the history of the caliph vathek(加里弗[1].维克史)-第2章
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The palace named 〃The Delight of the Eyes； or the Support of
Memory；〃 was one entire enchantment。 Rarities collected from every
corner of the earth were there found in such profusion as to dazzle and
confound； but for the order in which they were arranged。 One gallery
exhibited the pictures of the celebrated Mani； and statues that seemed to
be alive。 Here a well…managed perspective attracted the sight； there the
magic of optics agreeably deceived it； whilst the naturalist on his part
exhibited； in their several classes； the various gifts that Heaven had
bestowed on our globe。 In a word； Vathek omitted nothing in this palace
that might gratify the curiosity of those who resorted to it； although he was
not able to satisfy his own； for he was of all men the most curious。
〃The Palace of Perfumes；〃 which was termed likewise 〃The Incentive
to Pleasure；〃 consisted of various halls； where the different perfumes
which the earth produces were kept perpetually burning in censers of gold。
Flambeaux and aromatic lamps were here lighted in open day。 But the
too powerful effects of this agreeable delirium might be avoided by
descending into an immense garden； where an assemblage of every
fragrant flower diffused through the air the purest odours。
The fifth palace； denominated 〃The Retreat of Joy； or the Dangerous；〃
was frequented by troops of young females beautiful as the houris； and not
less seducing； who never failed to receive with caresses all whom the
Caliph allowed to approach them； for he was by no means disposed to be
jealous； as his own women were secluded within the palace he inhabited
himself。
Notwithstanding the sensuality in which Vathek indulged； he
experienced no abatement in the love of his people； who thought that a
sovereign immersed in pleasure was not less tolerable to his subjects than
one that employed himself in creating them foes。 But the unquiet and
impetuous disposition of the Caliph would not allow him to rest there； he
had studied so much for his amusement in the lifetime of his father as to
acquire a great deal of knowledge； though not a sufficiency to satisfy
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himself； for he wished to know everything； even sciences that did not exist。
He was fond of engaging in disputes with the learned； but liked them not
to push their opposition with warmth； he stopped the mouths of those with
presents whose mouths could be stopped； whilst others； whom his
liberality was unable to subdue； he sent to prison to cool their blood： a
remedy that often succeeded。
Vathek discovered also a predilection for theological controversy； but
it was not with the orthodox that he usually held。 By this means he
induced the zealots to oppose him； and then persecuted them in return； for
he resolved at any rate to have reason on his side。
The great prophet Mahomet； whose vicars the caliphs are； beheld with
indignation from his abode in the seventh heaven the irreligious conduct
of such a vicegerent。 〃Let us leave him to himself；〃 said he to the genii；
who are always ready to receive his commands； 〃let us see to what lengths
his folly and impiety will carry him； if he run into excess we shall know
how to chastise him。 Assist him； therefore； to complete the tower which； in
imitation of Nimrod； he hath begun； not； like that great warrior； to escape
being drowned； but from the insolent curiosity of penetrating the secrets of
Heaven； he will not divine the fate that awaits him。〃
The genii obeyed； and when the workmen had raised their structure a
cubit in the day…time； two cubits more were added in the night。 The
expedition with which the fabric arose was not a little flattering to the
vanity of Vathek。 He fancied that even insensible matter showed a
forwardness to subserve his designs； not considering that the successes of
the foolish and wicked form the first rod of their chastisement。
His pride arrived at its height when； having ascended for the first time
the eleven thousand stairs of his tower； he cast his eyes below； and beheld
men not larger than pismires； mountains than shells； and cities than bee…
hives。 The idea which such an elevation inspired of his own grandeur
completely bewildered him； he was almost ready to adore himself； till；
lifting his eyes upward； he saw the stars as high above him as they
appeared when he stood on the surface of the earth。 He consoled himself；
however； for this transient perception of his littleness with the thought of
being great in the eyes of others； and flattered himself that the light of his
