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silk that hung before the doorway； distinguished； by means of the softened
splendour that shone through it； an oval bath of dark porphyry； surrounded
by curtains festooned in large folds； through the apertures between them；
as they were not drawn close； groups of young slaves were visible；
amongst whom Bababalouk perceived his pupils； indulgingly expanding
their arms； as if to embrace the perfumed water and refresh themselves
after their fatigues。 The looks of tender languor； their confidential
whispers； and the enchanting smiles with which they were imparted； the
exquisite fragrance of the roses； all combined to inspire a voluptuousness；
which even Bababalouk himself was scarce able to withstand。
He summoned up； however； his usual solemnity； and； in the
peremptory tone of authority； commanded the ladies instantly to leave the
bath。 Whilst he was issuing these mandates the young Nouronihar；
daughter of the Emir； who was sprightly as an antelope； and full of wanton
gaiety； beckoned one of her slaves to let down the great swing； which was
suspended to the ceiling by cords of silk； and whilst this was doing；
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winked to her companions in the bath； who； chagrined to be forced from
so soothing a state of indolence； began to twist it round Bababalouk； and
tease him with a thousand vagaries。
When Nouronihar perceived that he was exhausted with fatigue； she
accosted him with an arch air of respectful concern； and said： 〃My lord；
it is not by any means decent that the chief eunuch of the Caliph； our
Sovereign； should thus continue standing； deign but to recline your
graceful person upon this sofa； which will burst with vexation if it have
not the honour to receive you。〃
Caught by these flattering accents； Bababalouk gallantly replied：
〃Delight of the apple of my eye！ I accept the invitation of thy honeyed
lips； and； to say truth； my senses are dazzled with the radiance that beams
from thy charms。〃
〃Repose； then； at your ease；〃 replied the beauty； and placed him on the
pretended sofa； which； quicker than lightning； gave way all at once。 The
rest of the women； having aptly conceived her design； sprang naked from
the bath； and plied the swing with such unmerciful jerks； that it swept
through the whole compass of a very lofty dome； and took from the poor
victim all power of respiration； sometimes his feet rased the surface of the
water； and at others the skylight almost flattened his nose； in vain did he
pierce the air with the cries of a voice that resembled the ringing of a
cracked basin； for their peals of laughter were still more predominant。
Nouronihar； in the inebriety of youthful spirits； being used only to
eunuchs of ordinary harems； and having never seen anything so royal and
disgusting； was far more diverted than all of the rest； she began to parody
some Persian verses； and sang with an accent most demurely piquant：
〃O gentle white dove； as thou soar'st through the air； Vouchsafe one
kind glance on the mate of thy love； Melodious Philomel； I am thy rose；
Warble some couplet to ravish my heart！〃
The sultanas and their slaves； stimulated by these pleasantries；
persevered at the swing with such unremitted assiduity； that at length the
cord which had secured it snapped suddenly asunder； and Bababalouk fell
floundering like a turtle to the bottom of the bath。 This accident
occasioned a universal shout； twelve little doors； till now unobserved； flew
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THE HISTORY OF THE CALIPH VATHEK
open at once； and the ladies in an instant made their escape； after throwing
all the towels on his head； and putting out the lights that remained。
The deplorable animal； in water to the chin； overwhelmed with
darkness； and unable to extricate himself from the wrap that embarrassed
him； was still doomed to hear for his further consolation the fresh bursts of
merriment his disaster occasioned。 He bustled； but in vain； to get from the
bath； for the margin was become so slippery with the oil spilt in breaking
the lamps； that at every effort he slid back with a plunge； which resounded
aloud through the hollow of the dome。 These cursed peals of laughter at
every relapse were redoubled； and he； who thought the place infested
rather by devils than women； resolved to cease groping； and abide in the
bath； where he amused himself with soliloquies； interspersed with
imprecations； of which his malicious neighbours reclining on down
suffered not an accent to escape。 In this delectable plight the morning
surprised him。 The Caliph； wondering at his absence； had caused him to
be everywhere sought for。 At last he was drawn forth； almost smothered
from the wisp of linen； and wet even to the marrow。 Limping and
chattering his teeth； he appeared before his master； who inquired what was
the matter； and how he came soused in so strange a pickle。
〃And why did you enter this cursed lodge？〃 answered Bababalouk；
gruffly。 〃Ought a monarch like you to visit with his harem the abode of a
grey…bearded Emir； who knows nothing of life？ And with what gracious
damsels doth the place； too； abound！ Fancy to yourself how they have
soaked me like a burnt crust； and made me dance like a jack…pudding the
live…long night through； on their damnable swing！ What an excellent
lesson for your sultanas to follow； into whom I have instilled such reserve
and decorum！〃
Vathek； comprehending not a syllable of all this invective； obliged him
to relate minutely the transaction； but instead of sympathising with the
miserable sufferer； he laughed immoderately at the device of the swing；
and the figure of Bababalouk mounting upon it。 The stung eunuch could
scarcely preserve the semblance of respect。
〃Ay； laugh； my lord！ laugh；〃 said he； 〃but I wish this Nouronihar
would play some trick on you； she is too wicked to spare even majesty
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