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itself。〃
Those words made for the present but a slight impression on the
Caliph； but they not long after recurred to his mind。
This conversation was cut short by Fakreddin； who came to request
that Vathek would join in the prayers and ablutions to be solemnised on a
spacious meadow； watered by innumerable streams。 The Caliph found the
waters refreshing； but the prayers abominably irksome； he diverted
himself； however； with the multitude of Calenders； Santons； and Dervises；
who were continually coming and going； but especially with the Brahmins；
Fakirs； and other enthusiasts； who had travelled from the heart of India；
and halted on their way with the Emir。 These latter had； each of them；
some mummery peculiar to himself。 One dragged a huge chain wherever
he went； another an ouranoutang； whilst a third was furnished with
scourges； and all performed to a charm； some clambered up trees； holding
one foot in the air； others poised themselves over a fire； and without mercy
filliped their noses。 There were some amongst them that cherished
vermin； which were not ungrateful in requiting their caresses。 These
rambling fanatics revolted the hearts of the Dervises； the Calenders； and
Santons； however； the vehemence of their aversion soon subsided； under
the hope that the presence of the Caliph would cure their folly； and convert
them to the Mussulman faith； but； alas！ how great was their
disappointment！ for Vathek； instead of preaching to them； treated them as
buffoons； bade them present his compliments to Visnow and Ixhora； and
discovered a predilection for a squat old man from the isle of Serendib；
who was more ridiculous than any of the rest。
〃Come！〃 said he； 〃for the love of your gods bestow a few slaps on
your chops to amuse me。〃
The old fellow； offended at such an address； began loudly to weep； but；
as he betrayed a villainous drivelling in his tears； the Caliph turned his
back and listened to Bababalouk； who whispered； whilst he held the
umbrella over him： 〃Your Majesty should be cautious of this odd
assembly which hath been collected I know not for what。 Is it necessary
to exhibit such spectacles to a mighty potentate； with interludes of
Talapoins more mangy than dogs？ Were I you； I would command a fire
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to be kindled； and at once purge the earth of the Emir； his harem； and all
his menagerie。〃
〃Tush； dolt！〃 answered Vathek； 〃and know that all this infinitely
charms me； nor shall I leave the meadow till I have visited every hive of
these pious mendicants。〃
Wherever the Caliph directed his course objects of pity were sure to
swarm round him： the blind； the purblind； smarts without noses； damsels
without ears； each to extol the munificence of Fakreddin； who； as well as
his attendant grey…beards； dealt about gratis plasters and cataplasms to all
that applied。 At noon a superb corps of cripples made its appearance； and
soon after advanced by platoons on the plain； the completest association of
invalids that had ever been embodied till then。 The blind went groping
with the blind； the lame limped on together； and the maimed made
gestures to each other with the only arm that remained； the sides of a
considerable waterfall were crowded by the deaf； amongst whom were
some from Pegu with ears uncommonly handsome and large； but were still
less able to hear than the rest； nor were there wanting others in abundance
with humpbacks； wenny necks； and even horns of an exquisite polish。
The Emir； to aggrandise the solemnity of the festival in honour of his
illustrious visitant； ordered the turf to be spread on all sides with skins and
table…cloths； upon which were served up for the good Mussulmans pilaus
of every line； with other orthodox dishes； and； by the express order of
Vathek； who was shamefully tolerant； small plates of abominations for
regaling the rest。 This prince； on seeing so many mouths put in motion；
began to think it time for employing his own； in spite； therefore； of every
remonstrance from the chief of his eunuchs； he resolved to have a dinner
dressed on the spot。 The complaisant Emir immediately gave orders for
a table to be placed in the shade of the willows。 The first service
consisted of fish； which they drew from a river flowing over sands of gold
at the foot of a lofty hill； these were broiled as fast as taken； and served up
with a sauce of vinegar； and small herbs that grow on Mount Sinai； for
everything with the Emir was excellent and pious。
The dessert was not quite set on when the sound of lutes from the hill
was repeated by the echoes of the neighbouring mountains。 The Caliph；
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with an emotion of pleasure and surprise； had no sooner raised up his head
than a handful of jasmine dropped on his face； an abundance of tittering
succeeded the frolic； and instantly appeared through the bushes the elegant
forms of several young females； skipping and bounding like roes。 The
fragrance diffused from their hair struck the sense of Vathek； who； in an
ecstasy； suspending his repast； said to Bababalouk：
〃Are the Peris come down from their spheres？ Note her in particular
whose form is so perfect； venturously running on the brink of the precipice；
and turning back her head； as regardless of nothing but the graceful flow
of her robe； with what captivating impatience doth she contend with the
bushes for her veil！ could it be she who threw the jasmine at me？〃
〃Ay！ she it was； and you too would she throw from the top of the
rock；〃 answered Bababalouk； 〃for that is my good friend Nouronihar； who
so kindly lent me her swing； my dear lord and master；〃 added he； twisting
a twig that hung by the rind from a willow； 〃let me correct her for want of
respect； the Emir will have no reason to complain； since （bating what I
owe to his piety） he is much to