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Presented to the LIBRARY of the

UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO

by

THE ESTATE OF THE LATE ■I S. MORGAN

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VATHEK

III.

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LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.

To face page These the Genii brought up in nests

still higher than the clouds ... Frontispiece

Was sufficient of itself to prevent him

from sleeping ii

The Young Nouronihar, daughter of

the Emir 91

Supported on her knees the perfumed

head of Gulchenrouz 105

The Emir suddenly bursting in 116

Caused them to be carried to the brink

of a small lake 123

** Fishes ... I conjure you by your

glittering scales*' 151

Eblis stood forth to her view 186

VII.

INTRODUCTION.

William Beckford, who was born in 1759, came of an old Gloucestershire stock established for many years at the village of Beckford, near Tewkesbury. The family appears to have fallen upon evil times after the Battle of Bosworth where in support of Richard III. the Beckford of the day lost his life and the family their fortune. A period of two hundred and seventeen years elapsed before the name re-appeared in history in the person of Peter Beckford, a Jamaica planter of some substance who in 1702 was appointed Lieutenant Governor of the colony and who subsequently died in a fit of passion, induced by the opposition of the House of Representatives. His grandson was William Beckford, father of the author of Vathek, alderman and twice Lord Mayor of London.

The Jamaican properties had appreciated so enormously in value that Alderman Beckford was one of the wealthiest men in England. He was noted for the simplicity of his private life and the sumptuousness of his public entertainments; and in politics for his courageous support of John Wilkes. It is recorded that on one occasion, when heading a deputation to George III., he astonished and enraged his Majesty by reading him a stiff lecture on his constitutional shortcomings. Of this affair Horace Walpole, writing to Sir Horace Mann in 1770, avers that it reduced the King to the alternative of sitting silent, or tucking up his train, jumping from the throne, and taking sanctuary in the royal closet. The alderman's political activities

IX.

brought him not only notoriety but the friendship of the great Earl of Chatham, to whom on his death he entrusted the task of supervising the education of his young son, William.

The latter inherited from his father property to the value of a million pounds and an income of £100,000 a year, a fortune which would be large in any age but which in the late i8th century was considered fabulous.

Of William's boyhood not very much is known. He was privately educated and was much in the company of the Pitts. He must thus have formed an early intimacy both with William Pitt the younger and with his sister Lady Hester Stanhope, the storv of whose residence at Lebanon has so often been told. Lord Chatham was greatly impressed with young Beckford, whose oratorical facility he extolled to his own sons and whom he once, we are told, warned against reading The Arabian Nights, a piece of advice which we may be quite sure was not followed.

In his seventeenth year Beckford wrote A History of Extraordinary Painters, a clever skit which, if it failed to attract much contemporary attention, at least gave promise for the literary future of its author. In 1781 or 1782, after making the Grand Tour, an education almost obligatory on the monied youth of the day, he wrote Vathek in French and, as he claimed, in a single sitting of three days and two nights. An English edition, translated and annotated by the Rev. Samuel Henley, was published without authority in 1784, to the delight of his contemporaries and to the indignation of the author who admitted, however, that the work " was tolerably well done."

X.

In 1783 Beckford wrote a short Arabian tale Al Raoui, and married Lady Margaret Gordon who died in 1786 after giving birth to her second daughter.

The years that followed were filled with rather fruitless activities. He was never goaded to his work by the spur of poverty; had he been a poor man the tale of his achievements would probably have been vastly different. As it was he travelled a great deal; he sat in Parliament; he wrote a series of valuable and interesting letters from Italy and Portugal; he began to form his marvellous collections.

After 1796, when he finally returned to England, his eccentricities became more marked and his literary work dwindled away. During the remainder of his life he published nothing of any significance except his foreign letters and two burlesques on contemporary sentimental novels.

In 1796 he began his curious architectural experiments at Fonthill, the Wiltshire property which he had inherited from his father. He surrounded it with a wall twelve feet high and crowned with checaux-de-frise, designed to exclude alike the inquisitive intruder and the local sportsman. He pulled down and rebuilt the mansion which his father had built in 1775, then pulled it down and built it up again yet more sumptuously. A tower, three hundred feet high, was erected by gangs of men working day and night in shifts. So eccentric was its design that it collapsed shortly after its completion; and so eccentric was the builder that he promptly re-erected it! The foundations even of this new tower were so negligently or fraudulently laid that it

XI.

too fell in ruins not long after Beckford had left Fonthill. In this amazing palace he shut himself up with a doctor, a priest and a major-domo, collecting new and discarding old treasures of furniture and of art, rarely admitting either neighbour or visitor. In 1822 his extravagance and neglect, the depreciation of his West Indian properties and a series of unfortunate law suits had so embarrassed his finances that he was compelled to sell the estate, on which he admitted having spent a quarter of a million in sixteen years. At the same time he was driven to dispose of the bulk of his collections. Hazlitt, visiting Fonthill while the sale was in progress, wrote: ' It is a desert of magnificence, a glittering waste of laborious idleness, a cathedral turned into a toyshop, an immense museum of all that is most curious and costly and at the same time most worthless in the productions of art and nature.' He added that ' the only proof of taste he (Beckford) has shown in this collection is his getting rid of it.'

From Wiltshire Beckford retired with his choicest treasures to Bath. Here he created a miniature Fonthill on Lansdowne Terrace, planted a wood and built the inevitable tower, and continued to blend, though less ambitiously, the solitude of a hermit with the splendours of a Caliph.

Cyrus Redding who aspired, without a great deal of success, to act Boswell to his Johnson, has left on record the following description of him: —

In person he was not much above the middle height, well formed, and rather slender than full, with features indicating intellectual power, and small gray eyes of wonderful acuteness.

XII.

His dress was almost uniformly a green coat with clnth buttons, a buff waistcoat striped, breeches of the same colour as the coat, and brown topped boots, the fine cotton stockings appearing over them. His apprehension was quick and his enunciation rapid. His voice was agreeable, his gesture energetic, especially when excited in conversation. When silent or examining any- thing he placed his freckled fingers over his mouth. . . . He seldom sat down, even when conversing, especially if particularly earnest. His manner was courteous and gentlemanly.'

' No one,' Redding tells us elsewhere, ' was so inaccessible to strangers, or so difficult to become acquainted with unless they were connected with literature or art.' He hated cruelty to animals and, though kind and generous to his friends, had a ' withering power of sarcasm ' which he did not hesitate to employ when he thought the occasion demanded it.

Beckford died in 1844, leaving ;^8o,ooo, a few unpublished manuscripts, a reputation for eccentricity almost unmatched in the West of England, and one master-piece, Vathek.

Vathek must remain to us, as to the author's contemporaries, something of a mystery. It might be the mature work of an elderly cynic, and was in fact almost the earliest literary effort of a boy scarcely out of his teens. It is a magnificent piece of English prose, and was first written in French. It is filled with the atmosphere and colour of the East, yet the author never went out of Europe.

Lord Byron wrote: ' For correctness of costume, beauty of description and power of imagination, it far surpasses all

XIII.

European imitations; and bears such marks of originality that those who have visited the East will find some difficulty in believing it to be more than a translation.'

It is hard to determine with any degree of satisfaction the literary parentage of the book. Its cynicism and what a writer in the Quarterly Review described as its ' diabolical levity ' may perhaps be attributed to the influence of Voltaire, whom Beckford met in Switzerland; while the style recalls the majesty of Gibbon, whom he certainly admired and whose library he subsequently bought. But the key to the mystery will be found at Fonthill. Beckford not only created the Caliph Vathek; for a season and in a sense he was the Caliph himself. As the splendours of the palace of Alkoremmi, erected by Motassem, were insufficient for his successor, so the mansion at Fonthill could not satisfy the son of the alderman; and a Palace of the Five Senses was reared in a corner of the Wiltshire Downs. As Vathek aspired to build a tower that would reach to Heaven, Beckford erected the monumental folly which twice crashed to earth. And while Vathek received the supernatural assistance of Genii, Beckford was compelled to content himself with a night shift of workmen. The vividness of Vathek is a reflection of its vividness to the man who wrote it. The spirit of an Arabian Night has been captured so completely because the world in which Beckford strove to live was an Arabian Night. There is a voluptuousness about the story which is as true to the East as are the fatalism and the contempt for mankind which start from its pages. Beckford was an Oriental, born out of due time and

XIV.

/' ■ ■ -

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place, a Caliph condemned not to the tortures of Eblis but to the dull limitations of the Eng^lish country-side.

The tower has fallen, the collections are scattered, the palace has been demolished. Yet in Vathek there remains a monument more durable than bronze or stone, which will survive when its author's follies are forgotten and his name has ceased even to be a legend in the county where he lived.

J. G. L.

XV.

THE CALIPH VATHEK.

•

ATHEK, ninth Caliph of the race of the Abassides, was the son of Motassem, and the grandson of Haroun Al Raschid. From an early accession to the throne, and the talents he possessed to adorn it, his subjects were induced to expect that his reign would be long and happy. His figure was pleasing and majestic ; but when he was angry one of his eyes became so terrible that no person could bear to behold it, and the wretch upon whom it was fixed instantly fell backward, and sometimes expired. For fear, however, of depopulating his dominions and making his palace desolate, he but rarely gave w^ay to his anger.

Being much addicted to women and the pleasures of the table, he sought by his afifability to procure agreeable companions; and he succeeded the better as his generosity was unbounded and his indulgences unrestrained, for he was by no means scrupulous, nor did he think with the Caliph Omar Ben Abdalaziz that it was necessary to make a hell of this world to enjoy Paradise in the next.

B

He surpassed in magnificence all his predecessors. The palace of Alkoremmi, which his father Motassem had erected on the hill of Pied Horses and which commanded the whole city of Samarah, was in his idea far too scanty ; he added therefore five wings, or rather other palaces, which he designed for the particular gratification of each of his senses.

In the first of these were tables continually covered with the most exquisite dainties, which were supplied both by night and by day according to their constant consumption, whilst the most delicious wines and the choicest cordials flowed forth from a hundred fountains that were never exhausted. This palace was called 'The Eternal or Unsatiating Banquet.'

The second was styled * The Temple of Melody, or The Nectar of the Soul.' It was inhabited by the most skilful musicians and admired poets of the time, who not only displayed their talents within but, dispersing in bands without, caused every surround- ing scene to reverberate their songs, which were continually varied in the most delightful succession.

The palace named * The Delight of the Eyes, or The Support of Memory * was one entire enchant-

ment. Rarities collected from every corner of the earth were there found in such profusion as to dazzle and confound, but for the order in which they were arranged. One gallery exhibited the pictures of the celebrated Mani, and statues that seemed to be alive. Here a well-managed perspective attracted the sight, there the magic of optics agreeably deceived it ; whilst the naturalist on his part exhibited, in their several classes, the various gifts that Heaven had bestowed on our globe. In a word, Vathek omitted nothing in this palace that might gratify the curiosity of those who resorted to it, although he was not able to satisfy his own, for he was of all men the most curious.

* The Palace of Perfumes,' which was termed likewise * The Incentive to Pleasure,' consisted of various halls where the different perfumes which the earth produces were kept perpetually burning in censers of gold. Flambeaux and aromatic lamps were here lighted in open day. But the too powerful effects of this agreeable delirium might be avoided by descending into an immense garden, where an assemblage of every fragrant flower diffused through the air the purest odours.

The fifth palace, denominated * The Retreat of Joy, or The Dangerous,^ was frequented by troops of young females beautiful as the houris and not less seducing, who never failed to receive with caresses all whom the Caliph allowed to approach them; for he was by no means disposed to be jealous, as his own women were secluded within the palace he inhabited himself.

Notwithstanding the sensuality in which Vathek indulged, he experienced no abatement in the love of his people, who thought that a sovereign immersed in pleasure was not less tolerable to his subjects than one that employed himself in creating them foes. But the unquiet and impetuous disposition of the Caliph would not allow him to rest there ; he had studied so much for his amusement in the lifetime of his father as to acquire a great deal of knowledge, though not a sufficiency to satisfy himself; for he wished to know everything, even sciences that did not exist. He was fond of engaging in disputes with the learned, but liked them not to push their opposition with warmth; he stopped the mouths of those with presents whose mouths could be stopped,

whilst others, whom his liberality was unable to subdue, he sent to prison to cool their blood ; a remedy that often succeeded.

Vathek discovered also a predilection for theological controversy, but it was not with the orthodox that he usually held. By this means he induced the zealots to oppose him, and then perse- cuted them in return ; for he resolved at any rate to have reason on his side.

The great prophet Mahomet, w^hose vicars the caliphs are, beheld w4th indignation from his abode in the seventh heaven the irreligious conduct of such a vicegerent.

^' Let us leave him to himself," said he to the Genii, who are always ready to receive his commands ; ** let us see to what lengths his folly and impiety will carry him ; if he run into excess we shall know how to chastise him. Assist him, therefore, to complete the tower which in imitation of Nimrod he hath begun, not like that great vrarrior to escape being drowned, but from the insolent curiosity of penetrating the secrets of Heaven; he w^ill not divine the fate that awaits him."

The Genii obeyed, and when the workmen had raised their structure a cubit in the daytime, two cubits more were added in the night. The expedition with which the fabric arose was not a little flattering to the vanity of Vathek. He fancied that even insensible matter showed a forwardness to subserve his designs, not considering that the successes of the foolish and wicked form the first rod of their chastise- ment.

His pride arrived at its height when, having ascended for the first time the eleven thousand stairs of his tower, he cast his eyes below and beheld men not larger than pismires, mountains than shells, and cities than bee-hives.

The idea which such an elevation inspired of his own grandeur completely bewildered him; he was almost ready to adore himself, till, lifting his eyes upward, he saw the stars as high above him as they appeared when he stood on the surface of the earth. He consoled himself, however, for this transient perception of his littleness with the thought of being great in the eyes of others, and flattered himself that the light of his mind would extend beyond the reach

A . Z.

of his sight, and transfer to the stars the decrees of his destiny.

With this view the inquisitive Prince passed most of his nights on the summit of his tower, till he became an adept in the mysteries of astrology, and imagined that the planets had disclosed to him the most marvellous adventures, which were to be accomplished by an extraordinary personage from a country altogether unknow^n.

Prompted by motives of curiosity he had always been courteous to strangers, but from this instant he redoubled his attention and ordered it to be announced by sound of trumpet through all the streets of Samarah that no one of his subjects, on peril of displeasure, should either lodge or detain a traveller, but forthwith bring him to the palace.

Not long after this proclamation there arrived in his metropolis a man so hideous that the very guards w^ho arrested him were forced to shut their eyes as they led him along. The Caliph himself appeared startled at so horrible a visage, but joy succeeded to this emotion of terror when the stranger displayed to his view such rarities as he had never

before seen, and of which he had no conception.

In reality nothing was ever so extraordinary as the merchandise this stranger produced ; most of his curiosities, which were not less admirable for their workmanship than splendour, had besides their several virtues described on a parchment fastened to each. There were slippers which enabled the feet to walk ; knives that cut without the motion of a hand ; sabres which dealt the blow at the person they were wished to strike, and the whole enriched with gems that were hitherto unknown.

The sabres, whose blades emitted a dazzling radiance, fixed more than all the Caliph's attention, who promised himself to decipher at his leisure the uncouth characters engraven on their sides. Without, therefore, demanding their price he ordered all the coined gold to be brought from his treasury, and commanded the merchant to take what he pleased. The stranger complied with modesty and silence.

Vathek, imagining that the merchant's taciturnity was occasioned by the awe which his presence inspired, encouraged him to advance, and asked him with an air of condescension who he was, whence

8

he came, and where he obtained such beautiful commodities.

The man, or rather monster, instead of making a reply thrice rubbed his forehead which, as well as his body, was blacker than ebony ; four times clapped his paunch, the projection of which was enormous ; opened wide his huge eyes, which glowed like firebrands ; began to laugh with a hideous noise, and discovered his long amber-coloured teeth bestreaked with green.

The Caliph, though a little startled, renewed his inquiries, but without being able to procure a reply ; at which, beginning to be ruffled, he exclaimed :

** Knowest thou, varlet, who I am and at whom thou art aiming thy gibes? " Then, addressing his guards : " Have ye heard him speak ? Is he dumb ? "

** He hath spoken," they replied, ** though but little."

'* Let him speak again, then," said Vathek, "and tell me who he is, whence he came, and where he procured these singular curiosities, or I swear by the ass of Balaam that I w^ill make him rue his pertinacity."

The menace was accompanied by the Caliph with one of his angry and perilous glances, which the stranger sustained without the slightest emotion, although his eyes were fixed on the terrible eye of the Prince.

No words can describe the amazement of the courtiers when they beheld this rude merchant withstand the encounter unshocked. They all fell prostrate with their faces on the ground to avoid the risk of their lives, and continued in the same abject posture till the Caliph exclaimed in a furious tone :

*^ Up, cowards ! Seize the miscreant ! See that he be committed to prison and guarded by the best of my soldiers ! Let him, however, retain the money I gave him; it is not my intent to take from him his property, I only want him to speak.**

No sooner had he uttered these words than the stranger was surrounded, pinioned with strong fetters, and hurried away to the prison of the great tower, which was encompassed by seven empalements of iron bars and armed with spikes in every direction longer and sharper than spits.

The Caliph, nevertheless, remained in the most

10

. . \\';i- >ulti(iriit ot it>t'll to prevent liiiii hoin >lt'epiii<'-.

violent agitation ; he sat down indeed to eat, but of the three hundred covers that were daily placed before him could taste of no more than thirty-two. A diet to w^hich he had been so little accustomed w^as sufficient of itself to prevent him from sleeping; what then must be its effect when joined to the anxiety that preyed upon his spirits ? At the first glimpse of dawn he hastened to the prison, again to importune this intractable stranger ; but the rage of Vathek exceeded all bounds on finding the prison empty, the gates burst asunder, and his guards lying lifeless around him. In the paroxysm of his passion he fell furiously on the poor carcases, and kicked them till evening without intermission. His courtiers and vizirs exerted their efforts to soothe his extravagance, but finding every expedient ineffectual they all united in one vociferation :

'* The Caliph is gone mad ! The Caliph is out of his senses ! *'

This outcry, which soon resounded through the streets of Samarah, at length reaching the ears of Carathis, his mother ; she flew in the utmost con- sternation to try her ascendency on the mind of her

II

son. Her tears and caresses called off his attention, and he was prevailed upon by her entreaties to be brought back to the palace.

Carathis, apprehensive of leaving Vathek to himself, caused him to be put to bed, and seating herself by him endeavoured by her conversation to heal and compose him. Nor could anyone have attempted it with better success, for the Caliph not only loved her as a mother but respected her as a person of superior genius ; it was she who had induced him, being a Greek herself, to adopt all the sciences and systems of her country, which good Mussulmans hold in such thorough abhorrence. Judicial astrology 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 extra- ordinary man was the same the planets had fore- told, whom, instead of ill-treating, I should have

12

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 vSabres will afford information. 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

13

proclamation that you will confer such rewards as become your greatness upon anyone 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 younself with commanding their beards to be burnt — beards 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

14

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 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 neceSvSary that this

15

new occupation of their guardians should be trans- ferred 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, con- curred 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 man to dine, and even to

i6

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 promivSe that is made me, the completion of which 1 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 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 siirpasseth his power!

'* And woe to thee ! " cried the Caliph, in a burst

17

of indignation; *' to-day thou art void of under- standing ; 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 perceived that every day they changed, and unfortu- nately no other candidate offered to explain them.

This perplexing occupation inflamed his blood, dazzled his sight, and brought on a giddiness and debility that he could not support. He failed not, however, though in so reduced a condition, to be often carried to his tower, as he flattered himself that he might there read in the stars which he went to consult something more congenial to his wishes; but in this his hopes were deluded, for his eyes, dimmed by the vapours of his head, began to subserve his curiosity

i8

so 111 that he beheld nothing but a thick dun cloud, which he took for the most direful of omens.

Agitated with so much anxiety Vathek entirely lost all firmness; a fever seized him, and his appetite failed. Instead of being one of the greatest eaters he became as distinguished for drinking. So insatiable was the thirst which tormented him that his mouth, like a funnel, was always open to receive the various liquors that might be poured into it, and especially cold water, which calmed him more than every other.

This unhappy prince, being thus incapacitated for the enjoyment of any pleasure, commanded the Palaces of the Five vSenses to be shut up ; forbore to appear in public, either to display his magnificence or administer justice, and retired to the inmost apart- ment of his harem. As he had ever been an indulgent husband his wives, overwhelmed with grief at his deplorable situation, incessantly offered their prayers for his health and unremittingly supplied him with water.

In the meantime the Princess Carathis, whose affliction no words can describe, instead of restraining herself to sobbing and tears was closeted daily

19

with the Vizir Morakanabad, to find out some cure or mitigation of the Caliph's disease. Under the persuasion that it was caused by enchantment the3^ turned over together, leaf by leaf, all the books of magic that might point out a remedy, and caused the horrible stranger, whom they accused as the enchanter, to be everywhere sought for with the strictest diligence.

At the distance of a few miles from Samarah stood a high mountain whose sides were swarded with wild thyme and basil, and its summit overspread with so delightful a plain that it might be taken for the paradise destined for the faithful. Upon it grew a hundred thickets of eglantine and other fragrant shrubs, a hundred arbours of roses, jessamine and honeysuckle, as many clumps of orange trees, cedar and citron, whose branches, interwoven with the palm, the pomegranate, and the vine, presented every luxury that could regale the eye or the taste. The ground was strewed with violets, hare-bells, and pansies, in the midst of which sprung forth tufts of jonquils, hyacinths, and carnations, with every other perfume that impregnates the air. Four fountains, not

20

less clear than deep, and so abundant as to slake the thirst of ten armies, seemed profusely placed here to make the scene more resemble the garden of Eden, which was watered by the four sacred rivers.

Here the nightingale sang the birth of the rose, her well-beloved, and at the same time lamented its short-lived beauty ; whilst the turtle deplored the loss of more substantial pleasures, and the wakeful lark hailed the rising light that reanimates the whole creation. Here more than anywhere the mingled melodies of birds expressed the various passions they inspired, as if the exquisite fruits which they pecked at pleasure had given them a double energy.

To this mountain Vathek was sometimes brought for the sake of breathing a purer air, and especially to drink at will of the four fountains, which were reputed in the highest degree salubrious and sacred to himself. His attendants were his mother, his wives, and some eunuchs, who assiduously employed themselves in filling capacious bowls of rock crystal and emulously presenting them to him ; but it frequently happened that his avidity exceeded their zeal, insomuch that he would prostrate himself upon

21

the ground to lap up the water, of which he could never have enough.

One day, when this unhappy prince had been long lying in so debasing a posture, a voice, hoarse but strong, thus addressed him :

** Why assumest thou the function of a dog, O Caliph, so proud of thy dignity and power? **

At this apostrophe he raised his head and beheld the stranger that had caused him so much affliction. Inflamed with anger at the sight, he exclaimed :

'^Accursed Giaour ! What comest thou hither to do? Is it not enough to have transformed a prince remarkable for his agility into one of those leather barrels which the Bedouin Arabs carry on their camels when they traverse the deserts? Perceivest thou not that I may perish by drinking to excess no less than by a total abstinence? "

'* Drink, then, this draught," said the stranger, as he presented to him a phial of a red and yellow mixture ; ** and to satiate the thirst of thy soul as well as of thy body know that I am an Indian, but from a region of India which is wholly unknown."

The Caliph, delighted to see his desires

22

accomplished in part and flattering himself with the hope of obtaining their entire fulfilment, without a moment's hesitation swallowed the potion and instantaneously found his health restored, his thirst appeased, and his limbs as agile as ever.

In the transports of his joy Vathek leaped upon the neck of the frightful Indian and kissed his horrid mouth and hollow cheeks as though they had been the coral lips and the lilies and roses of his most beautiful wives ; whilst they, less terrified than jealous at the sight, dropped their veils to hide the blush of mortification that suffused their foreheads. Nor w^ould the scene have closed here had not Carathis, with all the art of insinuation, a little repressed the raptures of her son. Having prevailed upon him to return to Samarah she caused a herald to precede him, whom she commanded to proclaim as loudly as possible : " The wonderful stranger hath appeared again, he hath healed the Caliph, he hath spoken ! He hath spoken ! "

Forthwith all the inhabitants of this vast city quitted their habitations and ran together in crowds to see the procession of Vathek and the Indian,

23

whom they now blessed as much as they had before execrated, incessantly shouting :

** He hath healed our sovereign. He hath spoken ! He hath spoken ! '* Nor were these words forgotten in the public festivals, which were celebrated the same evening, to testify the general joy ; for the poets applied them as a chorus to all the songs they composed.

