Vathek; An Arabian Tale

by William Beckford

to it frequently, and staid a considerable time together.Whilst occupied in this retreat, he heard the voice of Bababalouk callingout from between the door and the tapestry that hung before it:

  “Here are the excellent Mahomet Ebn Edris al Shafei, and the seraphic AlMouhadethin, who have brought the besom from Mecca, and with tears of joyentreat they may present it to your majesty in person.”

  “Let them bring the besom hither, it may be of use,” said Vathek, who wasstill employed, not having quite racked off his wine.

  “How!” answered Bababalouk, half aloud and amazed.

  “Obey,” replied the Caliph, “for it is my sovereign will; go instantly!vanish! for here will I receive the good folk who have thus filled theewith joy.”

  The eunuch departed muttering, and bade the venerable train attend him.A sacred rapture was diffused amongst these reverend old men. Thoughfatigued with the length of their expedition, they followed Bababaloukwith an alertness almost miraculous, and felt themselves highly flatteredas they swept along the stately porticos, that the Caliph would notreceive them like ambassadors in ordinary, in his hall of audience. Soonreaching the interior of the harem (where, through blinds of persian theyperceived large soft eyes, dark and blue, that went and came likelightning) penetrated with respect and wonder, and full of theircelestial mission, they advanced in procession towards the smallcorridors that appeared to terminate in nothing, but nevertheless led tothe cell where the Caliph expected their coming.

  “What! is the commander of the faithful sick?” said Ebn Edris al Shafei,in a low voice to his companion.

  “I rather think he is in his oratory,” answered Al Mouhadethin.

  Vathek, who heard the dialogue, cried out “What imports it you how I amemployed? approach without delay.”

  They advanced, and Bababalouk almost sunk with confusion, {55} whilst theCaliph, without showing himself, put forth his hand from behind thetapestry that hung before the door, and demanded of them the besom.

  Having prostrated themselves as well as the corridor would permit, andeven in a tolerable semi-circle, the venerable Al Shafei, drawing forththe besom from the embroidered and perfumed scarfs in which it had beenenveloped, and secured from the profane gaze of vulgar eyes, arose fromhis associates and advanced with an air of the most awful solemnitytowards the supposed oratory; but with what astonishment! with whathorror was he seized!

  Vathek, bursting out into a villainous laugh, snatched the besom from histrembling hand, and fixing upon it some cobwebs that hung suspended fromthe ceiling, gravely brushed away till not a single one remained.

  The old men, overpowered with amazement, were unable to lift their beardsfrom the ground; for as Vathek had carelessly left the tapestry betweenthem half drawn, they were witnesses to the whole transaction. Theirtears gushed forth on the marble. Al Mouhadethin swooned throughmortification and fatigue, whilst the Caliph, throwing himself backwardon his seat, shouted and clapped his hands without mercy. At last,addressing himself to Bababalouk:

  “My dear black,” said he, “go, regale these pious poor souls with my goodwine from Shiraz; and as they can boast of having seen more of my palacethan any one besides, let them also visit my office courts, and lead themout by the back steps that go to my stables.” Having said this, he threwthe besom in their face, and went to enjoy the laugh with Carathis.

  Bababalouk did all in his power to console the ambassadors, but the twomost infirm expired on the spot; the rest were carried to their beds,from whence, being heart-broken with sorrow and shame, they never arose.

  The succeeding night, Vathek, attended by his mother, ascended the towerto see if everything were ready for his journey, for he had great faithin the influence of the stars. The planets appeared in their mostfavourable aspects. The Caliph, to enjoy so flattering a sight, suppedgaily on the roof, and fancied that he heard, during his repast, loudshouts of laughter resound through the sky, in a manner that inspired thefullest assurance.

  All was in motion at the palace; lights were kept burning through thewhole of the night; the sound of implements, and of artisans finishingtheir work; the voices of women and their guardians who sung at theirembroidery; all conspired to interrupt the stillness of nature, andinfinitely delight the heart of Vathek, who imagined himself going intriumph to sit upon the throne of Soliman.

  The people were not less satisfied than himself; all assisted toaccelerate the moment which should rescue them from the wayward capricesof so extravagant a master.

