The History of Caliph Vathek | Page 7

affliction no words can
describe, instead of restraining herself to sobbing and tears, was
closeted daily with the Vizir Morakanabad, to find out some cure or
mitigation of the Caliph's disease. Under the persuasion that it was
caused by enchantment, they turned over together, leaf by leaf, all the
books of magic that might point out a remedy, and caused the horrible
stranger, whom they accused as the enchanter, to be everywhere sought
for with the strictest diligence.
At the distance of a few miles from Samarah stood a high mountain,
whose sides were swarded with wild thyme and basil, and its summit
overspread with so delightful a plain, that it might be taken for the
paradise destined for the faithful. Upon it grew a hundred thickets of

eglantine and other fragrant shrubs, a hundred arbours of roses,
jessamine, and honeysuckle, as many clumps of orange trees, cedar,
and citron, whose branches, interwoven with the palm, the pomegranate,
and the vine, presented every luxury that could regale the eye or the
taste. The ground was strewed with violets, hare-bells, and pansies, in
the midst of which sprang forth tufts of jonquils, hyacinths, and
carnations, with every other perfume that impregnates the air. Four
fountains, not less clear than deep, and so abundant as to slake the thirst
of ten armies, seemed profusely placed here to make the scene more
resemble the garden of Eden, which was watered by the four sacred
rivers. Here the nightingale sang the birth of the rose, her well-beloved,
and at the same time lamented its short-lived beauty; whilst the turtle
deplored the loss of more substantial pleasures, and the wakeful lark
hailed the rising light that re-animates the whole creation. Here more
than anywhere the mingled melodies of birds expressed the various
passions they inspired, as if the exquisite fruits which they pecked at
pleasure had given them a double energy.
To this mountain Vathek was sometimes brought for the sake of
breathing a purer air, and especially to drink at will of the four
fountains, which were reputed in the highest degree salubrious and
sacred to himself. His attendants were his mother, his wives, and some
eunuchs, who assiduously employed themselves in filling capacious
bowls of rock crystal, and emulously presenting them to him; but it
frequently happened that his avidity exceeded their zeal, insomuch that
he would prostrate himself upon the ground to lap up the water, of
which he could never have enough.
One day, when this unhappy prince had been long lying in so debasing
a posture, a voice, hoarse but strong, thus addressed him: "Why
assumest thou the function of a dog, O Caliph, so proud of thy dignity
and power?"
At this apostrophe he raised his head, and beheld the stranger that had
caused him so much affliction. Inflamed with anger at the sight, he
exclaimed--
"Accursed Giaour! what comest thou hither to do? Is it not enough to

have transformed a prince remarkable for his agility into one of those
leather barrels which the Bedouin Arabs carry on their camels when
they traverse the deserts? Perceivest thou not that I may perish by
drinking to excess no less than by a total abstinence?"
"Drink then this draught," said the stranger, as he presented to him a
phial of a red and yellow mixture; "and, to satiate the thirst of thy soul
as well as of thy body, know that I am an Indian, but from a region of
India which is wholly unknown."
The Caliph delighted to see his desires accomplished in part, and
flattering himself with the hope of obtaining their entire fulfilment,
without a moment's hesitation swallowed the potion, and
instantaneously found his health restored, his thirst appeased, and his
limbs as agile as ever.
In the transports of his joy Vathek leaped upon the neck of the frightful
Indian, and kissed his horrid mouth and hollow cheeks as though they
had been the coral lips and the lilies and roses of his most beautiful
wives; whilst they, less terrified than jealous at the sight, dropped their
veils to hide the blush of mortification that suffused their foreheads.
Nor would the scene have closed here, had not Carathis, with all the art
of insinuation, a little repressed the raptures of her son. Having
prevailed upon him to return to Samarah, she caused a herald to
precede him, whom she commanded to proclaim as loudly as possible:
"The wonderful stranger hath appeared again; he hath healed the Caliph;
he hath spoken! he hath spoken!"
Forthwith all the inhabitants of this vast city quitted their habitations,
and ran together in crowds to see the procession of Vathek and the
Indian, whom they now blessed as much as they had before execrated,
incessantly shouting: "He hath healed our sovereign; he hath