At eventime, when the wild rejoicing of the City had fatigued itself

against replenishment by wine, Aladdin retired to his chamber and

rubbed the Lamp. Immediately the Slave appeared and desired to know

his wish. "O Slave of the Lamp," said Aladdin, "do as thou didst last

night. See to it that thou convey the bridal pair hither again as

man and maid at the eleventh hour of their innocence." The Slave of

the Lamp vanished in a moment, and Aladdin sat for a long time; yet

he was content, for he knew that the wily Efrite was but waiting his

opportunity. At length the monster reappeared before him, bearing in

his arms the bridal couch with the pair upon it, weeping and wringing

their hands in excess of grief and terror. And, at Aladdin's word

the Slave took the Vizier's son as before and put him to bed in the

wood-closet, where he remained, bound fast in an icy chill. Then

having dismissed the Efrite with injunctions to convey the pair back

in the morning as he had done the day before, Aladdin placed the

sword between Bedr-el-Budur and himself and composed himself to rest,

regardless of her weeping and restlessness; for, he said to himself,

"I am sufficiently rewarded for all my trouble. The Vizier's son hath

retired to the wood-closet. He careth not for this world's joys--the

gallows-bird! And he leaves me his bride to protect in the hour of

need. Verily he is of a trusting nature." And Aladdin slept not nor

stirred the whole night through; and it was as if Bedr-el-Budur's

sobbing and tribulation were cut off from him by the sword that lay

between them. And when it was morning, and the Sultan was about to

knock at the door of the bridal chamber in the palace, the Slave of the

Lamp appeared and conveyed the bride and the bridegroom swiftly back to

their place.

On being set down in the bridal chamber, dazed and bewildered, they

had not returned to their proper senses when the knock came at the

door. The Sultan had come to wish his daughter good-morning, and to see

also if she would behave towards him as on the former occasion. The

bridegroom arose, shivering with cold,--for he had but a moment since

left the wood-closet,--and opened the door. He made way for the Sultan,

who entered, and, approaching the couch, saluted Bedr-el-Budur with a

kiss. But, when he asked her if she was not the happiest of women, she

made no reply, but met his gaze with an angry stare. It was easy to see

that she was perfectly miserable. But the Sultan did not look at it in

that light, he saw only what he took for sullen obstinacy, and, flying

into a passion, drew his sword, saying, "By Allah! tell me what ails

thee, or thy head will not remain upon thy body."

Then Bedr-el-Budur wept and supplicated him, and told him what had

befallen on the second night as on the first, so that as she revealed

it all his pity was aroused, and he sheathed his sword. "Thy words ring

true, O my daughter!" he said. "But fear not, and be comforted; for at

this moment I am minded to set a guard on this chamber so that no such

thing may happen a third time. For the present, peace be on thee!"

The Sultan repaired immediately to the Grand Vizier and told him all;

and asked him whether he had received the same version of this matter

from his son. But the Grand Vizier shook his head in the manner of one

who might be lying and might not. "Then," said the Sultan, "go at once

and question him, for it may be that my daughter hath seen visions and

dreamed dreams; albeit, I am unable to disbelieve the truth of her

story."

So the Grand Vizier went and enquired of his son, and presently

returned to the Sultan in great perplexity of face, for his son,

whatever he had admitted before, had now confessed to everything, even

to the wood-closet. And, moreover, he had begged and implored his

father to obtain his release from this most unhappy marriage, since it

was better to be without a bride and sleep in peace than to have one

and perish with cold in a wood-closet. Thus it was with the Vizier's

son.

"O King of the Age," said the Grand Vizier, who could not see his way

to conceal the truth, "my son telleth the same tale as thy daughter,

the Lady Bedr-el-Budur. Wherefore I beseech thee that thou set a guard

this night, so that----" "Nay," broke in the Sultan angrily; "it is

an unhappy marriage and bodes no good. Thou didst persuade me that my

promise to that woman in respect of her son was not binding, but these

unhappy events and ill-omened affairs make me think thou wast mistaken.

Abide not another night, for worse may happen. Go forth, O Vizier,

and proclaim the marriage annulled. Bid the people cease to rejoice,

and command all to go their own ways and comport themselves as if the

marriage had not been."

At this the Grand Vizier bowed his head and went forth exceeding wroth,

and proclaimed the annulment of the marriage to all the people. Great

was the wonder at this on every hand, for, among them all, none knew

why, save one alone; and that one was Aladdin, the Master of the Lamp

and of the Slave of the Lamp. He alone knew, and it was almost with

regret that he decided the wood-closet need have no tenant that night.

Whether the Sultan had swiftly forgotten, or tardily remembered, his

pledge, Aladdin troubled not to enquire. He waited patiently until the

three months had expired, and then sent his mother to demand of the

Sultan the fulfilment of his promise.

So it transpired that, on the day of the expiration of the term, the

Sultan saw Aladdin's mother standing in the Hall of Audience. He was

not astonished at this, for the matter of his broken or twisted pledge

had somewhat disturbed his dreams. "Behold! there she stands!" he said

to the Grand Vizier. "Bring her before me immediately." The Vizier

arose, his face like autumn leaves withered in the wind, and did as he

was bidden.

"What is thy suit?" asked the Sultan of Aladdin's mother as soon as she

stood before him. Then, when she had kissed the ground and prayed for

the prolongation of his life, she answered: "O King of all the Earth,

the three months thou didst proscribe are at an end and I have come to

ask thee to redeem thy pledge in respect of thy daughter and my son

Aladdin."

The Sultan, who had not now the bowl of jewels before him to blind his

vision, regarded her intently, and saw that she was of humble state;

then, as he turned in perplexity to the Grand Vizier, he observed that

the expression on his face was the expression of one who ponders the

laying of a stratagem and the way it should be hatched. "What is thy

thought on this, O Vizier?" he said. "My word is my word, and I regret

that thou shouldst have explained it away; yet it seems to me that this

woman is not of the kind that could mother-in-law my daughter. Hast

thou a plan which is not a trick? If thou hast, whisper it in mine ear."

The Grand Vizier was pleased to hear the Sultan appealing to his ready

wit in this way, for he was consumed with chagrin at what had befallen

his son and desired only to non-suit this woman who had out-bid him

with the jewels. So he unfolded his plan--his stratagem--his trick,

privately to the Sultan's ear. "O King of the Age," he said, "thy

pledge holds good, as ever it did; yea, as good as marriage vows.

But verily, if this common woman's son desireth thy daughter for his

wife, there should be a settlement befitting such a suit. Wherefore

ask of him forty bowls of gold filled with jewels of the same blood

and tincture as the woman brought at first, with forty female slaves

to carry them, and a fitting retinue of forty. This thing, which is a

Sultan's right to ask, it seemeth to me he cannot contrive to execute,

and thus thou shalt be free of him."

"By Allah!" said the Sultan, "thou art of ready wit, O Vizier! Truly a

marriage settlement is needed." Then, turning to Aladdin's mother, he

said: "O woman! know that when one asketh the daughter of the Sultan

one must have standing, for so it is in royal circles; and, to prove

that standing, the suitor must show that he is able to provide for the

Sultan's daughter and keep her in that state to which she has been

accustomed. Wherefore he must bring to me forty golden bowls filled

with jewels such as thou didst bring, with forty beautiful female

slaves to carry them and forty black slaves as a retinue. Coming like

this, thy son may claim my daughter, for the Sultan's word is the

Sultan's word."

A sad woman then was Aladdin's mother. She returned to her son sick at

heart, saying with herself, "Forty bowls of jewels, with forty maids

and forty black slaves! How can my son do this? Better he had not

entered on this affair!" Then, with bitterness, she added, "The Sultan

asketh far too little: forty _five_ bowls with forty _five_ maids

and forty _five_ slaves and a palace to boot! Oh! what a thing it is

to live up to such a demand as I have made." Thinking like this she

found her son and spoke sorrowfully to him. "O my son," she exclaimed,

weeping, "said I not to thee that the Grand Vizier was thine enemy? The

Sultan remembered his pledge, but the Vizier--may his bones rot!--spake

in his ear, and the outcome is this: forty golden bowls of jewels,

forty female slaves to carry them, and forty slaves as an escort. With

this dowry, O my son, thou mayest approach the Sultan and claim his

daughter as thy bride."

Loudly Aladdin laughed to scorn. "O my mother," he said; "is this all

the Sultan requireth? The Grand Vizier--may his bones rot as thou

sayest!--hath proposed what he imagines an impossible thing; but it is

not at all impossible. Now, mother, set some food before me, and, when

I have eaten, I will tell thee."

And when his mother had brought him food, and he had eaten, he arose

and went into his chamber. There he brought out the Lamp, and, sitting

down, he rubbed it. Immediately the Slave appeared. "What is thy

wish, O my master?" "Lo, O Slave of the Lamp, know that the Sultan

hath promised me his daughter, but, repenting him of his promise, he

hath required of me what he thinketh a dowry impossible for anyone to

compass: forty golden bowls of rare and splendid jewels, carried by

forty maids, with an escort of forty slaves. Therefore I desire all

these things of thee." "I obey!" said the Efrite, and vanished.

