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gaily on the roof； and fancied that he heard during his repast loud shouts of laughter resound through the sky； in a manner that inspired the fullest assurance。
All was in motion at the palace； lights were kept burning through the whole of the night； the sound of implements and of artisans finishing their work； the voices of women and their guardians who sung at their embroidery； all conspired to interrupt the stillness of nature and infinitely delight the heart of Vathek； who imagined himself going in triumph to sit upon the throne of Soliman。
The people were not less satisfied than himself； all assisted to accelerate the moment which should rescue them from the wayward caprices of so extravagant a master。
The day preceding the departure of this infatuated prince was employed by Carathis in repeating to him the decrees of the mysterious parchment； which she had thoroughly gotten by heart； and in recommending him not to enter the habitation of any one by the way； 〃for well thou knowest；〃 added she； 〃how liquorish thy taste is after good dishes and young damsels； 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 ambulatory seraglio there are three dozen pretty faces； which Bababalouk hath not yet unveiled。 I myself have a great desire to watch over thy conduct； and visit the subterranean palace； which no doubt contains whatever can interest persons like us； there is nothing so pleasing as retiring to caverns； 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 the talismans which are to open to thee the mineral kingdoms and the centre of the earth itself； fail not to despatch some trusty genius to take me and my cabinet； for the oil of the serpents I have pinched to death will be a pretty present to the Giaour； who cannot but be charmed with such dainties。〃
Scarcely had Carathis ended this edifying discourse when the sun； setting behind the mountain of the Four Fountains； gave place to the rising moon； this planet； being that evening at full； appeared of unusual beauty and magnitude in the eyes of the women； the eunuchs； and the pages； who were all impatient to set forward。 The city re…echoed with shouts of joy and flourishing of trumpets； nothing was visible but plumes nodding on pavilions； and aigrets shining in the mild lustre of the moon； the spacious square resembled an immense parterre； variegated with the most stately tulips of the East。
Arrayed in the robes which were only worn it the most distinguished ceremonials； and supported by his Vizir and Bababalouk； the Caliph descended the grand staircase of the tower in the sight of all his people； he could not forbear pausing at intervals to admire the superb appearance 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 to disturb but the shrill screams of some eunuchs in the rear； these vigilant guards； having remarked certain cages of the ladies swagging somewhat awry； and discovered that a few adventurous gallants had contrived to get in； soon dislodged the enraptured culprits。 The majesty of so magnificent a spectacle was not； however； violated by incidents like these。 Vathek meanwhile saluted the moon with an idolatrous air； that neither pleased Morakanabad nor the Doctors of the Law； any more than the vizirs and the grandees of his court； who were all assembled to enjoy the last view of their sovereign。
At length the clarions and trumpets from the top of the tower announced the prelude of departure； though the instruments were in unison with each other； yet a singular dissonance was blended with their sounds； this proceeded from Carathis； who was singing her direful orisons to the Giaour； whilst the negresses and mutes supplied thorough…base without articulating a word。 The good Mussulmans fancied that they heard the sullen hum of those nocturnal insects which presage evil； and importuned Vathek to beware how he ventured his sacred person。
On a given signal the great standard of the Califat was displayed； twenty thousand lances shone around it； and the Caliph； treading loyally on the cloth of gold which had been spread for his feet； ascended his litter amidst the general awe that possessed his subjects。
The expedition commenced with the utmost order and so entire a silence； that even the locusts were heard from the thickets on the plain of Catoul。 Gaiety and good…humour prevailing； six good leagues were past before the dawn； and the morning star was still glittering in the firmament when the whole of this numerous train had halted on the banks of 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 the fourth the heavens looked angry； lightnings broke forth in frequent flashes； re…echoing peals of thunder succeeded； and the trembling Circassians clung with all their might to their ugly guardians。 The Caliph himself was greatly inclined to take shelter in the large town of Gulchissar； the governor of which came forth to meet him； and tendered every kind of refreshment the place could supply； but； having examined his tablets； he suffered the rain to soak him almost to the bone； notwithstanding the importunity of his first favourites。 Though he began to regret the palace of the senses； yet he lost not sight of his enterprise； and his sanguine expectations confirmed his resolution； his geographers were ordered to attend him； but the weather proved so terrible that these poor people exhibited a lamentable appearance； and； as no long journeys had been undertaken since the time of Haroun al Raschid； their maps of the different countries were in a still worse plight than themselves； every one was ignorant which way to turn； for Vathek； though well versed in the course of the heavens； no longer knew his situation on earth； he thundered even louder than the elements； and muttered forth certain hints of the bow…string； which were not very soothing to literary ears。 Disgusted at the toilsome weariness of the way； he determined to cross over the craggy heights and follow the guidance of a peasant； who undertook to bring him in four days to Rocnabad。 Remonstrances were all to no purpose； his resolution was fixed； and an invasion commenced on the province of the goats； who sped away in large troops before them。 It was curious to view on these half calcined rocks camels richly caparisoned； and pavilions of gold and silk waving on their summits； which till then had never been covered but with sapless thistles and fern。
The females and eunuchs uttered shrill wailings at the sight of the precipices below them； and the dreary prospects that opened in the vast gorges of the mountains。 Before they could reach the ascent of the steepest rock； night overtook them； and a boisterous tempest arose； which； having rent the awnings of the palanquins and cages； exposed to the raw gusts the poor ladies within； who had nev