THE STORY OF ALADDIN; OR, THE WONDERFUL LAMP

In one of the large and rich cities of China there once lived a tailor

named Mustapha. He was very poor. He could hardly, by his daily labor,

maintain himself and his family, which consisted only of his wife and

a son.

His son, who was called Aladdin,[41] was a very careless and idle

fellow. He was disobedient to his father and mother, and would go out

early in the morning and stay out all day, playing in the streets and

public places with idle children of his own age.

[Footnote 41: Aladdin signifies "The Nobility of the Religion."--Lane,

Vol. II, p. 285.]

When he was old enough to learn a trade his father took him into his

own shop, and taught him how to use his needle; but all his father's

endeavors to keep him to his work were vain, for no sooner was his

back turned than the boy was gone for that day. Mustapha chastised

him, but Aladdin was incorrigible, and his father, to his great grief,

was forced to abandon him to his idleness. He was so much troubled

about him, that he fell sick and died in a few months.

Aladdin, who was now no longer restrained by the fear of a father,

gave himself over entirely to his idle habits, and was never out of

the streets from his companions. This course he followed till he was

fifteen years old, without giving his mind to any useful pursuit, or

the least reflection on what would become of him. As he was one day

playing in the street with his evil associates, according to custom,

a stranger passing by stood to observe him.

This stranger was a sorcerer, known as the African magician, as he had

been but two days arrived from Africa, his native country.

The African magician, observing in Aladdin's countenance something

which assured him that he was a fit boy for his purpose, inquired his

name and history of his companions. When he had learned all he desired

to know, he went up to him, and taking him aside from his comrades,

said, "Child, was not your father called Mustapha the tailor?"

"Yes, sir," answered the boy, "but he has been dead a long time."

At these words the African magician threw his arms about Aladdin's

neck, and kissed him several times, with tears in his eyes, saying, "I

am your uncle. Your worthy father was my own brother. I knew you at

first sight, you are so like him."

Then he gave Aladdin a handful of small money, saying, "Go, my son, to

your mother. Give my love to her, and tell her that I will visit her

to-morrow, that I may see where my good brother lived so long, and

ended his days."

Aladdin ran to his mother, overjoyed at the money his uncle had given

him.

"Mother," said he, "have I an uncle?"

"No, child," replied his mother, "you have no uncle by your father's

side or mine."

"I am just now come," said Aladdin, "from a man who says he is my

uncle, and my father's brother. He cried, and kissed me, when I told

him my father was dead, and gave me money, sending his love to you,

and promising to come and pay you a visit, that he may see the house

my father lived and died in."

"Indeed, child," replied the mother, "your father had no brother, nor

have you an uncle."

The next day the magician found Aladdin playing in another part of the

town, and embracing him as before, put two pieces of gold into his

hand, and said to him, "Carry this, child, to your mother. Tell her

that I will come and see her to-night, and bid her get us something

for supper. But first show me the house where you live."

Aladdin showed the African magician the house, and carried the two

pieces of gold to his mother, who went out and bought provisions; and

considering she wanted various utensils, borrowed them of her

neighbors. She spent the whole day in preparing the supper; and at

night, when it was ready, said to her son, "Perhaps the stranger knows

not how to find our house; go and bring him, if you meet with him."

Aladdin was just ready to go, when the magician knocked at the door,

and came in loaded with wine and all sorts of fruits, which he brought

for a dessert. After he had given what he brought into Aladdin's

hands, he saluted his mother, and desired her to show him the place

where his brother Mustapha used to sit on the sofa; and when she had

so done, he fell down, and kissed it several times, crying out, with

tears in his eyes, "My poor brother! how unhappy am I, not to have

come soon enough to give you one last embrace!"

Aladdin's mother desired him to sit down in the same place, but he

declined.

"No," said he, "I shall not do that; but give me leave to sit opposite

to it, that although I see not the master of a family so dear to me, I

may at least behold the place where he used to sit."

When the magician had made choice of a place, and sat down, he began

to enter into discourse with Aladdin's mother.

"My good sister," said he, "do not be surprised at your never having

seen me all the time you have been married to my brother Mustapha of

happy memory. I have been forty years absent from this country, which

is my native place as well as my late brother's. During that time I

have traveled into the Indies, Persia, Arabia, and Syria, and

afterward crossed over into Africa, where I took up my abode in Egypt.

At last, as it is natural for a man, I was desirous to see my native

country again, and to embrace my dear brother; and finding I had

strength enough to undertake so long a journey, I made the necessary

preparations, and set out. Nothing ever afflicted me so much as

hearing of my brother's death. But God be praised for all things! It

is a comfort for me to find, as it were, my brother in a son, who has

his most remarkable features."

The African magician, perceiving that the widow wept at the

remembrance of her husband, changed the conversation, and turning

toward her son, asked him, "What business do you follow? Are you of

any trade?"

At this question the youth hung down his head, and was not a little

abashed when his mother answered, "Aladdin is an idle fellow. His

father, when alive, strove all he could to teach him his trade, but

could not succeed; and since his death, notwithstanding all I can say

to him, he does nothing but idle away his time in the streets, as you

saw him, without considering he is no longer a child; and if you do

not make him ashamed of it, I despair of his ever coming to any good.

For my part, I am resolved, one of these days, to turn him out of

doors, and let him provide for himself."

After these words, Aladdin's mother burst into tears; and the magician

said, "This is not well, nephew; you must think of helping yourself,

and getting your livelihood. There are many sorts of trades; perhaps

you do not like your father's, and would prefer another; I will

endeavor to help you. If you have no mind to learn any handicraft, I

will take a shop for you, furnish it with all sorts of fine stuffs and

linens; and then with the money you make of them you can lay in fresh

goods, and live in an honorable way. Tell me freely what you think of

my proposal; you shall always find me ready to keep my word."

This plan just suited Aladdin, who hated work. He told the magician he

had a greater inclination to that business than to any other, and that

he should be much obliged to him for his kindness. "Well, then," said

the African magician, "I will carry you with me to-morrow, clothe you

as handsomely as the best merchants in the city, and afterward we will

open a shop as I mentioned."

The widow, after his promise of kindness to her son, no longer doubted

that the magician was her husband's brother. She thanked him for his

good intentions; and after having exhorted Aladdin to render himself

worthy of his uncle's favor, she served up supper, at which they

talked of several indifferent matters; and then the magician took his

leave and retired.

He came again the next day, as he had promised, and took Aladdin with

him to a merchant, who sold all sorts of clothes for different ages

and ranks, ready made, and a variety of fine stuffs, and bade Aladdin

choose those he preferred, which he paid for.

When Aladdin found himself so handsomely equipped, he returned his

uncle thanks, who thus addressed him: "As you are soon to be a

merchant, it is proper you should frequent these shops, and become

acquainted with them."

He then showed him the largest and finest mosques, carried him to the

khans or inns where the merchants and travelers lodged, and afterward

to the sultan's palace, where he had free access; and at last brought

him to his own khan, where, meeting with some merchants he had become

acquainted with since his arrival, he gave them a treat, to bring them

and his pretended nephew acquainted.

This entertainment lasted till night, when Aladdin would have taken

leave of his uncle to go home. The magician would not let him go by

himself, but conducted him to his mother, who, as soon as she saw him

so well dressed, was transported with joy, and bestowed a thousand

blessings upon the magician.

Early the next morning the magician called again for Aladdin, and said

he would take him to spend that day in the country, and on the next he

would purchase the shop. He then led him out at one of the gates of

the city, to some magnificent palaces, to each of which belonged

beautiful gardens, into which anybody might enter. At every building

he came to he asked Aladdin if he did not think it fine; and the youth

was ready to answer, when any one presented itself, crying out, "Here

is a finer house, uncle, than any we have yet seen."

By this artifice the cunning magician led Aladdin some way into the

country; and as he meant to carry him farther, to execute his design,

pretending to be tired, he took an opportunity to sit down in one of

the gardens, on the brink of a fountain of clear water which

discharged itself by a lion's mouth of bronze into a basin.

"Come, nephew," said he, "you must be weary as well as I. Let us rest

ourselves, and we shall be better able to pursue our walk."

The magician next pulled from his girdle a handkerchief with cakes and

fruit, and during this short repast he exhorted his nephew to leave

off bad company, and to seek that of wise and prudent men, to improve

by their conversation. "For," said he, "you will soon be at man's

estate, and you cannot too early begin to imitate their example."

When they had eaten as much as they liked, they got up, and pursued

their walk through gardens separated from one another only by small

ditches, which marked out the limits without interrupting the

communication; so great was the confidence the inhabitants reposed in

each other.

By this means the African magician drew Aladdin insensibly beyond the

gardens, and crossed the country, till they nearly reached the

mountains.

At last they arrived between two mountains of moderate height and

equal size, divided by a narrow valley, where the magician intended to

execute the design that had brought him from Africa to China.

"We will go no farther now," said he to Aladdin. "I will show you

here some extraordinary things, which, when you have seen, you will

thank me for; but while I strike a light, gather up all the loose dry

sticks you can see, to kindle a fire with."

Aladdin found so many dried sticks that he soon collected a great

heap. The magician presently set them on fire; and when they were in a

blaze he threw in some incense, pronouncing several magical words,

which Aladdin did not understand.

