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THE HISTORY OF THE CALIPH VATHEK
the least apprized of their danger。 The confusion that prevailed was
extreme； wolves； 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 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； however； of his wives awoke him
with a start； and； instead of the Giaour with his key of gold； he beheld
Bababalouk 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 shall have
all eaten our last meal。〃
At the mention of eating the Caliph lost all 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
of 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。
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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 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 bashful amongst them hid their
foreheads on the ground； whist such as had more boldness flew at
Bababalouk； but he； well apprized of their humour； and not wanting in
shrewdness； betook himself to his heels along with his comrades； all
dropping their torches and striking their tymbals。
It was not less light than in the brightest of the dog…days； and the
weather was hot in proportion； but how degrading was the spectacle； to
behold the Caliph bespattered like an ordinary mortal！ As the exercise of
his faculties seemed to be suspended； one of his Ethiopian wives （for he
delighted in variety） clasped him in her arms； threw him upon her shoulder
like a sack of dates； and finding that the fire was hemming them in； set off
with no small expedition； considering the weight of her burden。 The
other ladies； who had just learnt the use of their feet； followed her； their
guards galloped after； and the camel…drivers brought up the rear as fast as
their charge would permit。
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They soon reached the spot where the wild beasts had commenced the
carnage； and which they had too much spirit to leave； notwithstanding the
approaching tumult and the luxurious supper they had made； Bababalouk
nevertheless seized on a few of the plumpest； which were unable to budge
from the place； and began to flay them with admirable adroitness。 The
cavalcade being got so far from the conflagration as that the heat felt
rather grateful than violent； it was immediately resolved on to halt。 The
tattered chintzes were picked up； the scraps left by the wolves and tigers
interred； and vengeance was taken on some dozens of vultures that were
too much glutted to rise on the wing。 The camels； which had been left
unmolested to make sal ammoniac； being numbered； and the ladies once
more enclosed in their cages； the imperial tent was pitched on the levellest
ground they could find。
Vathek； reposing upon a mattress of down； and tolerably recovered
from the jolting of the Ethiopian； who to his feelings seemed the roughest
trotting jade he had hitherto mounted； called out for something to eat。
But； alas！ those delicate cakes which had been baked in silver ovens for
his royal mouth； those rich manchets； amber comfits； flagons of Schiraz
wine； porcelain vases of snow； and grapes from the banks of the Tigris；
were all irremediably lost！ And nothing had Bababalouk to present in
their stead but a roasted wolf； vultures a la daube； aromatic herbs of the
most acrid poignancy； rotten truffles； boiled thistles； and such other wild
plants as most ulcerate the throat and parch up the tongue。 Nor was he
better provided in the article of drink； for he could procure nothing to
accompany these irritating viands but a few vials of abominable brandy；
which had been secreted by the scullions in their slippers。
Vathek made wry faces at so savage a repast； and Bababalouk
answered them with shrugs and contortions； the Caliph； however； ate with
tolerable appetite； and fell into a nap that lasted six hours。 The splendour
of the sun reflected from the white cliffs of the mountains； in spite of the
curtains that enclosed him； at length disturbed his repose； he awoke
terrified； and stung to the quick by those wormwood…coloured flies； which
emit from their wings a suffocating stench。 The miserable monarch was
perplexed how to act； though his wits were not idle in seeking expedients；
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whilst Bababalouk lay snoring amidst a swarm of those insects； that busily
thronged to pay court