In less than an hour he returned and led before Aladdin forty beautiful

maidens, each carrying a golden bowl of jewels on her head, and each

accompanied by a magnificent black slave. And when Aladdin's mother saw

this array she knew that it was done by the Lamp, and she blessed it

for her son's sake. Then said Aladdin, "O my mother, behold, the dowry

is ready according to the Sultan's requirement. It is for thee to take

it to him, to shew him what is in my power, and also that no time hath

been lost in complying with his request."

Then the maids, with the golden bowls of precious stones, arrayed

themselves in the street outside the house, and by each maid stood a

slave. Thus, led by Aladdin's mother, they proceeded to the Sultan's

Palace; and the people crowded in the streets to see this unwonted

sight, for the maids were richly dressed, and all, with the sun

shining on their raiment and flashing in the jewels they bore, made a

magnificent spectacle. Never had the people seen such jewels, never

such beauteous damsels, never such magnificent slaves. A cortège like

this was a wonder beyond the reach of kings. But Aladdin's mother

headed the procession unmindful of their shouts of acclamation, for she

well knew that she was going before the Sultan in a manner and with a

gift that would take his breath away.

[Illustration: The Nuptial Dance of Aladdin and the Lady Bedr-el-Budur.

Page 130]

When they reached the Palace gates the wonder of the people spread

to the soldiers and the guards, who, after a moment of speechless

admiration, found tongue to say to one another, "Does this earth

contain such splendid jewels? And are there such radiant maidens even

in the Fragrant Paradise?" And amazement gat hold of them, and their

hearts leapt in their breasts, so that not one amongst them could ever

think to become an anchorite, or hope to call one grandson. And so it

was with the commanding officers, the chamberlains, the officials of

the Palace and the grandees and nobles there assembled; they were all

cast into the depths of wonder, and the whole place effervesced and

simmered with an excitement it had never known before.

Thus, in due course, came Aladdin's mother before the Sultan, leading

the cortège into the Audience Hall. And so they stood before him, a

magnificent array, before whose dazzle and splendour the richness of

the place, the nobles and grandees with their costly robes, even the

Sultan himself and the throne whereon he sat, all seemed poor and

common by comparison. The maidens took the bowls of jewels from their

heads and set them on the ground. Then they made obeisance, they and

the slaves prostrating themselves before the Sultan; and, having done

this, they all arose and stood before him in humble reverence. And,

when the Sultan's gaze at last left the beauteous damsels and fell upon

the bowls of jewels at their feet, he was beside himself with wonder

and admiration; and he was the more amazed that surpassing wealth in

this form could be brought before him in the short space of one hour.

For some moments he was speechless; then, when he found words,

he commanded that the whole cortège should present itself, with the

jewels, to the Lady Bedr-el-Budur in her Palace. So, in due order and

with perfect grace of movement, the damsels took up their precious

burdens; and thus, escorted by the slaves, and led by Aladdin's mother,

they went in to the Sultan's daughter. While they were laying this

dowry before her, Aladdin's mother returned to the Sultan and spoke

with him. "O King of the Age," she said, "'tis but a mere trifle, and

scarcely worthy of the priceless rarity of thy fair daughter."

"What sayest thou?" said the Sultan, addressing the Grand Vizier. "He

who can control such wealth is surely worthy of my daughter." But the

wily Vizier, who had twice persuaded the Sultan, and had twice been

beaten, was minded to chance a third attempt, for he could not bear to

see the Lady Bedr-el-Budur pass to Aladdin without a struggle. "O my

Lord," he said, green with envy, "rich though these things be, thinkest

thou they are worth one single curl of thy daughter's head? Thou art

the King of Earth, and the Lady Bedr-el-Budur is thy daughter: this

gift is not worthy of her."

"Perchance that is why thy son feared to bring the like lest I should

be displeased," returned the Sultan sharply, for he saw that the Grand

Vizier was envious to excess. Then he added to Aladdin's mother: "Tell

thy son he need fear not but that I shall keep my promise; but bid him

come hither to me with all haste, so that I may look upon his face and

accept him as my son-in-law; for the marriage shall be this very night."

Aladdin's mother flushed red with joy--redder than she had ever known

as a girl. The Grand Vizier turned white with rage--whiter than his

false heart had ever been, even when a boy. After a dagger-thrust of

glances between them, Aladdin's mother made obeisance to the Sultan and

thanked him. Then, with contempt for the Grand Vizier written plainly

on her face, she withdrew, and returned home, walking on the air.

As soon as she was gone the Sultan dismissed the audience and repaired

to his daughter's palace, where he found Bedr-el-Budur examining the

jewels in a state of the utmost delight, and singing a song of their

wondrous beauty. Then, when the Sultan told her that they came from her

new bridegroom, she clapped her hands with joy and demanded to know

what he was like, and where was his splendid kingdom. "I know not,"

said the Sultan in answer, "but he cometh to me shortly, and then he

will reveal to me his state. Meanwhile, O my daughter, do thou regard

him in the sparkling light of these wondrous jewels, and know that,

while he regardeth them as not worth thy little finger, his love for

thee must be great."

Now Aladdin, when he saw his mother returning swift-footed and on wings

of joy, knew that good tidings came with her. But, before he could

speak, his mother burst in upon him and embraced him, crying, "O my

son! thy heart's wish is fulfilled. This very night thou art to wed

the Sultan's daughter, and so it is proclaimed before all the world."

Then did Aladdin rejoice that his expectations were fulfilled, and was

continuing to rejoice when his mother addressed him suddenly. "Nay,"

she said, "I have not told thee all. The Sultan bids thee go to him

immediately, for he desires to see his son-in-law. But how shalt thou

approach the Sultan in thy merchant's garments? However, I have done

all I can for thee, and it is now thine own affair."

So saying, she withdrew to rest a little, and Aladdin, having blessed

her, retired to his chamber and brought forth the Lamp. With a set

purpose in his mind, he rubbed it, and at once the Slave appeared.

"Thou knowest me: what is thy desire?" "I wish," answered Aladdin,

"that thou take me to a bath which hath no equal in all the kingdoms,

and provide me there with a change of raiment of resplendent glory,

richer than any the Sultan has ever worn."

No sooner had he spoken than the Efrite bore him away in his arms, and

deposited him in a bath the like of which no King could compass nor any

man describe. Everything was there which delighted the eye, and not the

least of the wonders of this splendid bath was a hall whose walls were

encrusted with jewels. Seeing there was no one in attendance, Aladdin

clapped his hands, and immediately came slaves to wait upon him. And

one with marvellous strength and dexterity of hand washed him and

manipulated his limbs until he was altogether refreshed. Then he sought

the jewelled hall and found there, in place of his merchant's garb, a

set of robes that exceeded all imagination. These he put on, and smiled

to himself as if he looked down on kings; for, indeed, the robes were

more than royal. And, when he had drunk the sherbets and the coffee

which the slaves brought him, he submitted to the completion of his

dress by delicate unguents and perfumes, and then went forth. At the

door of the bath, he was met by the Efrite in waiting, who took up and

bore him in a flash to his home.

"Hast thou still some further need?" asked the Slave of the Lamp,

about to vanish. "Yea," replied Aladdin. "Bring me here a Chief of

Memluks with forty-eight in his train--twenty-four to precede me and

twenty-four to follow after; and see that they have splendid horses

and equipments, so that not even the greatest in the world can say,

'This is inferior to mine.' For myself I want a stallion such as

cannot be equalled among the Arabs, and his housings must be for value

such as one could purchase only in dreams. And to each memluk give a

thousand gold pieces, and to the Chief Memluk ten thousand; for we go

to the Sultan's palace and would scatter largesse on the way. Wait!

Also twelve maidens of unequalled grace and loveliness in person to

attire and accompany my mother to the Sultan's presence. And look you!

whatever of grace and beauty is lacking in my person supply it to me on

my natural plan of being. See to it, O Slave of the Lamp!"

"It is already done," said the Slave of the Lamp; and, vanishing on the

instant, he reappeared at once at the doorway of the house, leading a

noble white stallion gorgeously equipped, while behind came the twelve

damsels and forty-nine memluks on magnificent chargers. The damsels

were bearing rich stuffs in their arms; so Aladdin, guessing that these

were the robes for his mother, led them in to her that she might be

arrayed in a manner befitting the mother-in-law of a Princess. Then he

sent the Chief Memluk post haste to the Palace to announce his speedy

arrival. The memluk rode like the wind, and soon returned at full

gallop, saying as he drew rein, "O my lord, the Sultan expecteth thee

every moment."