He had scarcely done so when the earth opened just before the

magician, and disclosed a stone with a brass ring fixed in it. Aladdin

was so frightened that he would have run away, but the magician caught

hold of him, and gave him such a box on the ear that he knocked him

down. Aladdin got up trembling, and, with tears in his eyes, said to

the magician, "What have I done, uncle, to be treated in this severe

manner?"

"I am your uncle," answered the magician; "I supply the place of your

father, and you ought to make no reply. But, child," added he,

softening, "do not be afraid; for I shall not ask anything of you, but

that, if you obey me punctually, you will reap the advantages which I

intend you. Know, then, that under this stone there is hidden a

treasure, destined to be yours, and which will make you richer than

the greatest monarch in the world. No person but yourself is permitted

to lift this stone, or enter the cave; so you must punctually execute

what I may command, for it is a matter of great consequence both to

you and to me."

Aladdin, amazed at all he saw and heard, forgot what was past, and

rising said, "Well, uncle, what is to be done? Command me. I am ready

to obey."

"I am overjoyed, child," said the African magician, embracing him.

"Take hold of the ring, and lift up that stone."

"Indeed, uncle," replied Aladdin, "I am not strong enough; you must

help me."

"You have no occasion for my assistance," answered the magician; "if I

help you, we shall be able to do nothing. Take hold of the ring, and

lift it up; you will find it will come easily." Aladdin did as the

magician bade him, raised the stone with ease, and laid it on one

side.

When the stone was pulled up there appeared a staircase about three or

four feet deep, leading to a door.

"Descend those steps, my son," said the African magician, "and open

that door. It will lead you into a palace, divided into three great

halls. In each of these you will see four large brass cisterns placed

on each side, full of gold and silver; but take care you do not meddle

with them. Before you enter the first hall, be sure to tuck up your

robe, wrap it about you, and then pass through the second into the

third without stopping. Above all things, have a care that you do not

touch the walls so much as with your clothes; for if you do, you will

die instantly. At the end of the third hall you will find a door which

opens into a garden planted with fine trees loaded with fruit. Walk

directly across the garden to a terrace, where you will see a niche

before you, and in that niche a lighted lamp. Take the lamp down and

put it out. When you have thrown away the wick and poured out the

liquor, put it in your waistband and bring it to me. Do not be afraid

that the liquor will spoil your clothes, for it is not oil, and the

lamp will be dry as soon as it is thrown out."

After these words the magician drew a ring off his finger, and put it

on one of Aladdin's, saying, "It is a talisman against all evil, so

long as you obey me. Go, therefore, boldly, and we shall both be rich

all our lives."

Aladdin descended the steps, and, opening the door, found the three

halls just as the African magician had described. He went through them

with all the precaution the fear of death could inspire, crossed the

garden without stopping, took down the lamp from the niche, threw out

the wick and the liquor, and, as the magician had desired, put it in

his waistband. But as he came down from the terrace, seeing it was

perfectly dry, he stopped in the garden to observe the trees, which

were loaded with extraordinary fruit of different colors on each tree.

Some bore fruit entirely white, and some clear and transparent as

crystal; some pale red, and others deeper; some green, blue, and

purple, and others yellow; in short, there was fruit of all colors.

The white were pearls; the clear and transparent, diamonds; the deep

red, rubies; the paler, ballas rubies[42]; the green, emeralds; the

blue, turquoises; the purple, amethysts; and the yellow, sapphires.

Aladdin, ignorant of their value, would have preferred figs, or

grapes, or pomegranates; but as he had his uncle's permission, he

resolved to gather some of every sort. Having filled the two new

purses his uncle had bought for him with his clothes, he wrapped some

up in the skirts of his vest, and crammed his bosom as full as it

could hold.

[Footnote 42: Ballas rubies are rubies of the brightest color.]

Aladdin, having thus loaded himself with riches of which he knew not

the value, returned through the three halls with the utmost

precaution, and soon arrived at the mouth of the cave, where the

African magician awaited him with the utmost impatience.

As soon as Aladdin saw him, he cried out, "Pray, uncle, lend me your

hand, to help me out."

"Give me the lamp first," replied the magician; "it will be

troublesome to you."

"Indeed, uncle," answered Aladdin, "I cannot now; but I will as soon

as I am up."

The African magician was determined that he would have the lamp before

he would help him up; and Aladdin, who had encumbered himself so much

with his fruit that he could not well get at it, refused to give it to

him till he was out of the cave. The African magician, provoked at

this obstinate refusal, flew into a passion, threw a little of his

incense into the fire, and pronounced two magical words, when the

stone which had closed the mouth of the staircase moved into its

place, with the earth over it in the same manner as it lay at the

arrival of the magician and Aladdin.

This action of the magician plainly revealed to Aladdin that he was no

uncle of his, but one who designed him evil. The truth was that he had

learned from his magic books the secret and the value of this

wonderful lamp, the owner of which would be made richer than any

earthly ruler, and hence his journey to China. His art had also told

him that he was not permitted to take it himself, but must receive it

as a voluntary gift from the hands of another person. Hence he

employed young Aladdin, and hoped by a mixture of kindness and

authority to make him obedient to his word and will. When he found

that his attempt had failed, he set out to return to Africa, but

avoided the town, lest any person who had seen him leave in company

with Aladdin should make inquiries after the youth.

Aladdin, being suddenly enveloped in darkness, cried, and called out

to his uncle to tell him he was ready to give him the lamp. But in

vain, since his cries could not be heard.

He descended to the bottom of the steps, with a design to get into the

palace, but the door, which was opened before by enchantment, was now

shut by the same means. He then redoubled his cries and tears, sat

down on the steps without any hopes of ever seeing light again, and in

an expectation of passing from the present darkness to a speedy death.

In this great emergency he said, "There is no strength or power but in

the great and high God"; and in joining his hands to pray he rubbed

the ring which the magician had put on his finger. Immediately a genie

of frightful aspect appeared, and said, "What wouldst thou have? I am

ready to obey thee. I serve him who possesses the ring on thy finger;

I, and the other slaves of that ring."

At another time Aladdin would have been frightened at the sight of so

extraordinary a figure, but the danger he was in made him answer

without hesitation, "Whoever thou art, deliver me from this place." He

had no sooner spoken these words than he found himself on the very

spot where the magician had last left him, and no sign of cave or

opening, nor disturbance of the earth. Returning thanks to God for

being once more in the world, he made the best of his way home. When

he got within his mother's door, joy at seeing her and weakness for

want of sustenance made him so faint that he remained for a long time

as dead. As soon as he recovered, he related to his mother all that

had happened to him, and they were both very vehement in their

complaints of the cruel magician.

Aladdin slept very soundly till late the next morning, when the first

thing he said to his mother was, that he wanted something to eat, and

wished she would give him his breakfast.

"Alas! child," said she, "I have not a bit of bread to give you; you

ate up all the provisions I had in the house yesterday; but I have a

little cotton which I have spun; I will go and sell it, and buy bread

and something for our dinner."

"Mother," replied Aladdin, "keep your cotton for another time, and

give me the lamp I brought home with me yesterday. I will go and sell

it, and the money I shall get for it will serve both for breakfast and

dinner, and perhaps supper too."

Aladdin's mother took the lamp and said to her son, "Here it is, but

it is very dirty. If it were a little cleaner I believe it would bring

something more."

She took some fine sand and water to clean it. But she had no sooner

begun to rub it, than in an instant a hideous genie of gigantic size

appeared before her, and said to her in a voice of thunder, "What

wouldst thou have? I am ready to obey thee as thy slave, and the slave

of all those who have that lamp in their hands; I, and the other

slaves of the lamp."

Aladdin's mother, terrified at the sight of the genie, fainted; when

Aladdin, who had seen such a phantom in the cavern, snatched the lamp

out of his mother's hand, and said to the genie boldly, "I am hungry.

Bring me something to eat."

The genie disappeared immediately, and in an instant returned with a

large silver tray, holding twelve covered dishes of the same metal,

which contained the most delicious viands; six large white bread cakes

on two plates, two flagons of wine, and two silver cups. All these he

placed upon a carpet and disappeared; this was done before Aladdin's

mother recovered from her swoon.

Aladdin had fetched some water, and sprinkled it in her face to

recover her. Whether that or the smell of the meat effected her cure,

it was not long before she came to herself.

"Mother," said Aladdin, "be not afraid. Get up and eat. Here is what

will put you in heart, and at the same time satisfy my extreme

hunger."

His mother was much surprised to see the great tray, twelve dishes,

six loaves, the two flagons and cups, and to smell the savory odor

which exhaled from the dishes.

"Child," said she, "to whom are we obliged for this great plenty and

liberality? Has the sultan been made acquainted with our poverty, and

had compassion on us?"

"It is no matter, mother," said Aladdin. "Let us sit down and eat; for

you have almost as much need of a good breakfast as I myself. When we

have done, I will tell you."

Accordingly, both mother and son sat down and ate with the better

relish as the table was so well furnished. But all the time Aladdin's

mother could not forbear looking at and admiring the tray and dishes,

though she could not judge whether they were silver or any other

metal, and the novelty more than the value attracted her attention.

The mother and son sat at breakfast till it was dinner time, and then

they thought it would be best to put the two meals together. Yet,

after this they found they should have enough left for supper, and two

meals for the next day.

When Aladdin's mother had taken away and set by what was left, she

went and sat down by her son on the sofa, saying, "I expect now that

you will satisfy my impatience, and tell me exactly what passed

between the genie and you while I was in a swoon."

He readily complied with her request.

