Thou beholdest the clouds that obscure the sun; at the
instant he recovers his splendour, if thy heart be not changed, the time
of mercy assigned thee will be past for ever."
Vathek, depressed with fear, was on the point of prostrating himself at
the feet of the shepherd, whom he perceived to be of a nature superior to
man; but, his pride prevailing, he audaciously lifted his head, and,
glancing at him one of his terrible looks, said: "Whoever thou art,
withhold thy useless admonitions; thou wouldst either delude me, or art
thyself deceived. If what I have done be so criminal as thou pretendest,
there remains not for me a moment of grace; I have traversed a sea of
blood to acquire a power which will make thy equals tremble; deem not
that I shall retire when in view of the port, or that I will relinquish
her who is dearer to me than either my life or thy mercy. Let the sun
appear! let him illumine my career! it matters not where it may end." On
uttering these words, which made even the Genius shudder, Vathek threw
himself into the arms of Nouronihar, and commanded that his horse should
be forced back to the road.
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