m with hasty steps, and followed by his disciples with the
utmost alacrity. They reached, at length, a hall of great extent, and
covered with a lofty dome, around which appeared fifty portals of bronze,
secured with as many fastenings of iron; a funereal gloom prevailed over
the whole scene; here, upon two beds of incorruptible cedar, lay
recumbent the fleshless forms of the pre-adamite kings, who had been
monarchs of the whole earth; they still possessed enough of life to be
conscious of their deplorable condition; their eyes retained a melancholy
motion; they regarded each other with looks of the deepest dejection;
each holding his right hand motionless on his heart; at their feet were
inscribed the events of their several reigns, their power, their pride,
and their crimes; Soliman Raad, Soliman Daki, and Soliman Di Gian Ben
Gian, who, after having chained up the Dives in the dark caverns of Kaf,
became so presumptuous as to doubt of the Supreme Power; all these
maintained great state, though not to be compared with the eminence of
Soliman Ben Daoud.

This king, so renowned for his wisdom, was on the loftiest elevation, and
placed immediately under the dome; he appeared to possess more animation
than the rest; though from time to time he laboured with profound sighs,
and, like his companions, kept his right hand on his heart; yet his
countenance was more composed, and he seemed to be listening to the
sullen roar of a vast cataract, visible in part through the grated
portals: this was the only sound that intruded on the silence of these
doleful mansions. A range of brazen vases surrounded the elevation.

"Remove the covers from these cabalistic depositories," said the Giaour
to Vathek, "and avail thyself of the talismans, which will break asunder
all these gates of bronze; and not only render thee master of the
treasures contained within them, but also of the spirits by which they
are guarded."

The Caliph, whom this ominous preliminary had entirely disconcerted,
approached the vases with faltering footsteps, and was ready to sink with
terror when he heard the groans of Soliman. As he proceeded a voice from
the livid lips of the Prophet articulated these words:

"In my life-time I filled a magnificent throne, having on my right hand
twelve thousand seats of gold, where the patriarchs and the prophets
heard my doctrines; on my left the sages and doctors, upon as many
thrones of silver, were present at all my decis