the history of caliph vathek-第12章
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tter were it to be eaten by tigers than to fall into our present condition！ we are for ever undone！ Not a porter is there in the army； nor a currier of camels； but hath seen some part of our bodies； and； what is worse； our very faces！〃 On saying this the most bashful amongst them hid their foreheads on the ground； whist such as had more boldness flew at Bababalouk； but he； well apprized of their humour； and not wanting in shrewdness； betook himself to his heels along with his comrades； all dropping their torches and striking their tymbals。
It was not less light than in the brightest of the dog…days； and the weather was hot in proportion； but how degrading was the spectacle； to behold the Caliph bespattered like an ordinary mortal！ As the exercise of his faculties seemed to be suspended； one of his Ethiopian wives （for he delighted in variety） clasped him in her arms； threw him upon her shoulder like a sack of dates； and finding that the fire was hemming them in； set off with no small expedition； considering the weight of her burden。 The other ladies； who had just learnt the use of their feet； followed her； their guards galloped after； and the camel…drivers brought up the rear as fast as their charge would permit。
They soon reached the spot where the wild beasts had commenced the carnage； and which they had too much spirit to leave； notwithstanding the approaching tumult and the luxurious supper they had made； Bababalouk nevertheless seized on a few of the plumpest； which were unable to budge from the place； and began to flay them with admirable adroitness。 The cavalcade being got so far from the conflagration as that the heat felt rather grateful than violent； it was immediately resolved on to halt。 The tattered chintzes were picked up； the scraps left by the wolves and tigers interred； and vengeance was taken on some dozens of vultures that were too much glutted to rise on the wing。 The camels； which had been left unmolested to make sal ammoniac； being numbered； and the ladies once more enclosed in their cages； the imperial tent was pitched on the levellest ground they could find。
Vathek； reposing upon a mattress of down； and tolerably recovered from the jolting of the Ethiopian； who to his feelings seemed the roughest trotting jade he had hitherto mounted； called out for something to eat。 But； alas！ those delicate cakes which had been baked in silver ovens for his royal mouth； those rich manchets； amber comfits； flagons of Schiraz wine； porcelain vases of snow； and grapes from the banks of the Tigris； were all irremediably lost！ And nothing had Bababalouk to present in their stead but a roasted wolf； vultures a la daube； aromatic herbs of the most acrid poignancy； rotten truffles； boiled thistles； and such other wild plants as most ulcerate the throat and parch up the tongue。 Nor was he better provided in the article of drink； for he could procure nothing to accompany these irritating viands but a few vials of abominable brandy； which had been secreted by the scullions in their slippers。
Vathek made wry faces at so savage a repast； and Bababalouk answered them with shrugs and contortions； the Caliph； however； ate with tolerable appetite； and fell into a nap that lasted six hours。 The splendour of the sun reflected from the white cliffs of the mountains； in spite of the curtains that enclosed him； at length disturbed his repose； he awoke terrified； and stung to the quick by those wormwood…coloured flies； which emit from their wings a suffocating stench。 The miserable monarch was perplexed how to act； though his wits were not idle in seeking expedients； whilst Bababalouk lay snoring amidst a swarm of those insects； that busily thronged to pay court to his nose。 The little pages； famished with hunger； had dropped their fans on the ground； and exerted their dying voices in bitter reproaches on the Caliph； who now for the first time heard the language of truth。
Thus stimulated； he renewed his imprecations against the Giaour； and bestowed upon Mahomet some soothing expressions。 〃Where am I？〃 cried he； 〃what are these dreadful rocks？ these valleys of darkness？ are we arrived at the horrible Kaf？ is the Simurgh coming to pluck out my eyes； as a punishment for undertaking this impious enterprise！〃 Having said this； he bellowed like a calf and turned himself towards an outlet in the side of his pavilion； but； alas！ what objects occurred to his view！ on one side a plain of black sand that appeared to be unbounded； and on the other perpendicular crags； bristled over with those abominable thistles which had so severely lacerated his tongue。 He fancied； however； that he perceived； amongst the brambles and briers； some gigantic flowers； but was mistaken； for these were only the dangling palampores and variegated tatters of his gay retinue。 As there were several clefts in the rock from whence water seemed to have flowed； Vathek applied his ear； with the hope of catching the sound of some latent runnel； but could only distinguish the low murmurs of his people； who were repining at their journey； and complaining for the want of water。
〃To what purpose；〃 asked they； 〃have we been brought hither？ Hath our Caliph another tower to build？ or have the relentless Afrits； whom Carathis so much loves； fixed in this place their abode？〃
At the name of Carathis Vathek recollected the tablets he had received from his mother； who assured him they were fraught with preternatural qualities； and advised him to consult them as emergencies might require。 Whilst he was engaged in turning them over he heard a shout of joy and a loud clapping of hands； the curtains of his pavilion were soon drawn back； and he beheld Bababalouk； followed by a troop of his favourites； conducting two dwarfs； each a cubit high； who brought between them a large basket of melons； oranges； and pomegranates。 They were singing in the sweetest tones the words that follow：
〃We dwell on the top of these rocks in a cabin of rushes and canes； the eagles envy us our nest； a small spring supplies us with Abdest； and we daily repeat prayers which the Prophet approves。 We love you； O Commander of the Faithful！ our master； the good Emir Fakreddin； loves you also； he reveres in your person the vicegerent of Mahomet。 Little as we are； in us he confides； he knows our hearts to be good as our bodies are contemptible； and hath placed us here to aid those who are bewildered on these dreary mountains。 Last night； whilst we were occupied within our cell in reading the holy Koran； a sudden hurricane blew out our lights and rocked our habitation； for two whole hours a palpable darkness prevailed； but we heard sounds at a distance which we conjectured to proceed from the bells of a Cafila passing over the rocks； our ears were soon filled with deplorable shrieks； frightful roarings； and the sound of tymbals。 Chilled with terror； we concluded that the Deggial； with his exterminating angels； had sent forth their plagues on the earth。 In the midst of these melancholy reflections we perceived flames of the deepest red glow in the horizon； and found ourselves in a few moments covered with flakes of fire； amazed at so strange an appearance； we took up the volume dictated by the blessed Intelligence； and； kneeling by the light of the fire that surrounded us； we recited the verse which says： 'Put no trust in anything but the mercy of Heaven； there is no help save in the holy Prophet； the mountain of Kaf itself may tremble； it is the power of Allah only that cannot be moved。' After having pronounced these words we felt consolation； and our minds were hushed into a sacred repose； silence ensued； and our ears clearly distinguished a voice in the air； saying： 'Servants of my faithful servant！ go down to the happy valley of Fakreddin； tell him that an illustrious opportunity now offers to satiate the thirst of his hospitable heart。 The Commander of true believers is this day bewildered amongst these mountains； and stands in need of thy aid。' We obeyed with joy the angelic mission； and our master； filled with pious zeal； hath culled with his own hands these melons； oranges； and pomegranates； he is following us with a hundred dromedaries laden with the purest waters of his fountains
