ufferer, he laughed immoderately at the device of the swing,
and the figure of Bababalouk mounting upon it. The stung eunuch could
scarcely preserve the semblance of respect.

"Ay, laugh, my lord! laugh," said he; "but I wish this Nouronihar would
play some trick on you; she is too wicked to spare even majesty itself."

Those words made for the present but a slight impression on the Caliph;
but they not long after recurred to his mind.

This conversation was cut short by Fakreddin, who came to request that
Vathek would join in the prayers and ablutions to be solemnised on a
spacious meadow, watered by innumerable streams. The Caliph found the
waters refreshing, but the prayers abominably irksome; he diverted
himself, however, with the multitude of Calenders, Santons, and Dervises,
who were continually coming and going, but especially with the Brahmins,
Fakirs, and other enthusiasts, who had travelled from the heart of India,
and halted on their way with the Emir. These latter had, each of them,
some mummery peculiar to himself. One dragged a huge chain wherever he
went, another an ouranoutang, whilst a third was furnished with scourges,
and all performed to a charm; some clambered up trees, holding one foot
in the air; others poised themselves over a fire, and without mercy
filliped their noses. There were some amongst them that cherished
vermin, which were not ungrateful in requiting their caresses. These
rambling fanatics revolted the hearts of the Dervises, the Calenders, and
Santons; however, the vehemence of their aversion soon subsided, under
the hope that the presence of the Caliph would cure their folly, and
convert them to the Mussulman faith; but, alas! how great was their
disappointment! for Vathek, instead of preaching to them, treated them as
buffoons, bade them present his compliments to Visnow and Ixhora, and
discovered a predilection for a squat old man from the isle of Serendib,
who was more ridiculous than any of the rest.

"Come!" said he, "for the love of your gods bestow a few slaps on your
chops to amuse me."

The old fellow, offended at such an address, began loudly to weep; but,
as he betrayed a villainous drivelling in his tears, the Caliph turned
his back and listened to Bababalouk, who whispered, whilst he held the
umbrella over him: "Your Majesty should be cautious of this odd assembly
which hath been collected I know not for what. Is it necessary to
exhibit such spectacles to a mi