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mind would extend beyond the reach of his sight； and transfer to the stars
the decrees of his destiny。
With this view the inquisitive prince passed most of his nights on the
summit of his tower； till he became an adept in the mysteries of astrology；
and imagined that the planets had disclosed to him the most marvellous
adventures； which were to be accomplished by an extraordinary personage
from a country altogether unknown。 Prompted by motives of curiosity； he
had always been courteous to strangers； but from this instant he redoubled
his attention； and ordered it to be announced by sound of trumpet； through
all the streets of Samarah； that no one of his subjects； on peril of
displeasure； should either lodge or detain a traveller； but forthwith bring
him to the palace。
Not long after this proclamation there arrived in his metropolis a man
so hideous that the very guards who arrested him were forced to shut their
eyes as they led him along。 The Caliph himself appeared startled at so
horrible a visage； but joy succeeded to this emotion of terror when the
stranger displayed to his view such rarities as he had never before seen；
and of which he had no conception。
In reality； nothing was ever so extraordinary as the merchandise this
stranger produced； most of his curiosities； which were not less admirable
for their workmanship than splendour； had； besides； their several virtues
described on a parchment fastened to each。 There were slippers which
enabled the feet to walk； knives that out without the motion of a hand；
sabres which dealt the blow at the person they were wished to strike； and
the whole enriched with gems that were hitherto unknown。
The sabres； whose blades emitted a dazzling radiance； fixed more than
all the Caliph's attention； who promised himself to decipher at his leisure
the uncouth characters engraven on their sides。 Without； therefore；
demanding their price； he ordered all the coined gold to be brought from
his treasury； and commanded the merchant to take what he pleased； the
stranger complied with modesty and silence。
Vathek； imagining that the merchant's taciturnity was occasioned by
the awe which his presence inspired； encouraged him to advance； and
asked him； with an air of condescension； 〃Who he was？ whence he came？
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and where he obtained such beautiful commodities？〃 The man； or rather
monster； instead of making a reply； thrice rubbed his forehead； which； as
well as his body； was blacker than ebony； four times clapped his paunch；
the projection of which was enormous； opened wide his huge eyes； which
glowed like firebrands； began to laugh with a hideous noise； and
discovered his long amber…coloured teeth bestreaked with green。
The Caliph； though a little startled； renewed his inquiries； but without
being able to procure a reply； at which； beginning to be ruffled； he
exclaimed： 〃Knowest thou； varlet； who I am？ and at whom thou art
aiming thy gibes？〃 Then； addressing his guards； 〃Have ye heard him
speak？ is he dumb？〃
〃He hath spoken；〃 they replied； 〃though but little。〃
〃Let him speak again； then；〃 said Vathek； 〃and tell me who he is； from
whence he came； and where he procured these singular curiosities； or I
swear by the ass of Balaam that I will make him rue his pertinacity。〃
The menace was accompanied by the Caliph with one of his angry and
perilous glances； which the stranger sustained without the slightest
emotion； although his eyes were fixed on the terrible eye of the prince。
No words can describe the amazement of the courtiers when they
beheld this rude merchant withstand the encounter unshocked。 They all
fell prostrate with their faces on the ground to avoid the risk of their lives；
and continued in the same abject posture till the Caliph exclaimed in a
furious tone； 〃Up； cowards！ seize the miscreant！ see that he be committed
to prison and guarded by the best of my soldiers！ Let him； however；
retain the money I gave him； it is not my intent to take from him his
property； I only want him to speak。〃
No sooner had he uttered these words than the stranger was
surrounded； pinioned with strong fetters； and hurried away to the prison of
the great tower； which was encompassed by seven empalements of iron
bars； and armed with spikes in every direction longer and sharper than
spits。
The Caliph； nevertheless； remained in the most violent agitation； he sat
down indeed to eat； but of the three hundred covers that were daily placed
before him could taste of no more than thirty… two。 A diet to which he
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