r sovereign.

At length the clarions and trumpets from the top of the tower announced
the prelude of departure; though the instruments were in unison with each
other, yet a singular dissonance was blended with their sounds; this
proceeded from Carathis, who was singing her direful orisons to the
Giaour, whilst the negresses and mutes supplied thorough-base without
articulating a word. The good Mussulmans fancied that they heard the
sullen hum of those nocturnal insects which presage evil, and importuned
Vathek to beware how he ventured his sacred person.

On a given signal the great standard of the Califat was displayed, twenty
thousand lances shone around it, and the Caliph, treading loyally on the
cloth of gold which had been spread for his feet, ascended his litter
amidst the general awe that possessed his subjects.

The expedition commenced with the utmost order and so entire a silence,
that even the locusts were heard from the thickets on the plain of
Catoul. Gaiety and good-humour prevailing, six good leagues were past
before the dawn; and the morning star was still glittering in the
firmament when the whole of this numerous train had halted on the banks
of the Tigris, where they encamped to repose for the rest of the day.

The three days that followed were spent in the same manner; but on the
fourth the heavens looked angry, lightnings broke forth in frequent
flashes, re-echoing peals of thunder succeeded, and the trembling
Circassians clung with all their might to their ugly guardians. The
Caliph himself was greatly inclined to take shelter in the large town of
Gulchissar, the governor of which came forth to meet him, and tendered
every kind of refreshment the place could supply; but, having examined
his tablets, he suffered the rain to soak him almost to the bone,
notwithstanding the importunity of his first favourites. Though he began
to regret the palace of the senses, yet he lost not sight of his
enterprise, and his sanguine expectations confirmed his resolution; his
geographers were ordered to attend him, but the weather proved so
terrible that these poor people exhibited a lamentable appearance; and,
as no long journeys had been undertaken since the time of Haroun al
Raschid, their maps of the different countries were in a still worse
plight than themselves; every one was ignorant which way to turn; for
Vathek, though well versed in the course of the heavens, no longer knew
his situation on earth; h