按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
〃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 your 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 as many cubits high。 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 Vathek； 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。 At last the fire
became so violent； and the flames reflected from the polished marble so
29
… Page 30…
THE HISTORY OF THE CALIPH VATHEK
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 in haste； ascended their roofs； beheld the tower
on fire； and hurried half naked to the square。 Their love to their sovereign
immediately awoke； and； apprehending him in danger of perishing in his
tower； their whole thoughts were occupied with the means of his safety。
Morakanabad flew from his retirement； wiped away his tears； and cried
out for water like the rest。 Bababalouk； whose olfactory nerves were
more familiarised to magical odours； readily conjecturing that Carathis
was engaged in her favourite amusements； 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 afterwards re…kindled 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。 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
staircase 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 in a moment have water！〃 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；
30
… Page 31…
THE HISTORY OF THE CALIPH VATHEK
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 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
senses。 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
faithfullest subjects； all which were thrown on the top of the pile。
Carathis； whose presence of mind never forsook her； perceiving that
she had carcases sufficient to 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； which 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 e