The Caliph in the meanwhile caused the Palaces of the Senses to be again set open ; and as he found himself prompted to visit that of Taste in preference to the rest, immediately ordered a splendid enter- tainment, to which his great ofhcers and favourite courtiers were all invited. The Indian, who was placed near the Prince, seemed to think that as a proper acknowledgment of so distinguished a privilege he could neither eat, drink, nor talk too much. The various dainties were no sooner served up than they vanished, to the great mortification of Vathek, who piqued himself on being the greatest eater alive, and at this time in particular had an excellent appetite.

The rest of the company looked round at each other in amazement ; but the Indian, without appear-

24

ing to observe it, quaffed large bumpers to the health of each of them, sung in a style altogether extravagant, related stories at which he laughed immoderately, and poured forth extemporaneous verses which would not have been thought bad but for the strange grimaces with which they were uttered. In a word, his loquacity was equal to that of a hundred astrologers, he ate as much as a hundred porters, and caroused in proportion.

The Caliph, notwithstanding the table had been thirty times covered, found himself incommoded by the voraciousness of his guest, who was now con- siderably declined in the Prince's esteem. Vathek, how^ever, being unwilling to betray the chagrin he could hardly disguise, said in a whisper to Bababalouk, the chief of his eunuchs, " You see how enormous his performances in every way are ; what would be the consequence should he get at my wives ! Go ! redouble your vigilance, and be sure look well to my Circassians, who would be more to his taste than all of the rest.'*

The bird of the morning had thrice renewed his song when the hour of the Divan sounded. Vathek,

25

in gratitude to his subjects having promised to attend, immediately rose from the table and repaired thither, leaning upon his vizir, who could scarcely support him, so disordered was the poor Prince by the wine he had drunk and still more by the extravagant vagaries of his boisterous guest.

The vizirs, the officers of the crown and of the law arranged themselves in a semi-circle about their sovereign and preserved a respectful silence, whilst the Indian, who looked as cool as if come from a fast, sat down without ceremony on the step of the throne, laughing in his sleeve at the indignation with which his temerity had filled the spectators.

The Caliph, however, whose ideas were confused and his head embarrassed, went on administering justice at haphazard, till at length the prime vizir, perceiving his situation, hit upon a sudden expedient to interrupt the audience and rescue the honour of his master, to whom he said in a whisper :

** My Lord, the Princess Carathis, who hath passed the night in consulting the planets, informs you that they portend you evil, and the danger is urgent. Beware lest this stranger, whom you have so

26

lavishly recompensed for his magical gewgaws, should make some attempt on your life ; his liquor, which at first had the appearance of effecting your cure, may be no more than a poison of a sudden operation. Slight not this surmise, ask him at least of what it was compounded, whence he procured it, and mention the sabres which you seem to have forgotten.'*

Vathek, to whom the insolent airs of the stranger became every moment less supportable, intimated to his vizir by a wink of acquiescence that he w^ould adopt his advice, and at once turning towards the Indian said :

'^ Get up, and declare in full Divan of w^hat drugs the liquor was compounded you enjoined me to take, for it is suspected to be poison ; add also the explana- tion I have so earnestly desired concerning the sabres you sold me, and thus show your gratitude for the favours heaped on you.'*

Having pronounced these w^ords in as moderate a tone as a caliph well could, he waited in silent expectation for an answer. But the Indian, still keeping his seat, began to renew his loud shouts of

27

laughter and exhibit the same horrid grimaces he had shown them before, without vouchsafing a word in reply.

Vathek, no longer able to brook such insolence, immediately kicked him from the steps; instantly descending, repeated his blow; and persisted with such assiduity as incited all who were present to follow his example. Every foot was aimed at the Indian, and no sooner had anyone given him a kick than he felt himself constrained to reiterate the stroke.

The stranger afforded them no small entertain- ment; for being both short and plump he collected himself into a ball, and rolled round on all sides at the blows of his assailants, who pressed after him wher- ever he turned with an eagerness beyond conception, whilst their numbers were every moment increasing. The ball indeed, in passing from one apartment to another drew every person after it that came in its way, insomuch that the whole palace was thrown into confusion and resounded with a tremendous clamour. The women of the harem, amazed at the uproar, flew to their blinds to discover the cause; but no sooner

28

did they catch a glimpse of the ball than, feeling themselves unable to refrain, they broke from the clutches of their eunuchs, who to stop their flight pinched them till they bled, but in vain ; whilst them- selves, though trembling with terror at the escape of their charges, were as incapable of resisting the attraction.

The Indian, after having traversed the halls, galleries, chambers, kitchens, gardens, and stables of the palace, at last took his course through the courts; whilst the Caliph, pursuing him closer than the rest, bestowed as many kicks as he possibly could, yet not without receiving now and then one which his competitors in their eagerness designed for the ball.

Carathis, Morakanabad, and two or three old vizirs, whose wisdom had hitherto withstood the attraction, wishing to prevent Vathek from exposing himself in the presence of his subjects, fell down in his way to impede the pursuit ; but he, regardless of their obstruction, leaped over their heads and went on as before. They then ordered the Muezzins to call the people to prayers, both for the sake of getting them out of the way and of endeavouring by their

29

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 IcvSt their charges should escape from their vsight, 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.

30

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 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, prCvSented a most laughable

31

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

32

insufficient to pervade. One while he fancied to him- self 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 in 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 reached from the valley even to the city of Samarah. As this awful phenomenon seemed to touch his tower Vathek at first thought of repairing thither to view^ it more distinctly, but feeling himself unable to advance, and being overcome with apprehension,

33

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 thence I brought my sabres, and it is there that Soliman Ben Daoud reposes, surrounded by the talivSmans that control the world.'*

The astonished Caliph trembled as he answered,

34

yet in a style that showed him to be no novice in preternatural adventures :

** Where art thou? Re present to my eyes; dissipate the gloom that perplexes me, and of which I deem thee the cause ; after the many flambeaux T have burnt to discover thee thou mayest at least grant a glimpse of thy horrible visage.*'

** Abjure, then, Mahomet," replied the Indian, *' and promise me full proofs of thy sincerity, other- wise 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 the extremity of a vast black chasm a portal of ebony, before which stood the Indian, still blacker, holding in his hand a golden key that caused the lock to resound.

"How," cried \'athek, *' can 1 descend to thee without the certainty of breaking my neck ? Come, take me, and instantly open the portal."

** Not so fast," replied the Indian, '' impatient Caliph ! Know that I am parched with thirst and

35

cannot open this door till my thirst be thoroughly appeased. I require the blood of fifty of the most beautiful sons of thy vizirs and great men, or neither can my thirst nor thy curiosity be satisfied. Return to Samarah, procure for me this necessary libation, come back hither, throw it thyself into this chasm, and then shalt thou see ! *'

Having thus spoken the Indian turned his back on the Caliph who, incited by the suggestion of demons, resolved on the direful sacrifice. He now pretended to have regained his tranquillity and set out for Samarah amidst the acclamations of a people who still loved him and forbore not to rejoice when they believed him to have recovered his reason. So successfully did he conceal the emotion of his heart that even Carathis and Morakanabad were equally deceived with the rest. Nothing was heard of but festivals and rejoicings; the ball, which no tongue had hitherto ventured to mention, was again brought on the tapis; a general laugh went round, though many, still smarting under the hands of the surgeon from the hurts received in that memorable adventure, had no great reason for mirth.

36

The prevalence of this gay humour was not a little grateful to \'athek, as perceiving how much it conduced to his project. He put on the appearance of affability to everyone, but especially to his vizirs and the grandees of his court, whom he failed not to regale with a sumptuous banquet, during which he insensibly inclined the conversation to the children of his guests. Having asked with a good-natured air who of them were blessed with the handsomest boys, every father at once asserted the pretensions of his own, and the contest imperceptibly grew so warm that nothing could have withheld them from coming to blows but their profound reverence for the person of the Caliph. Under the pretence therefore of reconciling the disputants Vathek took upon him to decide, and with this view commanded the boys to be brought.

It was not long before a troop of these poor children made their appearance, all equipped by their fond mothers with such ornaments as might give the greatest relief to their beauty or most advantageously display the graces of their age. But w^hilst this brilliant assemblage attracted the eyes and hearts of

37

everyone besides, the Caliph scrutinized each in his turn with a malignant avidity that passed for attention, and selected from their number the fifty whom he judged the Giaour would prefer.

With an equal show of kindness as before he proposed to celebrate a festival on the plain for the entertainment of his young favourites, who, he said, ought to rejoice still more than all at the restoration of his health on account of the favours he intended for them.

The Caliph's proposal was received with the greatest delight and soon published through Samarah ; litters, camels, and horses were prepared. Women and children, old men and young, everyone placed himself in the station he chose. The cavalcade set forward attended by all the confectioners in the city and its precincts ; the populace following on foot composed an amazing crowd and occasioned no little noise ; all was joy, nor did anyone call to mind what most of them had suffered when they first travelled the road they were now passing so gaily.

The evening was serene, the air refreshing, the sky clear, and the flowers exhaled their fragrance;

38

the beams of the declining sun, whose mild splendour reposed on the summit of the mountain, shed a glow of ruddy light over its green declivity and the white flocks sporting upon it ; no sounds were audible vSave the murmurs of the Four Fountains and the reeds and voices of shepherds calling to each other from different eminences.

The lovely innocents proceeding to the destined sacrifice added not a little to the hilarity of the scene ; they approached the plain full of sportiveness, some coursing butterflies, others culling flowers, or picking up the shining little pebbles that attracted their notice. At intervals they nimbly started from each other, for the sake of being caught again and mutually imparting a thousand caresses.

The dreadful chasm at whose bottom the portal of ebony was placed began to appear at a distance; it looked like a black streak that divided the plain. Morakanabad and his companions took it for some work which the Caliph had ordered; unhapi)y men ! little did they surmise for what it was destined.

Vathek, not liking they should examine it too nearly, stopped the procession and ordered a spacious

39

circle to be formed on this side, at some distance from the accursed chasm. The body-guard of eunuchs was detached to measure out the lists intended for the games and prepare ringles for the lines to keep off the crowd. The fifty competitors were soon stripped and presented to the admiration of the spectators the suppleness and grace of their delicate limbs; their eyes sparkled with a joy which those of their fond parents reflected. Everyone offered wishes for the little candidate nearest his heart, and doubted not of his being victorious; a breathless suspense awaited the contest of these amiable and innocent victims.

The Caliph, availing himself of the first moment to retire from the crowd, advanced towards the chasm and there heard, yet not without shuddering, the voice of the Indian who, gnashing his teeth, eagerly demanded, ** Where are they? Where are they? Perceivest thou not how my mouth waters? ''

** Relentless Giaour!*' answered Vathek with emotion. '^ Can nothing content thee but the massacre of these lovely victims ? Ah ! wert thou to behold their beauty it must certainly move thy compassion.*'

** Perdition on thy compassion, babbler! '' cried

40

the Indian. ** Give them me, instantly give them, or my portal shall be closed against thee for ever! "

** Not so loudly," replied the Caliph, blushing.

'* I understand thee," returned the Giaour with the grin of an ogre; " thou wantest to summon up more presence of mind ; I will for a moment forbear."

During this exquisite dialogue the games went forward with all alacrity, and at length concluded just as the twilight began to overcast the mountains. Vathek, who was still standing on the edge of the chasm, called out with all his might :

*' Let my fifty little favourites approach me separately, and let them come in the order of their success. To the first I will give my diamond bracelet, to the second my collar of emeralds, to the third my aigret of rubies, to the fourth my girdle of topazes, and to the rest each a part of my dress, even down to my slippers."

This declaration was received with reiterated acclamations, and all extolled the liberality of a Prince who would thus strip himself for the amusement of his subjects and the encouragement of the rising generation.

4i

The Caliph in the meanwhile undrevSsed himself by degrees, and raising his arm as high as he was able made each of the prizes glitter in the air ; but whilst he delivered it with one hand to the child who sprung forward to receive it, he with the other pushed the poor innocent into the gulf, where the Giaour with a sullen muttering incessantly repeated, ** More ! more ! *'

This dreadful device was executed with so much dexterity that the boy who was approaching him remained unconscious of the fate of his forerunner; and as to the spectators, the shades of evening, together with their distance, precluded them from perceiving any object distinctly. Vathek having in this manner thrown in the last of the fifty and expecting that the Giaour on receiving them would have presented the key, already fancied himself as great as Soliman and consequently above being amenable for what he had done : when, to his utter amazement, the chasm closed, and the ground became as entire as the rest of the plain.

No language could express his rage and despair. He execrated the perfidy of the Indian, loaded him

42

with the most infamous invectives, and stamped with his foot as resolving to be heard ; he persisted in this demeanour till his strength failed him, and then fell on the earth like one void of sense. His vizirs and grandees, who were nearer than the rest, supposed him at hrst to be sitting on the grass at play with their amiable children; but at length, prompted by doubt, they advanced towards the spot and found the Caliph alone, who wildly demanded what they wanted ?

'* Our children ! our children ! " cried they.

** It is assuredly pleasant," said he, '' to make me accountable for accidents ; your children while at play fell from the precipice that was here, and I should have experienced their fate had I not been saved by a sudden start back."

At these words the fathers of the fifty boys cried out aloud, the mothers repeated their exclamations an octave higher, whilst the rest, without knowing the cause, soon drowned the voices of both with still louder lamentations of their own.

** Our Caliph," said they, and the report soon circulated, ** Our Caliph has played us this trick to gratify his accursed Giaour. Let us punish him for his

43

perfidy ! Let us avenge ourselves ! Let us avenge the blood of the innocent ! Let us throw this cruel Prince into the gulf that is near, and let his name be mentioned no more ! **

At this rumour and these menaces Carathis, full of consternation, hastened to Morakanabad and said, *' Vizir, 3^ou have lost two beautiful boys and must necessarily be the most afflicted of fathers, but you are virtuous : save your master."

'' I will brave every hazard," replied the vizir, '* to rescue him from his present danger, but after- wards will abandon him to his fate. Bababalouk," continued he, *' put yourself at the head of your eunuchs; disperse the mob, and, if possible, bring back this unhappy Prince to his palace." Bababalouk and his fraternity, felicitating each other in a low voice on their disability of ever being fathers, obeyed the mandate of the vizir; who seconding their exertions to the utmost of his power, at length accomplished his generous enterprise and retired as he resolved to lament at his leisure.

No sooner had the Caliph re-entered his palace than Carathis commanded the doors to be fastened;

44

but perceiving the tumult to be still violent, and hearing the imprecations which resounded from all quarters, she said to her son :

** Whether the populace be right or wrong it behoves you to provide for your safety ; let us retire to your own apartment, and thence through the subterranean passage, known only to ourselves, into your tower ; there with the assistance of the mutes w^ho never leave it, we may be able to make some resistance. Bababalouk, supposing us to be still in the palace, will guard its avenues for his own sake ; and we shall soon find, without the counsels of that blubberer Morakanabad, what expedient may be the best to adopt."

Vathek, without making the least reply, acquiesced in his mother's proposal, and repeated as he w^ent : ** Nefarious Giaour! Where art thou? Hast thou not yet devoured those poor children ? Where are thy sabres, thy golden key, thy talismans? '*

Carathis, who guCvSsed from these interrogations a part of the truth, had no difficulty to apprehend in getting at the whole as soon as he should be a little

45

composed in his tower. This Princess was so far from being influenced by scruples that she was as wicked as woman could be, which is not saying a little, for the sex pique themselves on their superiority in every competition. The recital of the Caliph, there- fore, occasioned neither terror nor surprise to his mother ; she felt no emotion but from the promises of the Giaour, and said to her son :

'^ This Giaour, it must be confessed, is somewhat sanguinary in his taste, but the terrestrial powers are always terrible ; nevertheless what the one hath promised and the others can confer will prove a sufficient indemnification ; no crime should be thought too dear for such a reward ; forbear then to revile the Indian, you have not fulfilled the conditions to which his services are annexed ; for instance, is not a sacrifice to the subterranean Genii required? and should we not be prepared to offer it as soon as the tumult is subsided ? This charge I will take on myself and have no doubt of succeeding by means of your treasures, which, as there are now so many others in store, may without fear be exhausted.'*

Accordingly the Princess, who possessed the

46

most consuiiiniate skill in the art of persuasion, went immediately back through the subterranean passage ; and presenting herself to the populace from a window of the palace began to harangue them with all the address of which she was mistress, whilst Bababalouk showered money from both hands amongst the crowd, who by these united means were soon appeased ; every person retired to his home, and Carathis returned to the tower.

Prayer at break of day was announced, when Carathis and \"athek ascended the steps which led to the summit of the tower, where they remained for some time, though the weather was lowering and wet. This impending gloom corresponded with their malignant dispositions; but when the sun began to break through the clouds they ordered a pavilion to be raised as a screen from the intrusion of his beams. The Caliph, overcome with fatigue, sought refresh- ment in repose, at the same time hoping that significant dreams might attend on his slumbers; whilst the indefatigable Carathis, followed by a party of her mutes, descended to prepare whatever she judged proper for the oblation of the approaching

night. ^ 47

By secret stairs, known only to herself and to her son, she first repaired to the mysterious recesses in which were deposited the mummies that had been brought from the catacombs of the ancient Pharaohs ; of these she ordered several to be taken. Thence she resorted to a gallery where, under the guard of fifty female negroes, mute and blind of the right eye, were preserved the oil of the most venomous serpents, rhinoceros' horns, and woods of a subtile and penetrating odour procured from the interior of the Indies, together with a thousand other horrible rarities. This collection had been formed for a purpose like the present by Carathis herself, from a presenti- ment that she might one day enjoy some intercourse with the infernal powers to whom she had ever been passionately attached and to whose taste she was no stranger.

To familiarize herself the better with the horrors in view the Princess remained in the company of her negresses, who squinted in the most amiable manner from the onl^-^ eye they had and leered with exquisite delight at the skulls and skeletons which Carathis had drawn forth from her cabinets, whose key she

48

entrusted to no one, all of them making contortions and uttering a frightful jargon but very amusing to the Princess, till at last, being stunned by their jibbering and suffocated b}- the potency of their exhalations, she was forced to quit the gallery, after stripping it of a part of its treasures.

Whilst she was thus occupied the Caliph, who instead of the visions he expected had acquired in these insubstantial regions a voracious appetite, was greatly provoked at the negresses, for having totally forgotten their deafness he had impatiently asked them for food, and seeing them regardless of his demand he began to cuff, pinch, and push them, till Carathis arrived to terminate a scene so indecent — to the great content of these miserable creatures who, having been brought up by her, understood all her signs and communicated in the same way their thoughts in return.

** Son ! what means all this? " said she, panting for breath. " I thought I heard as I came up the shrieks of a thousand bats tearing from their crannies in the recesses of a cavern, and it was the outcry only of these poor mutes whom you were so unmercifully

49

B

abusing. In truth you but ill deserve the admirable provision I have brought you.*'

*' Give it me instantly/* exclaimed the Caliph; ** I am perishing for hunger ! '*

*' As to that/* answered she, *' you must have an excellent stomach if it can digest what I have been preparing.'*

*' Be quick/* replied the Caliph; '* but, oh heavens ! What horrors ! What do you intend? **

** Come, come,** returned Carathis, *' be not so squeamish but help me to arrange everything properly, and you shall see that what you reject with such symptoms of disgust will soon complete 3^our felicity. Let us get ready the pile for the sacrifice of to-night, and think not of eating till that is performed ; know you not that all solemn rites are preceded by a rigorous abstinence?**

The Caliph, not daring to object, abandoned himself to grief and the wind that ravaged his entrails, whilst his mother went forward with the requisite operations. Phials of serpents* oil, mummies and bones were soon set in order on the balustrade of the tower ; the pile began to rise, and in three hours was

50

as many cubits bigh. At length darkness approached, and Carathis, having stripped herself to her inmost garment, clapped her hands in an impulse of ecstasy and struck light with all her force. The mutes followed her example, but X'athek, extenuated with hunger and impatience, was unable to support himself and fell down in a swoon. The sparks had already kindled the dry wood, the venomous oil burst into a thousand blue flames, the mummies dissolving emitted a thick dun vapour, and the rhinoceros' horns beginning to consume, all together diffused such a stench that the Caliph, recovering, started from his trance and gazed wildly on the scene in full blaze around him. The oil gushed forth in a plenitude of streams, and the negresses, who supplied it without intermission, united their cries to those of the Princess. xA.t last the fire became so violent and the flames reflected from the polished marble so dazzling that the Caliph, unable to withstand the heat and the blaze, effected his escape and clambered up the imperial standard.

In the meantime the inhabitants of Samarah, scared at the light which shone over the city, arose

51

in haste, ascended their roofs, beheld the tower on fire, and hurried half naked to the square. Their love for their Sovereign immediately awoke, and appre- hending him in danger of perishing in his tower, their whole thoughts were occupied with the means of his safet3'\ Morakanabad flew from his retirement, wiped away his tears, and cried out for water like the rest. Bababalouk, whose olfactory nerves were more familiarized to magical odours, readily conjecturing that Carathis was engaged in her favourite amuse- ments, strenuously exhorted them not to be alarmed. Him, however, they treated as an old poltroon, and forbore not to style him a rascally traitor. The camels and dromedaries were advancing with water, but no one knew by which way to enter the tower. Whilst the populace was obstinate in forcing the doors a violent east wind drove such a volume of flame against them as at first forced them off, but after- wards rekindled their zeal ; at the same time the stench of the horns and mummies increasing most of the crowd fell backward in a state of suffocation, those that kept their feet mutually wondered at the cause of the smell, and admonished each other to retire.

52

Morakanabad, more sick than the rest, remained in a piteous condition ; holding his nose with one hand he persisted in his efforts with the other to burst open the doors and obtain admission. A hundred and forty of the strongest and most resolute at length accomplished their purpose ; having gained the stair- case by their violent exertions they attained a great height in a quarter of an hour.

Carathis, alarmed at the signs of her mutes, advanced to the staircase, went down a few steps, and heard several voices calling out from below : " You shall have water in a moment ! " Being rather alert, considering her age, she presently regained the top of the tower and bade her son suspend the sacrifice for some minutes, adding :

'* We shall soon be enabled to render it more grateful ; certain dolts of your subjects, imagining no doubt that we were on fire, have been rash enough to break through those doors which had hitherto remained inviolate for the sake of bringing up water; they are very kind you must allow so soon to forget the wrongs you have done them, but that is of little moment. Let us offer them to the Giaour; let them

53

come up ; our mutes, who neither want strength nor experience, will soon despatch them, exhausted as they are with fatigue.'*

*' Be it so,*' answered the Caliph, ** provided we finish and I dine/*

In fact, these good people, out of breath from ascending eleven thousand stairs in such haste, and chagrined at having spilt by the way the water they had taken, were no sooner arrived at the top than the blaze of the flames and the fumes of the mummies at once overpowered their seUvSes. It was a pity, for they beheld not the agreeable smile with which the mutes and the negresses adjusted the cord to their necks; these amiable personages rejoiced, however, no less at the scene; never before had the ceremony of strangling been performed with so much facility; they all fell without the least resistance or struggle, so that Vathek in the space of a few moments found himself surrounded by the dead bodies of his faith- fullest subjects, all which were thrown on the top of the pile.

Carathis, whose presence of mind never forsook her, perceiving that she had carcasses sufficient to

54

complete her oblation, commanded the chains to be stretched across the staircase and the iron doors barricaded, that no more might come up.

No sooner were these orders obeyed than the tower shook, the dead bodies vanished in the flames, w^hich at once changed from a swarthy crimson to a bright rose colour; an ambient vapour emitted the most exquisite fragrance, the marble columns rang with harmonious sounds, and the liquefied horns diffused a delicious perfume. Carathis, in transports, anticipated the success of her enterprise, whilst her mutes and negresses, to whom these sweets had given the colic, retired to their cells grumbling.

Scarcely w^ere they gone when, instead of the pile, horns, mummies, and ashes, the Caliph both saw and felt, with a degree of pleasure which he could not express, a table covered with the most magnificent repast — flagons of wine and vases of exquisite sherbet floating on snow. He availed him- self without scruple of such an entertainment, and had already laid hands on a lamb stuffed with pistachios, whilst Carathis was privately drawing from a filigree urn a parchment that seemed to be

55

endless and which had escaped the notice of her son, totally occupied in gratifying an importunate appetite ; he left her to peruse it without interruption, which having finished she said to him in an authoritative tone :

** Put an end to your gluttony and hear the splendid promises with which you are favoured ! " She then read as follows : ** Vathek, my well-beloved, thou hast surpassed my hopes ; my nostrils have been regaled by the savour of thy mummies, thy horns, and still more by the lives devoted on the pile. At the full of the moon cause the bands of thy musicians and thy tymbals to be heard ; depart from thy palace surrounded by all the pageants of majesty ; thy most faithful slaves, thy best-beloved wives, thy most magnificent litters, thy richest-laden camels, and set forward on thy way to Istakhar; there await I thy coming — that is the region of wonders; there shalt thou receive the diadem of Djinn Ben Djinn, the talismans of Soliman, and the treasures of the pre-Adamite Sultans; there shalt thou be solaced with all kinds of delight. But beware how thou enterest any dwelling on thy route, or

56

thou shall feel the effects of my anger.'

