the history of the caliph vathek(加里弗[1].维克史)-第7章
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and of endeavouring by their petitions to avert the calamity； but neither of
these expedients was a whit more successful： the sight of this fatal ball
was alone sufficient to draw after it every beholder。 The Muezzins
themselves； though they saw it but at a distance； hastened down from their
minarets and mixed with the crowd； which continued to increase in so
surprising a manner； that scarce an inhabitant was left in Samarah； except
the aged； the sick confined to their beds； and infants at the breast； whose
nurses could run more nimbly without them。 Even Carathis；
Morakanabad； and the rest were all become of the party。
The shrill screams of the females； who had broken from their
apartments； and were unable to extricate themselves from the pressure of
the crowd； together with those of the eunuchs jostling after them； terrified
lest their charge should escape from their sight； increased by the
execrations of husbands urging forward and menacing both； kicks given
and received； stumblings and overthrows at every step； in a word； the
confusion that universally prevailed rendered Samarah like a city taken by
storm and devoted to absolute plunder。
At last the cursed Indian； who still preserved his rotundity of figure；
after passing through all the streets and public places； and leaving them
empty； rolled onwards to the plain of Catoul； and traversed the valley at
the foot of the mountain of the Four Fountains。
As a continual fall of water had excavated an immense gulf in the
valley； whose opposite side was closed in by a steep acclivity； the Caliph
and his attendants were apprehensive lest the ball should bound into the
chasm； and； to prevent it； redoubled their efforts； but in vain。 The Indian
persevered in his onward direction； and； as had been apprehended；
glancing from the precipice with the rapidity of lightning； was lost in the
gulf below。
Vathek would have followed the perfidious Giaour； had not an
invisible agency arrested his progress。 The multitude that pressed after
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him were at once checked in the same manner； and a calm instantaneously
ensued。 They all gazed at each other with an air of astonishment； and；
notwithstanding that the loss of veils and turbans； together with torn habits
and dust blended with sweat； presented a most laughable spectacle； there
was not one smile to be seen； on the contrary； all； with looks of confusion
and sadness； returned in silence to Samarah； and retired to their inmost
apartments； without ever reflecting that they had been impelled by an
invisible power into the extravagance for which they reproached
themselves； for it is but just that men； who so often arrogate to their own
merit the good of which they are but instruments； should attribute to
themselves the absurdities which they could not prevent。
The Caliph was the only person that refused to leave the valley。 He
commanded his tents to be pitched there； and stationed himself on the very
edge of the precipice； in spite of the representations of Carathis and
Morakanabad； who pointed out the hazard of its brink giving way； and the
vicinity to the magician that had so severely tormented him。 Vathek
derided all their remonstrances； and； having ordered a thousand flambeaux
to be lighted； and directed his attendants to proceed in lighting more； lay
down on the slippery margin； and attempted； by help of this artificial
splendour； to look through that gloom which all the fires of the empyrean
had been insufficient to pervade。 One while he fancied to himself voices
arising from the depth of the gulf； at another he seemed to distinguish the
accents of the Indian； but all was no more than the hollow murmur of
waters； and the din of the cataracts that rushed from steep to steep down
the sides of the mountain。
Having passed the night in this cruel perturbation； the Caliph at
daybreak retired to his tent； where； without taking the least sustenance； he
continued to doze till the dusk of evening began again to come on。 He
then resumed his vigils as before； and persevered in observing them for
many nights together。 At length； fatigued with so successless an
employment； he sought relief from change。 To this end he sometimes
paced with hasty strides across the plain； and； as he wildly gazed at the
stars； reproached them with having deceived him； but； lo！ on a sudden the
clear blue sky appeared streaked over with streams of blood； which
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THE HISTORY OF THE CALIPH VATHEK
reached from the valley even to the city of Samarah。 As this awful
phenomenon seemed to touch his tower； Vathek at first thought of re…
pairing thither to view it more distinctly； but feeling himself unable to
advance； and being overcome with apprehension； he muffled up his face in
his robe。
Terrifying as these prodigies were； this impression upon him was no
more than momentary； and served only to stimulate his love of the
marvellous。 Instead； therefore； of returning to his palace； he persisted in
the resolution of abiding where the Indian vanished from his view。 One
night； however； while he was walking as usual on the plain； the moon and
the stars at once were eclipsed； and a total darkness ensued； the earth
trembled beneath him； and a voice came forth； the voice of the Giaour；
who； in accents more sonorous than thunder； thus addressed him：
〃Wouldest thou devote thyself to me？ Adore then the terrestrial
influences； and abjure Mahomet。 On these conditions I will bring thee to
the palace of subterranean fire； there shalt thou behold in immense
depositories the treasures which the stars have promised thee； and which
will be conferred by those Intelligences whom thou shalt thus render
propitious。 It was from thence I brought my sabres； and it is there that
Soliman Ben Daoud reposes； surrounded by the talismans that control the
world。〃
The astonished Caliph trembled as he answered； yet in a style that
showed him to be no novice in preternatural adventures： 〃Where art thou？
be present to my eyes； dissipate the gloom that perplexes me； and of which
I deem thee the cause； after the many flambeaux I have burnt to discover
thee； thou mayst at least grant a glimpse of thy horrible visage。〃
〃Abjure； then； Mahomet；〃 replied the Indian； 〃and promise me full
proofs of thy sincerity； otherwise thou shalt never behold me again。〃
The unhappy Caliph； instigated by insatiable curiosity； lavished his
promises in the utmost profusion。 The sky immediately brightened； and
by the light of the planets； which seemed almost to blaze； Vathek beheld
the earth open； and at th
