Beckford, William (1760-1844)

An Arabian Tale, From an Unpublished Manuscript [Vathek]

London

J. Johnson

w. 1782, 1786, 1816

"One of these beneficent Genii, assuming, without delay, the exterior of a shepherd, more renowned for his piety than all the derviches and santons of the region, took his station near a flock of white sheep, on the slope of a hill; and began to pour forth, from his flute, such airs of pathetic melody, as subdued the very soul; and, wakening remorse, drove, far from it, every frivolous fancy."

One of these beneficent Genii, assuming, without delay, the exterior of a shepherd, more renowned for his piety than all the derviches and santons of the region, took his station near a flock of white sheep, on the slope of a hill; and began to pour forth, from his flute, such airs of pathetic melody, as subdued the very soul; and, wakening remorse, drove, far from it, every frivolous fancy. At these energetic sounds, the sun hid himself beneath a gloomy cloud; and the waters of two little lakes, that were naturally clearer than crystal, became of a colour like blood. The whole of this superb assembly was involuntarily drawn towards the declivity of the hill. With downcast eyes, they all stood abashed; each upbraiding himself with the evil he had done. The heart of Dilara palpitated; and the chief of the eunuchs, with a sigh of contrition, implored pardon of the women, whom, for his own satisfaction, he had so often tormented.
(pp. 195-6)

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2 entries in ESTC (1786, 1791).

First published anonymously as An Arabian Tale, from an Unpublished Manuscript: with Notes Critical and Explanatory (London: J. Johnson, 1786). <Link to ESTC><Link to ECCO>

Text from William Beckford, Vathek: Translated from the original French, 3rd edition (London: Printed for W. Clarke 1816).

06/05/2013