She was in as great amazement at what her son told her as at the

appearance of the genie, and said to him, "But, son, what have we to

do with genies? I never heard that any of my acquaintance had ever

seen one. How came that vile genie to address himself to me, and not

to you, to whom he had appeared before in the cave?"

"Mother," answered Aladdin, "the genie you saw is not the one who

appeared to me. If you remember, he that I first saw called himself

the slave of the ring on my finger; and this you saw, called himself

the slave of the lamp you had in your hand; but I believe you did not

hear him, for I think you fainted as soon as he began to speak."

"What!" cried the mother, "was your lamp then the occasion of that

cursed genie's addressing himself to me rather than to you? Ah! my

son, take it out of my sight, and put it where you please. I had

rather you would sell it than run the hazard of being frightened to

death again by touching it; and if you would take my advice, you would

part also with the ring, and not have anything to do with genies, who,

as our prophet has told us, are only devils."

"With your leave, mother," replied Aladdin, "I shall now take care how

I sell a lamp which may be so serviceable both to you and me. That

false and wicked magician would not have undertaken so long a journey

to secure this wonderful lamp if he had not known its value to exceed

that of gold and silver. And since we have honestly come by it, let us

make a profitable use of it, without making any great show and

exciting the envy and jealousy of our neighbors. However, since the

genies frighten you so much, I will take it out of your sight, and put

it where I may find it when I want it. The ring I cannot resolve to

part with; for without that you had never seen me again; and though I

am alive now, perhaps, if it were gone, I might not be so some moments

hence. Therefore I hope you will give me leave to keep it, and to wear

it always on my finger."

Aladdin's mother replied that he might do what he pleased; for her

part, she would have nothing to do with genies, and never say anything

more about them.

By the next night they had eaten all the provisions the genie had

brought; and the next day Aladdin, who could not bear the thought of

hunger, putting one of the silver dishes under his vest, went out

early to sell it. Addressing himself to a Jew whom he met in the

streets, he took him aside, and pulling out the plate, asked him if he

would buy it.

The cunning Jew took the dish, examined it, and as soon as he found

that it was good silver, asked Aladdin at how much he valued it.

Aladdin, who had never been used to such traffic, told him he would

trust to his judgment and honor. The Jew was somewhat confounded at

this plain dealing; and doubting whether Aladdin understood the

material or the full value of what he offered to sell, took a piece of

gold out of his purse and gave it him, though it was but the sixtieth

part of the worth of the plate. Aladdin, taking the money very

eagerly, retired with so much haste that the Jew, not content with the

exorbitancy of his profit, was vexed he had not penetrated into his

ignorance, and was going to run after him, to endeavor to get some

change out of the piece of gold. But the boy ran so fast, and had got

so far, that it would have been impossible to overtake him.

Before Aladdin went home he called at a baker's, bought some cakes of

bread, changed his money, and on his return gave the rest to his

mother, who went and purchased provisions enough to last them some

time. After this manner they lived, until Aladdin had sold the twelve

dishes singly, as necessity pressed, to the Jew, for the same money;

who, after the first time, durst not offer him less, for fear of

losing so good a bargain. When he had sold the last dish, he had

recourse to the tray, which weighed ten times as much as the dishes,

and would have carried it to his old purchaser, but that it was too

large and cumbersome; therefore he was obliged to bring him home with

him to his mother's, where, after the Jew had examined the weight of

the tray, he laid down ten pieces of gold, with which Aladdin was very

well satisfied.

When all the money was spent, Aladdin had recourse again to the lamp.

He took it in his hands, looked for the part where his mother had

rubbed it with the sand, and rubbed it also. The genie immediately

appeared, and said, "What wouldst thou have? I am ready to obey thee

as thy slave, and the slave of all those who have that lamp in their

hands; I, and the other slaves of the lamp."

"I am hungry," said Aladdin. "Bring me something to eat."

The genie disappeared, and presently returned with a tray holding the

same number of covered dishes as before, set it down, and vanished.

As soon as Aladdin found that their provisions were again expended, he

took one of the dishes, and went to look for his Jew chapman. But as

he was passing by a goldsmith's shop, the goldsmith perceiving him,

called to him, and said, "My lad, I imagine that you have something to

sell to the Jew, whom I often see you visit. Perhaps you do not know

that he is the greatest rogue even among the Jews. I will give you the

full worth of what you have to sell, or I will direct you to other

merchants who will not cheat you."

This offer induced Aladdin to pull his plate from under his vest and

show it to the goldsmith. At first sight he perceived that it was made

of the finest silver, and asked if he had sold such as that to the

Jew. When Aladdin told him he had sold him twelve such, for a piece of

gold each, "What a villain!" cried the goldsmith. "But," added he, "my

son, what is past cannot be recalled. By showing you the value of this

plate, which is of the finest silver we use in our shops, I will let

you see how much the Jew has cheated you."

The goldsmith took a pair of scales, weighed the dish, and assured him

that his plate would fetch by weight sixty pieces of gold, which he

offered to pay down immediately.

Aladdin thanked him for his fair dealing, and never after went to any

other person.

Though Aladdin and his mother had an inexhaustible treasure in their

lamp, and might have had whatever they wished for, yet they lived with

the same frugality as before, and it may easily be supposed that the

money for which Aladdin had sold the dishes and tray was sufficient to

maintain them some time.

During this interval, Aladdin frequented the shops of the principal

merchants, where they sold cloth of gold and silver, linens, silk

stuffs, and jewelry, and, oftentimes joining in their conversation,

acquired a knowledge of the world, and a desire to improve himself. By

his acquaintance among the jewelers, he came to know that the fruits

which he had gathered when he took the lamp were, instead of colored

glass, stones of inestimable value; but he had the prudence not to

mention this to any one, not even to his mother.

One day as Aladdin was walking about the town he heard an order

proclaimed, commanding the people to shut up their shops and houses,

and keep within doors while the Princess Buddir al Buddoor, the

sultan's daughter, went to the bath and returned.

This proclamation inspired Aladdin with eager desire to see the

princess's face, which he determined to gratify by placing himself

behind the door of the bath, so that he could not fail to see her

face.

Aladdin had not long concealed himself before the princess came. She

was attended by a great crowd of ladies, slaves, and mutes, who walked

on each side and behind her. When she came within three or four paces

of the door of the bath, she took off her veil, and gave Aladdin an

opportunity of a full view of her face.

The princess was a noted beauty; her eyes were large, lively, and

sparkling; her smile bewitching; her nose faultless; her mouth small;

her lips vermilion. It is not therefore surprising that Aladdin, who

had never before seen such a blaze of charms, was dazzled and

enchanted.

After the princess had passed by, and entered the bath, Aladdin

quitted his hiding place, and went home. His mother perceived him to

be more thoughtful and melancholy than usual, and asked what had

happened to make him so, or if he were ill. He then told his mother

all his adventure, and concluded by declaring, "I love the princess

more than I can express, and am resolved that I will ask her in

marriage of the sultan."

Aladdin's mother listened with surprise to what her son told her. When

he talked of asking the princess in marriage, she laughed aloud.

"Alas! child," said she, "what are you thinking of? You must be mad to

talk thus."

"I assure you, mother," replied Aladdin, "that I am not mad, but in my

right senses. I foresaw that you would reproach me with folly and

extravagance; but I must tell you once more that I am resolved to

demand the princess of the sultan in marriage; nor do I despair of

success. I have the slaves of the lamp and of the ring to help me, and

you know how powerful their aid is. And I have another secret to tell

you; those pieces of glass, which I got from the trees in the garden

of the subterranean palace, are jewels of inestimable value, and fit

for the greatest monarchs. All the precious stones the jewelers have

in Bagdad are not to be compared to mine for size or beauty; and I am

sure that the offer of them will secure the favor of the sultan. You

have a large porcelain dish fit to hold them; fetch it, and let us see

how they will look, when we have arranged them according to their

different colors."

Aladdin's mother brought the china dish. Then he took the jewels out

of the two purses in which he had kept them, and placed them in order,

according to his fancy. But the brightness and luster they emitted in

the daytime, and the variety of the colors, so dazzled the eyes both

of mother and son that they were astonished beyond measure. Aladdin's

mother, emboldened by the sight of these rich jewels, and fearful lest

her son should be guilty of greater extravagance, complied with his

request, and promised to go early the next morning to the palace of

the sultan. Aladdin rose before daybreak, awakened his mother,

pressing her to go to the sultan's palace and to get admittance, if

possible, before the grand vizier, the other viziers, and the great

officers of state went in to take their seats in the divan, where the

sultan always attended in person.

Aladdin's mother took the china dish, in which they had put the jewels

the day before, wrapped it in two fine napkins, and set forward for

the sultan's palace. When she came to the gates the grand vizier, the

other viziers, and most distinguished lords of the court were just

gone in; but notwithstanding the crowd of people was great, she got

into the divan, a spacious hall, the entrance into which was very

magnificent. She placed herself just before the sultan, and the grand

vizier and the great lords, who sat in council on his right and left

hand. Several causes were called, according to their order, pleaded

and adjudged, until the time the divan generally broke up, when the

sultan, rising, returned to his apartment, attended by the grand

vizier; the other viziers and ministers of state then retired, as also

did all those whose business had called them thither.