Then Aladdin, having seen that the maidens had properly arrayed his

mother, mounted his steed and set out for the Palace with memluks

before and behind him, and his mother following, supported by the

maidens. It was a brave cavalcade that proceeded through the streets,

and the people watched it in amazement. "Is not this the tailor's son?"

said one to another. "Yea, we all thought so," was the reply; "but it

seems we have never known the truth." For, when they saw Aladdin's

courtly grace, enhanced as it was by the Slave of the Lamp, and beheld

his memluks scattering gold, they said among themselves that he was the

son of a potent king of far lands, and had been placed in the tailor's

care; for see! his foster mother, magnificently robed, was following.

Little did they think--for Aladdin's mother had not gossiped--that all

this ravishing splendour was of the Lamp, which could work wonders

for whosoever possessed it. And the cavalcade filed onwards amid the

acclamations and blessings of the people, until the Palace was reached.

And all the way they ceased not to distribute largesse to the people.

Now, when the Sultan had received word that Aladdin was coming, he

informed his nobles and grandees of the meaning of this thing; so that,

when Aladdin arrived, there was a vast concourse of people, and all the

stateliest of the land were there awaiting his entry. And, as he rode

in at the gates, he was received not only by the greatest personages

of the Sultan's realm, but also by officials high and low, who did him

homage and extolled him. There was no office too small to be performed

for him--no word of welcome too great to greet him. As the sun rises in

glory upon a waiting world, so came Aladdin to the Palace. At the door

of the Hall of Audience he dismounted, while hands held his stirrup

that had never performed such an office before.

The Sultan was seated on his throne, and, immediately he saw Aladdin,

he arose and descended and took him to his breast, forbidding all

ceremony on so great an occasion. Then he led him up affectionately,

and placed him on his right hand. In all this Aladdin forgot not the

respect due to kings. Forbidden to be too humble, he was not too lofty

in his bearing. He spoke:

"O my Lord the Sultan! King of the Earth and Heaven's Dispenser of all

Good! Truly thou hast treated me graciously in bestowing upon me thy

daughter the Lady Bedr-el-Budur. Know, O King, that when I consider her

grace and loveliness, which cometh from thee, I feel unworthy, like

one of the meanest slaves. Yet, since thou hast so honoured me of thy

Felicity, I cannot bring to thy feet a slave's humility, for, by the

gift of this lovely lady, thy daughter, thou hast raised me above my

fellows beneath thy sheltering wing. Wherefore, while my tongue knoweth

no words to thank and extol thee for the magnitude of thy favour, it

can still pray fervently for the prolongation of thy life. O King of

the Age! be gracious and hear me yet further, for I have a request to

make. Wilt thou grant me a site whereon to build a palace, unworthy as

it may prove, for the comfort and happiness of thy daughter, the Lady

Bedr-el-Budur?"

Now, while Aladdin was thus speaking with courtly grace and diction,

the Sultan's attention was divided between his ears and eyes. While

listening to Aladdin's words he was noting his more than princely

raiment, his beauty and perfection of form, his magnificent retinue

of memluks, and the royal richness of everything that appertained to

him--all following his lordly wake without compulsion, as though it

were natural from long custom so to do. And he was bewildered, and

wondered greatly that this son of a thousand kings should have been

heralded by a woman of the people, saying, forsooth, she was his

mother. And, while he was wondering, Aladdin's mother approached,

apparelled in robes more costly than any in his own Queen's wardrobe,

and supported humbly and decorously by her twelve maidens of surpassing

loveliness. At this, while the Grand Vizier came nigh to death with

envy, the Sultan on a sudden turned to Aladdin and embraced and kissed

him, saying, "My son! My son! How hast thou hid from me so long?"

Then the Sultan conversed with Aladdin and was greatly charmed with his

courtliness and eloquence. Anon he ordered the musicians to play, and

together they listened to the music in the utmost content. Finally he

arose, and, taking Aladdin by the hand, led him forth into the Palace

banqueting hall, where a splendid supper was awaiting them with the

lords of the land standing ready in their proper order of degree. Yet

above them all sat Aladdin, for he was at the Sultan's right hand. And,

while they ate, the music played and a merry wit prevailed; and the

Sultan drew nearer to Aladdin in their talk, and saw, from his grace,

his manner of speech, and his complaisance, that indeed he must have

been brought up and nurtured among kings. Then, while they conversed,

the Sultan's heart went out with joy and satisfaction to Aladdin,

and the whole assemblage saw that it was not as it had been with the

Vizier's son.

The Grand Vizier himself would have retired early had it not been that

his presence was required for the marriage ceremony. As soon as the

banquet was over and the tables cleared away, the Sultan commanded the

Vizier to summon the Kadis and the witnesses, and thus the contract

between Aladdin and the Lady Bedr-el-Budur was duly executed. Then,

without a warning word, Aladdin arose to depart. "Wherefore, O

my son?" said the Sultan. "Thy wedding is duly contracted and the

festivities are about to begin."

"Yea, O my lord the King," replied Aladdin; "and none rejoiceth at that

more than I; but, if it please thee, it is my thought to build a palace

for the Lady Bedr-el-Budur; and if my love and longing for her be

anything, thou mayest rest assured that it will be completed so quickly

as to amaze thee." At this the Grand Vizier tugged the Sultan's sleeve,

but received no attention. "It is well," said the Sultan to Aladdin;

"choose what site seemeth best to thee and follow thine own heart in

the matter. See! this open space by my palace! What thinkest thou, my

son?" "O King," replied Aladdin, "I cannot thank thee enough, for it is

the summit of my felicity to be near thee."

Then Aladdin left the Palace in the same royal manner as he had

approached it, with his memluks preceding and following; and again

the people praised and blessed him as he passed. When he reached his

house he left all other affairs in the hands of his Chief Memluk with

certain instructions, and went into his chamber. There he took the

Lamp and rubbed it. The Slave appeared on the instant and desired to

know his pleasure. "O Slave," answered Aladdin, "I have a great task

for thee. I desire thee to build for me in all haste a palace on the

open space near the Sultan's Serai,--a palace of magnificent design

and construction, and filled with rare and costly things. And let it

be incomplete in one small respect, so that, when the Sultan offers

to complete it to match the whole, all the wealth and artifice at his

command will not suffice for the task." "O my master," replied the

Efrite, "it shall be done with all speed. I will return when the work

is finished." With this he vanished.

It was an hour before dawn when the Slave of the Lamp returned to

Aladdin, and, awakening him from sleep, stood before him. "O Master of

the Lamp," he said, "the palace is built as thou didst command." "It

is well, O Slave of the Lamp," answered Aladdin; "and I would inspect

thy work." No sooner had he spoken than he found himself being borne

swiftly through the air in the arms of the Efrite, who set him down

almost immediately within the palace.

Most excellently had the Slave done his work. Porphyry, jasper,

alabaster and other rare stones had been used in the construction of

the building. The floors were of mosaics the which to match would cost

much wealth and time in the fashioning, while the walls and ceilings,

the doors and the smallest pieces of detail were all such that even

the imagination of them could come only to one dissatisfied with the

palaces of Kings. When Aladdin had wondered at all this, the Slave led

him into the Treasury, and showed him countless bars of gold and silver

and gems of dazzling brilliance. Thence to the banqueting hall, where

the tables were arrayed in a manner to take one's breath away; for

every dish and every flagon were of gold or silver, and all the goblets

were crusted with jewels. Thence, again, to the wardrobes, where the

richest stuffs of the East were piled in great gold-bound chests to

an extent that baffled the reason. And so from room to room, where

everything that met the eye dazzled and captivated it. And all this had

been done in a single night.

Having surveyed it all, Aladdin knew not what to say, scarcely even

what to think. It seemed to him that the most sovereign monarch of all

the world could command nothing like this. But, when the Slave led him

further and shewed him a pavilion with twenty-four niches thickly set

with diamonds and emeralds and rubies, he fairly lost his wits. And the

Slave took him to one niche and shewed him how his command had been

carried out in that this was the one small part of the palace that was

left incomplete in order to tempt and tax the Sultan to finish it.

When Aladdin had viewed the whole palace, and seen the numerous

slaves and beautiful maidens therein, he asked yet one thing more of

the Efrite. "O Slave of the Lamp," he said, "the work is wonderful,

yet it still lacketh an approach from the Sultan's palace. I desire,

therefore, a rich carpet laid upon the intervening space, so that

the Lady Bedr-el-Budur may come and go upon a splendid pathway of

brocade worked with gold and inwrought with precious stones." "I hear

and obey," said the Slave, and vanished. Presently he returned and

led Aladdin to the steps of the palace. "O my lord," he said, "what

thou didst command is done." And he pointed to a magnificent carpet

extending from palace to palace. The gold and the precious stones in

the brocade gleamed and sparkled in the stars' last rays before the

rise of dawn. When Aladdin had gazed upon it and wondered at it, the

Efrite carried him in the twinkling of an eye back to his own home.

