"how," cried vatek, "can i descend to thee? — come, take me, and instantly open the portal." — "not so fast," replied the indian, "impatient caliph! — know that i am parched with thirst, and cannot open this door, till my thirst be thoroughly appeased; i require the blood of fifty children. take them from among the most beautiful sons of thy vizirs and great men; or, neither can my thirst nor thy curiosity be satisfied. return to samarah; come back hither; throw it thyself into this chasm, and then shalt thou see!"
william beckford, vathek. edited by kenneth w. graham.
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