Aladdin's mother, seeing the sultan retire, and all the people depart,

judged rightly that he would not sit again that day, and resolved to

go home. On her arrival she said, with much simplicity, "Son, I have

seen the sultan, and am very well persuaded he has seen me, too, for I

placed myself just before him; but he was so much taken up with those

who attended on all sides of him that I pitied him, and wondered at

his patience. At last I believe he was heartily tired, for he rose up

suddenly, and would not hear a great many who were ready prepared to

speak to him, but went away, at which I was well pleased, for indeed I

began to lose all patience, and was extremely fatigued with staying so

long. But there is no harm done; I will go again to-morrow. Perhaps

the sultan may not be so busy."

The next morning she repaired to the sultan's palace with the present

as early as the day before; but when she came there, she found the

gates of the divan shut.[43] She went six times afterward on the days

appointed, placed herself always directly before the sultan, but with

as little success as the first morning.

[Footnote 43: Sir Paul Ricaut says that the divan is not held on two

successive days.]

On the sixth day, however, after the divan was broken up, when the

sultan returned to his own apartment he said to his grand vizier: "I

have for some time observed a certain woman, who attends constantly

every day that I give audience, with something wrapped up in a

napkin; she always stands up from the beginning to the breaking up of

the audience, and effects to place herself just before me. If this

woman comes to our next audience, do not fail to call her, that I may

hear what she has to say."

The grand vizier made answer by lowering his hand, and then lifting it

up above his head, signifying his willingness to lose it if he failed.

On the next audience day, when Aladdin's mother went to the divan, and

placed herself in front of the sultan as usual, the grand vizier

immediately called the chief of the mace-bearers, and pointing to her

bade him bring her before the sultan. The old woman at once followed

the mace-bearer, and when she reached the sultan, bowed her head down

to the carpet which covered the platform of the throne, and remained

in that posture until he bade her rise.

She had no sooner done so, than he said to her, "Good woman, I have

observed you to stand many days from the beginning to the rising of

the divan. What business brings you here?"

At these words, Aladdin's mother prostrated herself a second time, and

when she arose, said, "Monarch of monarchs, I beg of you to pardon the

boldness of my petition, and to assure me of your pardon and

forgiveness."

"Well," replied the sultan, "I will forgive you, be it what it may,

and no hurt shall come to you. Speak boldly."

When Aladdin's mother had taken all these precautions, for fear of the

sultan's anger, she told him faithfully the errand on which her son

had sent her, and the event which led to his making so bold a request

in spite of all her remonstrances.

The sultan hearkened to this discourse without showing the least

anger. But before he gave her any answer, he asked her what she had

brought tied up in the napkin. She took the china dish which she had

set down at the foot of the throne, untied it, and presented it to the

sultan.

The sultan's amazement and surprise were inexpressible, when he saw so

many large, beautiful, and valuable jewels collected in the dish. He

remained for some time lost in admiration. At last, when he had

recovered himself, he received the present from Aladdin's mother's

hand, saying, "How rich, how beautiful!"

After he had admired and handled all the jewels one after another, he

turned to his grand vizier, and showing him the dish, said, "Behold,

admire, wonder! And confess that your eyes never beheld jewels so rich

and beautiful before."

The vizier was charmed.

"Well," continued the sultan, "what sayest thou to such a present? Is

it not worthy of the princess my daughter? And ought I not to bestow

her on one who values her at so great a price?"

"I cannot but own," replied the grand vizier, "that the present is

worthy of the princess; but I beg of your majesty to grant me three

months before you come to a final resolution. I hope, before that

time, my son, whom you have regarded with your favor, will be able to

make a nobler present than this Aladdin, who is an entire stranger to

your majesty."

The sultan granted his request, and he said to the old woman, "Good

woman, go home, and tell your son that I agree to the proposal you

have made me; but I cannot marry the princess my daughter for three

months. At the expiration of that time, come again."

Aladdin's mother returned home much more gratified than she had

expected, and told her son with much joy the condescending answer she

had received from the sultan's own mouth; and that she was to come to

the divan again that day three months.

At hearing this news, Aladdin thought himself the most happy of all

men, and thanked his mother for the pains she had taken in the affair,

the good success of which was of so great importance to his peace that

he counted every day, week, and even hour as it passed. When two of

the three months were passed, his mother one evening, having no oil in

the house, went out to buy some, and found a general rejoicing--the

houses dressed with foliage, silks, and carpeting, and every one

striving to show his joy according to his ability. The streets were

crowded with officers in habits of ceremony, mounted on horses richly

caparisoned, each attended by a great many footmen. Aladdin's mother

asked the oil merchant what was the meaning of all this preparation of

public festivity.

"Whence came you, good woman," said he, "that you don't know that the

grand vizier's son is to marry the Princess Buddir al Buddoor, the

sultan's daughter, to-night? She will presently return from the bath;

and these officers whom you see are to assist at the cavalcade to the

palace, where the ceremony is to be solemnized."

Aladdin's mother, on hearing this news, ran home very quickly.

"Child," cried she, "you are undone! The sultan's fine promises will

come to naught. This night the grand vizier's son is to marry the

Princess Buddir al Buddoor."

At this account Aladdin was thunderstruck. He bethought himself of the

lamp, and of the genie who had promised to obey him; and without

indulging in idle words against the sultan, the vizier, or his son, he

determined, if possible, to prevent the marriage.

When Aladdin had got into his chamber he took the lamp, and rubbing it

in the same place as before, immediately the genie appeared, and said

to him, "What wouldst thou have? I am ready to obey thee as thy slave;

I, and the other slaves of the lamp."

"Hear me," said Aladdin. "Thou hast hitherto obeyed me, but now I am

about to impose on thee a harder task. The sultan's daughter, who was

promised me as my bride, is this night married to the son of the grand

vizier. Bring them both hither to me immediately they retire to their

bedchamber."

"Master," replied the genie, "I obey you."

Aladdin supped with his mother as was their wont, and then went to his

own apartment, and sat up to await the return of the genie, according

to his commands.

In the meantime the festivities in honor of the princess's marriage

were conducted in the sultan's palace with great magnificence. The

ceremonies were at last brought to a conclusion, and the princess and

the son of the vizier retired to the bedchamber prepared for them. No

sooner had they entered it, and dismissed their attendants, than the

genie, the faithful slave of the lamp, to the great amazement and

alarm of the bride and bridegroom took up the bed, and by an agency

invisible to them, transported it in an instant into Aladdin's

chamber, where he set it down.

"Remove the bridegroom," said Aladdin to the genie, "and keep him a

prisoner till to-morrow dawn, and then return with him here." On

Aladdin being left alone with the princess, he endeavored to assuage

her fears, and explained to her the treachery practiced upon him by

the sultan her father. He then laid himself down beside her, putting a

drawn scimitar between them, to show that he was determined to secure

her safety, and to treat her with the utmost possible respect. At

break of day, the genie appeared at the appointed hour, bringing back

the bridegroom, whom by breathing upon he had left motionless and

entranced at the door of Aladdin's chamber during the night, and at

Aladdin's command transported the couch, with the bride and bridegroom

on it, by the same invisible agency, into the palace of the sultan.

At the instant that the genie had set down the couch with the bride

and bridegroom in their own chamber, the sultan came to the door to

offer his good wishes to his daughter. The grand vizier's son, who was

almost perished with cold, by standing in his thin under-garment all

night, no sooner heard the knocking at the door than he got out of

bed, and ran into the robing-chamber, where he had undressed himself

the night before.

The sultan, having opened the door, went to the bed-side, and kissed

the princess on the forehead, but was extremely surprised to see her

look so melancholy. She only cast at him a sorrowful look, expressive

of great affliction. He suspected there was something extraordinary

in this silence, and thereupon went immediately to the sultaness's

apartment, told her in what a state he found the princess, and how she

had received him.

"Sire," said the sultaness, "I will go and see her. She will not

receive me in the same manner."

The princess received her mother with sighs and tears, and signs of

deep dejection. At last, upon her pressing on her the duty of telling

her all her thoughts, she gave to the sultaness a precise description

of all that happened to her during the night; on which the sultaness

enjoined on her the necessity of silence and discretion, as no one

would give credence to so strange a tale. The grand vizier's son,

elated with the honor of being the sultan's son-in-law, kept silence

on his part, and the events of the night were not allowed to cast the

least gloom on the festivities on the following day, in continued

celebration of the royal marriage.

When night came, the bride and bridegroom were again attended to their

chamber with the same ceremonies as on the preceding evening. Aladdin,

knowing that this would be so, had already given his commands to the

genie of the lamp; and no sooner were they alone than their bed was

removed in the same mysterious manner as on the preceding evening; and

having passed the night in the same unpleasant way, they were in the

morning conveyed to the palace of the sultan. Scarcely had they been

replaced in their apartment, when the sultan came to make his

compliments to his daughter. The princess could no longer conceal from

him the unhappy treatment she had been subjected to, and told him all

that had happened, as she had already related it to her mother.

The sultan, on hearing these strange tidings, consulted with the grand

vizier; and finding from him that his son had been subjected by an

invisible agency to even worse treatment, he determined to declare the

marriage canceled, and all the festivities, which were yet to last for

several days, countermanded and terminated.

This sudden change in the mind of the sultan gave rise to various

speculations and reports. Nobody but Aladdin knew the secret, and he

kept it with the most scrupulous silence. Neither the sultan nor the

grand vizier, who had forgotten Aladdin and his request, had the least

thought that he had any hand in the strange adventures that befell the

bride and bridegroom.

