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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
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employed by Carathis in repeating to him the decrees of the mysterious
parchment； which she had thoroughly gotten by heart； and in
recommending him not to enter the habitation of any one by the way； 〃for
well thou knowest；〃 added she； 〃how liquorish 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 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 like mummy
is decided； and I am confident thou wilt see 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 spacious
square resembled an immense parterre； variegated with the most stately
tulips of the East。
Arrayed in the robes which were only worn it 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
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but the shrill screams of some eunuchs in the rear； these vigilant guards；
having remarked certain cages of the ladies swagging somewhat awry； and
discovered that a few adventurous gallants had contrived to get in； soon
dislodged the enraptured culprits。 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 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
with each other； yet a singular dissonance was blended with their sounds；
this proceeded from Carathis； who was singing her direful orisons to the
Giaour； whilst the negresses and mutes supplied thorough…base 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；
twenty 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 awe 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 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
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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； 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； every one was
ignorant which way to turn； for Vathek； 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。 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
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