Shortly afterwards, when the dawn had arisen, the Sultan opened

his eyes, and, looking forth from his window, beheld a magnificent

structure where the day before had been an open space. Doubting the

evidence of his senses, he turned himself about and rubbed his eyes

and looked again. There, undoubtedly, was a palace more splendid and

glorious than any he had ever seen; and there, leading to it, was a

carpet the like of which he had never trod. And all those who awoke

betimes in the Sultan's palace observed these wonderful things, and

neither they nor the Sultan could keep their amazement to themselves.

The news of it spread through the palace like wildfire. The Grand

Vizier came rushing to the Sultan, and, finding him at the window, had

no need to tell him the cause of his excitement. "What sayest thou,

O Vizier?" said the Sultan. "Yonder stands a palace surpassing all

others. Truly Aladdin is worthy of my daughter, since at his bidding

such a royal edifice arises in a single night."

Then the Vizier's envy found vent. "O King," he said, "thinkest

thou that such a thing as this could be done save by the vilest of

sorcery? Riches and jewels and costly attire are in the hands of

mortals, but this--this is impossible!" "Impossible?" said the Sultan.

"Behold!"--and he pointed towards the palace--"there it stands in the

light of day, and thou sayest it is impossible. Verily, O Vizier, it

seems thy wits are turned with envy at the wealth of Aladdin. Prate

not to me of sorcery. There are few things beyond the power of a man

in whose treasury are such jewels as those sent me by Aladdin." At

this the Grand Vizier was silent; indeed, his excess of envy well nigh

choked him, for he saw that the Sultan loved Aladdin greatly.

Now when Aladdin awoke in the morning and knew that he must set forth

for the palace where the nobles and grandees were already assembling

for the wedding celebration, he took the Lamp and rubbed it. The slave

appeared on the instant and desired to know his wish. "O Slave of the

Lamp," said Aladdin, "this is my wedding day and I go to the Sultan's

palace. Wherefore I shall need ten thousand gold pieces." "I hear and

obey," said the Efrite, and, vanishing, returned on the instant with

the gold packed in bags. These he placed before Aladdin, and then,

receiving no further command, disappeared.

Aladdin called his Chief Memluk and ordered him to take the gold and

see that it was scattered among the people on the way to the palace.

When all was ready Aladdin mounted his steed and rode through the

City while the memluks before and behind distributed largesse all the

way. And the people were loud in their praises of his dignity and

grace and loved him greatly for his generosity. Anon the palace was

reached and there the high officials, who were looking for Aladdin

and his train, hastened to inform the Sultan of his approach. On this

the Sultan arose, and, going out to the gates of the palace to meet

him, embraced and kissed him. Then, taking him by the hand, he led him

in and seated him at his right hand. Meanwhile the whole City was in

festivity. Pomp and ceremony went hand in hand with gaiety and mirth.

Soldiers and guards kept holiday order in the streets where youths and

bright-garlanded maidens made merry riot. Within the palace resounded

music and singing and the murmur of happy voices, for this was the

nation's day of joy.

Anon the Sultan commanded the wedding banquet to be served, and the

eunuchs set the tables out with royal dishes of gold and silver

filled with sumptuous viands and fruits that might have been culled

in Paradise. And, when it was all ready, Aladdin sat on the right

hand of the Sultan; and they, with all the nobles and foremost in

the land, ate and drank. On every hand were honour and good will for

Aladdin. Everyone was filled with joy at the event, saying that this

wedding was as happy as that of the Grand Vizier's son was unfortunate.

Aladdin's palace and the space around it were thronged with people of

every degree who ceased not to wonder at its resplendent beauty and the

fact that it had been built in a single night. "May his head survive us

all!" said some; and others, "God give him every pleasure, for verily

he deserveth it."

When the banquet was over Aladdin repaired with his memluks to his

palace to make ready for the reception of his bride, Bedr-el-Budur.

And, as he went, all the people thronged him shouting, "God give thee

happiness! God bless thy days!" And he scattered gold amongst them.

Coming to his palace he dismounted, and went in, and seated himself

whilst his attendants bowed before him. And, thinking of naught else

but his bride, the Lady Bedr-el-Budur, he commanded them to prepare for

her reception. And they did so. Meanwhile Aladdin looked forth from a

window of the palace and saw the Sultan with his horsemen descending

into the riding ground. At this he bethought him of his stallion and

commanded his Chief Memluk accordingly. Then, mounted on his steed and

accompanied by his retinue, he galloped down into the riding ground.

There, javelin in hand, he displayed his prowess, and none could stand

against him. Bedr-el-Budur, watching him from a window in her father's

palace, felt her heart turn over and over in her bosom, and then,

saying within herself, "He is my husband and none other," she renounced

herself to the exquisite joy of sudden love.

At eventime, when the sport and play were over, the princes of the land

surrounded Aladdin--for he had become the centre of all interest--and

accompanied him to the Hammam. There he was bathed and perfumed, and,

when he came forth and mounted his matchless steed, he was escorted

through the City by guards and emirs with drawn swords, while all the

people thronged in procession before and behind and on every side,

beating drums and playing musical instruments and singing for very

excess of joy and revel. And when he reached his palace he dismounted

and entered, and seated himself. And the nobles and grandees,

submitting to the ruling of his Chief Memluk, were seated also, each

according to his degree. Then refreshments were served without stint,

even to the multitude without the gates. And Aladdin arose in the midst

of this and beckoned to his Chief Memluk. "Is there any gold?" he

asked. "Yea," answered the Memluk, "some thousands of pieces." "Then,"

said Aladdin, "scatter it among the people who throng the gates." And

thus it was at Aladdin's palace.

Meanwhile the Sultan, on returning from the riding ground, commanded

an escort to conduct the Lady Bedr-el-Budur to her husband's abode.

On this the Captains of guards, the officers of state and nobles,

well equipped, were mounted in readiness and waiting at the door of

Bedr-el-Budur's apartments. Presently, preceded by female slaves and

eunuchs bearing lighted tapers set in jewelled candlesticks, came forth

a vision of liveliness. Bedr-el-Budur, aflame with love for Aladdin,

appeared on the threshold like a pure white bird about to fly into

space. All too slow was the procession that escorted her to Aladdin's

palace. The stately pomp and splendour accorded not with the beating of

her heart. She saw not Aladdin's mother nor the beauteous damsels, nor

the mounted guards, nor the emirs, nor the nobles--her only thought was

Aladdin, for her heart was consumed with love.

Thus from the Seraglio to Aladdin's palace, where Bedr-el-Budur, as

one floating in a dream, was taken to her apartments and arrayed

for presentation to the Court assembled. And of all that Court and

multitude of people the only one who had no voice was Aladdin, for,

when he looked upon his bride in her surpassing loveliness, he was

reft of speech or thought, and stood silent before a joy too great for

tongue to tell.

At last, when the presentation was over, Aladdin sought the bridal

chamber where he found his mother with Bedr-el-Budur. And there, in

the apartment all sparkling with gold and precious stones, his mother

unveiled her and Aladdin gazed into her eyes and took no thought for

the lustre of jewels. And while his mother went into raptures over the

splendour of the place, Aladdin and Bedr-el-Budur exchanged one look of

love--a thing which none could purchase with all the treasures of the

earth. And so it was with Aladdin and his bride.

In the morning Aladdin arose and donned a costly robe of royal

magnificence; then, when he had quaffed some delicious coffee flavoured

with ambergris, he ordered his steed, and, with his memluks preceding

and following, rode to the Sultan's palace. As soon as the Sultan was

informed of his arrival he came to meet him, and, having embraced

and kissed him with great affection, led him in and seated him on

his right hand. And the nobles and grandees and high officials of

the realm craved the privilege to approach him with congratulations

and blessings. When this was over--Aladdin having shown an exceeding

graciousness to all--the Sultan ordered breakfast to be brought. The

tables were immediately laid, and all assembled ate and drank and

conversed in a state of the utmost joy and happiness.

[Illustration: Aladdin finds the Princess in Africa. Page 141]

"O my Lord," said Aladdin to the Sultan when they had finished

the repast, "I crave that thou wilt favour and honour me with thy

presence, and that of thy Court, to dine with thy well-beloved daughter

Bedr-el-Budur at her palace to-day. I entreat thy Felicity to refuse

not my request." And the Sultan answered with a charming smile, "O

my son, thou art too generous; but who could refuse thee anything?"

Accordingly, in due course, the Sultan commanded his suite, and all

rode forth with him and Aladdin to Bedr-el-Budur's palace.

Great was the Sultan's wonder and admiration when he saw the

architecture and masonry of the structure, for, even without, it was

all of the rarest and most costly stone inwrought with gold and silver

and fashioned with consummate skill; but when he entered and viewed the

entrance hall his breath was snatched away from him, for he had never

seen anything so magnificent in his life. At length, finding speech,

he turned to the Grand Vizier and said, "Verily, this is the greatest

wonder of all. Hast thou ever, from first to last, beheld a palace

like this?" "O King of the Age," replied the Vizier gravely, "there

hath never been the like of this among the sons of men. It would take

ten thousand workmen ten thousand days to construct it; wherefore, as

I told thy Felicity, its completion in a single night is the work of

sorcery." At this the Sultan was not pleased. "Verily, O Vizier," he

replied, "thou hast an envious heart, and thou speakest foolishly with

thy mouth."

