and the chief of the
eunuchs with a sigh of contrition implored pardon of the women； whom
for his own satisfaction he had so often tormented。
Vathek and Nouronihar turned pale in their litter； and； regarding each
other with haggard looks； reproached themselvesthe one with a thousand
of the blackest crimes； a thousand projects of impious ambitionthe other
with the desolation of her family； and the perdition of the amiable
Gulchenrouz。 Nouronihar persuaded herself that she heard in the fatal
music the groans of her dying father； and Vathek the sobs of the fifty
children he had sacrificed to the Giaour。 Amidst these complicated pangs
of anguish they perceived themselves impelled towards the shepherd；
whose countenance was so commanding； that Vathek for the first time felt
overawed； whilst Nouronihar concealed her face with her hands。
The music paused； and the Genius； addressing the Caliph； said：
〃Deluded Prince！ to whom Providence hath confided the care of
innumerable subjects； is it thus that thou fulfillest thy mission？ Thy crimes
are already completed； and art thou now hastening towards thy
punishment？ Thou knowest that beyond these mountains Eblis and his
accursed Dives hold their infernal empire； and； seduced by a malignant
phantom； thou art proceeding to surrender thyself to them！ This moment
is the last of grace allowed thee； abandon thy atrocious purpose； return；
give back Nouronihar to her father； who still retains a few sparks of life；
destroy thy tower with all its abominations； drive Carathis from thy
councils； be just to thy subjects； respect the ministers of the Prophet；
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compensate for thy impieties by an exemplary life； and； instead of
squandering thy days in voluptuous indulgence； lament thy crimes on the
sepulchres of thy ancestors。 Thou beholdest the clouds that obscure the
sun； at the instant he recovers his splendour； if thy heart be not changed；
the time of mercy assigned thee will be past for ever。〃
Vathek； depressed with fear； was on the point of prostrating himself at
the feet of the shepherd； whom he perceived to be of a nature superior to
man； but； his pride prevailing； he audaciously lifted his head； and；
glancing at him one of his terrible looks； said： 〃Whoever thou art；
withhold thy useless admonitions； thou wouldst either delude me； or art
thyself deceived。 If what I have done be so criminal as thou pretendest；
there remains not for me a moment of grace； I have traversed a sea of
blood to acquire a power which will make thy equals tremble； deem not
that I shall retire when in view of the port； or that I will relinquish her who
is dearer to me than either my life or thy mercy。 Let the sun appear！ let
him illumine my career！ it matters not where it may end。〃 On uttering
these words； which made even the Genius shudder； Vathek threw himself
into the arms of Nouronihar； and commanded that his horse should be
forced back to the road。
There was no difficulty in obeying these orders； for the attraction had
ceased； the sun shone forth in all his glory； and the shepherd vanished with
a lamentable scream。
The fatal impression of the music of the Genius remained；
notwithstanding； in the heart of Vathek's attendants； they viewed each
other with looks of consternation； at the approach of night almost all of
them escaped； and of this numerous assemblage there only remained the
chief of the eunuchs； some idolatrous slaves； Dilara and a few other
women； who； like herself； were votaries of the religion of the Magi。
The Caliph； fired with the ambition of prescribing laws to the
Intelligences of Darkness； was but little embarrassed at this dereliction；
the impetuosity of his blood prevented him from sleeping； nor did he
encamp any more as before。 Nouronihar； whose impatience； if possible；
exceeded his own； importuned him to hasten his march； and lavished on
him a thousand caresses to beguile all reflection； she fancied herself
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already more potent than Balkis； and pictured to her imagination the Genii
falling prostrate at the foot of her throne。 In this manner they advanced
by moonlight； till they came within view of the two towering rocks that
form a kind of portal to the valley； at whose extremity rose the vast ruins
of Istakar。 Aloft on the mountain glimmered the fronts of various royal
mausoleums； the horror of which was deepened by the shadows of night。
They passed through two villages almost deserted； the only inhabitants
remaining being a few feeble old men； who； at the sight of horses and
litters； fell upon their knees and cried
