the history of the caliph vathek(加里弗[1].维克史)-第31章
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litters； fell upon their knees and cried out：
〃O Heaven！ is it then by these phantoms that we have been for six
months tormented？ Alas！ it was from the terror of these spectres and the
noise beneath the mountains； that our people have fled； and left us at the
mercy of maleficent spirits！〃
The Caliph； to whom these complaints were but unpromising auguries；
drove over the bodies of these wretched old men； and at length arrived at
the foot of the terrace of black marble； there he descended from his litter；
handing down Nouronihar； both with beating hearts stared wildly around
them； and expected with an apprehensive shudder the approach of the
Giaour； but nothing as yet announced his appearance。
A death…like stillness reigned over the mountain and through the air；
the moon dilated on a vast platform the shades of the lofty columns； which
reached from the terrace almost to the clouds； the gloomy watch…towers；
whose numbers could not be counted； were veiled by no roof； and their
capitals； of an architecture unknown in the records of the earth； served as
an asylum for the birds of darkness； which； alarmed at the approach of
such visitants； fled away croaking。
The chief of the eunuchs； trembling with fear； besought Vathek that a
fire might be kindled。
〃No！〃 replied he； 〃there is no time left to think of such trifles； abide
where thou art； and expect my commands。〃
Having thus spoken； he presented his hand to Nouronihar； and；
ascending the steps of a vast staircase； reached the terrace； which was
flagged with squares of marble； and resembled a smooth expanse of water；
upon whose surface not a leaf ever dared to vegetate； on the right rose the
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watch…towers； ranged before the ruins of an immense palace； whose walls
were embossed with various figures； in front stood forth the colossal
forms of four creatures； composed of the leopard and the griffin； and；
though but of stone； inspired emotions of terror； near these were
distinguished by the splendour of the moon； which streamed full on the
place； characters like those on the sabres of the Giaour； that possessed the
same virtue of changing every moment； these； after vacillating for some
time； at last fixed in Arabic letters； and prescribed to the Caliph the
following words：
〃Vathek！ thou hast violated the conditions of my parchment； and
deservest to be sent back； but； in favour to thy companion； and as the
meed for what thou hast done to obtain it； EBLIS permitteth that the portal
of his palace shall be opened； and the subterranean fire will receive thee
into the number of its adorers。〃
He scarcely had read these words before the mountain against which
the terrace was reared trembled； and the watch…towers were ready to
topple headlong upon them； the rock yawned； and disclosed within it a
staircase of polished marble that seemed to approach the abyss； upon each
stair were planted two large torches； like those Nouronihar had seen in her
vision； the camphorated vapour ascending from which gathered into a
cloud under the hollow of the vault。
This appearance； instead of terrifying； gave new courage to the
daughter of Fakreddin。 Scarcely deigning to bid adieu to the moon and
the firmament； she abandoned without hesitation the pure atmosphere to
plunge into these infernal exhalations。 The gait of those impious
personages was haughty and determined； as they descended by the
effulgence of the torches they gazed on each other with mutual admiration；
and both appeared so resplendent； that they already esteemed themselves
spiritual Intelligences； the only circumstance that perplexed them was
their not arriving at the bottom of the stairs； on hastening their descent
with an ardent impetuosity； they felt their steps accelerated to such a
degree； that they seemed not walking； but falling from a precipice。 Their
progress； however； was at length impeded by a vast portal of ebony； which
the Caliph without difficulty recognised； here the Giaour awaited them
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with the key in his hand。
〃Ye are welcome；〃 said he to them； with a ghastly smile； 〃in spite of
Mahomet and all his dependants。 I will now admit you into that palace
where you have so highly merited a place。〃
Whilst he was uttering these words he touched the enamelled lock with
his key； and the doors at once expanded； with a noise still louder than the
thunder of mountains； and as suddenly recoiled the moment they had
entered。
The Caliph and Nouronihar beheld each other with amazement； at
finding themselves in a place which； though roofed with a vaulted ceiling；
was so spacious and lofty that at first they took it for an immeasurable
plain。 But their eyes at length growing familiar to the grandeur of the
objects at hand； they extended their view to those at a distance； and
discovered rows of columns and arcades； which gradually diminished till
they terminated in a point； radiant as the sun when he darts his last beams
athwart the ocean； the pavement； strewed over with gold dust and saffron；
exhaled so subtle an odour as almost overpowered them； they； however；
went on； and observed an infinity of censers； in which ambergris and the
wood of aloes were continually burning； between the several columns
were placed tables； each spread with a profusion of viands； and wines of
every species sparkling in vases of crystal。 A throng of Genii and other
fantastic spirits of each sex danced in troops； at the sound of music which
issued from beneath。
In the midst of this immense hall a vast multitude was incessantly
passing； who severally kept their right hands on their hearts； without once
regarding anything around them； they had all the livid paleness of death；
their eyes； deep sunk in their sockets； resembled those phosphoric meteors
that glimmer by night in places of interment。 Some stalked slowly on；
absorbed in profound reverie； some； shrieking with agony； ran furiously
about； like tigers wounded with poisoned arrows； whilst others； grinding
their teeth in rage； foamed along； more frantic than the wildest maniac。
They all avoided each other； and； though surrounded by a multitude that
no one could number； each wandered at random； unheedful of the rest； as
if alone on a desert which no foot had trodden。
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Vathek and Nouronihar； frozen with terror at a sight so baleful；
demanded of the Giaour what these appearances might mean； and why
these ambulating spectres never withdrew their hands from their hearts。
〃Perplex not yourselves；〃 replied he bluntly； 〃with so much； at once
you will soon be acquainte
