Whilst they were
feasting, laughing, carousing, and blaspheming at pleasure on the banquet
so liberally furnished, the Moullahs, the Sheiks, the Cadis and Imams of
Schiraz (who seemed not to have met the Santons) arrived, leading by
bridles of riband inscribed from the Koran, a train of asses, which were
loaded with the choicest fruits the country could boast; having presented
their offerings to the Caliph, they petitioned him to honour their city
and mosques with his presence.
"Fancy not," said Vathek, "that you can detain me; your presents I
condescend to accept, but beg you will let me be quiet, for I am not over-
fond of resisting temptation; retire, then; yet, as it is not decent for
personages so reverend to return on foot, and as you have not the
appearance of expert riders, my eunuchs shall tie you on your asses, with
the precaution that your backs be not turned towards me, for they
understand etiquette."
In this deputation were some high-stomached Sheiks, who, taking Vathek
for a fool, scrupled not to speak their opinion. These Bababalouk girded
with double cords, and, having well disciplined their asses with nettles
behind, they all started with a preternatural alertness, plunging,
kicking, and running foul of each other in the most ludicrous manner
imaginable.
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