On the very day that the three months contained in the sultan's

promise expired, the mother of Aladdin again went to the palace, and

stood in the same place in the divan. The sultan knew her again, and

directed his vizier to have her brought before him.

After having prostrated herself, she made answer, in reply to the

sultan: "Sire, I come at the end of three months to ask of you the

fulfillment of the promise you made to my son."

The sultan little thought the request of Aladdin's mother was made to

him in earnest, or that he would hear any more of the matter. He

therefore took counsel with his vizier, who suggested that the sultan

should attach such conditions to the marriage that no one of the

humble condition of Aladdin could possibly fulfill. In accordance with

this suggestion of the vizier, the sultan replied to the mother of

Aladdin: "Good woman, it is true sultans ought to abide by their word,

and I am ready to keep mine, by making your son happy in marriage

with the princess my daughter. But as I cannot marry her without some

further proof of your son being able to support her in royal state,

you may tell him I will fulfill my promise as soon as he shall send me

forty trays of massy gold, full of the same sort of jewels you have

already made me a present of, and carried by the like number of black

slaves, who shall be led by as many young and handsome white slaves,

all dressed magnificently. On these conditions I am ready to bestow

the princess my daughter upon him; therefore, good woman, go and tell

him so, and I will wait till you bring me his answer."

Aladdin's mother prostrated herself a second time before the sultan's

throne, and retired. On her way home, she laughed within herself at

her son's foolish imagination. "Where," said she, "can he get so many

large gold trays, and such precious stones to fill them? It is

altogether out of his power, and I believe he will not be much pleased

with my embassy this time."

When she came home, full of these thoughts, she told Aladdin all the

circumstances of her interview with the sultan, and the conditions on

which he consented to the marriage. "The sultan expects your answer

immediately," said she; and then added, laughing, "I believe he may

wait long enough!"

"Not so long, mother, as you imagine," replied Aladdin. "This demand

is a mere trifle, and will prove no bar to my marriage with the

princess. I will prepare at once to satisfy his request."

Aladdin retired to his own apartment and summoned the genie of the

lamp, and required him to immediately prepare and present the gift,

before the sultan closed his morning audience, according to the terms

in which it had been prescribed. The genie professed his obedience to

the owner of the lamp, and disappeared. Within a very short time, a

train of forty black slaves, led by the same number of white slaves,

appeared opposite the house in which Aladdin lived. Each black slave

carried on his head a basin of massy gold, full of pearls, diamonds,

rubies, and emeralds.

Aladdin then addressed his mother: "Madam, pray lose no time; before

the sultan and the divan rise, I would have you return to the palace

with this present as the dowry demanded for the princess, that he may

judge by my diligence and exactness of the ardent and sincere desire I

have to procure myself the honor of this alliance."

As soon as this magnificent procession, with Aladdin's mother at its

head, had begun to march from Aladdin's house, the whole city was

filled with the crowds of people desirous to see so grand a sight. The

graceful bearing, elegant form, and wonderful likeness of each slave;

their grave walk at an equal distance from each other, the luster of

their jeweled girdles, and the brilliancy of the aigrettes of precious

stones in their turbans, excited the greatest admiration in the

spectators. As they had to pass through several streets to the palace,

the whole length of the way was lined with files of spectators.

Nothing, indeed, was ever seen so beautiful and brilliant in the

sultan's palace, and the richest robes of the emirs of his court were

not to be compared to the costly dresses of these slaves, whom they

supposed to be kings.

As the sultan, who had been informed of their approach, had given

orders for them to be admitted, they met with no obstacle, but went

into the divan in regular order, one part turning to the right and the

other to the left. After they were all entered, and had formed a

semi-circle before the sultan's throne, the black slaves laid the

golden trays on the carpet, prostrated themselves, touching the carpet

with their foreheads, and at the same time the white slaves did the

same. When they rose, the black slaves uncovered the trays, and then

all stood with their arms crossed over their breasts.

In the meantime, Aladdin's mother advanced to the foot of the throne,

and having prostrated herself, said to the sultan, "Sire, my son knows

this present is much below the notice of Princess Buddir al Buddoor;

but hopes, nevertheless, that your majesty will accept of it, and make

it agreeable to the princess, and with the greater confidence since he

has endeavored to conform to the conditions you were pleased to

impose."

The sultan, overpowered by the sight of such more than royal

magnificence, replied without hesitation to the words of Aladdin's

mother: "Go and tell your son that I wait with open arms to embrace

him; and the more haste he makes to come and receive the princess my

daughter from my hands, the greater pleasure he will do me."

As soon as Aladdin's mother had retired, the sultan put an end to the

audience. Rising from his throne, he ordered that the princess's

attendants should come and carry the trays into their mistress's

apartment, whither he went himself to examine them with her at his

leisure. The fourscore slaves were conducted into the palace; and the

sultan, telling the princess of their magnificent apparel, ordered

them to be brought before her apartment, that she might see through

the lattices he had not exaggerated in his account of them.

In the meantime Aladdin's mother reached home, and showed in her air

and countenance the good news she brought to her son. "My son," said

she, "you may rejoice you are arrived at the height of your desires.

The sultan has declared that you shall marry the Princess Buddir al

Buddoor. He waits for you with impatience."

Aladdin, enraptured with this news, made his mother very little reply,

but retired to his chamber. There he rubbed his lamp, and the obedient

genie appeared.

"Genie," said Aladdin, "convey me at once to a bath, and supply me

with the richest and most magnificent robe ever worn by a monarch."

No sooner were the words out of his mouth than the genie rendered him,

as well as himself, invisible, and transported him into a hummum[44]

of the finest marble of all sorts of colors; where he was undressed,

without seeing by whom, in a magnificent and spacious hall. He was

then well rubbed and washed with various scented waters. After he had

passed through several degrees of heat, he came out quite a different

man from what he was before. His skin was clear as that of a child,

his body lightsome and free; and when he returned into the hall, he

found, instead of his own poor raiment, a robe, the magnificence of

which astonished him. The genie helped him to dress, and when he had

done, transported him back to his own chamber, where he asked him if

he had any other commands.

[Footnote 44: A Turkish word for a bath.]

"Yes," answered Aladdin, "bring me a charger that surpasses in beauty

and goodness the best in the sultan's stables; with a saddle, bridle,

and other caparisons to correspond with his value. Furnish also twenty

slaves, as richly clothed as those who carried the present to the

sultan, to walk by my side and follow me, and twenty more to go before

me in two ranks. Besides these, bring my mother six women slaves to

attend her, as richly dressed at least as any of the Princess Buddir

al Buddoor's, each carrying a complete dress fit for any sultaness. I

want also ten thousand pieces of gold in ten purses; go, and make

haste."

As soon as Aladdin had given these orders, the genie disappeared, but

presently returned with the horse, the forty slaves, ten of whom

carried each a purse containing ten thousand pieces of gold, and six

women slaves, each carrying on her head a different dress for

Aladdin's mother, wrapped up in a piece of silver tissue, and

presented them all to Aladdin.

He presented the six women slaves to his mother, telling her they were

her slaves, and that the dresses they had brought were for her use. Of

the ten purses Aladdin took four, which he gave to his mother, telling

her those were to supply her with necessaries; the other six he left

in the hands of the slaves who brought them, with an order to throw

them by handfuls among the people as they went to the sultan's palace.

The six slaves who carried the purses he ordered likewise to march

before him, three on the right hand and three on the left.

When Aladdin had thus prepared himself for his first interview with

the sultan, he dismissed the genie, and immediately mounting his

charger, began his march, and though he never was on horseback before,

appeared with a grace the most experienced horseman might envy. The

innumerable concourse of people through whom he passed made the air

echo with their acclamations, especially every time the six slaves who

carried the purses threw handfuls of gold among the populace.

On Aladdin's arrival at the palace, the sultan was surprised to find

him more richly and magnificently robed than he had ever been himself,

and was impressed with his good looks and dignity of manner, which

were so different from what he expected in the son of one so humble as

Aladdin's mother. He embraced him with all the demonstrations of joy,

and when he would have fallen at his feet, held him by the hand, and

made him sit near his throne. He shortly after led him, amidst the

sounds of trumpets, hautboys, and all kinds of music, to a magnificent

entertainment, at which the sultan and Aladdin ate by themselves, and

the great lords of the court, according to their rank and dignity, sat

at different tables.

After the feast, the sultan sent for the chief cadi, and commanded him

to draw up a contract of marriage between the Princess Buddir al

Buddoor and Aladdin. When the contract had been drawn, the sultan

asked Aladdin if he would stay in the palace and complete the

ceremonies of the marriage that day.

"Sire," said Aladdin, "though great is my impatience to enter on the

honor granted me by your majesty, yet I beg you to permit me first to

build a palace worthy to receive the princess your daughter. I pray

you to grant me sufficient ground near your palace, and I will have it

completed with the utmost expedition."

The sultan granted Aladdin his request, and again embraced him. After

which he took his leave with as much politeness as if he had been bred

up and had always lived at court.

Aladdin returned home in the order he had come, amidst the

acclamations of the people, who wished him all happiness and

prosperity. As soon as he dismounted, he retired to his own chamber,

took the lamp, and summoned the genie as usual, who professed his

allegiance.