At this moment Aladdin approached the Sultan to conduct him through

the rooms of the palace. And, as they went from one to another, the

Sultan was simply astounded at the wealth of metal and precious stones

on every hand, and at the workmanship thereof. As for the Vizier, he

had said all he had to say, and followed sullenly, nursing an evil

heart. At length they came to the kiosk, which was a crowning work of

jewel-clusters so rich and splendid that the treasuries of the earth

must have been emptied to fill them. The Sultan nearly went from his

wits in the effort to calculate the fabulous wealth of this apartment

alone. His thought sped onward through thousands, millions, of gold

pieces; and, losing itself in the thousands of millions, fell back

staggering and distraught. For relief he turned this way and that,

gazing upon the niches, which were the most precious and wonderful of

all. And in this way he came at length to the niche that had been left

incomplete. This gave him speech. "Alas!" he said, relieved to find a

flaw, "this niche, at least, is imperfect." Then, turning to Aladdin,

he enquired the reason of it. "Yea, O my Lord," answered Aladdin, "woe

unto it; it is indeed unfinished, for the workmen clamoured to be

allowed to prepare themselves for the wedding festivities and I had not

the heart to say them nay. So they left it as thou seest it." Then,

while Aladdin stood by observing intently the effect of his words,

the Sultan stroked his beard in contemplation. "O my son," he said

presently, "the thought has come to me to complete it myself." "On the

head and eye, O King!" cried Aladdin. "And may thy life be prolonged!

If thou wilt honour me thus it will be a fitting perpetuation of thy

memory in the palace of thy daughter." At this, the Sultan, vastly

pleased, summoned his jewellers and artificers, and, empowering them

to draw on the Royal Treasury for all they might require, he commanded

them to complete the niche.

Scarcely had the Sultan finished his directions in this matter when

Bedr-el-Budur came to greet him. And his heart leapt with joy at her

radiant face when he looked upon her. Then, when she had confided to

him how happy she was, Aladdin led them into the banqueting hall, where

all was ready. One table was set apart for the Sultan and Bedr-el-Budur

and Aladdin, and another for the Sultan's suite. Then the Sultan seated

himself between Aladdin and his daughter, and the meal proceeded. The

viands were like ambrosia, and the wine like nectar; and the serving

was done by eighty damsels, to each one of whom the moon might have

curtseyed, saying, "Thy pardon, but I have stolen thy seat." And some

of these damsels took musical instruments and played and sang in a

manner divine. The Sultan's heart expanded, and he said, "Verily, this

is a feast to which a king might aspire."

When they had eaten and emptied their cups the Chief Memluk opened the

way to another room, where the most delicious fruits and sweetmeats

were set out against a wealth of delicate flowers and greenery. Here

the whole assembly lingered long in perfect delight while, upon the

soft carpets, the beauteous damsels danced to the sound of sweetest

music. Never had any of them, including the Sultan himself, been so

near to Paradise before. Even the Grand Vizier shed his envy for the

moment and forgot himself to joy.

When the Sultan's soul was well nigh weary with excess of enjoyment

he rose, and, bethinking himself of the unfinished niche, repaired to

the kiosk to see how his workmen had progressed with their task. And

when he came to them and inspected their work he saw that they had

completed only a small portion and that neither the execution nor the

material, which was already exhausted, could compare with that of the

other niches. Seeing this he bethought him of his reserve Treasury and

the jewels Aladdin had given him. Wherefore he commanded the workmen

to draw upon these and continue their work. This they did, and, in due

course, the Sultan returned to find that the work was still incomplete.

Determined to carry out his design at whatever cost the Sultan

commanded his officials to seize all the jewels they could lay their

hands on in the kingdom. Even this was done, and lo, still the niche

was unfinished.

It was not until late on a day thereafter that Aladdin found the

jewellers and goldsmiths adding to the work the last stones at their

command. "Hast thou jewels enough?" he asked of the chief artificer.

"Nay, O my master," he replied sadly. "We have used all the jewels in

the Treasuries; yea, even in all the kingdom, and yet the work is only

half finished."

"Take it all away!" said Aladdin. "Restore the jewels to their rightful

owners." So they undid their work and returned the jewels to the

Treasuries and to the people from whom they had been taken. And they

went in to the Sultan and told him. Unable to learn from them the exact

reason for this, the Sultan immediately called for his attendants and

his horses and repaired to Aladdin's palace.

Meanwhile, Aladdin himself, as soon as the workmen had left, retired

to a private chamber; and, taking out the Lamp, rubbed it. "Ask what

thou wilt," said the Slave, appearing on the instant. "I desire thee

to complete the niche which was left incomplete," answered Aladdin. "I

hear and obey," said the Slave, and vanished. In a very short space of

time he returned, saying, "O my master, the work is complete." Then

Aladdin arose and went to the kiosk, and found that the Slave had

spoken truly; the niche was finished. As he was examining it, a memluk

came to him and informed him that the Sultan was at the gates. At this

Aladdin hastened to meet him. "O my son," cried the Sultan as Aladdin

greeted him, "why didst thou not let my jewellers complete the niche in

the kiosk? Wilt thou not have the palace whole?" And Aladdin answered

him, "O my lord, I left it unfinished in order to raise a doubt in thy

mind and then dispel it; for, if thy Felicity doubted my ability to

finish it, a glance at the kiosk as it now stands will make the matter

plain." And he led the Sultan to the kiosk and showed him the completed

niche.

The Sultan's astonishment was now greater than ever, that Aladdin had

accomplished in so short a space that which he himself could command

neither workmen nor jewels sufficient to accomplish in many months.

It filled him with wonder. He embraced Aladdin and kissed him, saying

there was none like him in all the world. Then, when he had rested

awhile with his daughter Bedr-el-Budur, who was full of joy and

happiness, the Sultan returned to his own palace.

As the days passed by Aladdin's fame went forth through all the land.

It was his daily pleasure to ride through the City with his memluks,

scattering gold among the people, and there was no kind of generosity

or kindness that he did not practise. His hospitality drew the nobles

and grandees to his table, and his name was exalted far and wide.

In the chase and on the riding ground there was none could vie with

Aladdin, and frequently Bedr-el-Budur, watching from a window in the

palace, would glow with love and pride at the sight of his graceful and

daring horsemanship in the javelin joust. Then she would say within

herself, "A lucky one am I to have escaped the Vizier's son."

Now it chanced that the Sultan's enemies from distant parts invaded his

territory and rode down against him. The Sultan assembled his armies

for war and gave the chief command to Aladdin, whose skill and prowess

had found great favour in his eyes. And Bedr-el-Budur wept when Aladdin

went forth to the wars, but great was her delight when he returned

victorious, having routed the enemy in a great battle with terrible

slaughter. Many were the tales the soldiers told of Aladdin's courage

and strength, his daring when, at the head of his troops, he thundered

down upon the enemy, sword in hand, and broke and dispersed them. A

great triumph was held in the City, for Aladdin returned not only with

victory, but with much plunder and many flocks and herds of which he

had despoiled the enemy. And the Sultan rejoiced over Aladdin in that

he had saved the realm and smitten his enemies; and Bedr-el-Budur wept

upon his breast with delight that he had returned to her safe and sound

and covered with glory. The City was illuminated, and everyone feasted

and drank by order of the Sultan, and praised Aladdin by the dictate of

their own hearts. So greatly was he magnified by the people of high and

low degree that, if any swore, it was by Allah in Heaven and by Aladdin

on earth. Such was his exalted position in the land.

