The History of Caliph Vathek | Page 3

surrounding scene to reverberate their
songs, which were continually varied in the most delightful succession.
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 life-time of his
father as to acquire a great deal of knowledge, though not a sufficiency
to satisfy 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 mind would extend beyond the reach of his
sight, and transfer to the stars the