The Caliph, who notwithstanding his habitual luxury had never before dined with so much satis- faction, gave full scope to the joy of these golden tidings and betook himself to drinking anew. Carathis, whose antipathy to wine was by no means insuperable, failed not to supply a reason for every bumper which they ironically quafled to the health of Mahomet. This infernal liquor completed their impious temerity and prompted them to utter a profusion of blasphemies; they gave a loose to their wit at the expense of the ass of Balaam, the dog of the Seven Sleepers, and the other animals admitted into the paradise of Mahomet. In this sprightly humour they descended the eleven thousand stairs, diverting themselves as they went at the anxious faces they saw on the square through the oillets of the tower, and at length arrived at the royal apartments by the sub- terranean passage. Bababalouk was parading to and fro, and issuing his mandates with great pomp to the eunuchs, who were snuffing the lights and painting the eyes of the Circassians. No sooner did he catch sight of the Caliph and his mother than he exclaimed :

57

** Hah ! you have then, I perceive, escaped from the flames; I was not, however, altogether out of doubt/'

*' Of what moment is it to us what you thought or think?'' cried Carathis. ** Go, speed, tell Morakanabad that we immediately want him; and take care how you stop by the way to make your insipid reflections."

Morakanabad delayed not to obey the summons and was received by Vathek and his mother with great solemnity; they told him with an air of composure and commiseration that the fire at the top of the tower was extinguished; but that it had cost the lives of the brave people who sought to assist them.

'* Still more misfortunes ! " cried Morakanabad with a sigh. "Ah, Commander of the Faithful, our holy Prophet is certainly irritated against us ! It behoves you to appease him."

** We will appease him hereafter ! " replied the Caliph, with a smile that augured nothing of good. " You will have leisure sufficient for your supplica- tions during my absence ; for this country is the bane

58

of my health. I am disgusted with the mountain of the Four Fountains and am resolved to go and drink of the stream of Rocnabad ; I long to refresh myself in the delightful valleys which it waters. Do you, with the advice of my mother, govern my dominions, and take care to supply whatever her experiments may demand; for you well know that our tower abounds in materials for the advancement of science.**

The tower but ill suited Morakanabad's taste. Immense treasures had been lavished upon it ; and nothing had he ever seen carried thither but female negroes, mutes, and abominable drugs. Nor did he know well what to think of Carathis, who, like a cameleon, could assume all possible colours; her cursed eloquence had often driven the poor Mussul- man to his last shifts. He considered, how^ever, that if she possessed but few good qualities her son had still few^er, and that the alternative on the w^hole would be in her favour. Consoled, therefore, with this reflection, he wxnt in good spirits to soothe the populace and make the proper arrangements for his master^s journey.

X'athek, to conciliate the Spirits of the sub-

59

terranean palace, resolved that his expedition should be uncommonly splendid. With this view he confiscated on all sides the property of his subjects, whilst his worthy mother stripped the seraglios she visited of the gems they contained. She collected all the sempstresses and embroiderers of Samarah and other cities to the distance of sixty leagues, to prepare pavilions, palanquins, sofas, canopies, and litters for the train of the monarch. There was not left in Masulipatam a single piece of chintz, and so much muslin had been brought up to dress out Bababalouk and the other black eunuchs that there remained not an ell in the whole Irak of Babylon.

During these preparations Carathis, who never lost sight of her great object, which was to obtain favour with the Powers of darkness, made select parties of the fairest and most delicate ladies of the city ; but in the midst of their gaiety she contrived to introduce serpents amongst them and to break pots of scorpions under the table ; they all bit to a wonder ; and Carathis would have left them to bite were it not that to fill up the time she now and then amused herself in curing their wounds with an excellent

60

anodyne of her own invention, for this \j^ood Princess abhorred being indolent.

Vathek, who was not altogether so active as his mother, devoted his time to the sole gratification of his senses in the palaces which were severally dedicated to them ; he disgusted himself no more with the Divan or the Mosque. One half of Samarah followed his example, whilst the other lamented the progress of corruption.

In the midst of these transactions the embassy returned w^hich had been sent in pious times to Mecca. It consisted of the most reverend Mullahs, who had fulfilled their commission and brought back one of those precious besoms which are used to sw^eep the sacred Kaaba ; a present truly worthy of the greatest potentate on earth !

The Caliph happened at this instant to be engaged in an apartment by no means adapted to the reception of embassies though adorned with a certain magnificence not only to render it agreeable but also because he resorted to it frequently and stayed a considerable time together. Whilst occupied in this retreat he heard the voice of Bababalouk calling out

6i

from between the door and the tapestry that hung before it :

'' Here are the excellent Mahomet Ebn Edris al vShafei and the seraphic Al Mouhadethin, who have brought the besom from Mecca, and with tears of joy intreat they may present it to your Majesty in person.**

" Let them bring the besom hither ; it may be of use," said Vathek, who was still employed, not having quite racked off his wine.

** How ! " answered Bababalouk, half aloud and amazed.

*'Obey," replied the Caliph, *' for it is my sovereign will ; go instantly, vanish ; for here will I receive the good folk who have thus filled thee with

joy."

The eunuch departed muttering and bade the venerable train attend him. A sacred rapture was diffused among these reverend old men. Though fatigued with the length of their expedition they followed Bababalouk with an alertness almost miraculous and felt themselves highly/ flattered, as they swept along the statel}^ porticoes, that the

62

Caliph would not receive them like ambassadors in ordinary in his hall of audience. Soon reaching the interior of the harem (where through blinds of persian they perceived large soft eyes, dark and blue, that went and came like lightning), penetrated with respect and wonder, and full of their celestial mission, they advanced in procession towards the small corridors that appeared to terminate in nothing, but nevertheless led to the cell where the Caliph expected their coming.

" What ! Is the Commander of the Faithful sick? " said Ebn Edris al Shafei in a low^ voice to his companion.

** I rather think he is in his oratory," answered Al Mouhadethin.

Vathek, who heard the dialogue, cried out :

''What imports it you how I am employed? Approach without delay."

They advanced, and Bababalouk almost sunk with confusion, whilst the Caliph, without showing himself, put forth his hand from behind the tapestry that hung before the door and demanded of them the besom. Having prostrated themselves as well as the

63

corridor would permit, and even in a tolerable semi- circle, the venerable Al Shafei, drawing forth the besom from the embroidered and perfumed scarves in which it had been enveloped and secured from the profane gaze of vulgar eyes, arose from his associates and advanced with an air of the most awful solemnity towards the supposed oratory; but with what astonishment, with what horror was he seized ! Vathek, bursting out into a villainous laugh, snatched the besom from his trembling hand and, fixing upon some cobwebs that hung sUvSpended from the ceiling, gravely brushed away till not a single one remained. The old men, overpowered with amazement, were unable to lift their beards from the ground, for as Vathek had carelessly left the tapestry between them half drawn they were witnesses to the whole transaction. Their tears gushed forth on the marble, Al Mouhadethin swooned through mortification and fatigue, whilst the Caliph, throwing himself back- ward on his seat, shouted and clapped his hands without mercy. At last, addressing himself to Baba- balouk :

** My dear black,*' said he, *' go, regale these

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pions poor souls with my good wine from Shiraz, and as they can boast of having seen more of my palace than anyone besides let them also visit my ofhce courts, and lead them out by the back steps that go to my stables." Having said this he threw the besom in their faces and went to enjoy the laugh with Carathis. Bababalouk did all in his powder to console the ambassadors, but the two most infirm expired on the spot; the rest were carried to their beds whence, being heartbroken with sorrow and shame, they never arose.

The succeeding night Yathek, attended by his mother, ascended the tower to see if everything were ready for his journey, for he had great faith in the influence of the stars. The planets appeared in their most favourable aspects. The Caliph, to enjoy so flattering a sight, supped gaily on the roof and fancied that he heard during his repast loud shouts of laughter resound through the sky in a manner that inspired the fullest assurance.

All w^as in motion at the palace ; lights were kept burning through the whole of the night; the sound of implements and of artisans finishing their work,

65

the voices of women and their guardians who sung at their embroidery, all conspired to interrupt the stillness of nature and infinitely delight the heart of Vathek, who imagined himself going in triumph to sit upon the throne of Soliman.

The people were not less satisfied than himself; all assisted to accelerate the moment which should rescue them from the wayward caprices of so extravagant a master.

The day preceding the departure of this infatuated Prince was employed by Carathis in repeating to him the decrees of the mysterious parchment, which she had thoroughly gotten by heart, and in recommend- ing him not to enter the habitation of anyone by the way.

*' For well thou knowest,'' added she, *' how lickerish thy taste is after good dishes and young damsels ; let me, therefore, enjoin thee to be content with thy old cooks, who are the best in the world, and not to forget that in thy ambulatory seraglio there are three dozen pretty faces which Bababalouk hath not yet unveiled. I myself have a great desire to watch over thy conduct and visit the subterranean

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palace which no doubt contains whatever can interest persons like us; there is nothing so pleasing as retiring to caverns; my taste for dead bodies and everything mummy-like is decided, and I am con- fident thou wilt sec the most exquisite of their kind. Forget me not, then, but the moment thou art in possession of the talismans which are to open to thee the mineral kingdoms and the centre of the earth itself fail not to despatch some trusty genius to take me and my cabinet, for the oil of the serpents I have pinched to death will be a pretty present to the Giaour, who cannot but be charmed with such dainties."

Scarcely had Carathis ended this edifying discourse when the sun, setting behind the mountain of the Four Fountains, gave place to the rising moon ; this planet being that evening at full appeared of unusual beauty and magnitude in the eyes of the women, the eunuchs, and the pages, who were all impatient to set forward. The city re-echoed with shouts of joy and flourishing of trumpets; nothing was visible but plumes nodding on pavilions, and aigrets shining in the mild lustre of the moon; the

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spacious square resembled an immense parterre, variegated with the most stately tulips of the East. Arrayed in the robes which were only worn at the most distinguished ceremonials, and supported by his vizir and Bababalouk, the Caliph descended the grand staircase of the tower in the sight of all his people ; he could not forbear pausing at intervals to admire the superb appearance which everywhere courted his view, whilst the whole multitude, even to the camels with their sumptuous burdens, knelt down before him. For some time a general stillness prevailed which nothing happened to disturb but the shrill screams of some eunuchs in the rear; thcvSe vigilant guards, having remarked certain cages of the ladies sagging somewhat awry, and discovered that a few adventurous gallants had contrived to get in, soon dislodged the enraptured culprits and consigned them with good commendations to the surgeons of the serail. The majesty of so magnificent a spectacle was not, however, violated by incidents like these. Vathek meanwhile saluted the moon with an idolatrous air that neither pleased Morakanabad nor the doctors of the law any more than the vizirs

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and the grandees of his court, who were all assembled to enjoy the last view of their Sovereign.

At length the clarions and trumpets from the top of the tower announced the prelude of departure. Though the instruments were in unison wath each other yet a singular dissonance was blended wnth their sounds ; this proceeded from Carathis, who was singing her direful orisons to the Giaour, whilst the negresses and mutes supplied thorough-bass without articulating a word. The good Mussulmans fancied that they heard the sullen hum of those nocturnal insects which presage evil, and importuned Vathek to beware how he ventured his sacred person.

On a given signal the great standard of the Califat was displayed, tw^enty thousand lances shone around it, and the Caliph, treading loyally on the cloth of gold which had been spread for his feet, ascended his litter amidst the general aw^e that possessed his subjects.

The expedition commenced with the utmost order and so entire a silence that even the locusts were heard from the thickets on the plain of Catoul. Gaiety and good humour prevailing, six good leagues

69

were past before the dawn ; and the morning star was still glittering in the firmament when the whole of this numerous train had halted on the banks of the Tigris, where they encamped to repose for the rest of the day.

The three days that followed were spent in the same manner ; but on the fourth the heavens looked angry, lightnings broke forth in frequent flashes, re-echoing peals of thunder succeeded, and the trembling Circassians clung with all their might to their ugly guardians. The Caliph himself was greatly inclined to take shelter in the large town of Gulchissar, the governor of which came forth to meet him and tendered every kind of refreshment the place could supply ; but, having examined his tablets, he suffered the rain to soak him almost to the bone, notwithstanding the importunity of his first favourites. Though he began to regret the Palace of the Senses, yet he lost not sight of his enterprise, and his sanguine expectations confirmed his resolution. His geographers were ordered to attend him, but the weather proved so terrible that these poor people exhibited a lamentable appearance ;

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and as no long journeys had been undertaken since

the time of Haroun al Raschid, their maps of the

different countries were in a still worse plight than

themselves. Everyone was ignorant which way to

turn ; for \^athek, though well versed in the course of

the heavens, no longer knew his situation on earth ;

he thundered even louder than the elements, and

muttered forth certain hints of the bow-string, which

were not very soothing to literary ears.

Disgusted at the toilsome weariness of the way,

he determined to cross over the craggy heights and

follow the guidance of a peasant, who undertook to

bring him in four days to Rocnabad. Remonstrances

were all to no purpose; his resolution was fixed, and

an invasion commenced on the province of the goats,

who sped away in large troops before them. It was

curious to view on these half-calcined rocks camels

richly caparisoned, and pavilions of gold and silk

waving on their summits, which till then had never

been covered but with sapless thistles and fern. The

females and eunuchs uttered shrill wailings at the

sight of the precipices below them, and the dreary

prospects that opened in the vast gorges of the

mountains.

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Before they could reach the ascent of the steepest rock night overtook them, and a boisterous tempest arose which, having rent the awnings of the palanquins and cages, exposed to the raw gusts the poor ladies within, who had never before felt so piercing a cold. The dark clouds that overcast the face of the sky deepened the horrors of this disastrous night, insomuch that nothing could be heard distinctly but the mewling of pages and lamentations of sultanas.

To increase the general misfortune the frightful uproar of wild beasts resounded at a distance, and there were soon perceived in the forest they were skirting the glaring of eyes which could belong only to devils or tigers. The pioneers, who as well as they could had marked out a track, and a part of the advanced guard were devoured before they had been in the least apprised of their danger. The confusion that prevailed was extreme ; w^olves, tigers, and other carnivorous animals, invited by the howling of their companions, flocked together from every quarter; the crashing of bones was heard on all sides, and a fearful rush of wings overhead, for

72

now vultures also began to be of the party.

The terror at length reached the main body of the troops which surrounded the monarch and his harem, at the distance of two leagues from the scene. Vathek (voluptuously reposed in his capacious litter upon cushions of silk, with two little pages beside him of complexions more fair than the enamel of Franguestan, who were occupied in keeping off flies) was soundly asleep, and contemplating in his dreams the treasures of Soliman. The shrieks, how- ever, of his wives awoke him with a start, and instead of the Giaour with his key of gold he beheld Baba- balouk full of consternation.

** Sire,'* exclaimed this good servant of the most potent of monarchs, ** misfortune is arrived at its height ; wild beasts, who entertain no more reverence for your sacred person than for that of a dead ass, have beset your camels and their drivers; thirty of the richest laden are already become their prey, as well as your confectioners, your cooks, and purveyors; and, unless our holy Prophet should protect us, we all shall have eaten our last meal."

At the mention of eating the Caliph lost all

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patience ; he began to bellow and even beat himself (for there was no seeing in the dark). The rumour every instant increased, and Bababalouk, finding no good could be done with his master, stopped both his ears against the hurly-burly of the harem, and called out aloud :

*' Come, ladies and brothers ! All hands to work; strike light in a moment ! Never shall it be said that the Commander of the Faithful served to regale these infidel brutes."

Though there wanted not in this bevy of beauties a sufficient number capricious and wayward, yet on the present occasion they were all compliance; fires were visible in a twinkling in all their cages; ten thousand torches were lighted at once. The Caliph himself seized a large one of wax; every person followed his example, and by kindling ropes' ends dipped in oil and fastened on poles an amazing blaze was spread. The rocks were covered with the splendour of sunshine ; the trails of sparks wafted by the wind communicated to the dry fern, of which there was plenty. Serpents were observed to crawl forth from their retreats with amazement and

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hissings, whilst the horses snorted, stamped the ground, tossed their noses in the air, and plunged about without mercy.

One of the forests of cedar that bordered their way took fire; and the branches that overhung the path extending their flames to the muslins and chintzes which covered the cages of the ladies, obliged them to jump out at the peril of their necks. Vathek, who vented on the occasion a thousand blasphemies, was himself compelled to touch with his sacred feet the naked earth.

Never had such an incident happened before. Full of mortification, shame, and despondence, and not knowing how to walk, the ladies fell into the dirt. *' Must I go on foot ! " said one; ** Must I wet my feet ! " cried another ; *' Must I soil my dress ! " asked a third; ''Execrable Bababalouk ! " exclaimed all; " Outcast of hell ! what hadst thou to do with torches ? Better 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

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bashful amongst them hid their foreheads on the ground, whilst 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 h^d commenced the carnage, which they had too much spirit to leave, notwithstanding the approach-

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ing tumult and the luxurious supper they had made. Bababalouk, nevertheless, seized on a few of the plumpest, which were unable to budgie from the place, and began to slay 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 Shiraz wine, porcelain vases of snow, and grapes from the banks

11

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 trufifles, boiled thistles, and such other wild plants as must 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-colour 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

78

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 against 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 under- taking 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 briars, some gigantic flowers, but was mistaken, for these were only the dangling palampores and

79

variegated tatters of his gay retinue. As there were several clefts in the rock 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 :

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" 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 akso ; 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, w^hilst w^e 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 w^ith deplorable shrieks, frightful roarings, and the sound of tymbals.

'* Chilled wnth 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

8i

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, w^e recited the verse which says :

'' Put no trust in anything hut 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 he 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 hospitahle heart. The Commander of True Believers is this day hewildered amongst these mountains, and stands in need of thy aid. .

** We obeyed with joy the angelic miswsion, and our master, filled with pious zeal, hath culled with his own hands these melons, oranges, and

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pomegranates. He is following us with a hundred dromedaries laden with the purest waters of his fountains, and is coming to kiss the fringe of your consecrated robe, and implore you to enter his humble habitation, which placed amidst these barren wilds, resembles an emerald set in lead."

The dwarfs, having ended their address, remained still standing, and, with hands crossed upon their bosoms, preserved a respectful silence.

Vathek, in the midst of this curious harangue, seized the basket, and long before it was finished the fruits had dissolved in his mouth. As he continued to eat his piety increased, and in the same breath w^hich recited his prayers he called for the Koran and sugar.

vSuch was the state of his mind when the tablets, which were thrown by at the approach of the dwarfs, again attracted his eye. He took them up, but was ready to drop on the ground when he beheld, in large, red characters, these words inscribed by Carathis, which were indeed enough to make him tremble :

** Beware of thy old doctors, and their puny messengers of but one cubit high ; distrust their pious frauds, and, instead of eating their melons, impale on

S3

a spit the bearers of them. vShouldst thou be such a fool as to visit them the portal of the subterranean palace will be shut in thy face, and with such force as shall shake thee asunder ; thy body shall be spit upon, and bats w411 engender in thy belly.'*

'* To what tends this ominous rhapsody? ** cries the Caliph ; ** And must I then perish in these deserts with thirst, whilst I may refresh myself in the valley of melons and cucumbers? Accursed be the Giaour, with his portal of ebony ! He hath made me dance attendance too long already. Besides, who shall prescribe laws to me? I, forsooth, must not enter anyone's habitation ! Be it so ; but what one can I enter that is not my own ! '*

Bababalouk, who lost not a syllable of this soliloquy, applauded it with all his heart, and the ladies for the first time agreed with him in opinion.

The dwarfs were entertained, caressed, and seated with great ceremony on little cushions of satin. The symmetry of their persons was the subject of criticism; not an inch of them was suffered to pass unexamined ; knick-nacks and dainties were offered in profusion, but all were declined with respectful

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gravity. They clambered up the sides of the Caliph's seat, and, placing themselves each on one of his shoulders, began to whisper prayers in his ears ; their tongues quivered like the leaves of a poplar, and the patience of Vathek was almost exhausted, when the acclamations of the troops announced the approach of Fakreddin, who was come with a hundred old grey- beards and as many Korans and dromedaries. They instantly set about their ablutions, and began to repeat the Bismillah. Vathek, to get rid of these officious monitors, followed their example, for his hands were burning. The good Emir, w^ho w^as punc- tiliously religious and likewise a great dealer in com- pliments, made an harangue five times more prolix and insipid than his harbingers had already delivered. The Caliph, unable any longer to refrain, exclaimed :

** For the love of Mahomet, my dear Fakreddin, have done ! Let us proceed to your valley, and enjoy the fruits that heaven hath vouchsafed you."

The hint of proceeding put all into motion. The venerable attendants of the Emir set forward some- what slowly, but \^athek, having ordered his little pages in private to goad on the dromedaries, loud fits

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of laughter broke forth from the cages, for the

unwieldy curveting of these poor beasts, and the

ridiculous distress of their superannuated riders,

afforded the ladies no small entertainment.

They descended, however, unhurt into the valley

by the large steps which the Emir had cut in the rock,

and already the murmuring of streams and the

rustling of leaves began to catch their attention.

The cavalcade soon entered a path which was skirted

by flowering shrubs, and extended to a vast wood of

palm trees, whose branches overspread a building of

hewn stone. This edifice was crowned with nine

domes, and adorned with as many portals of bronze,

on which was engraven the following inscription : This is the asylum of pilgrims, the refuge of travellers,

and the depository of secrets for all parts of the world.

Nine pages, beautiful as the day, and clothed in robes of Egyptian linen, very long and very modest, were standing at each door. They received the whole retinue with an easy and inviting air. Four of the most amiable placed the Caliph on a magnificent taktrevan ; four others, somewhat less graceful, took charge of Bababalouk, who capered for joj^ at the

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snu^ little cabin that fell to his share ; the pages that remained waited on the rest of the train.

When everything masculine was gone out of sight the gate of a large enclosure on the right turned on its harmonious hinges, and a young female of a slender form came forth. Her light brown hair floated in the hazy breeze of the twilight ; a troop of young maidens, like the Pleiades, attended her on tip-toe. They hastened to the pavilions that contained the sultanas, and the young lady, gracefully bending, said to them :

** Charming Princesses, everything is ready ; we have prepared beds for your repose, and strewed your apartments wnth jasmine ; no insects will keep off slumber from visiting your eyelids, we will dispel them with a thousand plumes; come then, amiable ladies, refresh your delicate feet and your ivory limbs in baths of rosew^ater; and, by the light of perfumed lamps, your servants shall amuse you w^ith tales.*'

The sultanas accepted with pleasure these obliging offers, and followed the young lady to the Emir's harem, where we must for a moment leave them and return to the Caliph.

Vathek found himself beneath a vast dome,

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illuminated by a thousand lamps of rock crystal; as many vases of the same material, filled with excellent sherbet, sparkled on a large table, where a profusion of viands was spread. Amongst others were sweetbreads stewed in milk of almonds, saffron soups, and lamb a la crime, of all which the Caliph was amazingly fond. He took of each as much as he was able, testified his sense of the Emir's friendship by the gaiety of his heart, and made the dwarfs dance against their will, for these little devotees durst not refuse the Commander of the Faithful. At last he spread himself on the sofa, and slept sounder than he had ever slept before.

Beneath this dome a general silence prevailed, for there was nothing to disturb it but the jaws of Bababalouk, who had untrussed himself to eat with greater advantage, being anxious to make amends for his fast in the mountains. As his spirits were too high to admit of his sleeping, and not loving to be idle, he proposed to himself to visit the harem and repair to his charge of the ladies, to examine if they had been properly lubricated with the balm of Mecca, if their eyebrows and tresses were in order, and, in a word,

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to perform all the little offices they might need. He sought for the harem a long time, but without being able to find out the door ; he durst not speak aloud for fear of disturbing the Caliph, and not a soul was stirring in the precincts of the palace. He had almost despaired of effecting his purpose, when a low whispering just reached his ear. It came from the dwarfs, who were returned to their old occupation, and, for the nine hundred and ninety-ninth time in their lives, were reading over the Koran. They very politely invited Bababalouk to be of their party, but his head was full of other concerns. The dwarfs, though scandalised at his dissolute morals, directed him to the apartments he w^anted to find. His way thither lay through a hundred dark corridors, along which he groped as he went, and at last began to catch, from the extremity of a passage, the charming gossiping of the w^omen, which not a little delighted his heart.

