the history of the caliph vathek(加里弗[1].维克史)-第3部分
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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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had been so little accustomed was sufficient of itself to prevent him from
sleeping； what then must be its effect when joined to the anxiety that
preyed upon his spirits？ At the first glimpse of dawn he hastened to the
prison； again to importune this intractable stranger； but the rage of Vathek
exceeded all bounds on finding the prison empty； the gates burst asunder；
and his guards lying lifeless around him。 In the paroxysm of his passion
he fell furiously on the poor carcases； and kicked them till evening without
intermission。 His courtiers and vizirs exerted their efforts to soothe his
extravagance； but finding every expedient ineffectual； they all united in
one vociferation： 〃The Caliph is gone mad！ the Caliph is out of his
senses！〃
This outcry； which soon resounded through the streets of Samarah； at
length reaching the ears of Carathis； his mother； she flew in the utmost
consternation to try her ascendency on the mind of her son。 Her tears
and caresses called off his attention； and he was prevailed upon by her
entreaties to be brought back to the palace。
Carathis； apprehensive of leaving Vathek to himself； caused him to be
put to bed； and seating herself by him； endeavoured by her conversation to
heal and compose him。 Nor could any one have attempted it with better
success； for the Caliph not only loved her as a mother； but respected her as
a person of superior genius； it was she who had induced him； being a
Greek herself； to adopt all the sciences and systems of her country； which
good Mussulmans hold in such thorough abhorrence。 Judicial astrology
was one of those systems in which Carathis was a perfect adept； she began；
therefore； with reminding her son of the promise which the stars had made
him； and intimated an intention of consulting them again。
〃Alas！〃 sighed the Caliph； as soon as he could speak； 〃what a fool
have I been！ not for the kicks bestowed on my guards who so tamely
submitted to death； but for never considering that this extraordinary man
was the same the planets had foretold； whom； instead of ill…treating； I
should have conciliated by all the arts of persuasion。〃
〃The past；〃 said Carathis； 〃cannot be recalled； but it behoves us to
think of the future； perhaps you may again see the object you so much
regret； it is possible the inscriptions on the sabres will afford information。
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Eat； therefore； and take thy repose； my dear son； we will consider to…
morrow in what manner to act。〃
Vathek yielded to her counsel as well as he could； and arose in the
morning with a mind more at ease。 The sabres he commanded to be
instantly brought； and poring upon them through a green glass； that their
glittering might not dazzle； he set himself in earnest to decipher the
inscriptions； but his reiterated attempts were all of them nugatory； in vain
did he beat his head and bite his nails； not a letter of the whole was he able
to ascertain。 So unlucky a disappointment would have undone him again
had not Carathis by good fortune entered the apartment。
〃Have patience； son！〃 said she； 〃you certainly are possessed of every
important science； but the knowledge of languages is a trifle at best； and
the accomplishment of none but a pedant。 Issue forth a proclamation that
you will confer such rewards as become your greatness upon any one that
shall interpret what you do not understand； and what it is beneath you to
learn； you will soon find your curiosity gratified。〃
〃That may be；〃 said the Caliph； 〃but in the meantime I shall be
horribly disgusted by a crowd of smatterers； who will come to the trial as
much for the pleasure of retailing their jargon as from the hope of gaining
the reward。 To avoid this evil it will be proper to add that I will put every
candidate to death who shall fail to give satisfaction； for； thank Heaven！ I
have skill enough to distinguish between one that translates and one that
invents。〃
〃Of that I have no doubt；〃 replied Carathis； 〃but to put the ignorant to
death is somewhat severe； and may be productive of dangerous effects；
content yourself with commanding their beards to be burntbeards in a
state are not quite so essential as men。〃
The