"Genie," said Aladdin, "build me a palace fit to receive the Princess

Buddir al Buddoor. Let its materials be made of nothing less than

porphyry, jasper, agate, lapis lazuli, and the finest marble. Let its

walls be massive gold and silver bricks and laid alternately. Let each

front contain six windows, and let the lattices of these (except one,

which must be left unfinished) be enriched with diamonds, rubies, and

emeralds, so that they shall exceed everything of the kind ever seen

in the world. Let there be an inner and outer court in front of the

palace, and a spacious garden; but above all things, provide a safe

treasure house, and fill it with gold and silver. Let there be also

kitchens and storehouses, stables full of the finest horses, with

their equerries and grooms, and hunting equipage, officers,

attendants, and slaves, both men and women, to form a retinue for the

princess and myself. Go and execute my wishes."

When Aladdin gave these commands to the genie, the sun was set. The

next morning at daybreak the genie presented himself, and, having

obtained Aladdin's consent, transported him in a moment to the palace

he had made. The genie led him through all the apartments, where he

found officers and slaves, habited according to their rank and the

services to which they were appointed. The genie then showed him the

treasury, which was opened by a treasurer, where Aladdin saw large

vases of different sizes, piled up to the top with money, ranged all

around the chamber. The genie thence led him to the stables, where

were some of the finest horses in the world, and the grooms busy in

dressing them; from thence they went to the storehouses, which were

filled with all things necessary, both for food and ornament.

When Aladdin had examined every portion of the palace, and

particularly the hall with the four-and-twenty windows, and found it

far to exceed his fondest expectations, he said, "Genie, there is one

thing wanting, a fine carpet for the princess to walk upon from the

sultan's palace to mine. Lay one down immediately." The genie

disappeared, and Aladdin saw what he desired executed in an instant.

The genie then returned, and carried him to his own home.

When the sultan's porters came to open the gates, they were amazed to

find what had been an unoccupied garden filled up with a magnificent

palace, and a splendid carpet extending to it all the way from the

sultan's palace. They told the strange tidings to the grand vizier,

who informed the sultan.

"It must be Aladdin's palace," the sultan exclaimed, "which I gave him

leave to build for my daughter. He has wished to surprise us, and let

us see what wonders can be done in only one night."

Aladdin, on his being conveyed by the genie to his own home, requested

his mother to go to the Princess Buddir al Buddoor, and tell her that

the palace would be ready for her reception in the evening. She went,

attended by her women slaves, in the same order as on the preceding

day. Shortly after her arrival at the princess's apartment the sultan

himself came in, and was surprised to find her, whom he knew only as

his suppliant at his divan in humble guise, more richly and

sumptuously attired than his own daughter. This gave him a higher

opinion of Aladdin, who took such care of his mother, and made her

share his wealth and honors.

Shortly after her departure, Aladdin, mounting his horse and attended

by his retinue of magnificent attendants, left his paternal home

forever, and went to the palace in the same pomp as on the day before.

Nor did he forget to take with him the wonderful lamp, to which he

owed all his good fortune, nor to wear the ring which was given him as

a talisman.

The sultan entertained Aladdin with the utmost magnificence, and at

night, on the conclusion of the marriage ceremonies, the princess took

leave of the sultan her father. Bands of music led the procession,

followed by a hundred state ushers, and the like number of black

mutes, in two files, with their officers at their head. Four hundred

of the sultan's young pages carried flambeaux on each side, which,

together with the illuminations of the sultan's and Aladdin's palaces,

made it as light as day. In this order the princess, conveyed in her

litter, and accompanied also by Aladdin's mother, carried in a superb

litter and attended by her women slaves, proceeded on the carpet which

was spread from the sultan's palace to that of Aladdin.

On her arrival Aladdin was ready to receive her at the entrance, and

led her into a large hall, illuminated with an infinite number of wax

candles, where a noble feast was served up. The dishes were of massy

gold, and contained the most delicate viands. The vases, basins, and

goblets were gold also, and of exquisite workmanship, and all the

other ornaments and embellishments of the hall were answerable to this

display. The princess, dazzled to see so much riches collected in one

place, said to Aladdin, "I thought, prince, that nothing in the world

was so beautiful as the sultan my father's palace, but the sight of

this hall alone is sufficient to show I was mistaken."

When the supper was ended, there entered a company of female

dancers,[45] who performed, according to the custom of the country,

singing at the same time verses in praise of the bride and bridegroom.

About midnight Aladdin's mother conducted the bride to the nuptial

apartment, and he soon after retired.

[Footnote 45: These were the "Nautch girls," attached to this day to

all Eastern courts.]

The next morning the attendants of Aladdin presented themselves to

dress him, and brought him another habit, as rich and magnificent as

that worn the day before. He then ordered one of the horses to be got

ready, mounted him, and went in the midst of a large troop of slaves

to the sultan's palace to entreat him to take a repast in the

princess's palace, attended by his grand vizier and all the lords of

his court. The sultan consented with pleasure, rose up immediately,

and, preceded by the principal officers of his palace, and followed by

all the great lords of his court, accompanied Aladdin.

The nearer the sultan approached Aladdin's palace, the more he was

struck with its beauty; but when he entered it, when he came into the

hall and saw the windows, enriched with diamonds, rubies, emeralds,

all large perfect stones, he was completely surprised, and said to his

son-in-law, "This palace is one of the wonders of the world; for where

in all the world besides shall we find walls built of massy gold and

silver, and diamonds, rubies, and emeralds composing the windows? But

what most surprises me is that a hall of this magnificence should be

left with one of its windows incomplete and unfinished."

"Sire," answered Aladdin, "the omission was by design, since I wished

that you should have the glory of finishing this hall."

"I take your intention kindly," said the sultan, "and will give orders

about it immediately."

After the sultan had finished this magnificent entertainment, provided

for him and for his court by Aladdin, he was informed that the

jewelers and goldsmiths attended; upon which he returned to the hall,

and showed them the window which was unfinished.

"I sent for you," said he, "to fit up this window in as great

perfection as the rest. Examine them well, and make all the dispatch

you can."

The jewelers and goldsmiths examined the three-and-twenty windows with

great attention, and after they had consulted together, to know what

each could furnish, they returned, and presented themselves before the

sultan, whose principal jeweler, undertaking to speak for the rest,

said, "Sire, we are all willing to exert our utmost care and industry

to obey you; but among us all we cannot furnish jewels enough for so

great a work."

"I have more than are necessary," said the sultan. "Come to my palace,

and you shall choose what may answer your purpose."

When the sultan returned to his palace he ordered his jewels to be

brought out, and the jewelers took a great quantity, particularly

those Aladdin had made him a present of, which they soon used, without

making any great advance in their work. They came again several times

for more, and in a month's time had not finished half their work. In

short, they used all the jewels the sultan had, and borrowed of the

vizier, but yet the work was not half done.

Aladdin, who knew that all the sultan's endeavors to make this window

like the rest were in vain, sent for the jewelers and goldsmiths, and

not only commanded them to desist from their work, but ordered them to

undo what they had begun, and to carry all their jewels back to the

sultan and to the vizier. They undid in a few hours what they had been

six weeks about, and retired, leaving Aladdin alone in the hall. He

took the lamp, which he carried about him, rubbed it, and presently

the genie appeared.

"Genie," said Aladdin, "I ordered thee to leave one of the

four-and-twenty windows of this hall imperfect, and thou hast executed

my commands exactly; now I would have thee make it like the rest."

The genie immediately disappeared. Aladdin went out of the hall, and

returning soon after, found the window, as he wished it to be, like

the others.

In the meantime the jewelers and goldsmiths repaired to the palace,

and were introduced into the sultan's presence, where the chief

jeweler presented the precious stones which he had brought back. The

sultan asked them if Aladdin had given them any reason for so doing,

and they answering that he had given them none, he ordered a horse to

be brought, which he mounted, and rode to his son-in-law's palace,

with some few attendants on foot, to inquire why he had ordered the

completion of the window to be stopped.

Aladdin met him at the gate, and without giving any reply to his

inquiries conducted him to the grand saloon, where the sultan, to his

great surprise, found that the window, which was left imperfect,

corresponded exactly with the others. He fancied at first that he was

mistaken, and examined the two windows on each side, and afterward all

the four-and-twenty; but when he was convinced that the window which

several workmen had been so long about was finished in so short a

time, he embraced Aladdin and kissed him between his eyes.

"My son," said he, "what a man you are to do such surprising things

always in the twinkling of an eye! There is not your fellow in the

world; the more I know, the more I admire you."

The sultan returned to the palace, and after this went frequently to

the window to contemplate and admire the wonderful palace of his

son-in-law.

Aladdin did not confine himself in his palace, but went with much

state, sometimes to one mosque, and sometimes to another, to prayers,

or to visit the grand vizier or the principal lords of the court.

Every time he went out he caused two slaves, who walked by the side of

his horse, to throw handfuls of money among the people as he passed

through the streets and squares. This generosity gained him the love

and blessings of the people, and it was common for them to swear by

his head.[46] Thus Aladdin, while he paid all respect to the sultan,

won by his affable behavior and liberality the affection of the

people.

[Footnote 46: There is a trace of this custom in Joseph swearing to

his brethren, "By the life of Pharaoh, ye are spies!"]

Aladdin had conducted himself in this manner several years, when the

African magician, who had for some years dismissed him from his

recollection, determined to inform himself with certainty whether he

perished, as he supposed, in the subterranean cave or not. After he

had resorted to a long course of magic ceremonies, and had formed a

horoscope by which to ascertain Aladdin's fate, what was his surprise

to find the appearances to declare that Aladdin, instead of dying in

the cave, had made his escape, and was living in royal splendor by the

aid of the genie of the wonderful lamp!

