the history of caliph vathek-第26章
按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
kept his right hand on his heart； yet his countenance was more composed； and he seemed to be listening to the sullen roar of a vast cataract； visible in part through the grated portals： this was the only sound that intruded on the silence of these doleful mansions。 A range of brazen vases surrounded the elevation。
〃Remove the covers from these cabalistic depositories；〃 said the Giaour to Vathek； 〃and avail thyself of the talismans； which will break asunder all these gates of bronze； and not only render thee master of the treasures contained within them； but also of the spirits by which they are guarded。〃
The Caliph； whom this ominous preliminary had entirely disconcerted； approached the vases with faltering footsteps； and was ready to sink with terror when he heard the groans of Soliman。 As he proceeded a voice from the livid lips of the Prophet articulated these words：
〃In my life…time I filled a magnificent throne； having on my right hand twelve thousand seats of gold； where the patriarchs and the prophets heard my doctrines； on my left the sages and doctors； upon as many thrones of silver； were present at all my decisions。 Whilst I thus administered justice to innumerable multitudes； the birds of the air librating over me served as a canopy from the rays of the sun； my people flourished； and my palace rose to the clouds； I erected a temple to the Most High； which was the wonder of the universe； but I basely suffered myself to be seduced by the love of women； and a curiosity that could not be restrained by sublunary things； I listened to the counsels of Aherman and the daughter of Pharaoh； and adored fire and the hosts of heaven； I forsook the holy city； and commanded the Genii to rear the stupendous palace of Istakar； and the terrace of the watch…towers； each of which was consecrated to a star； there for a while I enjoyed myself in the zenith of glory and pleasure； not only men； but supernatural existences were subject also to my will。 I began to think； as these unhappy monarchs around had already thought； that the vengeance of Heaven was asleep； when at once the thunder burst my structures asunder and precipitated me hither； where； however； I do not remain； like the other inhabitants； totally destitute of hope； for an angel of 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 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。
〃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 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 mute
