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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 whole 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； their power； their pride； and their crimes；
Soliman Raad； Soliman Daki； and Soliman Di Gian Ben Gian； who； after
having chained up the Dives in the dark caverns of Kaf； became so
presumptuous as to doubt of the Supreme Power； all these maintained
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
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the sullen roar of a vast cataract； visible in part through the grated portals：
this was the only sound that intruded on the silence of these doleful
mansions。 A range of brazen vases surrounded the elevation。
〃Remove the covers from these cabalistic depositories；〃 said the
Giaour to Vathek； 〃and avail thyself of the talismans； which will break
asunder all these gates of bronze； and not only render thee master of the
treasures contained within them； but also of the spirits by which they are
guarded。〃
The Caliph； whom this ominous preliminary had entirely disconcerted；
approached the vases with faltering footsteps； and was ready to sink with
terror when he heard the groans of Soliman。 As he proceeded a voice from
the livid lips of the Prophet articulated these words：
〃In my life…time I filled a magnificent throne； having on my right hand
twelve thousand seats of gold； where the patriarchs and the prophets heard
my doctrines； on my left the sages and doctors； upon as many thrones of
silver； were present at all my decisions。 Whilst I thus administered justice
to innumerable multitudes； the birds of the air librating over me served as
a canopy from the rays of the sun； my people flourished； and my palace
rose to the clouds； I erected a temple to the Most High； which was the
wonder of the universe； but I basely suffered myself to be seduced by the
love of women； and a curiosity that could not be restrained by sublunary
things； I listened to the counsels of Aherman and the daughter of Pharaoh；
and adored fire and the hosts of heaven； I forsook the holy city； and
commanded the Genii to rear the stupendous palace of Istakar； and the
terrace of the watch…towers； each of which was consecrated to a star； there
for a while I enjoyed myself in the zenith of glory and pleasure； not only
men； but supernatural existences were subject also to my will。 I began to
think； as these unhappy monarchs around had already thought； that the
vengeance of Heaven was asleep； when at once the thunder burst my
structures asunder and precipitated me hither； where； however； I do not
remain； like the other inhabitants； totally destitute of hope； for an angel of
light hath revealed that； in consideration of the piety of my early youth；
my woes shall come to an end when this cataract shall for ever cease to
flow； till then I am in torments； ineffable torments！ an unrelenting fire
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preys on my heart。〃
Having uttered this exclamation； Soliman raised his hands towards
heaven； in token of supplication； and the Caliph discerned through his
bosom； which was transparent as crystal； his heart enveloped in flames。
At a sight so full of horror Nouronihar fell back； like one petrified； into the
arms of Vathek； who cried out with a convulsive sob：
〃O Giaour！ whither hast thou brought us？ Allow us to depart； and I
will relinquish all thou hast promised。 O Mahomet！ remains there no
more mercy？〃
〃None！ none！〃 replied the malicious Dive。 〃Know； miserable prince！
thou art now in the abode of vengeance and despair； thy heart also will be
kindled； like those of the other votaries of Eblis。 A few days are allotted
thee previous to this fatal period； employ them as thou wilt； recline on
these heaps of gold； command the Infernal Potentates； range at thy
pleasure through these immense subterranean domains； no barrier shall be
shut against thee； as for me； I have fulfilled my mission； I now leave thee
to thyself。〃 At these words he vanished。
The Caliph and Nouronihar remained in the most abject affliction；
their tears unable to flow； scarcely could they support themselves。 At
length； taking each other despondingly by the hand； they went faltering
from this fatal hall； indifferent which way they turned their steps； every
portal opened at their approach； the Dives fell prostrate before them； every
reservoir of riches was disclosed to their view； but they no longer felt the
incentives of curiosity； pride； or avarice。 With like apathy they heard the
chorus of Genii； and saw the stately banquets prepared to regale them；
they went wandering on from chamber to chamber； hall to hall； and gallery
to gallery； all without bounds or limit； all distinguishable by the same
lowering gloom； all adorned with the same awful grandeur； all traversed
by persons in search of repose and consolation； but who sought them in
vain； for every one carried within him a heart tormented in flames：
shunned by these various sufferers； who seemed by their looks to be
upbraiding the partners of their guilt； they withdrew from them to wait in
direful suspense the moment which should render them to each other the
like objects of terror。
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〃What！〃 exclaimed Nouronihar； 〃will the time come when I shall
snatch my hand from thine！〃
〃Ah！〃 said Vathek； 〃and shall my eyes ever cease to drink from thine
long draughts of enjoyment！ Shall the moments of our reciprocal
ecstasies be reflected on with horror？ It was not thou that broughtest me
hither； the principles by which Carathis perverted my youth have been the
sole cause of my perdition！〃 Having given vent to these painful
expressions； he called to an Afrit； who was stirring up one of the braziers；
and bade him fetch the Princess Carathis from the palace of Samarah。
After issuing these orders； the Caliph and Nouronihar continued
walking amidst the silent crowd； till they heard voices at the end of the
gallery； presuming them to proceed from some unhappy beings； who； like
themselves； were awaiting their final doom； they followed the sound； and
found it to come from a small square chamber； where they discovered
sitting on sofas five young men of goodly figure； and a lovely female； who
were all holding a melancholy conversation by the glimmering of a lonely
lamp； each had a gloomy and forlorn air； and two of them were embracing
each other with great tenderness。 On seeing the Caliph and the daughter
of Fakreddin enter； they arose； saluted； and gave them place； then he who
appeared the most considerable of the group addressed himself thus to
Vathek：
〃Strangers！ who doubtless are in the same state of suspense with
ourselves； as you do not yet bear your hands on your hearts； if you are
come hither to pass th