Thus the Caliph Vathek, who, for the sake of empty pomp and forbidden power, had sullied himself with a thousand crimes, became a prey to grief without end, and remorse without mitigation: whilst the humble, the despised Gulchenrouz passed whole ages in undisturbed tranquillity, and in the pure happiness of childhood.

* A “cubit” is an ancient unit of measurement, the length of a man’s forearm, about eighteen inches or forty-four centimeters.

** Ants.

*** In Numbers, Balaam, a diviner, is prevented from consorting with the princes of Moab by the actions of his ass, who speaks with him and reveals the hand of God causing the ass’s actions.

**** Seamstresses.

***** A broom made of twigs tied to a stick.

****** An archaic form of “lecherous.”

******* Swaying to and fro.

******** Western Europe.

********* Sal ammoniac, ammonium chloride, is a salt used in older times for cleaning and baking. It is found in the dung of camels. Therefore, the narrator is describing a “rest stop” for the camels.

********** A yeast bread made from wheat.

*********** Sugar-coated nuts or fruits.

************ Leaping on hind legs.

************* A buffoon character, a staple of street performers.

************** Plasters or poultices—medical treatments.

*************** Loose dresses or robes.

**************** Literally, this means to heal with scabs. Presumably, here Beckford simply means that Vathek wishes to recover from his “convulsions” and unhappiness.

***************** Probably a light sailing vessel, though there were heavier shallops with masts as well.

****************** That is to say, a Genii.

******************* Monks or hermits.

Notes

The following notes were added to Beckford’s manuscript by the Rev. Samuel Henley (1740–1815) for the first edition of Vathek translated by Henley and published in England in 1786.

1 Caliph. This title amongst the Mahometans implies the three characters of Prophet, Priest, and King: it signifies, in the Arabic, Successor, or Vicar; and, by appropriation, the Vicar of God on Earth. It is, at this day, one of the titles of the Grand Signior, as successor of Mahomet; and of the Sophi of Persia, as successor of Ali. Habesci’s State of the Ottoman Empire, p. 9. D’Herbelot, p. 985.

2 one of his eyes became so terrible. The author of Nighiaristan hath preserved a fact that supports this account; and there is no history of Vathek, in which his terrible eye is not mentioned.

3 Omar Ben Abdalaziz. This Caliph was eminent above all others for temperance and self-denial; insomuch, that, according to the Mahometan faith, he was raised to Mahomet’s bosom, as a reward for his abstinence in an age of corruption. D’Herbelot, p. 690.

4 Samarah. A city of the Babylonian Irak; supposed to have stood on the site where Nimrod erected his tower. Khondemir relates, in his life of Motassem, that this prince, to terminate the disputes which were perpetually happening between the inhabitants of Bagda and his Turkish slaves, withdrew from thence, and, having fixed on a situation in the plain of Catoul, there founded Samarah. He is said to have had in the stables of this city, a hundred and thirty thousand pied horses; each of which carried, by his order, a sack of earth to a place he had chosen. By this accumulation, an elevation was formed that commanded a view of all Samarah, and served for the foundation of his magnificent palace. D’Herbelot, p. 752. 808. 985. Anecdotes Arabes, p. 413.