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THE HISTORY OF THE CALIPH VATHEK
with the key in his hand。
〃Ye are welcome；〃 said he to them； with a ghastly smile； 〃in spite of
Mahomet and all his dependants。 I will now admit you into that palace
where you have so highly merited a place。〃
Whilst he was uttering these words he touched the enamelled lock with
his key； and the doors at once expanded； with a noise still louder than the
thunder of mountains； and as suddenly recoiled the moment they had
entered。
The Caliph and Nouronihar beheld each other with amazement； at
finding themselves in a place which； though roofed with a vaulted ceiling；
was so spacious and lofty that at first they took it for an immeasurable
plain。 But their eyes at length growing familiar to the grandeur of the
objects at hand； they extended their view to those at a distance； and
discovered rows of columns and arcades； which gradually diminished till
they terminated in a point； radiant as the sun when he darts his last beams
athwart the ocean； the pavement； strewed over with gold dust and saffron；
exhaled so subtle an odour as almost overpowered them； they； however；
went on； and observed an infinity of censers； in which ambergris and the
wood of aloes were continually burning； between the several columns
were placed tables； each spread with a profusion of viands； and wines of
every species sparkling in vases of crystal。 A throng of Genii and other
fantastic spirits of each sex danced in troops； at the sound of music which
issued from beneath。
In the midst of this immense hall a vast multitude was incessantly
passing； who severally kept their right hands on their hearts； without once
regarding anything around them； they had all the livid paleness of death；
their eyes； deep sunk in their sockets； resembled those phosphoric meteors
that glimmer by night in places of interment。 Some stalked slowly on；
absorbed in profound reverie； some； shrieking with agony； ran furiously
about； like tigers wounded with poisoned arrows； whilst others； grinding
their teeth in rage； foamed along； more frantic than the wildest maniac。
They all avoided each other； and； though surrounded by a multitude that
no one could number； each wandered at random； unheedful of the rest； as
if alone on a desert which no foot had trodden。
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Vathek and Nouronihar； frozen with terror at a sight so baleful；
demanded of the Giaour what these appearances might mean； and why
these ambulating spectres never withdrew their hands from their hearts。
〃Perplex not yourselves；〃 replied he bluntly； 〃with so much； at once
you will soon be acquainted with all； let us haste and present you to
Eblis。〃
They continued their way through the multitude but； notwithstanding
their confidence at first； they were not sufficiently composed to examine
with attention the various perspectives of halls and of galleries that opened
on the right hand and left； which were all illuminated by torches and
braziers； whose flames rose in pyramids to the centre of the vault。 At
length they came to a place where long curtains； brocaded with crimson
and gold； fell from all parts in striking confusion； here the choirs and
dances were heard no longer； the light which glimmered came from afar。
After some time Vathek and Nouronihar perceived a gleam brightening
through the drapery； and entered a vast tabernacle carpeted with the skins
of leopards； an infinity of elders with streaming beards； and Afrits in
complete armour； had prostrated themselves before the ascent of a lofty
eminence； on the top of which； upon a globe of fire； sat the formidable
Eblis。 His person was that of a young man； whose noble and regular
features seemed to have been tarnished by malignant vapours； in his large
eyes appeared both pride and despair； his flowing hair retained some
resemblance to that of an angel of light； in his hand； which thunder had
blasted； he swayed the iron sceptre that causes the monster Ouranabad； the
Afrits； and all the powers of the abyss to tremble； at his presence the heart
of the Caliph sank within him； and for the first time he fell prostrate on his
face。 Nouronihar； however； though greatly dismayed； could not help
admiring the person of Eblis； for she expected to have seen some
stupendous giant。 Eblis； with a voice more mild than might be imagined；
but such as transfused through the soul the deepest melancholy； said：
〃Creatures of clay； I receive you into mine empire； ye are numbered
amongst my adorers； enjoy whatever this palace affords； the treasures of
the pre…adamite Sultans； their bickering sabres； and those talismans that
compel the Dives to open the subterranean expanses of the mountain of
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Kaf； which communicate with these； there； insatiable as your curiosity
may be； shall you find sufficient to gratify it； you shall possess the
exclusive privilege of entering the fortress of Aherman； and the halls of
Argenk； where are portrayed all creatures endowed with intelligence； and
the various animals that inhabited the earth prior to the creation of that
contemptible being whom ye denominate the Father of Mankind。〃
Vathek and Nouronihar； feeling themselves revived and encouraged by
this harangue； eagerly said to the Giaour：
〃Bring us instantly to the place which contains these precious
talismans。〃
〃Come！〃 answered this wicked Dive； with his malignant grin； 〃come！
and possess all that my sovereign hath promised； and more。〃
He then conducted them into a long aisle adjoining the tabernacle；
preceding them with hasty steps； and followed by his disciples with the
utmost alacrity。 They reached； at length； a hall of great extent； and
covered with a lofty dome； around which appeared fifty portals of bronze；
secured with as many fastenings of iron； a funereal gloom prevailed over
the whole scene；