Now the fame of Aladdin penetrated even to distant parts, so that

his name was heard even in the land of the Moors, where the accursed

Dervish dwelt. This sorcerer had not yet made an end of lamenting the

loss of the Lamp just as it seemed about to pass into his hands. And,

while he lamented, he cursed Aladdin in his bitter rage, saying within

himself, "'Tis well that ill-omened miscreant is dead and buried, for,

if I have not the Lamp, it is at least safe, and one day I may come by

it." But when he heard the name "Aladdin," and the fame attached to

it, he muttered to himself, "Can this be he? And hath he risen to a

high position through the Lamp and the Slave of the Lamp?" Then he rose

and drew a table of magic signs in the sand in order to find if the

Aladdin of Destiny were indeed alive upon the earth. And the figures

gave him what he feared. Aladdin was alive and the Lamp was not in

the cavern where by his magic he had first discovered it. At this a

great fear struck him to the heart, and he wondered that he had lived

to experience it, for he knew that at any moment Aladdin, by means of

the Slave of the Lamp, might slay him for revenge. Wondering that this

had not occurred to Aladdin's mind he hastened to draw another table;

by which he saw that Aladdin had acquired great possessions and had

married the Sultan's daughter. At this his rage mastered his fear and

he cursed Aladdin with fury and envy. But, though his magic was great,

it could not cope with that which slumbered in the Lamp, and his curses

missed their mark, only to abide the time when they might circle back

upon him. Meanwhile, in great haste, he arose and journeyed to the far

land of Cathay, fearing every moment that Aladdin would bethink him of

revenge by means of the Slave of the Lamp. Yet he arrived safely at

the City of the Sultan and rested at an inn where he heard naught but

praises of Aladdin's generosity, his bravery in battle, his beautiful

bride Bedr-el-Budur and his magnificent palace. This gave a biting edge

to his envious wrath, and, when he went forth into the ways of the City

and still heard groups of people talking of Aladdin and the splendour

of his state, he approached a young man, and, saluting him with feigned

graciousness, said, "O my master, pray tell me, who is this great one

that all extol?" And the young man replied, "Verily thou art a stranger

in the City and from exceeding distant parts if thou hast not heard of

Aladdin--whose glory be increased! His wonderful palace is the talk of

the world." "Yea," answered the Dervish, "I am a stranger from very

distant lands and there is nothing more to my desire than to see the

palace, if thou wilt direct me." "On the head and eye," replied the

youth; and, leading him through the City, he brought him to Aladdin's

Palace. Then, when the Dervish scrutinised the wonderful building,

he knew it to be the work of the Slave of the Lamp. "By Allah!" he

cried when the youth had left him, "I will be even with this accursed

tailor's son who got all this through me."

He returned to the inn, and, taking his instruments of divination, soon

learned that the Lamp was not on Aladdin's person, but in the Palace.

At this he was overjoyed, for he had a plan to get possession of it.

Then he went out into the market and bought a great number of new

lamps, which he put in a basket and took back to the inn. When evening

was drawing nigh, he took the basket and went forth in the City--for

such was his plan--crying, "New lamps for old! Who will exchange old

lamps for new?" And the people hearing this, laughed among themselves,

saying he was mad; and none brought an old lamp to him in exchange for

a new one, for they all thought there was nothing to be gained out of a

madman. But when the Dervish reached Aladdin's palace he began to cry

more lustily, "New lamps for old! Who will exchange old lamps for new?"

And he took no heed of the boys who mocked him and the people who

thronged him.

[Illustration: The Lady Bedr-el-Budur and the Wicked Magician. Page 148]

Now Fate so willed it that, as he came by, Bedr-el-Budur was sitting

at a window of the kiosk; and, when she heard the tumult and saw the

pedlar about whom it turned, she bade her maid go and see what was the

matter. The girl went, and soon returned, saying, "O my lady, it is a

poor pedlar who is asking old lamps for new ones; and the people are

mocking him, for without a doubt he is mad." "It seems proof enough,"

answered Lady Bedr-el-Budur, laughing. "'Old wine for new' I could

understand, but 'old lamps for new' is strange. Hast thou not an old

lamp so that we might test him and see whether his cry be true or

false?"

Now the damsel had seen an old lamp in Aladdin's apartment, and

hastened to acquaint her mistress with this. "Go and bring it!" said

the Lady Bedr-el-Budur, who had no knowledge whatever of the Lamp and

its wonderful virtues. So the maid went and brought the Lamp, little

knowing what woe she was working Aladdin. Then the Lady Bedr-el-Budur

called one of the memluks and handed him the Lamp, bidding him go down

to the pedlar and exchange it for a new one. Presently he returned,

bearing a new lamp, and, when the Princess took it and saw that it was

a far better one than the old one, she laughed and said, "Verily this

man is mad! A strange trade, and one that can bring him small profit.

But his cry is true, therefore take him this gold to cover his losses."

And she gave the memluk ten gold pieces, and bad him hasten. But the

memluk returned anon with the ten pieces, saying that the pedlar had

disappeared, having left all his new lamps with the people. The

Lady Bedr-el-Budur wondered at this, but knew not, nor guessed the

terrible consequences of her act.

As for the Dervish, as soon as he had got the Lamp, he recognised it.

Placing it in his bosom, he left all else and ran, which to the people

was only a further proof of his madness. On and on he ran, through the

City and its outskirts, until he came to the desert, where at last he

was alone. Then, and not till then, he took the Lamp from his bosom

and rubbed it. In a flash appeared the Slave of the Lamp. "What is

thy wish? I am the Slave of the Lamp which is in thy hands." And the

Dervish replied, "I desire thee to take the palace of Aladdin, with

all it contains, and convey it to the land of the Moors in Africa, and

set it down upon the open space within the gardens of my dwelling in

that land. Take me also with it. I have spoken." "O my master," said

the Slave, "in the twinkling of an eye it is done. If thou carest to

close thine eyes for one moment, when thou openest them thou wilt find

thyself within the palace, in thy garden in the land of the Moors." And

ere the Dervish could say, "I have closed my eye and opened it again,"

he found that it was even so, as the Slave had said. The palace and

all in it were in his own garden, in his own country, with the sun of

Africa shining in upon him.

Now the Lady Bedr-el-Budur was within the palace, but Aladdin was not.

He had not yet returned from the chase. This thing had taken place

after nightfall, so that as yet none had perceived it. But at the hour

of the rising of the full moon, the Sultan looked forth from a window

to admire Aladdin's palace in its silver light; what was his surprise

to find that there was no palace there! All was bare and open space

just as it had been before this wonderful palace was built. "By Allah!"

he cried in distress and alarm. "Can it be that the Vizier was right,

and that this splendid thing was but the fabric of sorcery, built in a

single night and dissolved in a moment like a dream on waking? And my

daughter, where is she? Oh woe! oh woe!" And the Sultan wrung his hands

in grief. Then presently he summoned the Grand Vizier, and bade him

look forth at the palace of Aladdin. And when the Vizier looked forth

and saw no splendid edifice giving back the rays of the moon, but all

as bare as it had been before, he turned to the Sultan, his face pale

and twitching with excitement. "O King of the Age," he said, "doth thy

Felicity now believe that the palace and all Aladdin's wealth were the

work of sorcery?" And the Sultan did not reply, but beat his breast and

plucked his beard; for, apart from sorcery, it was enough for him to

know that Aladdin's palace was gone and his daughter with it. "Where

is Aladdin?" he demanded at last in wrath. "At the chase," replied the

Vizier. "Then I command thee to have him brought before me at once,

pinioned and shackled."

A glad man then was the Vizier. With all alacrity he issued the

Sultan's commands to the captains, who went forth with their soldiers

to find and seize Aladdin. It was a difficult task for them, for they

all loved him greatly; and, when they came upon him, they asked his

forgiveness, yet took him and led him bound and manacled before the

Sultan, whose word must be obeyed on the head and the eye. But when the

people saw him thus, they one and all armed themselves and followed the

soldiers with Aladdin to the palace, saying among themselves, "It will

be a bad day for the Sultan if he cuts off Aladdin's head." But the

Sultan knew not of this rising of the people, and, being filled with

rage at the loss of his daughter, no sooner set eyes on Aladdin among

his captors than he ordered him to the executioner. Now when this came

to the ears of the people, they surrounded the palace and barred its

gates and doors, and raised a great clamour without, so that the Sultan

sent his Grand Vizier to ascertain the cause. Presently he returned,

saying, "O King of the Age, the people have risen in a great multitude,

and they are shouting that they will pull down the palace over thy

head if any harm come to Aladdin. Wherefore it were better to pardon

Aladdin, and so avert this great calamity, for it is evident the people

love Aladdin more than they love us."

Meanwhile on the scaffold the executioner had spread the mat of death

and Aladdin was kneeling thereon blindfolded, ready for the blow. The

executioner walked round him thrice and then turned towards the Sultan,

who stood at a window and awaited his command to strike. At this moment

the cries of the people grew louder and fiercer and the Sultan beheld

them scaling the walls of the palace. Then fear gat hold of him for the

issue, and he signalled to the executioner to stay his hand, and bade

the Vizier proclaim to the people that Aladdin was pardoned.

As soon as Aladdin was freed from his chains he begged speech of the

Sultan, and said to him, "O my Lord, I thank thee for thy clemency,

though I know not yet wherein my offence lay." "O base one," replied

the Sultan; "hitherto I found thee blameless, but now--" he turned to

the Grand Vizier, adding, "Lead him to the windows overlooking his

palace, and shew him how it sparkles in the light of the sun." So

the Vizier took Aladdin to the window and bade him look forth. Utter

amazement fell upon Aladdin when he saw that his palace had completely

disappeared, leaving no vestige to mark the spot where it had stood.

