Vathek, who was still standing on the edge of the chasm,
called out, with all his might: "Let my fifty little favourites approach
me separately, and let them come in the order of their success. To the
first I will give my diamond bracelet, to the second my collar of
emeralds, to the third my aigret of rubies, to the fourth my girdle of
topazes, and to the rest each a part of my dress, even down to my
slippers."
This declaration was received with reiterated acclamations, and all
extolled the liberality of a prince who would thus strip himself for the
amusement of his subjects and the encouragement of the rising generation.
The Caliph in the meantime undressed himself by degrees, and, raising his
arm as high as he was able, made each of the prizes glitter in the air;
but whilst he delivered it with one hand to the child, who sprang forward
to receive it, he with the other pushed the poor innocent into the gulf,
where the Giaour, with a sullen muttering, incessantly repeated, "More!
more!"
This dreadful device was executed with so much dexterity that the boy who
was approaching him remained unconscious of the fate of his forerunner;
and as to the spectators, the shades of evening, together with their
distance, precluded them from perceiving any object distinctly.
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