the history of the caliph vathek(加里弗[1].维克史)-第4章
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was one of those systems in which Carathis was a perfect adept； she began；
therefore； with reminding her son of the promise which the stars had made
him； and intimated an intention of consulting them again。
〃Alas！〃 sighed the Caliph； as soon as he could speak； 〃what a fool
have I been！ not for the kicks bestowed on my guards who so tamely
submitted to death； but for never considering that this extraordinary man
was the same the planets had foretold； whom； instead of ill…treating； I
should have conciliated by all the arts of persuasion。〃
〃The past；〃 said Carathis； 〃cannot be recalled； but it behoves us to
think of the future； perhaps you may again see the object you so much
regret； it is possible the inscriptions on the sabres will afford information。
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Eat； therefore； and take thy repose； my dear son； we will consider to…
morrow in what manner to act。〃
Vathek yielded to her counsel as well as he could； and arose in the
morning with a mind more at ease。 The sabres he commanded to be
instantly brought； and poring upon them through a green glass； that their
glittering might not dazzle； he set himself in earnest to decipher the
inscriptions； but his reiterated attempts were all of them nugatory； in vain
did he beat his head and bite his nails； not a letter of the whole was he able
to ascertain。 So unlucky a disappointment would have undone him again
had not Carathis by good fortune entered the apartment。
〃Have patience； son！〃 said she； 〃you certainly are possessed of every
important science； but the knowledge of languages is a trifle at best； and
the accomplishment of none but a pedant。 Issue forth a proclamation that
you will confer such rewards as become your greatness upon any one that
shall interpret what you do not understand； and what it is beneath you to
learn； you will soon find your curiosity gratified。〃
〃That may be；〃 said the Caliph； 〃but in the meantime I shall be
horribly disgusted by a crowd of smatterers； who will come to the trial as
much for the pleasure of retailing their jargon as from the hope of gaining
the reward。 To avoid this evil it will be proper to add that I will put every
candidate to death who shall fail to give satisfaction； for； thank Heaven！ I
have skill enough to distinguish between one that translates and one that
invents。〃
〃Of that I have no doubt；〃 replied Carathis； 〃but to put the ignorant to
death is somewhat severe； and may be productive of dangerous effects；
content yourself with commanding their beards to be burntbeards in a
state are not quite so essential as men。〃
The Caliph submitted to the reasons of his mother； and sending for
Morakanabad； his prime vizir； said： 〃Let the common criers proclaim；
not only in Samarah； but throughout every city in my empire； that
whosoever will repair hither； and decipher certain characters which appear
to be inexplicable； shall experience the liberality for which I am renowned；
but that all who fail upon trial shall have their beards burnt off to the last
hair。 Let them add also that I will bestow fifty beautiful slaves； and as
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many jars of apricots from the Isle of Kirmith； upon any man that shall
bring me intelligence of the stranger。〃
The subjects of the Caliph； like their Sovereign； being great admirers
of women and apricots from Kirmith； felt their mouths water at these
promises； but were totally unable to gratify their hankering； for no one
knew which way the stranger had gone。
As to the Caliph's other requisition； the result was different。 The
learned； the half…learned； and those who were neither； but fancied
themselves equal to both； came boldly to hazard their beards； and all
shamefully lost them。
The exaction of these forfeitures； which found sufficient employment
for the eunuchs； gave them such a smell of singed hair as greatly to disgust
the ladies of the seraglio； and make it necessary that this new occupation
of their guardians should be transferred into other hands。
At length； however； an old man presented himself whose beard was a
cubit and a half longer than any that had appeared before him。 The
officers of the palace whispered to each other； as they ushered him in；
〃What a pity such a beard should be burnt！〃 Even the Caliph； when he
saw it； concurred with them in opinion； but his concern was entirely
needless。 This venerable personage read the characters with facility； and
explained them verbatim as follows： 〃We were made where everything
good is made； we are the least of the wonders of a place where all is
wonderful； and deserving the sight of the first potentate on earth。〃
〃You translate admirably！〃 cried Vathek； 〃I know to what these
marvellous characters allude。 Let him receive as many robes of honour
and thousands of sequins of gold as he hath spoken words。 I am in some
measure relieved from the perplexity that embarrassed me！〃
Vathek invited the old main to dine； and even to remain some days in
the palace。 Unluckily for him； he accepted the offer； for the Caliph；
having ordered him next morning to be called； said： 〃Read again to me
what you have read already； I cannot hear too often the promise that is
made me； the completion of which I languish to obtain。〃
The old man forthwith put on his green spectacles； but they instantly
dropped from his nose on perceiving that the characters he had read the
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day preceding had given place to others of different import。
〃What ails you？〃 asked the Caliph； 〃and why these symptoms of
wonder？〃
〃Sovereign of the world；〃 replied the old man； 〃these sabres hold
another language to…day from that they yesterday held。〃
〃How say you？〃 returned Vathek； 〃but it matters not！ tell me； if you
can； what they mean。〃
〃It is this； my lord；〃 rejoined the old man： 〃Woe to the rash mortal
who seeks to know that of which he should remain ignorant； and to
undertake that which surpasseth his power！〃
〃And woe to thee！〃 cried the Caliph； in a burst of indignation； 〃to…day
thou art void of understanding。 Begone from my presence； they shall
burn but the half of thy beard； because； thou wert yesterday fortunate in
guessing； my gifts I never resume。〃
The old man； wise enough to perceive he had luckily escaped；
considering the folly of disclosing so disgusting a truth； immediately
withdrew； and appeared not again。
But it was not long before Vathek discovered abundant reason to regret
his precipitation； for though he could not decipher the characters himself；
yet by constantly poring upon them he plainly perc