** Ah, ha ! what, not yet asleep? " cried he; and, taking long strides as he spoke, *' did you not suspect me of abjuring my charge ? I stayed but to finish what mv master had left."

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Two of the black eunuchs, on hearing a voice so loud, detached a party in haste, sabre in hand, to discover the cause ; but presently was repeated on all sides :

'' 'Tis only Bababalouk ! no one but Bababa- louk ! "

This circumspect guardian, having gone up to a thin veil of carnation-coloured silk that hung before the doorway, distinguished, by means of the softened splendour that shone through it, an oval bath of dark porphyry, surrounded by curtains festooned in large folds. Through the apertures between them, as they were not drawn close, groups of young slaves were visible, amongst whom Bababalouk perceived his pupils, indulgingly expanding their arms, as if to embrace the perfumed water and refresh themselves after their fatigues. The looks of tender languor, their confidential whispers, and the enchanting smiles with which they were imparted, the exquisite fragrance of the roses, all combined to inspire a voluptuousness which even Bababalouk himself was scarce able to withstand.

He summoned up, however, his usual solemnity,

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'ihe youii<»' Xouioiiiluir. (hivif^litcr of the J'linir

and, in the peremptory tone of authority, commanded the ladies instantly to leave the bath. Whilst he was issuing these mandates the young Nouronihar, daughter of the Emir, who was sprightly as an antelope and full of wanton gaiety, beckoned one of her slaves to let down the great swing which was suspended from the ceiling by cords of silk, and whilst this w^as being done winked to her companions in the bath, who, chagrined to be forced from so soothing a state of indolence, began to tw^ist it round Bababalouk and teaze him with a thousand vagaries.

When Nouronihar perceived that he was exhausted with fatigue she accosted him with an arch air of respectful concern, and said :

** My lord ! it is not by any means decent that the chief eunuch of the Caliph, our vSovereign, should thus continue standing; deign but to recline your graceful person upon this sofa, which wall burst with vexation if it have not the honour to receive you."

Caught by these flattering accents, Bababalouk gallantly replied :

*' Delight of the apple of my eye ! I accept the invitation of thy honeyed lips; and, to say truth, my

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senses are dazzled with the radiance that beams from thy charms/'

** Repose, then, at your ease," replied the beauty, and placed him on the pretended sofa, which, quicker than lightning, gave way all at once. The rest of the w^omen, having aptly conceived her design, sprang naked from the bath, and plied the swing w^ith such unmerciful jerks that it swept through the whole compass of a very lofty dome, and took from the poor victim all powder of respiration ; sometimes his feet rased the surface of the water, and at others the skylight almost flattened his nose. In vain did he pierce the air w^ith the cries of a voice that resembled the ringing of a cracked basin, for their peals of laughter were still more predominant.

Nouronihar, in the inebriety of youthful spirits, being used only to eunuchs of ordinary harems and having never seen anything so royal and disgusting, was far more diverted than all the rest. She began to parody some Persian verses, and sung with an accent most demurely piquant :

" O gentle white dove, as thou soar'st through the air, Vouchsafe one kind glance on the mate of thy love; Melodious Philomel, I am thy rose; Warble some couplet to ravish my heart! "

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The sultanas and their slaves, stimulated by these pleasantries, persevered at the swing with such unremitted assiduity that at length the cord which had secured it snapt suddenly asunder, and Bababa- louk fell floundering like a turtle to the bottom of the bath. This accident occasioned a universal shout; twelve little doors, till now unobserved, flew open at once, and the ladies in an instant made their escape, after throwing all the towels on his head, and putting out the lights that remained.

The deplorable animal, in u-ater to the chin, overwhelmed with darkness, and unable to extricate himself from the wrap that embarrassed him, was still doomed to hear for his further consolation the fresh bursts of merriment his disaster occasioned. He bustled, but in vain, to get from the bath, for the margin was become so slippery with the oil spilt in breaking the lamps that at every effort he slid back with a plunge which resounded aloud through the hollow of the dome. These cursed peals of laughter at every relapse were redoubled ; and he, who thought the place infested rather by devils than women, resolved to cease groping and abide in the bath, where

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he amused himself with soliloquies, interspensed with imprecations, of which his malicious neighbours reclining on down suffered not an accent to escape. In this delectable plight the morning surprised him. The Caliph, wondering at his absence, had caused him to be sought for everywhere. At last he was drawn forth, almost smothered from the wisp of linen, and wet even to the marrow. Limping and chattering his teeth, he appeared before his master, who inquired what was the matter, and how he came to be soused in so strange a pickle ?

**And why did you enter this cursed lodge?'' answered Bababalouk, gruffly. ** Ought a monarch like you to visit with his harem the abode of a grey- bearded Emir, who knows nothing of life ? And with what gracious damsels doth the place, too, abound ! Fancy to yourself how they have soaked me like a burnt crust, and made me dance like a jack-pudding the live-long night through, on their damnable swing. What an excellent lesson for your sultanas to follow, into whom T have instilled such reserve and decorum ! "

Vathek, comprehending not a syllable of all this

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invective, obliged him to relate minutely the transac- tion; but, instead of sympathizing with the miserable sufferer, he laughed immoderately at the device of the swing and the figure of Bababalouk mounting upon it. The stung eunuch could scarcely preserve the semblance of respect.

*'Ay, laugh, my lord, laugh," said he; "but I wish this Nouronihar would play some trick on you, she is too wicked to spare even majesty itself."

These words made for the present but a slight impression on the Caliph ; but they recurred to his mind not long after.

This conversation was cut short by Fakreddin, who came to request that Vathek would join in the prayers and ablutions to be solemnized on a spacious meadow, watered by innumerable streams. The Caliph found the waters refreshing, but the prayers abominably irksome. He diverted himself, however, with the multitude of Calenders, Santons, and Dervishes, who were continually coming and going, but especially with the Brahmins, Fakirs, and other enthusiasts, who had travelled from the heart of India and halted on their way with the Emir. These

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latter had, each of them, some mummery peculiar to himself. One dragged a huge chain wherever he went, another an ourang-outang, whilst a third was furnished with scourges, and all performed to a charm; some clambered up trees, holding one foot in the air ; others poised themselves over a fire, and without mercy filliped their noses. There were some amongst them that cherished vermin, which were not ungrateful in requiting their caresses. These rambling fanatics revolted the hearts of the Dervishes, the Calenders, and Santons. However, the vehemence of their aversion soon subsided, under the hope that the presence of the Caliph would cure their folly and convert them to the Mussulman faith. But alas ! how great was their disappointment ! For Vathek, instead of preaching to them, treated them as buffoons, bade them present his compliments to Yisnu and Ixhora, and discovered a predilection for a squat old man from the isle of Serendib, who was more ridiculous than any of the rest.

*' Come ! '* said he, ** for the love of your gods bestow a few slaps on your chops to amuse me.''

The old fellow, offended at such an address, began

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to weep loudly ; but as he betrayed a villainous drivelling in his tears the Caliph turned his back and listened to Bababalouk, who whispered, whilst he held the umbrella over him :

*' Your Majesty should be cautious of this odd assembly, which hath been collected I know not for what. Is it necessary to exhibit such spectacles to a mighty Potentate, with interludes of Talapoins more mangy than dogs? Were I you I would command a fire to be kindled, and at once purge the earth of the Emir, his harem, and all his menagerie."

"Tush, dolt," answered Vathek ; "and know that all this infinitely charms me ; nor shall I leave the meadow till I have visited every hive of these pious mendicants."

Wherever the Caliph directed his course objects of pity were sure to swarm round him ; the blind, the purblind, dwarfs without noses, damsels without ears, each to extol the munificence of Fakreddin, who, as well as his attendant greybeards, dealt about gratis plasters and cataplasms to all that applied. At noon a superb corps of cripples made its appearance, and soon after advanced by platoons on the plain, the

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completest association of invalids that had ever been embodied till then. The blind went groping with the blind, the lame limped on together, and the maimed made gestures to each other w4th the onlj^ arm that remained ; the sides of a considerable waterfall were crowded by the deaf, amongst whom were some from Pegu with ears uncommonly handsome and large, but were still less able to hear than the rest ; nor were there wanting others in abundance with hump-backs, wenny necks, and even horns of an exquisite polish. The Emir, to aggrandize the solemnity of the festival in honour of his illustrious visitant, ordered the turf to be spread on all sides with skins and tablecloths, upon which were served up for the good Mussulmans pilaus of every hue, with other orthodox dishes; and, by the express order of Vathek, who was shamefully tolerant, small plates of abominations for regaling the rest. This Prince, on seeing so many mouths put in motion, began to think it time for employing his own. In spite, therefore, of every remonstrance from the chief of his eunuchs, he resolved to have a dinner dressed on the spot. The complaisant Emir immediately gave orders for a table

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to be placed in the shade of the willows. The first service consisted of fish, which they drew from a river flowing over sands of gold at the foot of a lofty hill ; these were broiled as fast as taken, and served lip with a sauce of vinegar and small herbs that grew on Mount Sinai ; for everything with the Emir was excellent and pious.

The dessert was not quite set on when the sound of lutes from the hill w^as repeated by the echoes of the neighbouring mountains. The Caliph, with an emotion of pleasure and surprise, had no sooner raised up his head than a handful of jasmine dropped on his face. An abundance of tittering succeeded the frolic, and instantly there appeared through the bushes the elegant forms of several young females, skipping and bounding like roes. The fragrance diffused from their hair struck the sense of Vathek, who, in an ecstasy, suspending his repast, said to Bababalouk :

**Are the Peris come down from their spheres? Note her in particular whose form is so perfect, venturously running on the brink of the precipice, and turning back her head, as regardless of nothing but the graceful flow of her robe ; with what

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captivating impatience doth she contend with the bushes for her veil ! Could it be she who threw the jasmine at me? *'

** Ay ! she it was; and you too would she throw from the top of the rock," answered Bababalouk, '* for that is my good friend Nouronihar, who so kindly lent me her swing. My dear lord and master," added he, twisting a twig that hung by the rind from a willow, '' let me correct her for her want of respect ; the Emir will have no reason to complain, since (bating what I owe to his piety) he is much to be censured for keeping a troop of girls on the mountains, whose sharp air gives their blood too brisk a circulation."

** Peace, blasphemer," said the Caliph; ''speak not thus of her who over her mountains leads my heart a willing captive ; contrive rather that my eyes may be fixed upon hers, that I may respire her sweet breath, as she bounds panting along these delightful wilds!"

On saying these words Vathek extended his arms towards the hill, and directing his eyes with an anxiety unknown to him before, endeavoured to keep

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within view the object that enthralled his soul ; but her course was as difficult to follow as the flight of one of those beautiful blue butterflies of Cashmere, which are at once so volatile and rare.

The Caliph, not satisfied with seeing, wished also to hear Nouronihar, and eagerly turned to catch the sound of her voice; at last he distinguished her whispering to one of her companions behind the thicket whence she had thrown the jasmine :

**A Caliph, it must be owned, is a fine thing to see, but my little Gulchenrouz is much more amiable ; one lock of his hair is of more value to me than the richest embroidery of the Indies ; I had rather that his teeth should mischievously press my finger than the richest ring of the Imperial treasure ; where have you left him, Sutlememe, and w^hy is he not here now ? "

The agitated Caliph still wished to hear more, but she immediately retired with all her attendants. The fond monarch pursued her with his eyes till she was gone out of sight, and then continued like a bewildered and benighted traveller, from whom the clouds had obscured the constellation that guided his way : the curtain of night seemed dropped before

lOI

him; everything appeared discoloured; the falling waters filled his soul with dejection, and his tears trickled down the jasmines he had caught from Nouronihar and placed in his inflamed bosom. He snatched up a shining pebble, to remind him of the scene where he felt the first tumults of love.

Two hours were elapsed and evening drew on before he could resolve to depart from the place. He often, but in vain, attempted to go; a soft languor enervated the powers of his mind ; extending himself on the brink of the stream he turned his e^^es towards the blue summits of the mountain and exclaimed :

** What concealest thou behind thee? What is passing in thy solitudes? Whither is she gone? O heaven ! perhaps she is now wandering in thy grottos, with her happy Gulchenrouz ! '*

In the meantime the damps began to descend, and the Emir, solicitous for the health of the Caliph, ordered the imperial litter to be brought. Vathek, absorbed in his reveries, was imperceptibly removed and conveyed back to the saloon that had received him the evening before.

But let us leave the Caliph, immersed in his new

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passion, and attend Nouronihar beyond the rocks, where she had again joined her beloved Gulchenrouz. This Gulchenrouz was the son of All Hassan, brother to the Emir, and the most delicate and lovely creature in the world. Ali Hassan, who had been absent ten years on a voyage to the unknown seas, committed at his departure this child, the only survivor of many, to the care and protection of his brother. Gulchenrouz could write in various characters with precision, and paint upon vellum the most elegant arabesques that fancy could devise ; his sweet voice accompanied the lute in the most enchanting manner, and when he sung the loves of Megnoun and Leileh, or some unfortunate lovers of ancient days, tears insensibly overflowed the cheeks of his auditors; the verses he composed (for, like Megnoun, he too was a poet) inspired that unresisting languor so frequently fatal to the female heart; the women all doted upon him, for though he had passed his thirteenth year they still detained him in the harem ; his dancing was light as the gossamer waved by the zephyrs of spring, but his arms, which twined so gracefully with those of the young girls in the dance, could neither dart the lance

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in the chase nor curb the steeds that pastured his uncle's domains. The bow, however, he drew with a certain aim, and would have excelled his competitors in the race could he have broken the ties that bound him to Nouronihar.

The two brothers had mutually engaged their children to each other, and Nouronihar loved her cousin more than her eyes ; both had the same tastes and amusements, the same long, languishing looks, the same tresses, the same fair complexions, and when Gulchenrouz appeared in the dress of his cousin he seemed to be more feminine than even herself. If at any time he left the harem to visit Fakreddin it was with all the bashfulness of a fawn that consciously ventures from the lair of its dam. He was, however, wanton enough to mock the solemn old greybeards to whom he was subject, though sure to be rated without mercy in return; whenever this happened he would plunge into the recesses of the harem, and, sobbing, take refuge in the arms of Nouronihar, who loved even his faults beyond the virtues of others.

It fell out this evening that after leaving the

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iSuppdi ti'il 1)11 licr kiu'es \\w peituiiH'd head nl ( nilclKMiioiiz.

Caliph in the meadow she ran with Gulchenrouz over the green sward of the mountain that sheltered the vale where Fakreddin had chosen to reside. The sun was dilated on the edge of the horizon ; and the young people, whose fancies were lively and inventive, imagined they beheld in the gorgeous clouds of the west the domes of Shadukiam and Ambreabad, where the Peris have fixed their abode. Nouronihar, sitting on the slope of the hill, supported on her knees the perfumed head of Gulchenrouz ; the air was calm, and no sound stirred but the voices of other young girls, who were drawing cool water from the streams below. The unexpected arrival of the Caliph and the splendour that marked his appearance had already filled with emotion the ardent soul of Nouronihar ; her vanity irresistibly prompted her to pique the Prince's attention, and this she took good care to effect whilst he picked up the jasmine she had thrown upon him. But when Gulchenrouz asked after the flowers he had culled for her bosom Nouronihar was all in confusion ; she hastily kissed his forehead, arose in a flutter, and walked with unequal steps on the border of the precipice. Night advanced, and the pure gold of

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the setting sun had yielded to a sanguine red, the glow of which, like the reflection of a burning furnace, flushed Nouronihar's animated countenance. Gulchenrouz, alarmed at the agitation of his cousin, said to her with a supplicating accent :

" Let us be gone; the sky looks portentous, the tamarisks tremble more than common, and the raw wind chills my very heart. Come ! let us be gone, *tis a melancholy night ! "

Then, taking hold of her hand, he drew it towards the path he besought her to go. Nouronihar unconsciously followed the attraction, for a thousand strange imaginations occupied her spirit ; she passed the large round of honeysuckles, her favourite resort, without ever vouchsafing it a glance, yet Gulchenrouz could not help snatching off a few shoots in his way, though he ran as if a wild beast were behind.

The young females seeing him approach in such haste, and according to custom expecting a dance, instantly assembled in a circle and took each other by the hand; but Gulchenrouz, coming up out of breath, fell down at once on the grass. This accident struck with consternation the whole of this frolicsome

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party ; whilst Nouronihar, half distracted, and over- come both by the violence ot her exercise and the tumult of her thoughts, sunk feebly down at his side, cherished his cold hands in her bosom, and chafed his temples with a fragrant unguent. At length he came to himself, and, wrapping up his head in the robe of his cousin, entreated that she would not return to the harem ; he was afraid of being snapped at by Shaban, his tutor, a wrinkled old eunuch of a surly disposition ; for, having interrupted the stated walk of Nouronihar, he dreaded lest the churl should take it amiss.

The whole of this sprightly group, sitting round upon a mossy knoll, began to entertain themselves w^ith various pastimes, whilst their superintendents the eunuchs were gravely conversing at a distance. The nurse of the Emir's daughter, observing her pupil sit ruminating with her eyes on the ground, endeavoured to amuse her with diverting tales, to which Gulchenrouz, who had already forgotten his inquietudes, listened with a breathless attention ; he laughed, he clapped his hands, and passed a hundred little tricks on the whole of the company, without

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omitting the eunuchs, whom he provoked to run after him, in spite of their age and decrepitude.

During these occurrences the moon arose, the wind subsided, and the evening became so serene and inviting that a resolution was taken to sup on the spot. Sutlememe, who excelled in dressing a salad, having filled large bowls of porcelain with eggs of small birds, curds turned with citron juice, slices of cucumber, and the inmost leaves of delicate herbs, handed it round from one to another and gave each their shares in a large spoon of Cocknos. Gulchenrouz, nestling as usual in the bosom of Nouronihar, pouted out his vermilion little lips against the offer of Sutlememe, and would take it only from the hand of his cousin, on whose mouth he hung like a bee inebriated with the quintessence of flowers. One of the eunuchs ran to fetch melons, whilst others were employed in showering down almonds from the branches that overhung this amiable party.

In the midst of this festive scene there appeared a light on the top of the highest mountain which attracted the notice of every eye ; this light was not less bright than the moon when at full, and might

io8

have been taken for her had it not been that the moon was already risen. The phenomenon occasioned a general surprise, and no one could conjecture the cause ; it could not be a fire, for the light was clear and bluish, nor had meteors ever been seen of that magnitude or splendour. This strange light faded for a moment, and immediately renewed its brightness; it first appeared motionless at the foot of the rock, whence it darted in an instant to sparkle in a thicket of palm trees; thence it glided along the torrent, and at last fixed in a glen that was narrow and dark. The moment it had taken its direction Gulchenrouz, whose heart always trembled at anything sudden or rare, drew Nouronihar by the robe, and anxiously requested her to return to the harem. The women were importunate in seconding the entreaty, but the curiosity of the Emir's daughter prevailed; she not only refused to go back but resolved at all hazards to pursue the appearance. Whilst they were debating what was best to be done the light shone forth so dazzling a blaze that they all fled away shrieking. Nouronihar followed them a few steps, but, coming to the turn of a little by-path, stopped and went back

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alone. As she ran with an alertness peculiar to herself it was not long before she came to the place where they had just been supping. The globe of fire now appeared stationary in the glen, and burned in majestic stillness. Nouronihar, compressing her hands upon her bosom, hesitated for some moments to advance; the solitude of her situation was new, the silence of the night awful, and every object inspired sensations which till then she never had felt; the affright of Gulchenrouz recurred to her mind, and she a thousand times turned to go back, but this luminous appearance was always before her. Urged on by an irresistible impulse she continued to approach it, in defiance of every obstacle that opposed her progress.

At length she arrived at the opening of the glen ; but, instead of coming up to the light, she found herself surrounded by darkness, excepting that at a considerable distance a faint spark glimmered by fits. She stopped a second time; the sound of waterfalls mingling their murmurs, the hollow rustlings amongst the palm branches, and the funereal screams of the birds from their rifted trunks, all conspired to

no

fill her with terror ; she imagined every moment that she trod on some venomous reptile. All the stories of malignant Divas and dismal Ghoules thronged into her memory ; but her curiosity was, notwithstanding, more predominant than her fears. She therefore firmly entered a winding track that led towards the spark, but, being a stranger to the path, she had not gone far when she began to repent of her rashness.

**Alas! " said she, ** that I were but in those secure and illuminated apartments where my evenings glided on with Gulchenrouz ! Dear child ! how would thy heart flutter with terror wert thou wandering in these wild solitudes like me ! "

At the close of this apostrophe she regained her road, and, coming to steps hewn out in the rock, ascended them undismayed. The light, which was now gradually enlarging, appeared above her on the summit of the mountain. At length she distinguished a plaintive and melodious union of voices, proceeding from a sort of cavern, that resembled the dirges which are sung over tombs; a sound likewise, like that which arises from the filling of baths, at the same time struck her ear. vShe continued ascending, and

III

discovered large wax torches in full blaze planted here and there in the fissures of the rock. This preparation filled her with fear, whilst the subtle and potent odour which the torches exhaled caused her to sink almost lifeless at the entrance of the grot.

Casting her eyes within in this kind of trance she beheld a large cistern of gold, filled with a water whose vapour distilled on her face a dew of the essence of roses ; a soft symphony resounded through the grot. On the sides of the cistern she noticed appendages of royalty, diadems and feathers of the heron, all sparkling with carbuncles. Whilst her attention was fixed on this display of magnificence the music ceased, and a voice instantly demanded :

** For what monarch were these torches kindled, this bath prepared and these habiliments, which belong not only to the sovereigns of the earth but even to the Talismanic Powers? **

To which a second voice answered :

** They are for the charming daughter of the Emir Fakreddin.''

'' What," replied the first, '' for that trifler, who consumes her time with a giddy child immersed in

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softness and who at best can make but an enervated husband?"

** And can she," rejoined the other voice, ''be amused at such empty trifles whilst the Caliph, the Sovereign of the world, he who is destined to enjoy the treasures of the pre-Adamitc vSultans, a prince six feet high and whose eyes pervade the inmost soul of a female, is inflamed with the love of her? No! she will be wise enough to answer that passion alone that can aggrandize her glory; no doubt she will, and despise the puppet of her fancy. Then all the riches this place contains as well as the carbuncle of Jamshyd shall be hers."

** You judge right," returned the first voice, ** and I haste to Istakhar to prepare the palace of subterranean fire for the reception of the bridal pair."

The voices ceased, the torches were extinguished, the most entire darkness succeeded, and Nouronihar, recovering with a start, found herself reclined on a sofa in the harem of her father. She clapped her hands, and immediately came together Gulchenrouz and her women, who, in despair at having lost her, had despatched eunuchs to vSeek her in every

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direction. Shaban appeared with the rest, and began to reprimand her with an air of consequence :

*' Little impertinent/' said he, ** whence got you false keys? Or are you beloved of some Genie that hath given you a pick-lock ? I will try the extent of your power; come to your chamber through the two skylights, and expect not the company of Gulchenrouz ; be expeditious ! I will shut you up in the double tower/*

At these menaces Nouronihar indignantly raised her head, opened on Shaban her black eyes which since the important dialogue of the enchanted grot were considerably enlarged, and said :

** Go, speak thus to slaves, but learn to reverence her who is born to give laws and subject all to her power/'

She was proceeding in the same style but was interrupted by a sudden exclamation of ** The Caliph ! The Caliph ! *' The curtains at once were thrown open, and the slaves prostrated in double rows, whilst poor little Gulchenrouz hid himself beneath the elevation of a sofa.

At first appeared a file of black eunuchs, trailing

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after them long trains of muslin embroidered with gold, and holding in their hands censers, which dispensed as they passed the grateful perfume of the wood of aloes; next marched Bababalouk with a solemn strut, and tossing his head as not overpleased at the visit ; Vathek came close after, superbly robed, his gait was unembarrassed and noble, and his presence would have engaged admiration though he had not been Sovereign of the world. He approached Nouronihar with a throbbing heart, and seemed enraptured at the full effulgence of her radiant eyes, of which he had before caught but a few glimpses; but she instantly depressed them, and her confusion augmented her beauty.