  The day preceding the departure of this infatuated prince was employed byCarathis in repeating to him the decrees of the mysterious parchment,which she had thoroughly gotten by heart; and in recommending him not toenter the habitation of any one by the way; “for well thou knowest,”added she, “how liquorish thy taste is after good dishes and youngdamsels; let me therefore enjoin thee to be content with thy old cooks,who are the best in the world; and not to forget that in thy ambulatoryseraglio there are three dozen pretty faces, which Bababalouk hath notyet unveiled. I, myself, have a great desire to watch over thy conduct,and visit the subterranean palace, which no doubt contains whatever caninterest persons like us. There is nothing so pleasing as retiring tocaverns; my taste for dead bodies and everything like mummy is decided;and I am confident thou wilt see the most exquisite of their kind.Forget me not then, but the moment thou art in possession of thetalismans which are to open to thee the mineral kingdoms, and the centreof the earth itself, fail not to dispatch some trusty genius to take meand my cabinet, for the oil of the serpents I have pinched to death willbe a pretty present to the Giaour, who cannot but be charmed with suchdainties.”

  Scarcely had Carathis ended this edifying discourse, when the sun,setting behind the mountain of the Four Fountains, gave place to therising moon. This planet being that evening at full, appeared of unusualbeauty and magnitude in the eyes of the women, the eunuchs, and thepages, who were all impatient to set forward. The city re-echoed withshouts of joy and flourishing of trumpets. Nothing was visible butplumes nodding on pavilions, and aigrets shining in the mild lustre ofthe moon. The spacious square resembled an immense parterre, variegatedwith the most stately tulips of the east.

  Arrayed in the robes which were only worn at the most distinguishedceremonials, and supported by his vizier and Bababalouk, the Caliphdescended the grand staircase of the tower in the sight of all hispeople. He could not forbear pausing at intervals to admire the superbappearance which everywhere courted his view, whilst the whole multitude,even to the camels with their sumptuous burdens, knelt down before him.For some time a general stillness prevailed, which nothing happened todisturb, but the shrill screams of some eunuchs in the rear. Thesevigilant guards having remarked certain cages of the ladies swaggingsomewhat awry, and discovered that a few adventurous gallants hadcontrived to get in, soon dislodged the enraptured culprits, andconsigned them with good commendations, to the surgeons of the serail.The majesty of so magnificent a spectacle was not, however, violated byincidents like these. Vathek, meanwhile, saluted the moon with anidolatrous air, that neither pleased Morakanabad nor the doctors of thelaw, any more than the viziers and grandees of his court, who were allassembled to enjoy the last view of their sovereign.

  At length the clarions and trumpets from the top of the tower announcedthe prelude of departure. Though the instruments were in unison witheach other, yet a singular dissonance was blended with their sounds.This proceeded from Carathis, who was singing her direful orisons to theGiaour, whilst the negresses and mutes supplied thorough bass withoutarticulating a word. The good Mussulmans fancied that they heard thesullen hum of those nocturnal insects which presage evil, and importunedVathek to beware how he ventured his sacred person.

  On a given signal the great standard of the Califat was displayed; twentythousand lances shone around it; and the Caliph, treading royally on thecloth of gold which had been spread for his feet, ascended his litteramidst the general awe that possessed his subjects.

  The exped
ition commenced with the utmost order, and so entire a silence,that even the locusts were heard from the thickets on the plain ofCatoul. Gaiety and good humour prevailing, six good leagues were pastbefore the dawn; and the morning star was still glittering in thefirmament when the whole of this numerous train had halted on the banksof the Tigris, where they encamped to repose for the rest of the day.

  The three days that followed were spent in the same manner, but on thefourth the heavens looked angry, lightnings broke forth in frequentflashes, re-echoing peals of thunder succeeded, and the tremblingCircassians clung with all their might to their ugly guardians. TheCaliph himself was greatly inclined to take shelter in the large town ofGulchissar, the governor of which came forth to meet him, and tenderedevery kind of refreshment the place could supply. But having examinedhis tablets, he suffered the rain to soak him almost to the bone,notwithstanding the importunity of his first favourites. Though he beganto regret the palace of the senses, yet he lost not sight of hisenterprise, and his sanguine