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forced back to the road。
There was no difficulty in obeying these orders； for the attraction had
ceased； the sun shone forth in all his glory； and the shepherd vanished with
a lamentable scream。
The fatal impression of the music of the Genius remained；
notwithstanding； in the heart of Vathek's attendants； they viewed each
other with looks of consternation； at the approach of night almost all of
them escaped； and of this numerous assemblage there only remained the
chief of the eunuchs； some idolatrous slaves； Dilara and a few other
women； who； like herself； were votaries of the religion of the Magi。
The Caliph； fired with the ambition of prescribing laws to the
Intelligences of Darkness； was but little embarrassed at this dereliction；
the impetuosity of his blood prevented him from sleeping； nor did he
encamp any more as before。 Nouronihar； whose impatience； if possible；
exceeded his own； importuned him to hasten his march； and lavished on
him a thousand caresses to beguile all reflection； she fancied herself
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already more potent than Balkis； and pictured to her imagination the Genii
falling prostrate at the foot of her throne。 In this manner they advanced
by moonlight； till they came within view of the two towering rocks that
form a kind of portal to the valley； at whose extremity rose the vast ruins
of Istakar。 Aloft on the mountain glimmered the fronts of various royal
mausoleums； the horror of which was deepened by the shadows of night。
They passed through two villages almost deserted； the only inhabitants
remaining being a few feeble old men； who； at the sight of horses and
litters； fell upon their knees and cried out：
〃O Heaven！ is it then by these phantoms that we have been for six
months tormented？ Alas！ it was from the terror of these spectres and the
noise beneath the mountains； that our people have fled； and left us at the
mercy of maleficent spirits！〃
The Caliph； to whom these complaints were but unpromising auguries；
drove over the bodies of these wretched old men； and at length arrived at
the foot of the terrace of black marble； there he descended from his litter；
handing down Nouronihar； both with beating hearts stared wildly around
them； and expected with an apprehensive shudder the approach of the
Giaour； but nothing as yet announced his appearance。
A death…like stillness reigned over the mountain and through the air；
the moon dilated on a vast platform the shades of the lofty columns； which
reached from the terrace almost to the clouds； the gloomy watch…towers；
whose numbers could not be counted； were veiled by no roof； and their
capitals； of an architecture unknown in the records of the earth； served as
an asylum for the birds of darkness； which； alarmed at the approach of
such visitants； fled away croaking。
The chief of the eunuchs； trembling with fear； besought Vathek that a
fire might be kindled。
〃No！〃 replied he； 〃there is no time left to think of such trifles； abide
where thou art； and expect my commands。〃
Having thus spoken； he presented his hand to Nouronihar； and；
ascending the steps of a vast staircase； reached the terrace； which was
flagged with squares of marble； and resembled a smooth expanse of water；
upon whose surface not a leaf ever dared to vegetate； on the right rose the
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watch…towers； ranged before the ruins of an immense palace； whose walls
were embossed with various figures； in front stood forth the colossal
forms of four creatures； composed of the leopard and the griffin； and；
though but of stone； inspired emotions of terror； near these were
distinguished by the splendour of the moon； which streamed full on the
place； characters like those on the sabres of the Giaour； that possessed the
same virtue of changing every moment； these； after vacillating for some
time； at last fixed in Arabic letters； and prescribed to the Caliph the
following words：
〃Vathek！ thou hast violated the conditions of my parchment； and
deservest to be sent back； but； in favour to thy companion； and as the
meed for what thou hast done to obtain it； EBLIS permitteth that the portal
of his palace shall be opened； and the subterranean fire will receive thee
into the number of its adorers。〃
He scarcely had read these words before the mountain against which
the terrace was reared trembled； and the watch…towers were ready to
topple headlong upon them； the rock yawned； and disclosed within it a
staircase of polished marble that seemed to approach the abyss； upon each
stair were planted two large torches； like those Nouronihar had seen in her
vision； the camphorated vapour ascending from which gathered into a
cloud under the hollow of the vault。
This appearance； instead of terrifying； gave new courage to the
daughter of Fakreddin。 Scarcely deigning to bid adieu to the moon and
the firmament； she abandoned without hesitation the pure atmosphere to
plunge into these infernal exhalations。 The gait of those impious
personages was haughty and determined； as they descended by the
effulgence of the torches they gazed on each other with mutual admiration；
and both appeared so resplendent； that they already esteemed themselves
spiritual Intelligences； the only circumstance that perplexed them was
their not arriving at the bottom of the stairs； on hastening their descent
with an ardent impetuosity； they felt their steps accelerated to such a
degree； that they seemed not walking； but falling from a precipice。 Their
progress； however； was at length impeded by a vast portal of ebony； which
the Caliph without difficulty recognised； here the Giaour awaited them
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with the key in his hand。
〃Ye are welcome；