the history of the caliph vathek(加里弗[1].维克史)-第33章
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light hath revealed that； in consideration of the piety of my early youth；
my woes shall come to an end when this cataract shall for ever cease to
flow； till then I am in torments； ineffable torments！ an unrelenting fire
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preys on my heart。〃
Having uttered this exclamation； Soliman raised his hands towards
heaven； in token of supplication； and the Caliph discerned through his
bosom； which was transparent as crystal； his heart enveloped in flames。
At a sight so full of horror Nouronihar fell back； like one petrified； into the
arms of Vathek； who cried out with a convulsive sob：
〃O Giaour！ whither hast thou brought us？ Allow us to depart； and I
will relinquish all thou hast promised。 O Mahomet！ remains there no
more mercy？〃
〃None！ none！〃 replied the malicious Dive。 〃Know； miserable prince！
thou art now in the abode of vengeance and despair； thy heart also will be
kindled； like those of the other votaries of Eblis。 A few days are allotted
thee previous to this fatal period； employ them as thou wilt； recline on
these heaps of gold； command the Infernal Potentates； range at thy
pleasure through these immense subterranean domains； no barrier shall be
shut against thee； as for me； I have fulfilled my mission； I now leave thee
to thyself。〃 At these words he vanished。
The Caliph and Nouronihar remained in the most abject affliction；
their tears unable to flow； scarcely could they support themselves。 At
length； taking each other despondingly by the hand； they went faltering
from this fatal hall； indifferent which way they turned their steps； every
portal opened at their approach； the Dives fell prostrate before them； every
reservoir of riches was disclosed to their view； but they no longer felt the
incentives of curiosity； pride； or avarice。 With like apathy they heard the
chorus of Genii； and saw the stately banquets prepared to regale them；
they went wandering on from chamber to chamber； hall to hall； and gallery
to gallery； all without bounds or limit； all distinguishable by the same
lowering gloom； all adorned with the same awful grandeur； all traversed
by persons in search of repose and consolation； but who sought them in
vain； for every one carried within him a heart tormented in flames：
shunned by these various sufferers； who seemed by their looks to be
upbraiding the partners of their guilt； they withdrew from them to wait in
direful suspense the moment which should render them to each other the
like objects of terror。
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〃What！〃 exclaimed Nouronihar； 〃will the time come when I shall
snatch my hand from thine！〃
〃Ah！〃 said Vathek； 〃and shall my eyes ever cease to drink from thine
long draughts of enjoyment！ Shall the moments of our reciprocal
ecstasies be reflected on with horror？ It was not thou that broughtest me
hither； the principles by which Carathis perverted my youth have been the
sole cause of my perdition！〃 Having given vent to these painful
expressions； he called to an Afrit； who was stirring up one of the braziers；
and bade him fetch the Princess Carathis from the palace of Samarah。
After issuing these orders； the Caliph and Nouronihar continued
walking amidst the silent crowd； till they heard voices at the end of the
gallery； presuming them to proceed from some unhappy beings； who； like
themselves； were awaiting their final doom； they followed the sound； and
found it to come from a small square chamber； where they discovered
sitting on sofas five young men of goodly figure； and a lovely female； who
were all holding a melancholy conversation by the glimmering of a lonely
lamp； each had a gloomy and forlorn air； and two of them were embracing
each other with great tenderness。 On seeing the Caliph and the daughter
of Fakreddin enter； they arose； saluted； and gave them place； then he who
appeared the most considerable of the group addressed himself thus to
Vathek：
〃Strangers！ who doubtless are in the same state of suspense with
ourselves； as you do not yet bear your hands on your hearts； if you are
come hither to pass the interval allotted previous to the infliction of our
common punishment； condescend to relate the adventures that have
brought you to this fatal place； and we in return will acquaint you with
ours； which deserve but too well to be heard； we will trace back our
crimes to their source； though we are not permitted to repent； this is the
only employment suited to wretches like us！〃
The Caliph and Nouronihar assented to the proposal； and Vathek began；
not without tears and lamentations； a sincere recital of every circumstance
that had passed。 When the afflicting narrative was closed； the young man
entered on his own。 Each person proceeded in order； and when the fourth
prince had reached the midst of his adventures； a sudden noise interrupted
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him； which caused the vault to tremble and to open。
Immediately a cloud descended； which gradually dissipating；
discovered Carathis on the back of an Afrit； who grievously complained of
his burden。 She； instantly springing to the ground； advanced towards her
son； and said：
〃What dost thou here in this little square chamber？ As the Dives are
become subject to thy beck； I expected to have found thee on the throne of
the pre…adamite kings。〃
〃Execrable woman！〃 answered the Caliph； 〃cursed be the day thou
gavest me birth！ go； follow this Afrit； let him conduct thee to the hall of
the Prophet Soliman； there thou wilt learn to what these palaces are
destined； and how much I ought to abhor the impious knowledge thou hast
taught me。〃
〃The height of power to which thou art arrived has certainly turned thy
brain；〃 answered Carathis； 〃but I ask no more than permission to show my
respect for the Prophet。 It is； however； proper thou shouldest know； that
（as the Afrit has informed me neither of us shall return to Samarah） I
requested his permission to arrange my affairs； and he politely consented；
availing myself； therefore； of the few moments allowed me； I set fire to the
tower； and consumed in it the mutes； negresses； and serpents which have
rendered me so much good service； nor should I have been less kind to
Morakanabad； had he not prevented me by deserting at last to thy brother。
As for Bababalouk； who had the folly to return to Samarah； and all the
good brotherhood to provide husbands for thy wives； I undoubtedly would
have put them to the torture； could I but have allowed them the time； being；
however； in a hurry； I only hung him after having caught him in a snare
with thy wives； whilst them I buried alive by the help of my negresses；
who thus spent their las
