repeated his blow, and persisted with such assiduity as incited all who
were present to follow his example. Every foot was aimed at the Indian,
and no sooner had any one given him a kick than he felt himself
constrained to reiterate the stroke.

The stranger afforded them no small entertainment; for, being both short
and plump, he collected himself into a ball, and rolled round on all
sides at the blows of his assailants, who pressed after him wherever he
turned with an eagerness beyond conception, whilst their numbers were
every moment increasing. The ball, indeed, in passing from one apartment
to another, drew every person after it that came in its way, insomuch
that the whole palace was thrown into confusion, and resounded with a
tremendous clamour. The women of the harem, amazed at the uproar, flew
to their blinds to discover the cause; but no sooner did they catch a
glimpse of the ball, than feeling themselves unable to refrain, they
broke from the clutches of their eunuchs, who to stop their flight
pinched them till they bled, but in vain; whilst themselves, though
trembling with terror at the escape of their charge, were as incapable of
resisting the attraction.

The Indian, after having traversed the halls, galleries, chambers,
kitchens, gardens, and stables of the palace, at last took his course
through the courts; whilst the Caliph, pursuing him closer than the rest,
bestowed as many kicks as he possibly could, yet not without receiving
now and then one, which his competitors in their eagerness designed for
the ball.

Carathis, Morakanabad, and two or three old vizirs, whose wisdom had
hitherto withstood the attraction, wishing to prevent Vathek from
exposing himself in the presence of his subjects, fell down in his way to