"Still more misfortunes," cried Morakanabad, with a sigh. "Ah, Commander
of the Faithful, our holy Prophet is certainly irritated against us! it
behoves you to appease him."
"We will appease him hereafter!" replied the Caliph, with a smile that
augured nothing of good. "You will have leisure sufficient for your
supplications during my absence; for this country is the bane of my
health; I am disgusted with the mountain of the Four Fountains, and am
resolved to go and drink of the stream of Rocnabad; I long to refresh
myself in the delightful valleys which it waters. Do you, with the
advice of my mother, govern my dominions, and take care to supply
whatever her experiments may demand; for you well know that our tower
abounds in materials for the advancement of science."
The tower but ill suited Morakanabad's taste. Immense treasures had been
lavished upon it; and nothing had he ever seen carried thither but female
negroes, mutes, and abominable drugs. Nor did he know well what to think
of Carathis, who, like a chameleon, could assume all possible colours;
her cursed eloquence had often driven the poor Mussulman to his last
shifts.
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