On the very next day the magician set out, and traveled with the

utmost haste to the capital of China, where, on his arrival, he took

up his lodgings in a khan.

He then quickly learned about the wealth, charities, happiness, and

splendid palace of Prince Aladdin. Directly he saw the wonderful

fabric, he knew that none but the genies, the slaves of the lamp,

could have performed such wonders, and, piqued to the quick at

Aladdin's high estate, he returned to the khan.

On his return he had recourse to an operation of geomancy to find out

where the lamp was--whether Aladdin carried it about with him, or

where he left it. The result of his consultation informed him, to his

great joy, that the lamp was in the palace.

"Well," said he, rubbing his hands in glee, "I shall have the lamp,

and I shall make Aladdin return to his original mean condition."

The next day the magician learned from the chief superintendent of

the khan where he lodged that Aladdin had gone on a hunting expedition

which was to last for eight days, of which only three had expired. The

magician wanted to know no more. He resolved at once on his plans. He

went to a coppersmith, and asked for a dozen copper lamps; the master

of the shop told him he had not so many by him, but if he would have

patience till the next day he would have them ready. The magician

appointed his time, and desired him to take care that they should be

handsome and well polished.

The next day the magician called for the twelve lamps, paid the man

his full price, put them into a basket hanging on his arm, and went

directly to Aladdin's palace. As he approached, he began crying, "Who

will exchange old lamps for new?" And as he went along, a crowd of

children collected, who hooted, and thought him, as did all who

chanced to be passing by, a madman or a fool to offer to exchange new

lamps for old.

The African magician regarded not their scoffs, hootings, or all they

could say to him, but still continued crying, "Who will exchange old

lamps for new?" He repeated this so often, walking backward and

forward in front of the palace, that the princess, who was then in the

hall of the four-and-twenty windows, hearing a man cry something, and

seeing a great mob crowding about him, sent one of her women slaves to

know what he cried.

The slave returned, laughing so heartily that the princess rebuked

her.

"Madam," answered the slave, laughing still, "who can forbear

laughing, to see an old man with a basket on his arm, full of fine new

lamps, asking to exchange them for old ones? The children and mob,

crowding about him so that he can hardly stir, make all the noise

they can in derision of him."

Another female slave, hearing this, said, "Now you speak of lamps, I

know not whether the princess may have observed it, but there is an

old one upon a shelf of the Prince Aladdin's robing room, and whoever

owns it will not be sorry to find a new one in its stead. If the

princess chooses, she may have the pleasure of trying if this old man

is so silly as to give a new lamp for an old one, without taking

anything for the exchange."

The princess, who knew not the value of the lamp and the interest that

Aladdin had to keep it safe, entered into the pleasantry and commanded

a slave to take it and make the exchange. The slave obeyed, went out

of the hall, and no sooner got to the palace gates than he saw the

African magician, called to him, and showing him the old lamp, said,

"Give me a new lamp for this."

The magician never doubted but this was the lamp he wanted. There

could be no other such in this palace, where every utensil was gold or

silver. He snatched it eagerly out of the slave's hand, and thrusting

it as far as he could into his breast, offered him his basket, and

bade him choose which he liked best. The slave picked out one and

carried it to the princess; but the change was no sooner made than the

place rang with the shouts of the children, deriding the magician's

folly.

The African magician stayed no longer near the palace, nor cried any

more, "New lamps for old," but made the best of his way to his khan.

His end was answered, and by his silence he got rid of the children

and the mob.

As soon as he was out of sight of the two palaces he hastened down

the least-frequented streets. Having no more occasion for his lamps or

basket, he set all down in a spot where nobody saw him; then going

down another street or two, he walked till he came to one of the city

gates, and pursuing his way through the suburbs, which were very

extensive, at length he reached a lonely spot, where he stopped till

the darkness of the night, as the most suitable time for the design he

had in contemplation.

When it became quite dark, he pulled the lamp out of his breast and

rubbed it. At that summons the genie appeared, and said, "What wouldst

thou have? I am ready to obey thee as thy slave, and the slave of all

those who have that lamp in their hands; both I and the other slaves

of the lamp."

"I command thee," replied the magician, "to transport me immediately,

and the palace which thou and the other slaves of the lamp have built

in this city, with all the people in it, to Africa."

The genie made no reply, but with the assistance of the other genies,

the slaves of the lamp, immediately transported him and the palace,

entire, to the spot whither he had been desired to convey it.

Early the next morning when the sultan, according to custom, went to

contemplate and admire Aladdin's palace, his amazement was unbounded

to find that it could nowhere be seen. He could not comprehend how so

large a palace, which he had seen plainly every day for some years,

should vanish so soon and not leave the least remains behind. In his

perplexity he ordered the grand vizier to be sent for with expedition.

The grand vizier, who, in secret, bore no good will to Aladdin,

intimated his suspicion that the palace was built by magic, and that

Aladdin had made his hunting excursion an excuse for the removal of

his palace with the same suddenness with which it had been erected. He

induced the sultan to send a detachment of his guard, and to have

Aladdin seized as a prisoner of state.

On his son-in-law being brought before him, the sultan would not hear

a word from him, but ordered him to be put to death. But the decree

caused so much discontent among the people, whose affection Aladdin

had secured by his largesses and charities, that the sultan, fearful

of an insurrection, was obliged to grant him his life.

When Aladdin found himself at liberty, he again addressed the sultan:

"Sire, I pray you to let me know the crime by which I have thus lost

the favor of thy countenance."

"Your crime!" answered the sultan. "Wretched man, do you not know it?

Follow me, and I will show you."

The sultan then took Aladdin into the apartment from whence he was

wont to look at and admire his palace, and said, "You ought to know

where your palace stood; look, mind, and tell me what has become of

it."

Aladdin did so, and being utterly amazed at the loss of his palace,

was speechless. At last recovering himself, he said, "It is true, I do

not see the palace. It is vanished; but I had no concern in its

removal. I beg you to give me forty days, and if in that time I cannot

restore it, I will offer my head to be disposed of at your pleasure."

"I give you the time you ask, but at the end of the forty days forget

not to present yourself before me."

Aladdin went out of the sultan's palace in a condition of exceeding

humiliation. The lords who had courted him in the days of his splendor

now declined to have any communication with him. For three days he

wandered about the city, exciting the wonder and compassion of the

multitude by asking everybody he met if they had seen his palace, or

could tell him anything of it. On the third day he wandered into the

country, and as he was approaching a river he fell down the bank with

so much violence that he rubbed the ring which the magician had given

him so hard, by holding on to the rock to save himself, that

immediately the same genie appeared whom he had seen in the cave where

the magician had left him.

"What wouldst thou have?" said the genie. "I am ready to obey thee as

thy slave, and the slave of all those that have that ring on their

finger; both I and the other slaves of the ring."

Aladdin, agreeably surprised at an offer of help so little expected,

replied, "Genie, show me where the palace I caused to be built now

stands, or transport it back where it first stood."

"Your command," answered the genie, "is not wholly in my power; I am

only the slave of the ring, and not of the lamp."

"I command thee, then," replied Aladdin, "by the power of the ring, to

transport me to the spot where my palace stands, in what part of the

world soever it may be."

These words were no sooner out of his mouth than the genie transported

him into Africa, to the midst of a large plain, where his palace

stood at no great distance from a city, and, placing him exactly under

the window of the princess's apartment, left him.

Now it so happened that shortly after Aladdin had been transported by

the slave of the ring to the neighborhood of his palace, that one of

the attendants of the Princess Buddir al Buddoor, looking through the

window, perceived him and instantly told her mistress. The princess,

who could not believe the joyful tidings, hastened herself to the

window, and seeing Aladdin, immediately opened it. The noise of

opening the window made Aladdin turn his head that way, and perceiving

the princess, he saluted her with an air that expressed his joy.

"To lose no time," said she to him, "I have sent to have the private

door opened for you; enter, and come up."

The private door, which was just under the princess's apartment, was

soon opened, and Aladdin was conducted up into the chamber. It is

impossible to express the joy of both at seeing each other, after so

cruel a separation. After embracing and shedding tears of joy, they

sat down, and Aladdin said, "I beg of you, princess, to tell me what

is become of an old lamp which stood upon a shelf in my robing

chamber."

"Alas!" answered the princess, "I was afraid our misfortune might be

owing to that lamp; and what grieves me most is that I have been the

cause of it. I was foolish enough to exchange the old lamp for a new

one, and the next morning I found myself in this unknown country,

which I am told is Africa."

"Princess," said Aladdin, interrupting her, "you have explained all

by telling me we are in Africa. I desire you only to tell me if you

know where the old lamp now is."

"The African magician carries it carefully wrapped up in his bosom,"

said the princess; "and this I can assure you, because he pulled it

out before me, and showed it to me in triumph."

"Princess," said Aladdin, "I think I have found the means to deliver

you and to regain possession of the lamp, on which all my prosperity

depends. To execute this design, it is necessary for me to go to the

town. I shall return by noon, and will then tell you what must be done

by you to insure success. In the meantime, I shall disguise myself,

and I beg that the private door may be opened at the first knock."

When Aladdin was out of the palace, he looked round him on all sides,

and perceiving a peasant going into the country, hastened after him.

