the history of the caliph vathek(加里弗[1].维克史)-第6部分
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chasm； and； to prevent it； redoubled their efforts； but in vain。 The Indian
persevered in his onward direction； and； as had been apprehended；
glancing from the precipice with the rapidity of lightning； was lost in the
gulf below。
Vathek would have followed the perfidious Giaour； had not an
invisible agency arrested his progress。 The multitude that pressed after
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him were at once checked in the same manner； and a calm instantaneously
ensued。 They all gazed at each other with an air of astonishment； and；
notwithstanding that the loss of veils and turbans； together with torn habits
and dust blended with sweat； presented a most laughable spectacle； there
was not one smile to be seen； on the contrary； all； with looks of confusion
and sadness； returned in silence to Samarah； and retired to their inmost
apartments； without ever reflecting that they had been impelled by an
invisible power into the extravagance for which they reproached
themselves； for it is but just that men； who so often arrogate to their own
merit the good of which they are but instruments； should attribute to
themselves the absurdities which they could not prevent。
The Caliph was the only person that refused to leave the valley。 He
commanded his tents to be pitched there； and stationed himself on the very
edge of the precipice； in spite of the representations of Carathis and
Morakanabad； who pointed out the hazard of its brink giving way； and the
vicinity to the magician that had so severely tormented him。 Vathek
derided all their remonstrances； and； having ordered a thousand flambeaux
to be lighted； and directed his attendants to proceed in lighting more； lay
down on the slippery margin； and attempted； by help of this artificial
splendour； to look through that gloom which all the fires of the empyrean
had been insufficient to pervade。 One while he fancied to himself voices
arising from the depth of the gulf； at another he seemed to distinguish the
accents of the Indian； but all was no more than the hollow murmur of
waters； and the din of the cataracts that rushed from steep to steep down
the sides of the mountain。
Having passed the night in this cruel perturbation； the Caliph at
daybreak retired to his tent； where； without taking the least sustenance； he
continued to doze till the dusk of evening began again to come on。 He
then resumed his vigils as before； and persevered in observing them for
many nights together。 At length； fatigued with so successless an
employment； he sought relief from change。 To this end he sometimes
paced with hasty strides across the plain； and； as he wildly gazed at the
stars； reproached them with having deceived him； but； lo！ on a sudden the
clear blue sky appeared streaked over with streams of blood； which
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reached from the valley even to the city of Samarah。 As this awful
phenomenon seemed to touch his tower； Vathek at first thought of re…
pairing thither to view it more distinctly； but feeling himself unable to
advance； and being overcome with apprehension； he muffled up his face in
his robe。
Terrifying as these prodigies were； this impression upon him was no
more than momentary； and served only to stimulate his love of the
marvellous。 Instead； therefore； of returning to his palace； he persisted in
the resolution of abiding where the Indian vanished from his view。 One
night； however； while he was walking as usual on the plain； the moon and
the stars at once were eclipsed； and a total darkness ensued； the earth
trembled beneath him； and a voice came forth； the voice of the Giaour；
who； in accents more sonorous than thunder； thus addressed him：
〃Wouldest thou devote thyself to me？ Adore then the terrestrial
influences； and abjure Mahomet。 On these conditions I will bring thee to
the palace of subterranean fire； there shalt thou behold in immense
depositories the treasures which the stars have promised thee； and which
will be conferred by those Intelligences whom thou shalt thus render
propitious。 It was from thence I brought my sabres； and it is there that
Soliman Ben Daoud reposes； surrounded by the talismans that control the
world。〃
The astonished Caliph trembled as he answered； yet in a style that
showed him to be no novice in preternatural adventures： 〃Where art thou？
be present to my eyes； dissipate the gloom that perplexes me； and of which
I deem thee the cause； after the many flambeaux I have burnt to discover
thee； thou mayst at least grant a glimpse of thy horrible visage。〃
〃Abjure； then； Mahomet；〃 replied the Indian； 〃and promise me full
proofs of thy sincerity； otherwise thou shalt never behold me again。〃
The unhappy Caliph； instigated by insatiable curiosity； lavished his
promises in the utmost profusion。 The sky immediately brightened； and
by the light of the planets； which seemed almost to blaze； Vathek beheld
the earth open； and at the extremity of a vast black chasm； a portal of
ebony； before which stood the Indian； still blacker； holding in his hand a
golden key that caused the lock to resound。
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〃How；〃 cried Vathek； 〃can I descend to thee without the certainty of
breaking my neck？ come； take me； and instantly open the portal。〃
〃Not so fast；〃 replied the Indian； 〃impatient Caliph！ Know that I am
parched with thirst； and cannot open this door till my thirst be thoroughly
appeased。 I require the blood of fifty of the most beautiful sons of thy
vizirs and great men； or neither can my thirst nor thy curiosity be satisfied。
Return to Samarah； procure for me this necessary libation； come back
hither； throw it thyself into this chasm； and then shalt thou see！〃
Having thus spoken； the Indian turned his back on the Caliph； who；
incited by the suggestion of demons； resolved on the direful sacrifice。 He
now pretended to have regained his tranquillity； and set out for Samarah
amidst the acclamations of a people who still loved him； and forbore not to
rejoice when they believed him to have recovered his reason。 So
successfully did he conceal the emotion of his heart； that even Carathis
and Morakanabad were equally deceived with the rest。 Nothing was
heard of but festivals and rejoicings； the ball； which no tongue had
hitherto ventured to mention； was again brought on the tapis； a general
laugh went round； though many； still smarting under the hands of the
surgeon from the hurts received in that memorable adventure； had no great
reason for mirth。
The prevalence of this gay humour was not a little grateful to Vathek；
as perceiving how much it conduced to his project。 He put on the
appearance of affability to every one； but especially to his vizirs and the
grandees of his court； whom he failed not to regale with a sumptuous
banquet； during which he insensibly inclined the conversation to the
children of his guests。 Having asked with a good…natured air who of
them were blessed with the handsomest boys； every father at once asserted
the pretensions of his own； and the contest imperceptibly grew so warm
that nothing could have withholden them from coming to blows but their
profound reverence for the person of the Caliph。 Under the pretence；
therefore； of reconciling the disputants； Vathek took upon him to decide；
and with this view commanded the boys to be brought。
It was not long before a troop of these poor children made their
appearance； all equipped by their fond mothers with such ornaments as
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might give the greatest relief to their beauty or most advantageously
display the graces of their age。 But whilst this brilliant assemblage
attracted the eyes and hearts of every one besides； the Caliph scrutinized
each in his turn with a malignant avidity that passed for attention； and
selected from their number the fifty whom he judged the Giaour would
prefer。
With an equal show of kindness as before； he proposed to celebrate a
festival on the plain for the entertainment of his young favourites； who he
said o