Bababalouk, who was a thorough adept in coincidences of this nature, and knew that the worst game should be played with the best face, immediately made a signal for all to retire ; and no sooner did he perceive beneath the sofa the little one's feet than he drew him forth without ceremony, set him upon his shoulders, and lavished on him as he went off a thousand odious caresses. Gulchenrouz cried out and resisted till his cheeks became the colour of the

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blossom of the pomegranate, and the tears that started into his eyes shot forth a gleam of indignation. He cast a significant glance at Nouronihar, which the Caliph, noticing, asked :

** Is that, then, your Gulchenrouz? '*

** Sovereign of the world ! *' answered she, '* spare my cousin, whose innocence and gentleness deserve not your anger ! '*

** Take comfort,'' said Vathek, with a smile, *' he is in good hands ; Bababalouk is fond of children, and never goes without sweetmeats and comfits."

The daughter of Fakreddin was abashed and suffered Gulchenrouz to be borne away without adding a word. The tumult of her bosom betrayed her confusion; and Vathek, becoming still more impassioned, gave a loose to his frenzy, which had subdued all but the last faint strugglings of reluctance when the Emir suddenly bursting in, threw his face upon the ground at the feet of the Caliph, and said :

** Commander of the faithful ! Abase not yourself to the meannCvSS of your slave.''

'* No, Emir," replied Vathek, ** I raise her to an equality with myself ; I declare her my wife, and the

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Tlu' I'iiiiir ■suddenly lnu>tiii<i- in .

glory of your race shall extend from one generation to another."

" x\las ! my lord," said F'akrcddin, as he plucked off the honours of his beard, *' cut short the days of your faithful servant rather than force him to depart from his word. Nouronihar, as her hands evince, is solemnly promised to Gulchenrouz, the son of my brother Ali Hassan ; they are united also in heart, their faith is mutually plighted, and affiances so sacred cannot be broken."

''What then!" replied the Caliph bluntly; *' would you surrender this divine beauty to a husband more womanish than herself? And can you imagine that I will suffer her charms to decay in hands so inefficient and nerveless? No ! She is destined to live out her life within my embraces ; such is my will ; retire and disturb not the night I devote to the homage of her charms."

The irritated Emir drew forth his sabre, pre- sented it to \^athek, and, stretching out his neck, said in a firm tone of voice :

** Strike your unhappy host, my lord ! He has lived long enough, since he hath seen the Prophet's

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Vicegerent violate the rites of hospitality.*'

At his uttering these words Nouronihar, unable to support any longer the conflict of her passions, sunk down in a swoon. Vathek, both terrified for her life and furious at an opposition to his will, bade Fakreddin assist his daughter, and withdrew, darting his terrible look at the unfortunate Emir, who suddenly fell backward bathed in a sweat cold as the damp of death.

Gulchenrouz, who had escaped from the hands of Bababalouk and was that instant returned, called out for help as loudly as he could, not having strength to afford it himself. Pale and panting, the poor child attempted to revive Nouronihar by caresses; and it happened that the thrilling warmth of his lips restored her to life. Fakreddin, beginning also to recover from the look of the Caliph, with difficulty tottered to a seat, and after warily casting round his eye to see if this dangerous Prince were gone sent for Shaban and Sutlememe, and said to them apart :

** My friends! violent evils require as violent remedies. The Caliph has brought desolation and horror into my family, and how shall we resist his

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power? Another of his looks will send me to my grave. Fetch, then, that narcotic powder which the Dervish brought me from Aracan. A dose of it, the effect of which will continue three days, must be administered to each of these children. The Caliph will believe them to be dead, for they will have all the appearance of death. We shall go as if to inter them in the cave of Meimoune, at the entrance of the great desert of sand, and near the cabin of my dwarfs. When all the spectators shall be withdrawn, you, Shaban, and four select eunuchs shall convey them to the lake, where provision shall be ready to support them a month, for one day allotted to the surprise this event will occasion, five to the tears, a fortnight to reflection, and the rest to prepare for renewing his progress, will, according to my calculation, fill up the whole time that Yathek wnll tarry, and I shall then be freed from his intrusion."

** Your plan," said Sutlememe, *' is a good one, if it can but be effected. T have remarked that Nouronihar is well able to support the glances of the Caliph, and that he is far from being sparing of them to her. Be assured, therefore, notwithstanding her

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fondness for Gulchenrouz, she will never remain quiet while she knows him to be here, unless we can persuade her that both herself and Gulchenrouz are really dead, and that they were corveyed to those rocks for a limited season to expiate the little faults of w^hich their love was the cause. We will add that we killed ourselves in despair, and that your dwarfs, whom they never yet saw, will preach to them delectable sermons. I will engage that everything shall succeed to the bent of your wishes."

** Be it so! " said Fakreddin, '' I approve your proposal; let us lose not a moment to give it effect."

They forthwith hastened to seek for the powder, which, being mixed in a sherbet, was immediately drunk by Gulchenrouz and Nouronihar. Within the space of an hour both were seized with violent palpitations, and a general numbness gradually ensued. They arose from the floor, where they had remained ever since the Caliph's departure, and, ascending to the sofa, reclined themselves at full length upon it, clasped in each other's embraces.

** Cherish me, my dear Nouronihar ! " said Gulchenrouz; ** put thy hand upon my heart, for it

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feels as if it were frozen. Alas ! thou art as cold as myself ! Hath the Caliph murdered us both with his terrible look? "

** I am d^'ing ! " cried she in a faltering voice. " Press me closer, I am ready to expire ! "

'* Let us die then together," answered the little Gulchenrouz, whilst his breast laboured with a convulsive sigh; '' let me at least breathe forth my soul upon thy lips ! '*

They spoke no more, and became as dead.

Immediately the most piercing cries were heard through the harem, w^hilst Shaban and Sutlememe personated with great adroitness the parts of persons in despair. The Emir, who was sufticiently mortified to be forced into such untoward expedients and had now for the first time made a trial of his pow^der, was under no necessity of counterfeiting grief. The slaves, w^ho had flocked together from all quarters, stood motionless at the spectacle before them ; all lights were extinguished save two lamps, which shed a wan glimmering over the faces of these lovely flowers that seemed to be faded in the spring-time of life; funeral vestments were prepared, their bodies

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were washed with rose-water, their beautiful tresses were braided and incensed, and they were wrapped in simars whiter than alabaster. At the moment that their attendants were placing two wreaths of their favourite jasmines on their brows the Caliph, who had just heard of the tragical catastrophe, arrived. He looked not less pale and haggard than the Ghoules that wander at night among graves. Forgetful of himself and everyone else he broke through the midst of the slaves, fell prostrate at the foot of the sofa, beat his bosom, called himself '* atrocious murderer ! " and invoked upon his head a thousand imprecations. With a trembling hand he raised the veil that covered the countenance of Nouronihar, and, uttering a loud shriek, fell lifeless on the floor. The chief of the eunuchs dragged him off with horrible grimaces, and repeated as he went :

** Ay, I foresaw she would play you some ungracious turn ! '*

No sooner was the Caliph gone than the Emir commanded biers to be brought, and forbad that anyone should enter the harem. Every window was fastened, all instruments of music were broken, and

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(Jaused tliciii to l)t' cai ricd lo tlie l)iiiik nt a >iiiall lake

the Imans began to recite their prayers. Towards the close of this melancholy day \'athek sobbed in silence, for they had been forced to compose with anodynes his convulsions of rage and desperation.

At the dawn of the succeeding morning the wide folding doors of the palace were set open, and the funeral procession moved forw^ard for the mountain. The wailful cries of ** La illaha ill' Allah ! " reached to the Caliph, who was eager to cicatrise himself and attend the ceremonial ; nor could he have been dissuaded had not his excessive weakness disabled him from walking. At the first few steps he fell on the ground, and his people w^ere obliged to lay him on a bed, where he remained many days in such a state of insensibility as excited compassion in the Emir himself.

When the procession w^as arrived at the grot of Meimoune, Shaban and Sutlememe dismissed the whole of the train, excepting the four confidential eunuchs who were appointed to remain. After resting some moments near the biers, which had been left in the open air, they caused them to be carried to the brink of a small lake whose banks were overgrown

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with a hoary moss ; this was the great resort of herons and storks, which preyed continually on the little blue fishes. The dwarfs, instructed by the Emir, soon repaired thither, and, with the help of the eunuchs, began to construct cabins of rushes and reeds, a work in which they had admirable skill; a magazine also was contrived for provisions, with a small oratory for themselves, and a pyramid of wood, neatly piled, to furnish the necessary fuel, for the air was bleak in the hollows of the mountains.

At evening two fires were kindled on the brink of the lake, and the two lovely bodies, taken from their biers, were carefully deposited upon a bed of dried leaves within the same cabin. The dwarfs began to recite the Koran with their clear, shrill voices, and Shaban and vSutlememe stood at some distance, anxiously waiting the effects of the powder.

At length Nouronihar and Gulchenrouz faintly stretched out their arms, and gradually opening their eyes began to survey with looks of increasing amazement every object around them; they even attempted to rise, but for want of strength fell back again. Sutlememe on this administered a

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cordial, which the Emir had taken care to provide.

Gtilchenrotiz, thorotighly aroUvSed, sneezed out aloud, and raising himself with an effort that expressed his surprise left the cabin and inhaled the fresh air with the greatest avidity.

*' Yes," said he, '* I breathe again ! Again do I exist ! I hear sounds ! I behold a firmament spangled over with stars ! "

Nouronihar, catching these beloved accents, extricated herself from the leaves and ran to clasp Gulchenrouz to her bosom. The first objects she remarked were their long simars, their garlands of flowers, and their naked feet ; she hid her face in her hands to reflect. The vision of the enchanted bath, the despair of her father, and, more vividly than both, the majestic figure of Vathek recurred to her memory. She recollected also that herself and Gulchenrouz had been sick and dying, but all these images bewildered her mind.

Not knowing where she was she turned her eyes on all sides, as if to recognise the surrounding scene. This singular lake, those flames reflected from its glassy surface, the pale hues of its banks, the romantic

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cabins, the bulrushes that sadly waved their drooping heads, the storks whose melancholy cries blended with the shrill voices of the dwarfs, everything conspired to persuade them that the Angel of Death had opened the portal of some other world.

Gulchenrouz, on his part, lost in wonder, clung to the neck of his cousin ; he believed himself in the region of phantoms, and was terrified at the silence she preserved. At length, addressing her :

** vSpeak,*' said he, " where are we? Do you not see those spectres that are stirring the burning coals ? Are they Monker and Nakir, come to throw us into them? Does the fatal bridge cross this lake, whose solemn stillness perhaps conceals from us an abyss, in which for whole ages we shall be doomed incessantly to sink ? * '

*' No, my children!" said Sutlememe, going towards them. *' Take comfort! The exterminating Angel, who conducted our souls hither after yours, hath assured us that the chastisement of your indolent and voluptuous life shall be restricted to a certain series of years, which you must pass in this dreary abode, where the sun is scarcely visible and where

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the soil yields neither fruits nor iloAvers. These," continued she, pointing to the dwarfs, *' will provide for our wants, for souls so mundane as ours retain too strong a tincture of their earthly extraction; instead of meats your food will be nothing but rice, and your bread shall be moistened in the fogs that brood over the surface of the lake."

At this desolating prospect the poor children burst into tears and prostrated themselves before the dwarfs, who perfectly supported their characters and delivered an excellent discourse of a customary length upon the sacred camel, which after a thousand years was to convey them to the paradise of the faithful.

The sermon being ended, and ablutions per- formed, they praised Allah and the prophet, supped very indifferently, and retired to their withered leaves. Nouronihar and her little cousin consoled themselves on finding that though dead they yet lay in one cabin. Having slept well before, the remainder of the night was spent in conversation on what had befallen them, and both, from a dread of apparitions, betook themselves for protection to one another's arms.

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In the morning, which was lowering and rainy, the dwarfs mounted high poles like minarets and called them to prayers. The whole congregation, which consisted of vSutlememe, Shaban, the four eunuchs and some storks, were already assembled. The two children came forth from their cabin with a slow and dejected pace. As their minds were in a tender and melancholy mood their devotions were performed with fervour. No sooner were they finished than Gulchenrouz demanded of Sutlememe and the rest, '* how they happened to die so opportunely for his cousin and himself? ''

"We killed ourselves,'* returned Sutlememe, " in despair at your death.''

On this said Nouronihar, who, notwithstanding what was past, had not yet forgotten her vision :

*' And the Caliph ! is he also dead of his grief? And will he likewise come hither? "

The dwarfs, who were prepared with an answer, most demurely replied :

Vathek is damned beyond all redemption ! " I readily believe so," said Gulchenrouz, ** and am glad from my heart to hear it, for I am convinced

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((

( <

it was his horrible look that sent us hither to listen to sermons and mess upon rice."

One week passed away on the side of the lake unmarked by any variety ; Nouronihar ruminating on the grandeur of which death had deprived her, and Gulchenrouz applying to prayers and to panniers, along with the dwarfs, who infinitely pleased him.

\"\^hilst this scene of innocence was exhibiting in the mountains, the Caliph presented himself to the Emir in a new light. The instant he recovered the use of his senses, with a voice that made Bababalouk quake, he thundered out :

** Perfidious Giaour ! I renounce thee for ever ! It is thou who hast slain my beloved Nouronihar ! And I supplicate the pardon of Mahomet, who would have preserved her to me had I been more wise. Let water be brought to perform my ablutions, and let the pious Fakreddin be called to offer up his prayers with mine, and reconcile me to him ; afterwards we will go together and visit the sepulchre of the unfortunate Nouronihar. I am resolved to become a hermit and consume the residue of my days on this mountain, in hope of expiating my crimes."

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Nouronihar was not altogether so content, for though she felt a fondness for Gulchenrouz, who, to augment the attachment, had been left at full liberty with her, yet she still regarded him as but a bauble that bore no competition with the carbuncle of Jamshyd. At times she indulged doubts on the mode of her being, and scarcely could believe that the dead had all the wants and the whims of the living. To gain satisfaction, however, on so perplexing a topic she arose one morning whilst all were asleep, with a breathless caution, from the side of Gulchenrouz, and, after having given him a soft kiss, began to follow the windings of the lake till it terminated with a rock, whose top was accessible though lofty; this she clambered up with considerable toil, and, having reached the summit, set forward in a run, like a doe that unwittingly follows her hunter. Though she skipped along with the alertness of an antelope, yet at intervals she was forced to desist and rest beneath the tamarisks to recover her breath. Whilst she, thus reclined, was occupied with her little reflections on the apprehension that she had some knowledge of the place, Vathek, who finding himself that morning but

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ill at ease had pfone forth before the dawn, presented himself on a sudden to her view. Motionless with surprise he durst not approach the figure before him, which lay shrouded up in a simar, extended on the ground, trembling and pale, but yet lovely to behold. At length Nouronihar, with a mixture of pleasure and affliction, raising her fine eyes to him, vSaid :

'* My lord, are you come hither to eat rice and hear sermons with me? "

** Beloved phantom ! " cried Vathek. '* Dost thou speak ? Hast thou the same graceful form, the same radiant features? Art thou palpable likewise? " And, eagerly embracing her, added, *' Here are limbs and a bosom animated with a gentle warmth ! What can such a prodigy mean? "

Nouronihar with dif&dence answered :

** You know, my lord, that I died on the night you honoured me with your visit. My cousin maintains it was from one of your glances, but I cannot believe him, for to me they seem not so dreadful. Gulchenrouz died with me, and we were both brought into a region of dcvSolation, where we are fed with a wretched diet. If you be dead also, and are

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come hither to join us, I pity your lot, for you will be stunned with the noise of the dwarfs and the storks. Besides, it is mortifying in the extreme that you, as well as myself, should have lost the treasures of the subterranean palace.'*

At the mention of the subterranean palace the Caliph suspended his caresses (which, indeed, had proceeded pretty far) to seek from Nouronihar an explanation of her meaning. She then recapitulated her vision, what immediately followed, and the history of her pretended death, adding also a description of the place of expiation whence she had fled, and all in a manner that would have extorted his laughter had not the thoughts of Vathek been too deeply engaged. No sooner, however, had she ended than he again clasped her to his bosom and said :

*' Light of my eyes ! The m^^stery is unravelled; we both are alive ! Your father is a cheat who, for the sake of dividing, hath deluded us both. And the Giaour, whose design, as far as I can discover, is that we shall proceed together, seems scarce a whit better ; it vshall be some time at least before he find us in his palace of fire. Your lovely little person in, my

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estimation is far more precious than all the treasures of the pre-Adamite Sultans, and I wish to possess it at pleasure, and in open day, for many a moon, before I go to burrow underground like a mole. Forget this little trifler, Gulchenrouz, and "

'' Ah ! my lord," interposed Nouronihar, '* let me entreat that you do him no evil."

" No, no ! " replied Vathek, *' I have already bid you forbear to alarm yourself for him. He has been brought up too much on milk and sugar to stimulate my jealousy. We will leave him with the dwarfs, w^ho, by-the-by, are my old acquaintances; their company w411 suit him far better than yours. As to other matters, I will return no more to your father's. I want not to have my ears dinned by him and his dotards w^ith the violation of the rites of hospitality, as if it were less an honour for you to espouse the Sovereign of the w^orld than a girl dressed up like a boy ! "

Nouronihar could find nothing to oppose in a discourse so eloquent ; she only wished the amorous monarch had discovered more ardour for the carbuncle of Jamshyd, but flattered herself it w^ould gradually increase, and therefore yielded to his will

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with the most bewitching submission. When the Caliph judged it proper he called for Bababalouk, who was asleep in the cave of Meimoune and dreaming that the phantom of Nouronihar, having mounted him once more on her swing, had just given him such a jerk that he one moment soared above the mountains and the next sunk into the abyss. Starting from his sleep at the voice of his master, he ran gasping for breath, and had nearly fallen back- ward at the sight, as he believed, of the spectre by whom he had so lately been haunted in his dream.

*' Ah ! my lord,*' cried he, recoiling ten steps, and covering his eyes with both hands, ** do you then perform the ofhce of a ghoul ? 'Tis true you have dug up the dead, yet hope not to make her your prey, for after all she hath caused me to suffer she is even wicked enough to prey upon you.*'

'' Cease thy folly," said Vathek, '' and thou shalt soon be convinced that it is Nouronihar herself, alive and well, whom I clasp to my breast. Go only and pitch my tents in the neighbouring valley ; there will I fix my abode with this beautiful tulip, whose colours I soon shall restore ; there exert thy best endeavours to

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procure whatever can augment the enjoyments of life, till I shall disclose to thee more of my will."

The news of so unlucky an event soon reached the ears of the Emir, who abandoned himself to grief and despair, and began, as did all his old greybeards, to begrime his visage wnth ashes. A total supineness ensued, travellers were no longer entertained, no more plasters were spread, and instead of the charitable activity that had distinguished this asylum the whole of its inhabitants exhibited only faces of a half-cubit long, and uttered groans that accorded with their forlorn situation.

Though Fakreddin bewailed his daughter as lost to him for ever, yet Gulchenrouz was not forgotten. He despatched immediate instructions to Sutlememe, vShaban, and the dw^arfs, enjoining them not to undeceive the child in respect to his state, but under some pretence to convey him far from the lofty rock at the extremity of the lake to a place which he should appoint as safer from danger, for he suspected that \'athek intended him evil.

Gulchenrouz in the meanwhile w^as filled with amazement at not finding his cousin, nor were the

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dwarfs at all less surprised ; but Sutlememe, who had more penetration, immediately guessed what had happened. Gulchenrouz was amused with the delusive hope of once more embracing Nouronihar in the interior recesses of the mountains, where the ground, strewed over with orange blossoms and jasmines, offered beds much more inviting than the withered leaves in their cabin, where they might accompany with their voices the sounds of their lutes, and chase butterflies in concert. Sutlememe was far gone in this sort of description when one of the four eunuchs beckoned her aside to apprise her of the arrival of a messenger from their fraternity, who had explained the secret of the flight of Nouronihar and brought the commands of the Emir. A council with Shaban and the dwarfs was immediately held. Their baggage being stowed in consequence of it, they embarked in a shallop and quietly sailed with the little one, who acquiesced in all their proposals. Their voyage pro- ceeded in the same manner till they came to the place where the lake sinks beneath the hollow of the rocks; but as soon as the bark had entered it and Gulchenrouz found himself surrounded with dark-

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ness, he was seized with a dreadful consternation and incessantly uttered the most piercing outcries, tor he now was persuaded he should actually be damned for having taken too many little freedoms in his lifetime with his cousin.

But let us return to the Caliph and her who ruled over his heart. Bababalouk had pitched the tents and closed up the extremities of the valley with magnificent screens of India cloth, which were guarded by Ethiopian slaves with their drawn sabres. To preserve the verdure of this beautiful enclosure in its natural freshness the white eunuchs went continually round it with their red water vessels. The waving of fans was heard near the imperial pavilion, where, by the voluptuous light that glowed through the muslins, the Caliph enjoyed at full view all the attractions of Nouronihar. Inebriated with delight he was all ear to her charming voice which accompanied the lute, while she was not less captivated with his descriptions of vSamarah and the tower full of wonders, but especially with his relation of the adventure of the ball, and the chasm of the Giaour with its ebony portal.

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In this manner they conversed for a daj^ and a night ; they bathed together in a basin of black marble, which admirably relieved the fairness of Nouronihar. Bababalouk, whose good graces this beauty had regained, spared no attention that their repasts might be served up with the minutest exactness ; some exquisite rarity was ever placed before them ; and he sent even to Shiraz for that fragrant and delicious wine which had been hoarded up in bottles prior to the birth of Mahomet. He had excavated little ovens in the rock to bake the nice manchets which were prepared by the hands of Nouronihar, whence they had derived a flavour so grateful to Vathek that he regarded the ragouts of his other wives as entirely mawkish ; whilst they would have died at the Emir's of chagrin at finding themselves so neglected if Fakreddin, notwithstanding his resentment, had not taken pity upon them.

The Sultana Dilara, who till then had been the favourite, took this dereliction of the Caliph to heart with a vehemence natural to her character ; for during her continuance in favour she had imbibed from Vathek many of his extravagant fancies and was fired

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with impatience to behold tlie superb tombs of Istakhar and the Palace of Forty Cohimns; besides, having been brought up amongst the Magi, she had fondly cherished the idea of the Caliph's devoting himself to the worship of fire ; thus his voluptuous and desultory life with her rival was to her a double source of affliction. The transient piety of Vathek had occasioned her some serious alarms, but the present was an evil of far greater magnitude. She resolved, therefore, without hesitation to write to Carathis and acquaint her that all things went ill ; that they had eaten, slept, and revelled at an old Emir's whose sanctity was very formidable, and that after all the prospect of possessing the treasures of the pre- Adamite Sultans was no less remote than before. This letter was entrusted to the care of two woodmen who were at work on one of the great forests of the mountains, and, being acquainted with the shortest cuts, arrived in ten days at Samarah.

The Princess Carathis was engaged at chess with Morakanabad when the arrival of these wood-fellers w^as announced. She, after some weeks of Vathek 's absence, had forsaken the upper regions of her tower

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because everything appeared in confusion among the stars, which she consulted relative to the fate of her son. In vain did she renew her fumigations and extend herself on the roof to obtain mystic visions. Nothing more could she see in her dreams than pieces of brocade, nosegays of flowers, and other unmeaning gewgaws.

These disappointments had thrown her into a state of dejection which no drug in her power was sufficient to remove. Her only resource was in Morakanabad, who was a good man and endowed with a decent share of confidence, yet whilst in her company he never thought himself on roses. No person knew aught of Vathek, and a thousand ridiculous stories were propagated at his expense. The eagerness of Carathis may be easily guessed at receiving the letter, as well as her rage at reading the dissolute conduct of her son.

*' Is it so? '* said she. *' Either I will perish or Vathek shall enter the Palace of Fire. Let me expire in flames, provided he may reign on the throne of Soliman ! '*

Having said this, and whirled herself round in a

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magical manner which struck Morakanabad with such terror as caused him to recoil, she ordered her great camel Alboufaki to be brought, and the hideous Nerkes with the unrelenting Cafour to attend.

*' I require no other retinue,'* said she to Morakanabad ; ** 1 am going on affairs of emergency, a truce therefore to parade ! Take you care of the people, fleece them well in my absence ; for we shall expend large sums, and one knows not what may betide."

The night was uncommonly dark, and a pestilential blast ravaged the plain of Catoul that w^ould have deterred any other traveller, however urgent the call ; but Carathis enjoyed most whatever filled others w4th dread. Nerkes concurred in opinion w^ith her, and Cafour had a particular predilection for a pestilence. In the morning this accomplished caravan, with the wood-fellers who directed their route, halted on the edge of an extensive marsh whence so noxious a vapour arose as would have destroyed any animal but Alboufaki, who naturally inhaled these malignant fogs. The peasants entreated their convoy not to sleep in this place.

