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
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.
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