the history of caliph vathek-第24章
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awaiting his arrival in the abominable palace of fire； where； if he once set his foot； his perdition will be inevitable。〃
Mahomet answered with an air of indignation： He hath too well deserved to be resigned to himself； but I permit you to try if one effort more will be effectual to divert him from pursuing his ruin。〃
One of these beneficent Genii； assuming without delay the exterior of a shepherd； more renowned for his piety than all the Dervises and Santons of the region； took his station near a flock of white sheep on the slope of a hill； and began to pour forth from his flute such airs of pathetic melody as subdued the very soul； and； awakening remorse； drove far from it every frivolous fancy。 At these energetic sounds the sun hid himself beneath a gloomy cloud； and the waters of two little lakes； that were naturally clearer than crystal； became of a colour like blood。 The whole of this superb assembly was involuntarily drawn towards the declivity of the hill； with downcast eyes they all stood abashed； each upbraiding himself with the evil he had done； the heart of Dilara palpitated； and the chief of the eunuchs with a sigh of contrition implored pardon of the women； whom for his own satisfaction he had so often tormented。
Vathek and Nouronihar turned pale in their litter； and； regarding each other with haggard looks； reproached themselvesthe one with a thousand of the blackest crimes； a thousand projects of impious ambitionthe other with the desolation of her family； and the perdition of the amiable Gulchenrouz。 Nouronihar persuaded herself that she heard in the fatal music the groans of her dying father； and Vathek the sobs of the fifty children he had sacrificed to the Giaour。 Amidst these complicated pangs of anguish they perceived themselves impelled towards the shepherd； whose countenance was so commanding； that Vathek for the first time felt overawed； whilst Nouronihar concealed her face with her hands。
The music paused； and the Genius； addressing the Caliph； said： 〃Deluded Prince！ to whom Providence hath confided the care of innumerable subjects； is it thus that thou fulfillest thy mission？ Thy crimes are already completed； and art thou now hastening towards thy punishment？ Thou knowest that beyond these mountains Eblis and his accursed Dives hold their infernal empire； and； seduced by a malignant phantom； thou art proceeding to surrender thyself to them！ This moment is the last of grace allowed thee； abandon thy atrocious purpose； return； give back Nouronihar to her father； who still retains a few sparks of life； destroy thy tower with all its abominations； drive Carathis from thy councils； be just to thy subjects； respect the ministers of the Prophet； compensate for thy impieties by an exemplary life； and； instead of squandering thy days in voluptuous indulgence； lament thy crimes on the sepulchres of thy ancestors。 Thou beholdest the clouds that obscure the sun； at the instant he recovers his splendour； if thy heart be not changed； the time of mercy assigned thee will be past for ever。〃
Vathek； depressed with fear； was on the point of prostrating himself at the feet of the shepherd； whom he perceived to be of a nature superior to man； but； his pride prevailing； he audaciously lifted his head； and； glancing at him one of his terrible looks； said： 〃Whoever thou art； withhold thy useless admonitions； thou wouldst either delude me； or art thyself deceived。 If what I have done be so criminal as thou pretendest； there remains not for me a moment of grace； I have traversed a sea of blood to acquire a power which will make thy equals tremble； deem not that I shall retire when in view of the port； or that I will relinquish her who is dearer to me than either my life or thy mercy。 Let the sun appear！ let him illumine my career！ it matters not where it may end。〃 On uttering these words； which made even the Genius shudder； Vathek threw himself into the arms of Nouronihar； and commanded that his horse should be forced back to the road。
There was no difficulty in obeying these orders； for the attraction had ceased； the sun shone forth in all his glory； and the shepherd vanished with a lamentable scream。
The fatal impression of the music of the Genius remained； notwithstanding； in the heart of Vathek's attendants； they viewed each other with looks of consternation； at the approach of night almost all of them escaped； and of this numerous assemblage there only remained the chief of the eunuchs； some idolatrous slaves； Dilara and a few other women； who； like herself； were votaries of the religion of the Magi。
The Caliph； fired with the ambition of prescribing laws to the Intelligences of Darkness； was but little embarrassed at this dereliction； the impetuosity of his blood prevented him from sleeping； nor did he encamp any more as before。 Nouronihar； whose impatience； if possible； exceeded his own； importuned him to hasten his march； and lavished on him a thousand caresses to beguile all reflection； she fancied herself already more potent than Balkis； and pictured to her imagination the Genii falling prostrate at the foot of her throne。 In this manner they advanced by moonlight； till they came within view of the two towering rocks that form a kind of portal to the valley； at whose extremity rose the vast ruins of Istakar。 Aloft on the mountain glimmered the fronts of various royal mausoleums； the horror of which was deepened by the shadows of night。 They passed through two villages almost deserted； the only inhabitants remaining being a few feeble old men； who； at the sight of horses and 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 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 t