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*' To sleep ! " cried Carathis, '' what an excellent thought ! I never sleep but for visions ; and as to my attendants, their occupations are too many to close the only eye they each have/*

The poor peasants, who were not overpleased with their party, remained open-mouthed with surprise.

Carathis alighted, as well as her negresses, and severally stripping off their outer garments they all ran in their drawers to cull from those spots where the sun shone fiercest the venomous plants that grew on the marsh. This provision was made for the family of the Emir and whoever might retard the expedition to Istakhar. The woodmen were overcome with fear when they beheld these three horrible phantoms run, and, not much relishing the company of Alboufaki, stood aghast at the command of Carathis to set forward, notwithstanding it was noon and the heat fierce enough to calcine even rocks. In spite, however, of every remonstrance, they were forced implicitly to submit.

Alboufaki, who delighted in solitude, constantly snorted whenever he perceived himself near a habita- tion ; and Carathis, who was apt to spoil him with

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indulgence, as constantly turned hiui aside, so that the peasants were precluded from procuring subsistence ; for the milch goats and ewes, which Providence had sent towards the district they traversed to refresh travellers with their milk, all fled at the sight of the hideous animal and his strange riders. As to Carathis, she needed no common aliment, for her invention had previously furnished her with an opiate to stay her stomach, and some of this she imparted to her mutes.

At the fall of night Alboufaki, making a sudden stop, stamped wnth his foot, which to Carathis, who understood his paces, was a certain indication that she was near the confines of some cemetery. The moon shed a bright light on the spot, which served to discover a long wall with a large door in it standing ajar, and so high that Alboufaki might easily enter. The miserable guides, who perceived their end approaching, humbly implored Carathis, as she had now so good an opportunity, to inter them, and immediately gave up the ghost. Nerkes and Cafour, whose wit was of a style peculiar to themselves, were by no means parsimonious of it on the folly of these

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poor people, nor could anything have been found more suited to their tastes than the site of the burying- ground and the sepulchres which its precincts contained. There were at least two thousand of them on the declivity of a hill — some in the form of pyramids, others like columns, and, in short, the variety of their shapes was endless. Carathis was too much immersed in her sublime contemplations to stop at the view, charming as it appeared in her eyes. Pondering the advantages that might accrue from her present situation, she could not forbear to exclaim :

** So beautiful a cemetery must be haunted by ghouls, and they want not for intelligence. Having heedlessly suffered my guides to expire I will apply for directions to them, and as an inducement will invite them to regale on these fresh corpses.**

After this short soliloquy she beckoned to Nerkes and Cafour, and made signs with her fingers, as much as to say :

** Go, knock against the sides of the tombs, and strike up your delightful warblings, that are so like to those of the guests whose company I wish to obtain.'*

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The negresses, full of joy at the behests of their mistress and promising themselves much pleasure from the society of the ghouls, went with an air of conquest, and began their knockings at the tombs. As their strokes were repeated a hollow noise was heard in the earth, the surface hove up into heaps, and the ghouls on all sides protruded their noses, to inhale the effluvia which the carcasses of the wood- men began to emit.

They assembled before a sarcophagus of white marble, where Carathis was seated between the bodies of her miserable guides. The Princess received her visitants with distinguished politeness, and, when supper was ended, proceeded with them to business. Having soon learnt from them everything she wished to discover, it w^as her intention to set forward forthwith on her journey, but her negresses, who were forming tender connections with the ghouls, importuned her with all their fingers to wait at least till the dawn. Carathis, however being chastity in the abstract and an implacable enemy to love and repose, at once rejected their prayer, mounted Alboufaki, and commanded them to take their seats in a moment.

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Four days and four nights she continued her route, without turning to the right hand or left; on the fifth she traversed the mountains and half-burnt forests, and arrived on the sixth before the beautiful screens which concealed from all eyes the voluptuous wander- ings of her son.

It was daybreak and the guards were snoring on their posts in careless security when the rough trot of Alboufaki aw^oke them in consternation. Imagining that a group of spectres ascended from the abyss was approaching, they all without ceremony took to their heels. Vathek was at that instant with Nouronihar in the bath, hearing tales and laughing at Bababalouk who related them ; but no sooner did the outcry of his guards reach him than he flounced from the water like a carp, and as soon threw himself back at the sight of Carathis, who, advancing with her negresses upon Alboufaki, broke through the muslin awnings and veils of the pavilion. At this sudden apparition Nouronihar (for she was not at all times free from remorse) fancied that the moment of celestial vengeance was come, and clung about the Caliph in amorous despondence.

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Carathis, still seated on her camel, foamed with indignation at the spectacle which obtruded itself on her chaste view. She thundered forth without check or mercy : " Thou double-headed and four-legged monster ! What means all this winding and writhing? Art thou not ashamed to be seen grasping this limber sapling in preference to the sceptre of the pre-Adamite Sultans ? Is it then for this paltry doxy that thou hast violated the conditions in the parchment of our Giaour ? Is it on her thou hast lavished thy precious moments? Is this the fruit of the knowledge I have taught thee ? Is this the end of thy journey ? Tear thyself from the arms of this little simpleton, drown her in the water before me, and instantly follow my guidance.'*

In the first ebullition of his fury Vathek resolved to make a skeleton of Alboufaki and to stuff the skins of Carathis and her blacks ; but the ideas of the Giaour, the palace of Istakhar, the sabres and the talismans, flashing before his imagination with the simultaneousness of lightning, he became more moderate and said to his mother, in a civil but decisive tone :

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** Dread lady, you shall be obeyed, but I will not drown Nouronihar; she is sweeter to me than a Myrabolan comfit, and is enamoured of carbuncles, especially that of Jamshyd, which hath also been promised to be conferred upon her; she, therefore, shall go along with us, for I intend to repose with her beneath the canopies of Soliman. I can sleep no more without her.'*

'* Be it so! " replied Carathis, alighting, and at the same time committing Alboufaki to the charge of her women.

Nouronihar, who had not yet quitted her hold, began to take courage, and said with an accent of fondness to the Caliph :

** Dear Sovereign of my soul ! I will follow thee, if it be thy will, beyond the Kaf in the land of the Afrits. I will not hesitate to climb for thee the nest of the vSimurgh, who, this lady excepted, is the most awful of created existences.**

** We have here then,** subjoined Carathis, ** a girl both of courage and vScience ! *'

Nouronihar had certainly both ; but notwith- standing all her firmness she could not help casting

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back a look of regret upon the g^races of her little Gulchenrouz and the days of tenderness she had participated with him. She even dropped a few tears, which Carathis observed, and inadvertently breathed out with a sigh :

**Alas! my gentle cousin! what will become of him?"

Vathek at this apostrophe knitted up his brows, and Carathis inquired what it could mean ?

'* She is preposterously sighing after a stripling with languishing eyes and soft hair who loves her," said the Caliph.

"Where is he?" asked Carathis. ** I must be acquainted with this pretty child. For," added she, lowering her voice, " I design before I depart to regain the favour of the Giaour. There is nothing so delicious in his estimation as the heart of a delicate boy, palpitating with the first tumults of love."

Vathek, as he came from the bath, commanded Bababalouk to collect the women and other movables of his harem, embody his troops, and hold himself in readiness to march in three days ; whilst Carathis retired alone to a tent, where the Giaour solaced her

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with encouraging visions. But at length waking, she found at her feet Nerkes and Cafour, who informed her by their signs that having led Alboufaki to the borders of a lake to browse on some moss that looked tolerably venomous, they had discovered certain blue fishes of the same kind as those in the reservoir on the top of the tower.

'* Ah ! ha ! '' said she, ** I will go thither to them. These fish are past doubt of a species that by a small operation I can render oracular; they may tell me where this little Gulchenrouz is whom I am bent upon sacrificing." Having thus spoken, she immediately set out with her swarthy retinue.

It being but seldom that time is lost in the accomplishment of a wicked enterprise, Carathis and her negresses soon arrived at the lake, where, after burning the magical drugs with which they were always provided, and stripping themselves naked, they waded to their chins. Nerkes and Cafour waved torches around them, and Carathis pronounced her barbarous incantations. The fishes with one accord thrust forth their heads from the water, which was violently rippled by the flutter of their fins, and at

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length finding themselves constrained by the potency of the charm they opened their piteous mouths and said :

*' From gills to tail we are yours, what seek ye to know ? ' '

** Fishes," answered she, ** I conjure you by your glittering scales tell me where now is Gulchenrouz ? "

** Beyond the rock," replied the shoal in full chorus ; '' will this content you ? For we do not delight in expanding our mouths."

** It will," returned the Princess; '^ I am aware that you like not long conversations. I will leave you, therefore, to repose, though I had other questions to propound." The instant she had spoken the water became smooth and the fishes at once disappeared.

Carathis, inflated with the venom of her projects,

strode hastily over the rock and found the amiable

Gulchenrouz asleep in an arbour, whilst the two

dwarfs were watching at his side and ruminating their

accustomed prayers. These diminutive personages

possessed the gift of divining whenever an enemy to

good Mussulmans approached ; thus they anticipated

the arrival of Carathis who, stopping short, said to

herself :

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** How placidly doth he recline his lovely little head ! How pale and languishing are his looks ! It is just the very child of my wishes ! "

The dwarfs interrupted this delectable soliloquy by leaping instantly upon her and scratching her face with their utmost zeal. But Nerkes and Cafour, betaking themselves to the succour of their mistress, pinched the dwarfs so severely in return that they both gave up the ghost, imploring Mahomet to inflict his sorest vengeance upon this wicked woman and all her household.

At the noise which this strange conflict occasioned in the valley Gulchenrouz awoke, and bewildered w^ith terror sprung impetuously upon an old fig tree that rose against the acclivity of the rocks, thence gained their summits, and ran for two hours without once looking back. At last, exhausted with fatigue, he fell as if dead into the arms of a good old Genie, whose fondness for the company of children had made it his sole occupation to protect them, and who, whilst performing his wonted rounds through the air, happening on the cruel Giaour at the instant of his growling in the horrible chasm, rescued the fifty little

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victims which the Impiety of \'athek had devoted to his maw. These the Genie brought up in nests still higher than the clouds, and himself fixed his abode in a nest more capacious than the rest, from which he had expelled the possessors that had built it.

These inviolable asylums were defended against the Divas and the Afrits by waving streamers on which were inscribed in characters of gold, that flashed like lightning, the names of Allah and the Prophet. It was there that Gulchenrouz, who as yet remained undeceived with respect to his pretended death, thought himself in the mansions of eternal peace. He admitted without fear the congratulations of his little friends, who were all assembled in the nest of the venerable Genie and vied with each other in kissing his serene forehead and beautiful eyelids. This he found to be the state congenial to his soul ; remote from the inquietudes of earth, the impertinence of harems, the brutality of eunuchs, and the lubricity of women. In this peaceable society his days, months, and years glided on, nor w^as he less happy than the rest of his companions, for the Genie, instead of burthening his pupils with perishable riches and the

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vain sciences of the world, conferred upon them the boon of perpetual childhood.

Carathis, unaccustomed to the loss of her prey, vented a thousand execrations on her negresses for not seizing the child instead of amusing themselves with pinching to death the dwarfs, from which they could gain no advantage. She returned into the valley murmuring, and finding that her son was not risen from the arms of Nouronihar discharged her ill- humour upon both. The idea, however, of departing next day for Istakhar and cultivating through the good offices of the Giaour an intimacy with Eblis himself, at length consoled her chagrin. But fate had ordained it otherwise.

In the evening, as Carathis was conversing with Dilara, who through her contrivance had become of the party and whose taste resembled her own, Bababa- louk came to acquaint her '* that the sky towards Samarah looked of a fiery red, and seemed to portend some alarming disaster." Immediately recurring to her astrolabes and instruments of magic she took the altitude of the planets, and discovered by her calculations, to her great mortification, that a

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formidable revolt had taken place at vSamarah ; that Motavakel, availiug himseli of the disgust which was inveterate against his brother, had incited commo- tions amongst the populace, made himself master of the palace, and actually invested the great tow^er, to which Morakanabad had retired, with a handful of the few that still remained faithful to Vathek.

** What ! " exclaimed she; '* must I lose then my tower, my mutes, my negresses, my mummies and, w^orse than all, the laboratory in w^hich I have spent so many a night, without knowing at least if my hair- brained son wall complete his adventure ? No ! I will not be the dupe ! Immediately will I speed to support Morakanabad. By my formidable art the clouds shall sleet hailstones in the faces of the assailants and shafts of red-hot iron on their heads. I will spring mines of serpents and torpedoes from beneath them, and w^e shall soon see the stand they will make against such an explosion ! "

Having thus spoken Carathis hastened to her son, who was tranquilly banqueting with Nouronihar in his superb carnation-coloured tent.

"Glutton that thou art! " cried she, ** were it

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not for me thou wouldst soon find thyself the commander only of pies. Thy faithful subjects have abjured the faith they swore to thee; Motavakel thy brother now reigns on the hill of pied horses, and had I not some slight resources in the tower would not be easily persuaded to abdicate. But in order that time may not be lost I shall only add four words : Strike tent to-night, set forward, and beware how thou loiterest again by the way. Though thou hast forfeited the conditions of the parchment I am not yet without hope ; for it cannot be denied that thou hast violated to admiration the laws of hospitality by seducing the daughter of the Emir after having partaken of his bread and his salt. Such a conduct cannot but be delightful to the Giaour, and if on thy march thou canst signalise thyself by an additional crime all will still go well and thou shalt enter the palace of Soliman in triumph. Adieu ! Alboufaki and my negresses are waiting."

The Caliph had nothing to offer in reply; he wished his mother a prosperous journey, and ate on till he had finished his supper. At midnight the camp broke up amidst the flourishing of trumpets and other

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martial instruments ; but loud indeed must have been the sound of the tymbals to overpower the blubbering of the Emir and his long beards, who by an exeessive profusion of tears had so far exhausted the radical moisture that their eyes shrivelled up in their sockets and their hairs dropped off by the roots. Nouronihar, to whom such a symphony was painful, did not grieve to get out of hearing; she accompanied the Caliph in the imperial litter, where they amused themselves with imagining the splendour which was soon to surround them. The other women, overcome with dejection, were dolefully rocked in their cages, whilst Dilara consoled herself with anticipating the joy of celebrating the rites of fire on the stately terraces of Istakhar.

In four days they reached the spacious valley of the Rocnabad. The season of spring was in all its vigour, and the grotesque branches of the almond trees in full blossom fantastically chequered the clear blue sky; the earth, variegated with hyacinths and jonquils, breathed forth a fragrance which diffused through the soul a divine repose ; myriads of bees and scarce fewer of Santons had there taken up their

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abode ; on the banks of the stream hives and oratories were alternately ranged, and their neatness and whiteness were set off by the deep green of the cypresses that spired up amongst them. These pious personages amused themselves with cultivating little gardens that abounded with flowers and fruits, especially musk-melons of the best flavour that Persia could boast; sometimes dispersed over the meadow they entertained themselves with feeding peacocks whiter than snow and turtles more blue than the sapphire. In this manner were they occupied when the harbingers of the imperial procession began to proclaim :

'* Inhabitants of the Rocnabad ! Prostrate your- selves on the brink of your pure waters, and tender your thanksgivings to heaven that vouchsafeth to show you a ray of its glory ; for lo ! the Commander of the Faithful draws near."

The poor vSantons, filled with holy energy, having bustled to light up wax torches in their oratories and expand the Koran on their ebony desks, went forth to meet the Caliph with baskets of honeycomb, dates, and melons. But, whilst they were advancing in

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solemn procession and with measured steps the horses, camels, and p^uards wantoned over their tulips and other flowers and made a terrible havoc amonp^st them. The Santons could not help casting from one eye a look of pity on the ravages committing around them, whilst the other was fixed upon the Caliph and heaven. Nouronihar, enraptured with the scenery of a place which brought back to her remembrance the pleasing solitudes where her infancy had passed, entreated Vathek to stop; but he, suspecting that each oratory might be deemed by the Giaour a distinct habitation, commanded his pioneers to level them all. The Santons stood motionless with horror at the barbarous mandate and at last broke out into lamenta- tions ; but these were uttered with so ill a grace that Vathek bade his eunuchs to kick them from his presence. He then dcvscended from the litter with Nouronihar. They sauntered together in the meadow and amused themselves with culling flowers and passing a thousand pleasantries with each other. But the bees, who were staunch Mussulmans, thinking it their duty to revenge the insult on their dear masters the Santons, assembled so zealously to do it with

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effect that the Caliph and Nouronihar were glad to find their tents prepared to receive them.

Bababalouk, who in the capacity of purveyor had acquitted himself with applause as to peacocks and turtles, lost no time in consigning some dozens to the spit and as many more to be fricasseed. Whilst they were feasting, laughing, carousing, and blaspheming at pleasure on the banquet so liberally furnished, the Moullahs, the Sheiks, the Cadis, and Imans of Shiraz (who seemed not to have met the San tons) arrived, leading by bridles of riband inscribed from the Koran a train of asses which were loaded with the choicest fruits the country could boast. Having presented their offerings to the Caliph they petitioned him to honour their city and mosques with his presence.

** Fancy not," said Vathek, ** that you can detain me ; your presents I condescend to accept, but beg you will let me be quiet, for I am not over-fond of resisting temptation. Retire then ; yet, as it is not decent for personages so reverend to return on foot, and as you have not the appearance of expert riders, my eunuchs shall tie your asses, with the precaution that your

i6o

backs be not turned towards me, for they understand etiquette."

In this deputation were some high-stomached Sheiks who, taking \'athek for a fool, scrupled not to speak their opinion. These Bababalouk girded with double cords and, having well disciplined their asses with nettles behind, thej' all started with a preternatural alertness, plunging, kicking, and running foul of each other in the most ludicrous manner imaginable.

Nouronihar and the Caliph mutually contended w^ho should most enjoy so degrading a sight. They burst out in volleys of laughter to see the old men and their asses fall into the stream ; the leg of one was fractured, the shoulder of another dislocated, the teeth of a third dashed out, and the rest suffered still worse.

Two days more, undisturbed by fresh embassies, having been devoted to the pleasures of the Rocnabad, the expedition proceeded, leaving Shiraz on the right, and verging towards a large plain, whence were discernible on the edge of the horizon the dark summits of the mountains of Istakhar.

t6t

At this prospect the Caliph and Nouronihar were unable to repress their transports. They bounded from their litter to the ground, and broke forth into such wild exclamations as amazed all within hearing. Interrogating each other they shouted, ** Are we not approaching the radiant Palace of Light or gardens more delightful than those of Sheddad? " Infatuated mortals ! They thus indulged delusive conjecture, unable to fathom the decrees of the Most High !

The good Genii, who had not totally relinquished the superintendence of Vathek, repairing to Mahomet in the seventh heaven, said :

'' Merciful Prophet ! Stretch forth thy propitious arm towards thy Vicegerent, who is ready to fall irretrievably into the snare which his enemies the Divas have prepared to destroy him. The Giaour is 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.*'

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One of these beneficent Genii, assuming: without delay the exterior of a shepherd more renowned for his piety than all the Dervishes and Santons of the rep^ion, 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 drawm 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 themselves — the one with a thousand of the blackest crimes, a thousand projects of impious ambition — the other with the desolation of her

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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 Genie, addressing the Caliph, vSaid :

*' 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 Divas 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

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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

16:;

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 Genie shudder, Vathek threw himself into the arms of Nouronihar and commanded that his horses 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 Genie 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

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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. vShe 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 tow^ering rocks that form a kind of portal to the valley, at whose extremity rose the vast ruins of Istakhar Aloft on the mountain glimmered the fronts of various royal mausoleums, the horror of which was deepened by the shadow^s 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 w^as 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

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unpromising auguries, drove over the bodies of these vi^retched 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 deathlike 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."

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Having thus spoken he presented his hand to Nouronihar, and ascending the steps of a vast stair- case 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 w^hose walls were embossed with various figures. In front stood forth the colossal forms of four creatures, composed of the leopard and the griffin, w^hich 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 :

** \"athek, 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

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subterranean fire will receive thee into the number of its adorers."

He scarcely had read these words before the mountain against which the terrace was reared trembled, and the watch-towers were ready to topple headlong upon them. The rock yawned and disclosed within it a staircase of polished marble that seemed to approach the abyss. Upon each stair were planted two large torches, like those Nouronihar had seen in her vision, the camphorated vapour ascending from which gathered into a cloud under the hollow of the vault.

This appearance instead of terrifying gave new courage to the daughter of Fakreddin. Scarcely deigning to bid adieu to the moon and the firmament she abandoned without hesitation the pure atmos- phere to plunge into these infernal exhalations. The gait of those impious personages was haughty and determined. As they descended by the effulgence of the torches they gazed on each other with mutual admiration, and both appeared so resplendent that they already esteemed themselves spiritual Intelli- gences; the only circumstance that perplexed them was their not arriving at the bottom of the stairs.

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On hastening their descent with an ardent impetuosity they felt their steps accelerated to such a degree that they seemed not walking but falling from a precipice. Their progress, however, was at length impeded by a vast portal of ebony, which the Caliph without difficulty recognised. Here the Giaour awaited them with the key in his hand.

** Ye are welcome," said he to them, with a ghastly smile, *' in spite of Mahomet and all his dependents. I will now^ admit you into that palace where you have so highly merited a place."

Whilst he was uttering these words he touched the enamelled lock with his key, and the doors at once expanded with a noise still louder than the thunder of mountains, and as suddenly recoiled the moment they had entered.

The Caliph and Nouronihar beheld each other with amazement at finding themselves in a place which though roofed with a vaulted ceiling was so spacious and lofty that at first they took it for an immeasurable plain. But their eyes at length growing familiar with the grandeur of the objects at hand they extended their view to those at a distance and

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discovered rows of columns and arcades, which graduallj^ diminished till they terminated in a point, radiant as the sun when he darts his last beams athwart the ocean. The pavement, strewed over with gold dust and saffron, exhaled so subtle an odour as almost overpowered them. They, however, went on and observed an infinity of censers in which ambergris and the wood of aloes were continually burning. Between the several columns were placed tables, each spread with a profusion of viands and wines of every species sparkling in vases of crystal. A throng of Genii and other fantastic spirits of each sex danced lasciviously in troops at the sound of music which issued from beneath.

In the midst of this immense hall a vast multitude was incessantly passing, who severally kept their right hands on their hearts without once regarding anything around them. They had all the livid paleness of death ; their eyes, deep sunk in their sockets, resembled those phosphoric meteors that glimmer by night in places of interment. Some stalked slowly on, absorbed in profound reverie ; some, shrieking with agony, ran furiously about, like tigers wounded with

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poisoned arrows; whilst others, grinding their teeth in rag^e, foamed along, more frantic than the wildest maniac. They all avoided each other, and though surrounded by a multitude that no one could number each wandered at random, unheedful of the rest, as if alone on a desert which no foot had trodden.

Yathek and Nouronihar, frozen with terror at a sight so baleful, demanded of the Giaour what these appearances might mean, and why these ambulating spectres never withdrew their hands from their hearts.

** Perplex not yourselves," replied he bluntly, *' with so much at once; you will soon be acquainted with all; let us haste and present you to Eblis."

They continued their way through the multitude ; but notwithstanding their confidence at first they were not sufficiently composed to examine with attention the various perspectives of halls and of galleries that opened on the right hand and left, which were all illuminated by torches and braziers whose flames rose in pyramids to the centre of the vault. At length they came to a place where long curtains brocaded with crimson and gold fell from all parts in striking

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confusion ; here the choirs and dances were heard no longer, the light which glimmered came from afar. After some time Vathek and Nouronihar per- ceived a gleam brightening through the drapery, and entered a vast tabernacle carpeted with the skins of leopards. An infinity of elders with streaming beards and Afrits in complete armour had prostrated them- selves before the ascent of a lofty eminence, on the top of which, upon a globe of fire, sat the formidable Eblis. His person was that of a young man whose noble and regular features seemed to have been tarnished by malignant vapours; in his large eyes appeared both pride and despair; his flowing hair retained some resemblance to that of an angel of light ; in his hand, which thunder had blasted, he swayed the iron sceptre that causes the monster Ouranabad, the Afrits, and all the powers of the abyss to tremble. At his presence the heart of the Caliph sunk within him, and for the first time he fell prostrate on his face. Nouronihar, however, though greatly dismayed could not help admiring the person of Eblis, for she expected to have seen some stupendous Giant. Eblis, with a voice more mild than might be imagined but

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such as transfused throup^h the soul the deepest melancholy, said :

'' Creatures of clay, I receive you into mine empire ; ye are numbered amongst my adorers ; enjoy whatever this palace affords : the treasures of the pre-Adamite Sultans, their bickering sabres and those talismans that compel the Divas to open the subterranean expanses of the mountain of Kaf, which communicate with these ; there, insatiable as your curiosity may be, shall you find sufficient to gratify it; you shall possess the exclusive privilege of entering the fortress of Ahriman and the halls of Argenk, where are pourtrayed all creatures endowed with intelligence and the various animals that inhabited the earth prior to the creation of that contemptible being whom ye denominate the Father of Mankind."