He was so dazed and bewildered that he turned in silence and walked

back into the Sultan's presence like one in a dream. "Well," said the

Sultan, "where is thy palace? And, what is more to me, where is my

daughter?" And Aladdin shook his head sorrowfully and spread his hands

in helpless despair; but made no other reply for he was dumbfounded.

Again the Sultan spoke: "It was my thought to set thee free so that

thou mayest search for my daughter and restore her to me. For this

purpose I grant thee a delay of forty days, and, if in that time thou

canst not find her, then, by Allah! I will cut off thy head." And

Aladdin answered him, "O King of the Age, if I find her not within

forty days then I no longer wish to have a head left upon my body."

And Aladdin went forth sad and dejected. The cries of joy with which

the people greeted him fell like lead on his aching heart. He escaped

from their goodwill and wandered in the City like one distraught,

greeting none, nor raising his eyes to any greeting. For two days

he neither ate nor drank for grief at what had happened. Finally he

wandered beyond the confines of the City into the desert. There, on

the bank of a dark pool, he resolved to drown himself and so end his

misery. But, being devout and fearing God, he must first perform his

ablutions. So he stooped and took water in his hands and rubbed them

together, when lo! a strange thing happened; for as his hands came

together, he chanced to rub the ring which was on one of his fingers.

In a flash the Slave of the Ring appeared and standing before him,

said, "O my master, what is thy desire?" Aladdin then was seized with

great joy, and he cried, "O Slave, I desire my palace and my wife."

"Alas!" answered the Slave, "that I cannot bring about, for this matter

is protected by the Slave of the Lamp who hath put a seal upon it."

"Then," urged Aladdin, "since thou canst not bring the palace and my

wife to _me_, transport _me_ to the palace wherever it may be upon the

earth." "On the head and the eye," replied the Slave, and immediately

Aladdin found himself borne swiftly through the air and set down by his

palace in the land of the Moors. Although the night had fallen he could

recognise it without difficulty, and close at hand was the window of

his wife's chamber. Great joy at this exhausted what little strength

remained to him--for he had neither eaten nor slept for many days--and,

overcome with fatigue and weakness, he threw himself down beneath a

tree hard by and slept.

Awakened at dawn by the singing of birds in the garden, Aladdin arose,

and, having bathed in a stream, recited the morning prayer, after which

he returned and sat beneath the window of Bedr-el-Budur's apartment.

Now the Lady Bedr-el-Budur, filled with grief at her separation from

her husband and her father, could neither sleep nor eat by reason of

her keen distress. Each day when dawn leapt into the sky she would

arise and sit at her window and weep. And on this morning she came as

usual, but did not weep, for she saw Aladdin sitting on the ground

outside. And they both cried out and flew to one another; and their

greeting was full of joy. She opened a side door for him, bidding him

enter, for she knew it was not the time for the accursed Dervish to

come to see her as was his daily wont. Then, when they had embraced

and kissed and shed tears of joy, Aladdin said to her, "O my beloved,

before all else answer me one question: in my apartment there was an

old copper lamp which--," "Alas," broke in Bedr-el-Budur, "that lamp

was the cause of it all, for the man who obtained it by a stratagem

told me of its virtues and how he had achieved this thing by its aid."

And immediately Aladdin heard this he knew that it was indeed the

Dervish who had worked this woe upon him.

"Tell me, how doth this accursed man treat thee?" he asked. "He cometh

once a day," she replied, "and he would fain win my love and console

me for thy loss, for he saith the Sultan, my father, hath struck off

thy head, and at the best thou wert of poor family and stole thy wealth

from him. But he gets no word from me, only tears and lamentations."

And Aladdin embraced her again and comforted her for what she had

suffered. "Tell me," he asked again presently, "where doth this

accursed keep the Lamp?" "Always in his bosom," she replied, "where he

guards it with the greatest care and none knows of it but me." Aladdin

was overjoyed when he heard this, for he thought he saw a way to obtain

the Lamp. "Listen, my beloved," he said, "I will leave thee now and

return shortly in disguise. Bid thy maid stand by the side door to let

me in. Then I will tell thee my plan to slay this accursed one and take

the Lamp."

Then Aladdin went forth upon the road that led to the city, and he had

not journeyed far before he met a poor peasant proceeding to his daily

toil. Stopping him he offered to exchange his own costly garments for

those the peasant was wearing. But the man demurred, whereat Aladdin

set upon him and effected the exchange by force. Then, leaving the

peasant battered and bruised but dressed like a prince, he went on into

the city, and, coming to the market, purchased some powder of benj,

which is called "the son of an instant," for it stupefies in a moment.

With this he returned to the palace, and, when he came to the side door

where the maid was waiting, she recognised him and opened immediately.

Very soon he was exposing his plan to Bedr-el-Budur.

"O my beloved," he said, "I wish thee to attire thyself gaily, and

adorn thyself with jewels in the sparkle of which no grief can live;

and, when the accursed cometh, greet him with a smile and a look from

thy lovely eyes; for so he will know thou hast turned his wooing

over in thy mind and heart, and hast forgotten thy father and thine

Aladdin. Then invite him to sup with thee, and, when thou hast aroused

a blinding passion in his bosom, he will forget the Lamp which lieth

there. See," he drew forth the powder, "this is benj, the 'son of an

instant.' It cannot be detected in red wine. Thou knowest the rest:

pledge him in a cup and see to it that the benj is in his and not in

thine. Thou knowest how to ply him till he is careless, how to resist

him till he is blinded by thy loveliness, how at last to wish him joy

and happiness for ever by thy side so that he will drain the cup. Then,

O my beloved, ere he can set it down, he will fall at thy feet like one

in death. Thou canst do this?"

"Yea," replied Bedr-el-Budur. "It is difficult, but I will dare all

for thee; and well I know that this accursed wretch deserves not to

live. Yet will I add something to thy plan from a woman's wit. Lest

he should suspect a trick he shall find me weeping when he cometh;

then will I take up some speech of his and dry my tears; and then, in

a space--having all things ready--will I appear before him in a manner

to dazzle his senses, and then--then--Oh! my Aladdin; fear not, for

all will be well." And on this assurance Aladdin withdrew to a private

chamber and sat him down to wait. He realised his extreme danger, for

he knew that if the Dervish so much as suspected his existence in

the flesh a rub of the Lamp and a word to the Slave would bring him

instant death; but he did not know that Bedr-el-Budur, having learnt

the virtues of the Lamp, had exacted a pledge from the Dervish that

he would make no further use of it until she had given him her final

decision as to whether she would come to him of her own free will and

accord, which she maintained was a better thing than subsequently to

be compelled by the abominable power of sorcery. Bedr-el-Budur, who in

this was merely temporising, had not thought, in the joy and stress of

their conversation, to tell Aladdin of it; while, as for the wizard,

he had kept his pledge, deeming that a woman's love freely given was a

better thing to have than any that could be acquired by magic spells.

[Illustration: The Porter and the Ladies. Page 154]

According to the plan set forth for the Dervish's undoing Bedr-el-Budur

ordered her slave girls to prepare everything of jewels and bright

attire, ready for a rapid toilet. Then, when the Dervish appeared, she

sat weeping as usual, and it was not until, in his protestations of

love, he said words that were suitable to her purpose that she paused

and half dried her tears as if it needed little more to make her weigh

his petition with care. Observing this he drew near and sat by her

side, and now, though no longer weeping, she had not yet found words

for him. He took her hand, but she snatched it away crying, "No,

it cannot be! Never can I forget Aladdin!" He pleaded with her, and his

passion made him eloquent. He showed her the uselessness of longing

for a dead man when a living one was by her side. He told her too--and

with the Lamp in his bosom she could not doubt the truth of it--that he

and she could command the earth and look down on kings. Why had he not

already won this as well as her love by means of the Lamp? Because he

had pledged himself to wait and win her as a man wins woman. At this

she turned her face to him on a sudden. A faint smile seemed to live in

the corners of her bewitching mouth, and a look in her eyes convinced

him that he was a much better man than he had thought since he could

keep his pledge on so great a matter. On this, he drew still nearer to

the lovely Bedr-el-Budur, and this time she did not snatch her hand

away, but left it in his, pondering dreamily the while. Presently, on

a sudden, she pushed him away petulantly. "Nay, nay," she cried, "I

cannot rein my heart to thee at will. Give me, I pray thee, a little

space of time--two days; and when my eyes are dim with weeping for

Aladdin--" "Two days? Alas!" broke in the Dervish, "two days is a

lifetime." "_One_ day--I may decide in one, if weeping do not kill

me." The Dervish smote his breast, "_One_ day! one _hour_ is the limit

of my life. Think, O Lovely One, how I have waited to win thee as man

wins woman, when in a moment I could call thee mine by other means."

And his hand moved to his bosom where lay the Lamp. "Stay!" she cried,

rising and standing before him. "Thy pledge! My decision is not yet.

