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unwilling to betray the chagrin he could hardly disguise； said in a whisper
to Bababalouk； the chief of his eunuchs： 〃You see how enormous his
performances in every way are； what would be the consequence should he
get at my wives？ Go！ redouble your vigilance； and be sure look well to
my Circassians； who would be more to his taste than all of the rest。〃
The bird of the morning had thrice renewed his song when the hour of
the Divan sounded。 Vathek； in gratitude to his subjects； having promised
to attend； immediately rose from table and repaired thither； leaning upon
his vizir； who could scarcely support him； so disordered was the poor
prince by the wine he had drunk； and still more by the extravagant
vagaries of his boisterous guest。
The vizirs； the officers of the crown and of the law； arranged
themselves in a semicircle about their sovereign； and preserved a
respectful silence； whilst the Indian； who looked as cool as if come from a
fast； sat down without ceremony on the step of the throne； laughing in his
sleeve at the indignation with which his temerity had filled the spectators。
The Caliph； however； whose ideas were confused and his head
embarrassed； went on administering justice at haphazard； till at length the
prime vizir； perceiving his situation； hit upon a sudden expedient to
interrupt the audience and rescue the honour of his master； to whom he
said in a whisper： 〃My Lord； the Princess Carathis； who hath passed the
night in consulting the planets； informs you that they portend you evil； and
the danger is urgent。 Beware lest this stranger； whom you have so lavishly
recompensed for his magical gewgaws； should make some attempt on
your life； his liquor； which at first had the appearance of effecting your
cure； may be no more than a poison of a sudden operation。 Slight not
this surmise； ask him at least of what it was compounded； whence he
procured it； and mention the sabres which you seem to have forgotten。〃
Vathek； to whom the insolent airs of the stranger became every
moment less supportable； intimated to his vizir by a wink of acquiescence
that he would adopt his advice； and at once turning towards the Indian；
said： 〃Get up and declare in full Divan of what drugs the liquor was
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compounded you enjoined me to take； for it is suspected to be poison； add
also the explanation I have so earnestly desired concerning the sabres you
sold me； and thus show your gratitude for the favours heaped on you。〃
Having pronounced these words in as moderate a tone as a caliph well
could； he waited in silent expectation for an answer。 But the Indian； still
keeping his seat； began to renew his loud shouts of laughter； and exhibit
the same horrid grimaces he had shown them before； without vouchsafing
a word in reply。 Vathek； no longer able to brook such insolence；
immediately kicked him from the steps； instantly descending； repeated his
blow； and persisted with such assiduity as incited all who were present to
follow his example。 Every foot was aimed at the Indian； and no sooner
had any one given him a kick than he felt himself constrained to reiterate
the stroke。
The stranger afforded them no small entertainment； for； being both
short and plump； he collected himself into a ball； and rolled round on all
sides at the blows of his assailants； who pressed after him wherever he
turned with an eagerness beyond conception； whilst their numbers were
every moment increasing。 The ball； indeed； in passing from one
apartment to another； drew every person after it that came in its way；
insomuch that the whole palace was thrown into confusion； and resounded
with a tremendous clamour。 The women of the harem； amazed at the
uproar； flew to their blinds to discover the cause； but no sooner did they
catch a glimpse of the ball； than feeling themselves unable to refrain； they
broke from the clutches of their eunuchs； who to stop their flight pinched
them till they bled； but in vain； whilst themselves； though trembling with
terror at the escape of their charge； were as incapable of resisting the
attraction。
The Indian； after having traversed the halls； galleries； chambers；
kitchens； gardens； and stables of the palace； at last took his course through
the courts； whilst the Caliph； pursuing him closer than the rest； bestowed
as many kicks as he possibly could； yet not without receiving now and
then one； which his competitors in their eagerness designed for the ball。
Carathis； Morakanabad； and two or three old vizirs； whose wisdom
had hitherto withstood the attraction； wishing to prevent Vathek from
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THE HISTORY OF THE CALIPH VATHEK
exposing himself in the presence of his subjects； fell down in his way to
impede the pursuit； but he； regardless of their obstruction； leaped over
their heads； and went on as before。 They then ordered the Muezzins to
call the people to prayers； both for the sake of getting them out of the way
and of endeavouring by their petitions to avert the calamity； but neither of
these expedients was a whit more successful： the sight of this fatal ball
was alone sufficient to draw after it every beholder。 The Muezzins
themselves； though they saw it but at a distance； hastened down from their
minarets and mixed with the crowd； which continued to increase in so
surprising a manner； that scarce an inhabitant was left in Samarah； except
the aged； the sick confined to their beds； and infants at the breast； whose
nurses could run more nimbly without them。 Even Carathis；
Morakanabad； and the rest were all become of the party。
The shrill screams of the females； who had broken from their
apartments； and were unable to extricate themselves from the pressure of
the crowd； together with those of the eunuchs jostling after them； terrified
lest their charge should escape from their sigh