Vathek and Nouronihar, feeling themselves revived and encouraged by this harangue, eagerly said to the Giaour :

** Bring us instantly to the place which contains these precious talismans."

Come ! " answered this wicked Diva, with his

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((

malignant grin. '* Come, and possess all that my Sovereign hath promised, and more."

He then conducted them into a long aisle adjoin- ing the tabernacle, preceding them with hasty steps and followed by his disciples with the utmost alacrity. They reached at length a hall of great extent and covered with a lofty dome, around which appeared fifty portals of bronze, secured with as many fastenings of iron. A funereal gloom prevailed over the whole scene ; here upon two beds of incorruptible cedar lay recumbent the fleshless forms of the pre- Adamite^Kings who had been monarchs of the wRole^ earth. They still possessed enough of life to be conscious of their deplorable condition; their eyes retained a melancholy motion ; they regarded each other with looks of the deepest dejection ; each holding his right hand motionless on his heart ; at their feet were inscribed the events of their several reigns, theirjpower, their pride, and their crimes. Soliman Raad, Soliman Daki, and Soliman Di Djinn ben Djinn, who after having chained up the Divas in the dark caverns of Kaf became so presumptuous as to doubt of the vSupreme Power; all these maintained

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great state, though not to be compared with the eminence of Soliman Ben Daoud.

This king, so renowned for his wisdom, was on the loftiest elevation and placed immediately under the dome. He appeared to possess more animation than the rest, though from time to time he laboured with profound sighs and, like his companions, 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 pro-

ceeded a voice from the livid lips of the Prophet articulated these words :

'' In my lifetime 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 Ahriman and the daughter of Pharaoh, and adored fire and the hosts of heaveu. I forsook the holy city and commanded the Genii to rear the stupendous palace of Istakhar and the terrace of the watch-towers, each of which was consecrated to a star.

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** 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?

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Allow us to depart and I will relinquish all thou hast promised. O Mahomet, remains there no more mercy? **

*' None ! none ! '' replied the malicious Diva. *' 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 Divas fell prostrate before them ; every reservoir of riches was disclosed to their view;

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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 everyone 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 gtiilt, 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 \'athek ; *' and shall my eyes ever cease to drink from thine long draughts of enjoy- ment ! Shall the moments of our reciprocal ecstasies be reflected on with horror ! It was not thou that broughtest me hither. The principles by which

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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 con- siderable of the group addressed himself thus to Vathek :

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** Strangers ! wlio doubtless arc in the same state of suspense as ourselves, since you do not yet bear your hand on your heart, if you are come hither to pass the interval allotted previous to the infliction of uur 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 w^as 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

* See note to the Author's Frenfh prefaces. Beokford pave the titles of three stories supposed to be related in the Hall of Eblis but never published them. They are long- and somewhat tedious, lacking the vivacity which distinguishes Vathek. They were discovered among the MSS. at Hamilton Palace and published by Mr. T^ewis Melville in 1912.

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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, w^ho 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 Divas 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 shouldst know that (since the Afrit has informed me

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neither of us shall return to Samarah) I requested his permission to arrange my affairs, and he politely consented. xA. vailing myself, therefore, of the few moments allowed me I set iire to the tower and consumed in it the mutes, negresses, and serpents which have rendered me so much good service ; nor should I have been less kind to Morakanabad had he not prevented me by deserting at last to thy brother. As for Bababalouk, who had the folly to return to wSamarah, and all the good brotherhood who dared to provide husbands for thy wives, I undoubtedly would have put them to the torture could I but have allowed them the time. Being, however, in a hurry I only hung him, after having caught him in a snare with thy wives, whilst them I buried alive by the help of my negresses, who thus spent their last moments greatly to their satisfaction. With respect to Dilara, who ever stood high in my favour, she hath evinced the greatness of her mind by fixing herself near in the service of one of the Magi, and I think will soon be our own."

Vathek, too much cast down to express the indignation excited by such a discourse, ordered the

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Afrit to remove Carathis from his presence, and continued immersed in thought which his companions durst not disturb.

Carathis, however, eagerly entered the dome of Soliman, and without regarding in the least the groans of the Prophet undauntedly removed the covers of the vases and violently seized on the talis- mans ; then with a voice more loud than had hitherto been heard within these mansions she compelled the Divas to disclose to her the most secret treasures, the most profound stores, which the Afrit himself had not seen; she passed by rapid descents known only to Eblis and his most favoured potentates and thus penetrated the very entrails of the earth, where breathes the Sansar or icy wind of death ; nothing appalled her dauntless soul ; she perceived, however, in all the inmates who bore their hands on their heart a little singularity not much to her taste. As she was emerging from one of the abysses Eblis stood forth to her view, but notwithstanding he displayed the full effulgence of his infernal majesty she preserved her countenance unaltered, and even paid her compli- ments with considerable hrnmess.

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I!lilis stood foitli to lu'T view

This superb monarch thus answered :

" Princess, whose knowledge and whose crimes have merited a conspicuous rank in my empire, thou dost well to employ the leisure that remains, for the flames and torments which are ready to seize on thy heart will not fail to provide thee w-ith full employ- ment."

He said this, and was lost in the curtains of his tabernacle.

Carathis paused for a moment with surprise; but, resolved to follow the advice of Eblis, she assembled all the choirs of Genii and all the Divas to pay her homage. Thus marched she in triumph through a vapour of perfumes amidst the acclamations of all the malignant spirits, wnth most of whom she had formed a previous acquaintance ; she even attempted to dethrone one of the Solimans for the purpose of usurping his place, when a voice, proceeding from the abyss of Death, proclaimed :

'* All is Accomplished!"

Instantaneously the haughty forehead of the intrepid Princess w^as corrugated with agony ; she uttered a tremendous yell and fixed, no more to be

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withdrawn, her right hand upon her heart, which was become a receptacle of eternal fire.

In this delirium, forgetting all ambitious projects and her thirst for that knowledge which should ever be hidden from mortals, she overturned the offerings of the Genii, and having execrated the hour she was begotten and the womb that had borne her glanced off in a whirl that rendered her invisible, and con- tinued to revolve without intermission.

At almost the same instant the same voice announced to the Caliph, Nouronihar, the five princes and the princess the awful and irrevocable decree. Their hearts immediately took fire and they a±^oiLCjeJi^st_the- most precious of the gifts of heaven — _Hope. These unhappy beings recoiled with looks of the most furious distraction. Vathek beheld in the eyes of Nouronihar nothing but rage and vengeance, nor could she discern aught in his but aversion and despair. The two princes who were friends and till that moment had preserved their attachment shrunk back, gnashing their teeth with mutual and unchange- able hatred. Kalilah and his sister made reciprocal gestures of imprecation, whilst the two other princes

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testified their horror for eaeh other by the most ghastly eonviilsions and sereams that eould not be smothered. All severally plunged themselves into the accursed multitude, there to wander in an eternity of unabating anguish.

Such was, and such should be, the punishment of unrestrained passions and atrocious actions ! Such is, and such should be-, the chastisement of blind ambition that woiild _transgress those bounds which the Creator ha.th prescribed to human knowledge, and by aiming at discoveries reserved for pure Intelligence acquire that infatuated pride which perceives not the condition appointed to man is to be ignorant and humble.

Thus the Caliph Vathek, who for the sake of empty pomp and forbidden power had sullied himself with a thousand crimes, became a prey to grief with- out end and remorse without mitigation, whilst the humble and despised Gulchenrouz passed whole ages in undisturbed tranquillity and the pure happiness of childhood.

THE END.

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NOTES.

Pap^e 1. Caliph. This title amongst the Mahometans comprehends the concrete character oi" prophet, priest and king-, and is used to signify the Vicar of God on earth. (Habesci's State of the Ottoman Empire, p. 9; Herbelot, p. 98.5.)

P. 1. One of his eyes hecanm-e so terrible. The author of Nifjhiaristan hath preserved a fact that supports this account; and there is no histoiy of Vathek in which his terrible eye is not mentioned.

P. 1. Omur Ben Ahdalaziz. This caliph was eminent above all others for temperance and self-denial, insomuch that he is believed to have been raised to Mahomet's bosom, as a reward for his abstinence in an age of cori-uption. (Herbelot, p. 690.)

P. 2. Savnarah. A city of the Babylonian Irak, supposed to have stood on the site where Nimrod erected his tower. Khondomir relates in his life of Motassem that this prince, to teraiinate the disputes which were perpetually happening between the inhabitants of Bagdad and his Turkish slaves, withdrew thence, and having fixed on a situation in the plain of Catoul there founded Samarah. He is said to have had in his stables of this city a hundred and thirty thousand pied horses, each of which caiTied by his order a sack of earth to a place he had chosen; by this accumulation an elevation was fonned that commanded a view of all Samarah and served for the foundation of his magnificent palace. (Herbelot, pp. 752, 808, 985; Anecdotes Arahes, p. 413.)

P. 2. In the most dAightful succession. The great men of the East have been always fond of music. Though forbidden by the Mahometan religion it commonly makes a pai-t of every entertainment ; female slaves are generally kept to amuse them and the ladies of their harems. The Persian Khanyagere seems nearly to have resembled our old English minstrel, as he usually accompanied his barbut or lute with heroic songs. Their musicians appear to have known the art. of moving the passions and to have generally directed their music to the heart. Al Farabi, a philosopher who died about the middle of the tenth century, on his return from the pilgrimage of Mecca, introduced

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liuuself, thoug-h a stiaiig-er, at the court of Seifeddoiila, sultan of Syria. Musicians were accidentally perfoiining' and he joined them. The prince admired him and wished to hear something- of his own; he drew a composition from his pocket, and distributing the parts amongst the band, the first movement threw the prince and his courtiers into violent laug'hter, the next melted all into tears, and the last lulled even the performers asleep. (Richardson's Dissertation on the hanguagcs etc. of Eastern Nations^ p. 211.)

P. 3. Mani. This artist, whom Inatulla of Delhi styles the far-famed, lived in the reigTi of Schabur or Sapor, the son of Ardshir Babegan ; was founder of the sect of Manicheans and by profession a painter and sculptor. His pretensions, supported by an uncommon skill in mechanical contrivances, induced the ignorant to believe that his powers were more than human. After having secluded himself from his followers, under the pretence of passing a year in Heaven, he produced a wonderful volume which he affirmed to have brought thence, containing images and figures of a marvellous nature. (Herbelot, p. 548.) It appears from the Arahi-an Nif/hts that Haroun al Raschid, Vathek's grandfather, had adorned his palace and furnished his magnificent pavilion with the most capital performances of the Persian artists.

P. 4. Ilovris. The Virgins of Paradise, called from their large black eyes, Ihir al oyun. An intercourse with these, according to the institution of Mahomet, is to constitute the principal felicity of the faithful. Not formed of clay like mortal women, they are deemed in the highest degree beautiful and are exempt from every inconvenience incident to the sex. (Al Koran, passim.)

P. 5. Genii. Genii, in the Arabic signifies a Genius or Demon, a being of a higher order and formed of a more subtile matter than man. According to Oriental mythology, the Genii governed the world long before the creation of Adam. The Mahometans regarded them as an intermediate race between angels and men, and capable of salvation.

P. 5. Assist him to complete the tower. The genii, who were styled by the Persians peri.? and diva.s, were famous for their architectural skill; the pyramids of Egypt have been ascribed to them, and we are told of a strange fortress which they constructed in the

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lemote mountains of Spain, whose frontal presented the foHowing inscription : —

' It is no light task to disclose the portal of this asylum The bolt, rash passenger, is not of iron, but the tooth of a furious dragon : Know thou, that no one can break this charm Till Destiny shall have consign'd the key to his advent'rous hand.'

The Koran relates that the g'enii were employed by Solomon in the erection of his mafruificent temple. [BaiUy sur V Atlantide, p. 14fi; Herbelot, p. 8; Al Koran, ch. xxxiv.)

P. 15. Beards burnt off. The loss of the beard from the earliest apes was accounted hig-hly disg-rareful ; an instance occurs in the Tales of InatuUa of one being" sing-ed off as a mulct on the owner for having failed to explain a question propounded, and in the Arabian Nujhts a proclamation may be seen similar to this of Vathek. (Vol. i. p. 2G8, vol. ii. p. 228.)

P. 21. To drink at wiU of the four fountains, which were reputed- in the hifjhest degree salubrious, and sacred to himself, or literally, to be of gold and sacred to himself. Agathocles (cited by Athenieus, 1. xi. p. 515) relates that * there were certain fountains in these regions to the number of seventy, whose waters were denominated golden and of which it was death for anyone to drink save the king and his eldest son.' In this number, as appears from our author's epithet, the four fountains were formerly reckoned, whose waters, as Vathek had no son, were sacred to his own use. The citation from Agathocles may likewise explain the wish of King David * for water from the well of Bethlehem,' unless we suppose it to have arisen from a predilection like that of the Parthian monarchs for the water of Choaspes, which was carried with them wherever they went, and from that circumstance styled by Tibullus reffia lympha, and by Milton

' The drink of none but kings.'

P. 24. The Poets applied them as a chorus to all the songs they composed. Sir John Chardin, describing a public entertainment and rejoicing, observes that the most ingenious poets in Persia (as is related of Homer) sung their own works, which for the most part are in praise of the king, whom they fail not to extol, let him be never so worthy of blame and oblivion. The songs of this day were adapted to the occasion

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of the festival, which was the restoration of the prime minister to his office. He adds, ' I saw one that abounded in fine and witty turns, the burthen of which was this: —

" Him set aside, all men but equals are. E'en Sol survey'd the spacious realms of air, To see if he could find another star, A star that like the polar star could reign, And long he sought it, but he sought in vain.'"*

The ingenuity of the poet seems to consist in an allusion to the prime minister's title, Ivon Medave, or the Pole of Persia.

P. 25. Bahdhdhnik , ihe chief of hia eunuchs. As it was the employ- ment of the black eunuchs to wait upon and g'uard the sultanas, so the g'eneral superintendence of the harem was particularly committed to their chief. (Habesci's State of the Ottoman Empire, pp. 155-6.)

P 25. The Divan. This was both the supreme council and court of justice, at which the caliphs of the race of the Abassides assisted in person to redress the injuries of every appellant. (Herbelot, p. 298.)

P. 30. The Muezzins and- their minarets. Valid, the son of Abdalmalek, was the first who erected a minaret or turret, and this he placed on the gi*and Mosque at Damascus, for the muezzin or crier to announce from it the hour of prayer. (Herbelot, p. 57G.)

P. 41. Bracelet. The bracelet in the East was an emblem of royalty. (Herbelot, p. 541.) For want of a more proper term to denominate the ornament serkhooj, the word aif/ret is here used.

P. 45. Mutes. It has been usual in Eastern courts from time immemorial to retain a number of mutes; these are not only employed to amuse the monarch, but also to instruct his paj^es in an art to us little known, of communicating- everything- by signs, lest the sounds of their voices should disturb the sovereign. (Habesci's State of the Ottoman Empire, p. 164.) The mutes are also the secret instruments of his private vengeance.

* See Lloyd's Introduction to a Collection of Voyages and Travels never before published in English, p. 21.

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p. 56. Istakhor. This eity was the ancient Pei-sepolis and capital of Persia, under the kinp^s of the three first races. The author of Lehtarikh writes that Kischtab there established his abode, erected several temples to the element of fire, and hewed out for himself and his successoi-s sepulchres in the rocks of the mountain contij^uous to the citj'. The niins of columns and broken fi^'-ures which still remain, defaced as they were by Alexander, and mutilated by time, plainly evince that those ancient potentates had chosen it for the place of their inteiTuent ; their monuments however must not be confounded with the superb palace reared by (jueen Homai in the midst of Istakhar, which the Persians disting-uish by the name of Tchihniiuiv or the forty watch- towers. The orig-in of this city is ascribed by some to Jamshyd, and others caiTy it higher; but the Pei*sian tradition is that it was built by the peris or fairies when the world was g-overned by Djinn ben Djiun. (Herbelot, p. 327.)

P. 50. Djinn hen Djinn. By this appellation was distinguished the monarch of that species of beings whom the Arabians denominate Djinn, that is f/enii, and the Tarikh Thabari, peris, feez or fairies. He was renowned for his warlike expeditions and stupendous structures; according to oriental writers the pyramids of Egypt were amongst the monuments of his power. The buckler of this mighty sovereign, no less famous than that of Achilles, was employed by three successive Solimans to achieve their mar^•ellous exploits ; from them it descended to Tahamurath, sumamed Divbend or Conqueror of the Giants. This buckler was endowed with most wonderful qualities, having been fabricated by talismanio art, and was alone sufficient to destroy all the charms and enchantments of demons or giants, which on the contrary were wrought by magic. Hence we are no longer at a loss for the origin of the wonderful shield of Atlante. Tlie reign of Djinn ben Djinn over the peris is said to have continued for two thousand years, after which Eblis was sent bj' the Deity to exile them on account of their disorders and confine them in the remotest region of the earth. (Herbelot, p. 39(1; BaiUy svr V Atlantide, p. 147.)

P. 56. The tnli^mnns of Solim/m. Amongst the most famous talismans of the p]ast and which could control even the arras and magic of the divas or giants, was rnohur Soliwani, the seal or ring of Soliman

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Jared, fifth monarch of the world after Adam; by means of it the possessor had the entire command, not only of the elements, but also of demons and every created being-. (Richardson's Dissertat, p. 272; Herbelot, p. 820.)

P. 56. Pre-Adamite Sultans. These monarchs, which were seventy-two in number, are said to have governed each a distinct species of rational beings prior to the existence of Adam. Amongst the most renowned of them were Soliman Raad, Soliman Daki and Soliman Di Djinn ben Djinn. (Herbelot, p. 820.)

P. 57. The ass of Balaam., the dog of the seven sleepers, and the other animMs admitted into the jyaradise of Mahomet. It was a tenet of the Mussulman creed that all animals would be raised again, and many of them honoured with admission to Paradise.

P. 59. Rocnabad. The stream thus denominated flows near the city of Shiraz ; its waters are uncommonly pure and limpid and their banks swarded with the finest verdure. Its praises are celebrated by Hafez in an animated song, which Sir W. Jones has admirably translated : — ■

' Boy, let yon liquid ruby flow. And bid thy pensive heart be glad ; Whate'er the frowning zealots say. Tell them their Eden cannot show A stream so clear as Rocnabad, A bower so sweet as Mosellay.'

P. 61. Mullahs. Those amongst the Mahometans who were bred to the law had this title; and from their order the judges of cities and provinces were taken.

P. 61. The sacred Kaaha. That part of the Temple at Mecca which is chiefly revered and indeed gives a sanctity to the rest, is a s([uare stone building called the Kaaba, probably from its quadrangular fonn ; the length of this edifice from north to south is twenty-four cubits, and its breadth from east to west twenty-three; the door is on the east side and stands about four cubits from the ground, the floor being level with the threshold. The Kaaba has a double roof, supported internally by three octangular pillars of aloes-wood, between which on a bar of iron hangs a row of silver lamps ; the outside is covered with

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rich black dunuisk, adorned with an embroidered band of j,^old ; this hanging, which is changed eveiy year, was formerly sent by the caliphs. (Sale's PreUmiiuiry Discourse, p. 152.)

P. t)4 — 05. Reyale these pious poor souls with in.y good wine from Shiraz. The prohibition oi wine in the Koran is so rigidly observed by the conscientious, especially if they have perfomied the pilgrimage to Mecca, that they deem it sinful to press gi-apes for the purpose of making it, and even to use the money arising from its sale. (Chardin, Voy. de Perse, tom. ii. p. 212.) Shiraz was famous in the East for its wines of ditt'erent soi-ts, but particularly for its red, which was esteemed more highly than even the white wine of Kismische.

P. 08. Eunuchs in the rear. As the black eunuchs were the inseparable attendants of the ladies, the rear was consequently their post ; so in the argument to the poem of Amriolkais : ' One daj' when her tribe had struck their tents and were changing their station, the women as usual came behind the rest, with the servants and baggage in caiTiages fixed on the backs of camels.'

P. G8. Certain car/es of the ladies. There are many passages of the Moallakat in which these cages are fully described ; thus, in the poem of Lebeid : * How were thy tender atfections raised when the damsels of the tribe departed, when they hid themselves in carriages of cotton like antelopes in their lair, and the tents as they were struck gave a piercing sound ! They were concealed in vehicles whose sides were well covered with awnings and carpets, with fine-spun curtains and pictured veils.' Again Zohair: ' Look, my friend! dost thou not discern a company of maidens seated on camels and advancing over the high ground above the streams of Jortham? They leave on their right the mountains and rocky plains of Kenaan. Oh ! how many of my bitter foes and how many of my firai allies does Kenaan contain I They are mounted in can-iages covered with costly awnings and with rose-coloured veils, the lining of which have the hue of crimson Andemwood. They now appear by the valley of Subaan, and now they pass through it ; the trappings of all their camels are new and large. When they ascend from the bosom of the vale they sit forward on the saddle-cloths with every mark of a voluptuous gaiety. {MotiUakat, by Sir W. Jones. j)p. 40, -35; see also Lady M. W. Montague, let. xxvi.)

iq:

p. 69. Those nocturnal insects which presage evil. It is observable that in the 5th verse of the 91st Psalm, the terror by nig-ht is rendered in the old Eng-lish version the bug-g-e by night. In the first settled parts of North America, eveiy nocturnal fly of a noxious quality is still generically named a bug, whence the tenn bug-bear signifies one that canies terror wherever he goes. Beelzebub, or the Lord of flies, was an Eastern apjiellative given to the Devil, and the nocturnal sound called by the Arabians azif was believed to be the howling of demons. Analogous to this, is a passage in Co7nus, as it stood in the original copy :

' But for that damned magician, let him be girl With all the grisly legions that troop Under the sooty flag of Acheron, Harpies and Hydras, or all the monstrous buggs 'Twixt Africa and Inde, I'll find him out.'

P. 70. Halted on the hanks of the Tigris. It is a practice in the East, and especially when large parties journey together, to halt if possible in the vicinity of a stream ; thus Zohair : ' They rose at day- break ; they proceeded at early dawn ; they are advancing towards the valley of Kas directly and surely as the hand to the mouth. Now when they have reached the brink of yon blue giishing rivulet they fix the poles of their tents, like the Arab, in a settled mansion.'

P. 73. Vathek — with two little -pages. ' All the pages of the seraglio are sons of Christians made slaves in time of war in their most tender age. The incursions of robbers in the confines of Circassia afford the means of supplying the seraglio, even in times of peace.' (Habesci's StMe of the Ottoman Empire, p. 157.) That the pages here mentioned were Circassians appears from the description of their complexion, more fair than the enamel of Franguestan.

P. 75. Hath seen some part of our bodies and-, what i^ worse, our very faces. ' I was infonned,' writes Dr. Cooke, * that the Persian women in general would sooner expose to public view any part of their bodies than their faces.' (Voyages and Travels, vol. ii. p. 443.)

P. 77. Cakes baked' iyi silver ovens for his royal mouth. Portable ovens were a part of the furniture of Eastern travellers ; St. Jerome (on Lament, v. 10) hath particularly described them. The Caliph's were of the same kind, only substituting silver for brass. Dr. Pococke mentions his having been entertained in an Arabian camp with cakes

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baked tor him. In what the peculiarity of the royal bread consisted it is not easy to determine, but in one of the Arabian tales a woman, to g:ratify her utmost desire, wishes to become the wife of the Sultan's baker, assig-ning- for the reason that she might have her fill of that bread which is called the Sultan's. (Vol. iv. p. 2l>LI.)