Having waited so long, surely thou canst wait another--" "Day? say not

that." "Well then, at least, another hour." And, flashing a look upon

him that might hold his wits in thrall for that space of time, she

turned to leave the apartment. "I go to weep," she said, throwing him a

backward glance, "and my tears perchance will be for Aladdin, perchance

for thee if I cannot bend my heart from him. Abide thou in patience. I

will come to thee in one hour."

So she went, leaving the Dervish in an ecstasy of doubt. Time, times

passed over his head as he sat weighing the issue, and yet he smiled

to himself, for he knew that the Lady Bedr-el-Budur would sooner

compel herself than be compelled by the Slave of the Lamp. And he was

right. At the expiration of the hour the door opened and she stood

before him a vision of loveliness in resplendent attire bedecked with

priceless jewels. A smile was on her face and her answer to him was

in her eyes. Yet, as he darted forward, her manner of approach showed

him that, although he had won her, she was a surrendering princess

demanding in her condescension a fitting control--even homage--from

him. Having convinced him of this, she seated herself by his side and

said boldly, "Thou seest how it is with me. My tears for Aladdin--who

is dead--flowed till the hour was half spent; then, I know not why,

they changed to tears of joy for thee, who art alive. Then I arose and

arrayed myself gladly and came to thee. Yet even now I am not wholly

thine, for tears--now grief now joy, I know not which--contend in mine

eyes for him or thee. Wherefore come not too near me lest what thou

hast won be forfeited. Perchance if we sup together with a jar of the

red wine of thine own country--in which it may be that my soul will

taste thine--then, who knows--" "O my life's delight," broke in the

Dervish. "A jar of red wine and thee! I have many jars in my house,

and, not forgetting that tears contend in thine eyes as thou saidst, I

will go and return in all haste with the reddest wine." "Nay, go not

thyself," said Bedr-el-Budur, bethinking her of the Lamp. "Do not leave

me. One of my slave girls will go. My tears have dried in my heart,

leaving it thirsty for love." And the Dervish was cajoled, and he

remained while a slave girl went forth for the wine.

While she was gone Bedr-el-Budur pretended to busy herself issuing

orders to the household about the preparation of supper. And under

cover of this she sought and found Aladdin. "It is well," she said

as he held her to his heart and pressed his lips to hers. "But, O my

beloved," he replied, "art thou sure that the Lamp is in his bosom?"

"I will go and see," she answered. And she returned to the Dervish

and, approaching him shyly, began to doubt the truth of this great

thing--his love for her. As she did this she placed her hands on his

shoulders and looked into his eyes; whereat the Dervish drew her close

to him and she felt the Lamp in his bosom. Immediately she wrenched

herself free and left him with a glance in which disdain and love were

kindly mixed. "It is so," she said on returning to Aladdin, "the Lamp

is in his bosom, and, since he embraced me--I could not help it nor

could I endure it, beloved--it is a wonder the Slave of the Lamp did

not appear to see how I tore myself away, I was pressed so close."

Meanwhile the slave girl returned with the wine, and, supper being

ready, Bedr-el-Budur invited the Dervish to sit by her at the table.

And when they had eaten somewhat, she paused and questioned him with

a glance. It was for him to call for wine, and he did so. Immediately

a slave girl filled their goblets, and they drank; and another and

another until the distance between them was melted, and they became, so

to speak, the best of boon companions. And he drank to her and she to

him, and her tongue was loosed and she bewitched him with her charming

eloquence of speech. But with it all was the dignity of the Princess,

which repelled while it attracted. In this subtle manner she fanned his

passion to a flame until his heart rocked and his head swam, and all

else but her was as nothing in his eyes.

At length, when the supper was drawing to an end, and the wits of the

Dervish were well mastered by wine, Bedr-el-Budur leaned towards him in

an unbending mood. "This wine of thine has set me on fire, beloved!"

she said. "But one more cup and then, if I say thee nay, do not believe

me, for thou hast kept thy pledge and hast won me as man wins woman.

And this shall be a loving cup, for it is the fashion in my country

for the lover to take the loved one's cup and drink it." "O lovely one

of my eye," he replied, "I will honour thy custom, since thou hast so

greatly honoured _me_."

At this Bedr-el-Budur took his cup and filled it for herself, while

a slave girl, who knew what to do as well as she hated the Dervish,

handed him the cup which, though it contained the benj, she had just

filled as if for her mistress. She even had to be told twice that it

was not for her mistress but for the guest. So the Dervish took it, and

felt for one moment like the conqueror of worlds and the Lord of two

Horns as he looked into the eyes of Bedr-el-Budur brimming with love.

But only for a moment. They drank, and immediately the Dervish fell

senseless at her feet, while the cup, flung from his nerveless hand,

clattered across the floor.

In the space of moments Aladdin was on the spot. Bedr-el-Budur's arms

were round his neck, and she was sobbing on his breast, while the

Dervish lay stretched helpless before them. "Come, come," said Aladdin,

smoothing her raven hair, "thou hast succeeded: wherefore weep? Thou

art the cleverest of women. Go now with the maidens, and leave me here

with this accursed." And when he had comforted her she went, and the

slave girls with her. Then Aladdin locked the door, and, approaching

the Dervish, drew the Lamp from his bosom. This done, he stood over him

and swore a fearful oath, then, without further shrift, he drew his

sword and hewed off his head, after which he drove the point of the

sword through his heart, for only in this way can a wizard be warned

off the realm of mortals. And when the sword pierced the heart the

look of hate on the upturned face of the wizard died out, and he was

gone--for ever.

Once in possession of the Lamp Aladdin lost no time. He rubbed it

and immediately the Slave appeared. "I am here, O my master; what is

thy wish?" "Thou knowest," replied Aladdin. "Bear this palace and

all that is in it to the Land of Cathay and set it down on the spot

from which thou didst take it at the command of that." He pointed to

the dismembered wizard. "It is well," said the Slave, who served the

living and not the dead; "I hear and obey, on the head and the eye."

Then Aladdin returned to Bedr-el-Budur, and, in the space of one kiss

of love, the palace with all therein was carried swiftly back to the

original site from which it had been taken.

When Aladdin and Bedr-el-Budur looked forth and saw the lights in the

windows of the Sultan's palace they were overcome with joy. They

feasted and drank and made merry far into the night. They kissed and

embraced, and kissed again. And when Aladdin had told her all the

wretchedness of his losing her she wept, saying it was nothing to what

she had endured. Then Aladdin made her narrate her way with the wizard,

point by point, till he exclaimed, laughing, that a woman's way in such

was more than a man could compass in a thousand years. And so, full of

delight for to-day and anticipation of joy for to-morrow, they rose

and went hand in hand to rest--those lovers reunited. Thus it was with

Aladdin and Bedr-el-Budur.

Now the Sultan was in grievous mood ever since the loss of his

daughter--the apple of his eye. All night long he would weep, and,

arising at dawn, would look forth on the empty space where once had

stood Aladdin's palace. Then his tears would flow as from a woman's

eyes, for Bedr-el-Budur was very dear to him. But, when he looked forth

one morning and saw the palace standing as it had stood, he was rapt

with joy. Instantly he ordered his horse, and, mounting, rode to the

gates. Aladdin came out to greet him, and, taking him by the hand with

never a word, led him towards the apartments of Bedr-el-Budur. She too,

radiant with joy, was running to meet him. Like a bird of the air she

flew to his arms, and for some moments neither of them could say a word

for very happiness. Then in a torrent of words, she told him all about

the accursed Dervish; how by his sorcery he had conveyed the palace to

Africa, and how Aladdin had slain him, thus releasing the spell and

restoring everything to its place. But not a word did she say about the

Lamp and its virtues. And the Sultan turned to Aladdin as if he might

add something to the tale. But Aladdin had nothing to add save that he

had outwitted the Dervish and reversed his sorcery by cutting off his

damnable head and plunging his sword through his heart. Then they arose

and went to the chamber which contained the trunk and severed head of

the Dervish. And, by the Sultans orders, these remains of the Sorcerer

were burnt to ashes and scattered to the four winds of heaven.

And so Aladdin was restored to the Sultan's favour, and he and the

Lady Bedr-el-Budur dwelt together in the utmost joy and happiness.

And Aladdin guarded the Lamp with the greatest care, but, at the wish

of Bedr-el-Budur, he refrained from seeking to it. "Let well alone,

my beloved," she said; "there is no happiness for us in commanding

everything at will. Besides, we are grateful to the Lamp for what it

has done for us; any more is of sorcery." And Aladdin smiled to himself

as he recognised the wisdom of a woman. Never did he gainsay her words.

Never again did he rub the Lamp.

Time, times, and the Sultan died. Then Aladdin sat on the throne, and

ruled the land wisely and well. And the people, with one heart, loved

him and his Queen Bedr-el-Budur; and the realm continued in peace and

happiness until at last the Great Gleaner came in their old age and

knocked at the palace doors and gathered them in to rest.

[Illustration]

[Illustration: The Prince leads the Lady to the Tomb. Page 158]