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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； who was punctiliously religious； and likewise a great
dealer in compliments； 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 somewhat slowly； but Vathek； having ordered his
little pages in private to goad on the dromedaries； loud fits of laughter
broke forth from the cages； for the unwieldy curvetting 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 joy
at the snug little cabin that fell to his share； the pages that remained waited
on the rest of the train。
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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 with 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 rose water； and； by the light of perfumed
lamps your servants will amuse you with 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； 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
were spread； amongst others were sweetbreads stewed in milk of almonds；
saffron soups； and lamb a la creme； 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 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 with 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； to perform all the little offices they might need。 He sought for
a long time together； but without being able to find out the door； he durst
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not speak aloud； for fear of disturbing the Caliph； and not a soul was
stirring in the precincts of the palace； he 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 wanted 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 women； 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 my master had left。〃
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 Bababalouk！〃 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； 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 to the ceiling by cords of silk； and whilst this was doing；
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winked to her companions in the bath； who； chagrined to be forced from
so soothing a state of indolence； began to twist it round Bababalouk； and
tease 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
Sovereign； should thus continue standing； deign but to recline your
graceful person up