1*. 79. Horrible Kaf. This mountain, which in reality is no other than Caucasus, was supposed to surround the earth like a ring encompassing a finger; the sun was believed to rise from one of its eminences (as over Oeta, by the I^tin poets) and to set ou the opposite, whence from Kaf to Kaf sig-nified from one extremity of the earth to the other. The fabulous historians of the East afiinu that this mountain was founded upon a stone called Sakhn/t, one grain of which according to Lokman, would enable the possessor to work wonders; this stone is fm-ther described as the pivot of the earth and said to be one vast emerald, from the refraction of whose beams the heavens derive their azure. It is added that whenever God would excite an eai-thquake He commands the stone to move one of its fibres (which supply in it the office of nei'\'es) and that being moved, the pai-t of the earth connected with it quakes, is convulsed, and sometimes expands; such is the philosophy of the Koran! The Tari'kh Tahari, written in Pei-sian, analogous to the same tradition, relates that were it not for this emerald the earth would be liable to perpetual commotions and unfit for the abode of mankind. To arrive at the Kaf a vast region, far from the sun and summer gale, must be travei'sed; over this dark and cheerless desert the way is inextricable without the direction of supernatural guidance. Heie the divas or giants were confined after their defeat by the first heroes of the human race, and here also the j)eris or fairies are sui)i)osed in ordinaiT to reside. Sukrag'e the g-iant was king of Kaf, and had Kucail, one of the children c>f Adam, for his prime minister. The giant Aigenk likewise, fiom the time that Tahamurah made war upon him, reigned here, and reared a superb palace in the city of Ahriman, with galleries on whose walls were painted the creatures that inhabited the world prior to the foraiation of Adam. (Ilerbelot, p. 230, et(r.)

1*. 7!J. T/ir Siinvrf/Ii. This is that wonderful bird of the East conceming which so many marvels are told ; it was not only endowed with reason, but possessed also the knowle<lge of every language; hence

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it may be concluded to have been a diva in a borrowed form. Tbis creature relates of itself that it had seen the g-reat revolution of seven thousand years twelve times commence and close ; and that in its duration the world had been seven times void of inhabitants and as often replenished. The Simurg-h is represented as a great friend to the race of Adam and not less inimical to the divas. Tahamurath and Ahriman were apprised by its predictions of all that was destined to befall them, and from it they obtained the promise of assistance in eveiy undei-laking. Araied with the buckler of Djinn ben Djinn, Tahamurath was borne by it through the air over the dark desert to Kaf . From its bosom his helmet was crested with plumes which the most renowned waiTiors have ever since worn. In every conflict the Simurgh was invulnerable, and the heroes it favoured never failed of success; though possessed of power sufficient to exterminate its foes, yet the exertion of that power was supposed to be forbidden. Sadi, a serious author, g'ives it as an instance of the universality of Providence that the Simurgh, notwithstanding its immense bulk, is at no loss for sustenance on the mountain of Kaf. Inatulla hath described Getiafrose, (jueen of the g'enii, as seated on a golden chariot, drawn by ten Simurghs, whose wings extended wide as the earth-shading Bir or Banian tree, and whose talons resembled the proboscis of mighty elephants ; but it does not appear from any other writer that there ever was more than one, which is frequently called the marvellous gryphon and said to be like that imaginary monster. (Herbelot, pp. 1017, 810, etc. ; Tales of Inatulla, vol. ii. pp. 71, 72.) As the magic shield of Atlante resembles the buckler of Djinn ben Djinn, so his Ippogrif apparently came from the Simurgh, notwithstanding the reference of Ariosto to the veridical archbishop : — •

' Non ho veduto mai, ne letto altrove, J'uor che in Turpin, d'un si fatto animale.'

P. 79. Palampores , etc. These elegant productions, which abound in all parts of the East, were of very remote antiquity; not only are rrn'Sovas ivai>6(t<;, finely flowered linens, noticed by Strabo, but Herodotus relates that the nations of Caucasus adorned their garaients with figures of various creatures by means of the sap of certain vesretables, which, when macerated and diluted with water, communicate colours that cannot be washed out and are no less permanent than the

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textm-e itself. (Strabo, 1. xv. p. 709; Hercxlot, 1. i. p. 9(i.) The Arabian tales repeatedly describe these ' fine linens of India, painted in the most lively colours, and representing beasts, trees, flowers, etc. (Arabian i\'i(jhts, vol. iv. p. 217, etc.)

P. 80. Afrits. These were a kind of Medusa or I^imia, supposed to be the most terrible and cruel of all the ordei-s of the divas. (Herbelot, p. 66.)

P. 80. Tablets fraxight with preternatural qualities. Mr. Tlifhard- son observes, * that in the East men of rank in general caiTied with them pocket astronomical tables which they consulted on every affair of moment.' These tablets however were of the magical kind and such as often occur in works of romance. Thus in Boiardo, Orlando receives from the father of the youth he had rescued a book that would solve all doubts; and in Ariosto, Logistilla bestows upon Astolpho a similar Directory. The books which Carathis turned over with Morakanabad were imagined to have possessed the like virtues.

P. 80. Dwarfs. Such unfortunate beings as are thus 'curtailed of fair proportion,' have been for ages an appendage of Eastern grandeur. One part of their office consists in the instruction of the pages, but their principal duty is the amusement of their master. If a dwarf happen to be a mute he is much esteemed, but if he be also a eunuch he is regarded as a prodigj^ and no pains or expense is spared to obtain him. (Habesci's State of the Ottovi-an Empire, p. 164, etc.)

P. 81. Reading the holy Koran. The Mahometans have a book of stops or pauses in reading the Koran, which divides it into seventeen sections and allows of no more. (Herbelot, p. 915.)

P. 81. The bells of a cafila. A cafila or caravan, according to Pitts, is divided into distinct companies, at the head of which an officer or person of distinction is carried in a kind of horse litter, and followed by a sumpter camel loaded with his treasure ; this camel hath a bell fastened to either side, the sound of which may be heard at a considerable distance; others have bells im theii- necks and their legs to solace them when drooping with heat and fatigue. InatuUa, also, in his tales hath a similar reference : ' The bells of the cafila may be ining in the thirsty desert.' (Vol. ii. p. 15.)

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p. 81. Degf/ial. This word signifies properly a liar and imposter, but is applied by Mahometan writers to their antichrist. He is described as having- but one eye and eyebrow, and on his forehead the radicals of cafer (or infidel) are said to be impressed. According- to the traditions of the faithful, his first appearance will be between Irak and Syria, mounted on an ass ; seventy thousand Jews from Ispahan are expected to follow him. His continuance on earth is to be ioviy days. All places are to be destroyed by him and his emissaries, except Mecca and Medina, which will be protected by angels from the general overthrow; at last, however, he will be slain by Jesus, who is to encounter him at the gate of Lud. (Herbelot, p. 282 ; Sale's Prelvm. Disc. p. 106.)

P. 82. Dictated hy the blessed. Intelligence. That is, the angel Gabriel. The Mahometans deny that the Koran was composed by their prophet ; it being their g-eneral and orthodox belief that it is of Divine origin, nay, even eternal and uncreated, remaining in the very essence of God ; that the first transcript has been from everlasting by His throne, written on a table of immense size called the preserved table, on which are also recorded the Divine decrees, past and future; that a copy was by the ministry of the angel Gabriel sent down to the lowest heaven in the month of Ramadan, on the night or power; from whence Gabriel revealed it to Mahomet by parcels, some at Mecca and some at Medina. (Al Koran, ch. ii. etc. ; Sale's PrelinTh. Disc. p. 85.)

P. 85. The BisTJiillah. This word (which is prefixed to every chapter of the Koran except the ninth) signifies ' In the name of the most merciful God.' It did not become the initiatory fonnula of prayer till the time of Moez the Fatimite. (Herbelot, p. 326.) Ablution is of an origin long prior to Mahomet ; it is mentioned in Homer and alluded to by the Psalmist : ' I will wash my hands in innocency, and so will I compass thine altar, O I^ord.' Again: ' Verily have I cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency.'

P. 86 — 87. A magnificent taktrevan. This kind of moving throne, though more common at present than in the days of Vathek, is still confined to persons of the highest rank.

P. 87. Baths of rose-water. The use of perfumed waters for the 202

purpose of bathinp: is of an. early origin in the East, where eveiy odoriferous plant sheds a richer fragrance than is known to our more humid climates. The rose which yields this lotion is, according to Hasselquist, of a beautiful pale blush colour, double, large as a man's fist, and more exquisite in scent than any other species. The quantities of this water distilled annually at Fajhum and carried to distant countries is immense. The mode of conveying it is in vessels of copper coated with wax. (VoyiKj. p. 248.) Ben Jonson makes Volpone say to Celia: —

' Their bath shall be the juyce of gilliflowora. Spirit of roses and of violets.'

P. 88. Lavib d la creme. No dish amongst the Easterns was more generally admired; the Caliph Abdolmelek, at a splendid entertainment to which whoever came was welcome, asked Amrou the son of Hareth what kind of meat he preferred to all othei-s ; the old man answered : "An ass's neck, well seasoned and roasted." '* But what say you," replied the Caliph, ** to the leg or shoulder of a lamb a la creme'? " And added :

" How sweetly we live if a shadow would last ? "

(MS. Laud, Numb. 101. A. Ockley's Hist, of the Saracens, vol. ii. p. 277.)

P. 89. The nine hundred and ninety-ninth time. The Mahometans boast of a doctor who is reported to have read over the Koran not fewer than twenty thousand times. (Herbelot, p. 75.)

P. 91. To let down the fjreat swing. The swing was an exercise much used in the apartments of the Eastern ladies, and contributed not only to their health but to their amusement. {Tales of Inatulla, vol. 1, p. 2o9.)

P. 95. Calenders. These were a sort of men amongst the Mahometans who abandoned father and mother, wife and children, relations, and possessions, to wander through the world under a pretence of religion, entirely subsisting on the fortuitous bounty of those they had the address to dupe. (Herbelot, Suppl. p. 204.)

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P, 95. Santons. A body of religionists who were also called Abdals and pretended to be inspired with the most enthusiastic raptures of divine love ; they were regarded by the vulgar as saints. (Olearius, torn. i. p. 971 ; Herbelot, p. 5.)

P. 95. Dervises or Dervishes. The term Dervise signifies a poor man and is the general appellation by which a religious amongst the Mahometans is named. There are however discriminations that distinguish this class from the others already mentioned; they are bound by no vow of poverty, they abstained not from marriage, and, whenever disposed, they may relinquish both their blue shirt and profession. (Herbelot, Suppl. 214.)

P. 95. Brahmins. These constituted the principal caste of the Indians, according to whose doctrine Brahma, from whom they are called, is the first of the three created beings by whom the world was made. This Brahma is said to have communicated to the Indians four books, in which all the sciences and ceremonies of their religion are comprised. The word Brahma in the Indian language signifies pervading all things. The Brahmins lead a life of most rigid abstinence, refraining not only from the use but even the touch of animal food, and are equally exemplary for their contempt of pleasures and devotion to philosophy and religion. (Herbelot, p. 212; Bruckeri Hist. Philosoph. torn. i. p. 194.)

P. 95. Fakirs. This sect were a kind of religious anchorites who spent their whole lives in the severest austerities and mortification. It is almost impossible for the imagination to form an extravagance that has not been practised by some of them to torment themselves. As their reputation for sanctity rises in proportion to their sufferings, those amongst them are reverenced the most who are most ingenious in the invention of tortures and persevering in enduring them; hence some have persisted in sitting or standing for years together in one unvaried posture, supporting an almost intolerable burden, dragging the most cumbrous chains, exposing their naked bodies to the scoi-ching sun, and hanging with head downward before the fiercest fires. (Reliff. Cerem. vol. iii. p. 2G4, etc. ; White's Sermons, p. 504.)

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p. 96. Tkn/iu and Jj-huru. Two deities of the East Indians concerning whose histoiy and adventures more nonsense is related than can be found in the whole compass of mythology besides. The traditions of their votaries are no doubt allegorical, but without a key to disclose their mystic import they are little better than senseless jargon.

1'. 97. Tiilopoins. This order, which abounds in Siam, Laos, Pegu, and other countries, consists of different classes and both sexes, but chiefly of men. {Relifj- Cereni. vol. iv. p. G2, etc.)

P. 98. Sm^iU plates of abominations. The Koran hath established several distinctions relative to different kinds of food; and many Mahometans are so scrupulous as not to touch the flesh of any animal over which in the article of death the butcher had omitted to pronounce the Bismillah. {Regis. Cerein. vol. vii. p. 110.)

P. 99. Peris. The word peri in the Pei*sian language signifies that beautiful race of creatures which constitutes the link between angels and men. The Arabians call them (/inn or genii, and we (from the Persian, perhaps) fairies; at least the peris of the Pei"sian romance correspond to that imaginaiy class of beings in our poetical system. The Italians denominate them fata, in allusion to their power oi charming and enchanting; thus the Manta fatidica of Virgil is rendered in Orlando La fata Manto. The term ginn being common to both peris and divas, some have erroneously fancied that the peris were female divas; this appellation, however, served only to discriminate their common nature from the angelic and human, without respect to their qualities, moral or pei-sonal ; thus the divas are hideous and wicked, whilst the peris are beautiful and good. Amongst the Pei-sian poets the beauty of the peris is proverbial, insomuch that a woman superlatively handsome is styled by them the offspring of a peri.

P. 103. Megnoun and Leileh. These personages are esteemed amongst the Arabians as the most beautiful, chaste and impassioned of lovers ; and their amoui^s have been celebrated with all the (-hanus of verse in every Oriental language ; the Mahometans regard them and the poetical records of their love in the same light as the Bridegroom and Spouse, and the Song of Songs are regarded by the Jews. (Herbelot, p. 573.)

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p. 105. Shadukiarn and Amhreahad. These were two cities of the Peris in the imaginary region of Djinnistan ; the former signifies pleasure and desire, the latter tlie city of Amhergus. (Richardson's Dissertatio ns , p. 169.)

P. 108. A spoon of Cocknos. The rocknos is a bird whose beak is much esteemed for its beautiful polish, and sometimes used as a spoon ; thus in the history of Ataimulck and Zelica Begum, it was employed for a similar purpose : ' Zelica having- called for refreshment, six old slaves instantly brought in and distributed Mahramas, and then served about in a great basin of raartabam a salad made of herbs of various kinds, citron juice and the pith of cucumbers. They served it first to the princess in a cocknos' beak; she took a beak of the salad, eat it, and gave another to the next slave that sat by her on her rig-ht hand, which slave did as her mistress had done.'

P. 111. Ghoules. Ghoul or ghul in Arabic signifies any temfying object which deprives people of the use of their senses ; hence it became the appellative of that species of monster which was supposed to haunt forests, cemeteries and other lonelj'^ places, and believed not only to tear in pieces the living, but to dig up and devour the dead. That kind of insanity called by the Arabians kut/nib (a word sig"nifying not only a wolf, but likewise a male ghoul), which incites such as are afflicted with it to roam howling- amidst those melancholy haunts, may cast some light on the nature of the possession recorded by St. Mark, chap. v. 1, etc.

P. 113. The carhunclc of Jdinshyd. This mighty potentate was the fourth sovereign of the dynasty of the Pischadians, and brother or nephew to Tahamurath; his proper name was Jatn, and Shyd, which ill the lang-uage of the ancient Persians denominated the sun, an addition ascribed by some to the majesty of his person, and by others to the splendour of his actions. One of the most magnificent monuments of his reign was the city of Istakhar, of which Tahamurath had laid the foundations. This city, known as Gihil- or Tchil-minar, from the forty columns reared in it by Homai or (according to our author and the g-reat authorities) Soliman Bon Daoud, was known to the Greeks by the name of Persepolis ; and there is still extant in the East a

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tradition that when Alexander burnt the edifices cif the Persian kinjjfs seven stupendous stiiictures ut Jamshyd were consumed with his pahice. This prince, after having- subjected to his empire seven vast provinces of Upper Asia and enjoyed in peace a long reign (which some authoi-s have protracted to seven hundred years), became intoxicated with his greatness, and, foolishly fancying it would have no end, arrog-ated to himself divine honoui-s; but the Almighty raised up, even in his own house, a terrible insti-ument to abase his pride, by whom he was easily overcome and driven into exile. The author of Giamie al Tavatikh mentions the cup or concave mirror of Jamshyd, foraied of a gem and called the cup of the sun. To this vessel the Persian poets often refer, and allegorise it in different ways; they attribute to it the property of exhibiting everything in the compass of Nature and even some things that are preternatural. The gem it consisted of appears to be the carbuncle or Oriental ruby, which, from its resemblance to a burning coal and the splendour it was supposed to emit in the dark, was called schehgerag or the torch of the night. According to Strabo it obtained its high estimation among-st the Persians, who were worshippers of fire, from its igneous qualities and perhaps those virtues for which it hath been styled ' the first of stones.' Milton had a learned retrospect to its fabulous powei*s in describing the Old Sei-pent :

' His head Crested aloft, and carbuncle his eyes.'

(Herbelot, pp. .392, 395, 780, etc. ; Brighte on Melancholie, p. 321 ; Paradise Lost, ix. 499.)

P. 117. As her haruls evince. When females in the East are betrothed, their palms and fingers are tinged of a crimson colour with the herb henna. This is called the crimson of consent. (Tales uf InatuUa, vol. ii. p. 15.)

P. 118. Violate the rites of hospitality. So high an idea of these rites prevails amongst the Arabians that a bread and salt traitor is the most opprobrious invective with which one person can reproach another. (Richardson's Dissert, p. 219; see also the story of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves in the Arabian Nights, vol. iv. p. IGG.)

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p. 122. All instruTTients of music were broken. Thus in the Arabian Nights : ' Haroiin Al Raschid wept over Schemselnihar, and before he left the room ordered all the musical instruments to be broken,' (Vol. ii. p. 196.)

P. 123. Imans began to recite their prayers. An Iman is the principal priest of a mosque. It was the office of the Imans to precede the bier, praving' as the procession moved on. {Relig. Cerem. vol. vii. p. 117.)

P. 123. The wailful cries of " La illaha ill' Allah." This exclamation, which contains the leading- principle of Mahometan belief and sig-nifies there is no God but God, was commonly uttered under some violent emotion of mind. The Spaniards adopted it from their Moorish neighbours and Cervantes hath used it in Don Quixote : ' En esto llegaron coiTiendo con grita, lililies (literally professions of faith in Alia) y alg-azara los de las libreas, adonde Don Quixote suspense y atonito estava.' (Parte Segninda, cap. Ixi. torn. iv. p. 241.) The same expression is sometimes written by the Spaniards lAlaila and Hila hilahaila.

P. 12(). The angel of Death had opened the portal of some other ivorld. The name of this exterminating angel is Azrael, and his office is to conduct the dead to the abode assigned them, which is said by some to be near the place of their interment.

P. 126. Monger and Nakir. These are two black angels of a tremendous appearance who examine the departed on the subject of his faith; by whom, if he give not a satisfactory account, he is sure to be cudgelled with maces of red-hot iron and tonnented more variously than words can describe.

P. 126. The fatal bridge. This bridge, called in Arabic al Sirat and said to extend over the infernal gmlf, is represented as narrower than a spider's web and sharper than the edge of a sword. Though the attempt to cross it be

' More full of peril, and advent'rous spirit. Than to o'erwalk a current, roaring loud. On the unsteadfast footing of a spear ' ;

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yet the paradise of Mahomet can be entered hy no other avenue. Those indeed who have behaved well need not be alanned; mixed characters will find it difficult, but the wicked soon miss their standing and plunge headlong into the abyss. (Pocock in l*ort. Mns. ]>. 282, etc.) Milton apparently copied from this well-known fiction, and not as Ur. Warton conjectured from the Poet Sadi, his way

' Over the dark abyss, whose boiling gulf Tamely endur'd a bridge of wond'rous length. From hell continu'd, reaching the utmost orb Of this frail world.'

P. 138. Wine hoarded up in bottles prior to the birth of Mahomet. The prohibition of wine by the prophet materially diminished its consumption within the limits of his own dominions; hence a resene of it might be expected of the age here specified. The custom of hoarding wine was not unknown to the Persians, though not so often practised by them as by the Greeks and the Romans. * I purchase,' says Lebeid, * the old liquor at a dear rate, in dark leathern bottles long reposited, or in casks black with pitch, whose seals I break, and then fill the cheerful goblet. {MoaUakat, p. 53.)

P. 141. Her great carnal Alboufaki. There is a singular and laboured description of a camel in the Tarafa, but Alboufaki possessed qualities appropriate to himself and which rendered him but little less conspicuous than the defonued dun camel of Aad.

P. 150. Blue fishes. Fishes of the same colour are mentioned in the Arabian IVir/hts, and like these were endowed with the gift of speech.

P. 153. Wavinff .streamers on which were inscribed the na.vxes nf Alia and the Prophet. The position that ' there is no God but God, and Mahomet is His prophet,' pervades even' part of the Mahometan religion. Banners, like those here descri])ed, are preserved in the several mosques, and on the death of extraordinary persons are Ijorne before the bier in solemn state. (ReJig. Cerem. vol. vii. pp. 119-20.)

P. 154. Astrolabes, The mention of the Astrolabe may be deemed

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incompatible at first view with chronological exactness, as there is no instance of any being- constructed by a Mussulman till after the time of Vathek. It may however be remarked, to go no higher, that Sinesius, bishop of Ptolemais, invented one in the fifth century ; and that Carathis was not only herself a Greek, but also cultivated those sciences which the good Mussulmans of her time all held in abhorrence. (Bailly, Hist, de V Astronom. moderne, tom. i. pp. 563, 573.)

P. 158. On the hanks of the stream hives and oratories. The bee is an insect held in high veneration amongst the Mahometans, it being pointed out in the Koran ' for a sign unto the people that understand,' the Santons therefore who inhabit the fertile banks of Eocnabad are not less famous for their hives than their oratories. (Herbelot, p. 717.)

P. IGO. Sheiks, Cadis. Sheiks are the chiefs of the societies of Dei-vishes ; Cadis are the magistrates of a town or city.

P. 160. Asses in bridles of rihand inscribed from the Koran. As the judges of Israel in ancient days rode on white asses, so amongst the Mahometans those that affect an extraordinary sanctity use the same animal in preference to the horse. Sir John Chardin observed in various parts of the East that their reins, as here represented, were of silk, with the name of God or other inscriptions upon them. (Ludeke, Ea-pos. brevis, p. 49; Chardin's MS. cited by Harmer.)

P. 164. Ehli^. Herbelot supposes this title to have been a corniption. It was the appellation conferred by the Arabians upon the prince of the apostate angels, whom they represent as exiled to the infenial regions for refusing to worship Adam at the command of the Supreme.

P. 167. Balkis. This was the Arabian name of the Queen of Sheba, who went from the south to hear the wisdom and admire the glory of Solomon ; the Koran represents her as a worshipper of fire. Solomon is said not only to have entertained her with the greatest magnificence, but also to have raised her to his bed and his throne. (Al Koran, ch. xxvii. and Sale's notes; Herbelot, p. 182.)

210

1*. 174. (hiranahad . This monster is represented iis ;i fierce flyinjj: hydra and belong-s to the same class with the ni/islir, whose ordinary food was serpents and dragons, the soham, which had the head of a horee with four eyes and the body of a flame-coloured drajion, the si/l , a ])asilisk with a face resembling^ the human, but so tremendous that no mortal could bear to behold it, the ejder and others.

P. ITo. Creatures of clay. Nothing could have been more appo- sitely imagined than this compellation. Eblis had suffered a degradation from his primeval rank and was consig-ned to these regions for having refused to worship Adam, in obedience to the supreme command; alleging in justification of his refusal that himself had been fonned of ethereal fire, whilst Adam was only a creature of clay. (Al Koran, c. 65, etc.)

P. 175. The fortress of Ahrlmdn. In the mythology of the Easterns, Ahriman was accounted the Demon of Discord. The ancient Persian romances abound in descriptions of tliis fortress, in which the inferior demons assemble to receive the behests (jf their prince, and from whom they proceed to exercise their malice in every part of the world. (Herbelot, p. 71.)

P. 175. The halls of Arf/enk. The halls of this mighty diva, who reigned in the mountains of Kaf, contained the statutes of the seventy- two Solimans and the portraits of the various creatures subject to them, not one of which bore the slightest similitude to man ; some had many heads, others many arms, and some consisted of many bodies; their heads were all very extraordinary, some resembling the elephant's the buffalo's and the boar's, whilst othei*s were still more monstrous.

P. 170. Holdiuff his rif/ht hand m-otionless on his heart. Sandys observes that the application of the right hand to the heart is the customary mode of Eastern salutation; but the perseverance of the votaries of Eblis in this attitude was intended to express their devotion to him both heart and hand.

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p. 184. Carathis on the back of an afrit. The expedition of the afrit in fetching Carathis is characteristic of this order of divas. We read in the Koran that another of the fraternity offered to bring the Queen of Sheba's throne to Solomon before he could rise from his place. (Ch. 27.)

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