themselves equal to both, came boldly to hazard their beards, and all
shamefully lost them.

The exaction of these forfeitures, which found sufficient employment for
the eunuchs, gave them such a smell of singed hair as greatly to disgust
the ladies of the seraglio, and make it necessary that this new
occupation of their guardians should be transferred into other hands.

At length, however, an old man presented himself whose beard was a cubit
and a half longer than any that had appeared before him. The officers of
the palace whispered to each other, as they ushered him in, "What a pity
such a beard should be burnt!" Even the Caliph, when he saw it,
concurred with them in opinion, but his concern was entirely needless.
This venerable personage read the characters with facility, and explained
them verbatim as follows: "We were made where everything good is made; we
are the least of the wonders of a place where all is wonderful, and
deserving the sight of the first potentate on earth."

"You translate admirably!" cried Vathek; "I know to what these marvellous
characters allude. Let him receive as many robes of honour and thousands
of sequins of gold as he hath spoken words. I am in some measure
relieved from the perplexity that embarrassed me!"

Vathek invited the old main to dine, and even to remain some days in the
palace. Unluckily for him, he accepted the offer; for the Caliph, having
ordered him next morning to be called, said: "Read again to me what you
have read already; I cannot hear too often the promise that is made me,
the completion of which I languish to obtain."

The old man forthwith put on his green spectacles, but they instantly