When he had overtaken him, he made a proposal to him to change

clothes, which the man agreed to. When they had made the exchange, the

countryman went about his business, and Aladdin entered the

neighboring city. After traversing several streets, he came to that

part of the town where the merchants and artisans had their particular

streets according to their trades.[47] He went into that of the

druggists; and entering one of the largest and best furnished shops,

asked the druggist if he had a certain powder, which he named.

[Footnote 47: This location of persons of one trade in one part of a

town was once common in England. Hence the "Draper's Lane" and

"Butcher's Row," found in many of our large towns; and the "Old

Jewry," "Lombard Street," and "Cheapside," of London.]

The druggist, judging Aladdin by his habit to be very poor, told him

he had it, but that it was very dear; upon which Aladdin, penetrating

his thoughts, pulled out his purse, and showing him some gold, asked

for half a dram of the powder, which the druggist weighed and gave

him, telling him the price was a piece of gold. Aladdin put the money

into his hand, and hastened to the palace, which he entered at once by

the private door.

When he came into the princess's apartment he said to her, "Princess,

you must take your part in the scheme which I propose for our

deliverance. You must overcome your aversion for the magician, and

assume a most friendly manner toward him, and ask him to oblige you by

partaking of an entertainment in your apartments. Before he leaves,

ask him to exchange cups with you, which he, gratified at the honor

you do him, will gladly do, when you must give him the cup containing

this powder. On drinking it he will instantly fall asleep, and we will

obtain the lamp, whose slaves will do all our bidding, and restore us

and the palace to the capital of China."

The princess obeyed to the utmost her husband's instructions. She

assumed a look of pleasure on the next visit of the magician, and

asked him to an entertainment, which he most willingly accepted. At

the close of the evening, during which the princess had tried all she

could to please him, she asked him to exchange cups with her, and

giving the signal, had the drugged cup brought to her, which she gave

to the magician. Out of compliment to the princess he drank it to the

very last drop, when he fell back lifeless on the sofa.

The princess, in anticipation of the success of her scheme, had so

placed her women from the great hall to the foot of the staircase

that the word was no sooner given that the African magician was fallen

backward, than the door was opened, and Aladdin admitted to the hall.

The princess rose from her seat, and ran, overjoyed, to embrace him;

but he stopped her, and said, "Princess, retire to your apartment; and

let me be left alone, while I endeavor to transport you back to China

as speedily as you were brought from thence."

When the princess, her women, and slaves were gone out of the hall,

Aladdin shut the door, and going directly to the dead body of the

magician, opened his vest, took out the lamp, which was carefully

wrapped up, and rubbing it, the genie immediately appeared.

"Genie," said Aladdin, "I command thee to transport this palace

instantly to the place from whence it was brought hither."

The genie bowed his head in token of obedience, and disappeared.

Immediately the palace was transported into China, and its removal was

felt only by two little shocks, the one when it was lifted up, the

other when it was set down, and both in a very short interval of time.

On the morning after the restoration of Aladdin's palace the sultan

was looking out of his window, mourning over the fate of his daughter,

when he thought that he saw the vacancy created by the disappearance

of the palace to be again filled up.

On looking more attentively, he was convinced beyond the power of

doubt that it was his son-in-law's palace. Joy and gladness succeeded

to sorrow and grief. He at once ordered a horse to be saddled, which

he mounted that instant, thinking he could not make haste enough to

the place.

Aladdin rose that morning by daybreak, put on one of the most

magnificent habits his wardrobe afforded, and went up into the hall of

the twenty-four windows, from whence he perceived the sultan

approaching, and received him at the foot of the great staircase,

helping him to dismount.

He led the sultan into the princess's apartment. The happy father

embraced her with tears of joy; and the princess, on her side,

afforded similar testimonies of her extreme pleasure. After a short

interval, devoted to mutual explanations of all that had happened, the

sultan restored Aladdin to his favor, and expressed his regret for the

apparent harshness with which he had treated him.

"My son," said he, "be not displeased at my proceedings against you;

they arose from my paternal love, and therefore you ought to forgive

the excesses to which it hurried me."

"Sire," replied Aladdin, "I have not the least reason to complain of

your conduct, since you did nothing but what your duty required. This

infamous magician, the basest of men, was the sole cause of my

misfortune."

The African magician, who was thus twice foiled in his endeavor to

rain Aladdin, had a younger brother, who was as skillful a magician as

himself and exceeded him in wickedness and hatred of mankind. By

mutual agreement they communicated with each other once a year,

however widely separate might be their place of residence from each

other. The younger brother, not having received as usual his annual

communication, prepared to take a horoscope and ascertain his

brother's proceedings. He, as well as his brother, always carried a

geomantic square instrument about him; he prepared the sand,[48] cast

the points, and drew the figures. On examining the planetary crystal,

he found that his brother was no longer living, but had been poisoned;

and by another observation, that he was in the capital of the kingdom

of China; also, that the person who had poisoned him was of mean

birth, though married to a princess, a sultan's daughter.

[Footnote 48: Reml or Raml signifies "sand prepared," or a preparation

of sand on which are marked certain figures serving for a kind of

divination, which we call Geomancy; and the Arabs and Turks _Kikmut al

Reml_. These disposed in a certain number on many unequal lines, are

described also with a pen on paper; and the person who practices

divination by this art is called _Rammal_.--D'Herbelot, art. "Raml."]

When the magician had informed himself of his brother's fate he

resolved immediately to avenge his death, and at once departed for

China; where, after crossing plains, rivers, mountains, deserts, and a

long tract of country without delay, he arrived after incredible

fatigues. When he came to the capital of China he took a lodging at a

khan. His magic art soon revealed to him that Aladdin was the person

who had been the cause of the death of his brother. He had heard, too,

all the persons of repute in the city talking of a woman called

Fatima, who was retired from the world, and of the miracles she

wrought. As he fancied that this woman might be serviceable to him in

the project he had conceived, he made more minute inquiries, and

requested to be informed more particularly who that holy woman was,

and what sort of miracles she performed.

"What!" said the person whom he addressed, "have you never seen or

heard of her? She is the admiration of the whole town, for her

fasting, her austerities, and her exemplary life. Except Mondays and

Fridays, she never stirs out of her little cell; and on those days on

which she comes into the town she does an infinite deal of good; for

there is not a person who is diseased but she puts her hand on him and

cures him."

Having ascertained the place where the hermitage of this holy woman

was, the magician went at night, and plunged a poniard into her

heart--killed this good woman. In the morning he dyed his face of the

same hue as hers, and arraying himself in her garb, taking her veil,

the large necklace she wore round her waist, and her stick, went

straight to the palace of Aladdin.

As soon as the people saw the holy woman, as they imagined him to be,

they presently gathered about him in a great crowd. Some begged his

blessing, others kissed his hand, and others, more reserved, kissed

only the hem of his garment; while others, suffering from disease,

stooped for him to lay his hands upon them; which he did, muttering

some words in form of prayer, and, in short, counterfeiting so well

that everybody took him for the holy woman. He came at last to the

square before Aladdin's palace. The crowd and the noise were so great

that the princess, who was in the hall of the four-and-twenty windows,

heard it, and asked what was the matter. One of her women told her it

was a great crowd of people collected about the holy woman to be cured

of diseases by the imposition of her hands.

The princess, who had long heard of this holy woman, but had never

seen her, was very desirous to have some conversation with her. The

chief officer perceiving this, told her it was an easy matter to bring

the woman to her if she desired and commanded it; and the princess

expressing her wishes, he immediately sent four slaves for the

pretended holy woman.

As soon as the crowd saw the attendants from the palace, they made

way; and the magician, perceiving also that they were coming for him,

advanced to meet them, overjoyed to find his plot succeed so well.

"Holy woman," said one of the slaves, "the princess wishes to see you,

and has sent us for you."

"The princess does me too great an honor," replied the false Fatima;

"I am ready to obey her command." And at the same time he followed the

slaves to the palace.

When the pretended Fatima had made his obeisance, the princess said,

"My good mother, I have one thing to request, which you must not

refuse me; it is, to stay with me, that you may edify me with your way

of living, and that I may learn from your good example."

"Princess," said the counterfeit Fatima, "I beg of you not to ask what

I cannot consent to without neglecting my prayers and devotion."

"That shall be no hindrance to you," answered the princess; "I have a

great many apartments unoccupied; you shall choose which you like

best, and have as much liberty to perform your devotions as if you

were in your own cell."

The magician, who really desired nothing more than to introduce

himself into the palace, where it would be a much easier matter for

him to execute his designs, did not long excuse himself from accepting

the obliging offer which the princess made him.

"Princess," said he, "whatever resolution a poor wretched woman as I

am may have made to renounce the pomp and grandeur of this world, I

dare not presume to oppose the will and commands of so pious and

charitable a princess."

Upon this the princess, rising up, said, "Come with me. I will show

you what vacant apartments I have, that you may make choice of that

you like best."

The magician followed the princess, and of all the apartments she

showed him, made choice of that which was the worst, saying that was

too good for him, and that he only accepted it to please her.

Afterward the princess would have brought him back again into the

great hall to make him dine with her; but he, considering that he

should then be obliged to show his face, which he had always taken

care to conceal with Fatima's veil, and fearing that the princess

would find out that he was not Fatima, begged of her earnestly to

excuse him, telling her that he never ate anything but bread and dried

fruits, and desiring to eat that slight repast in his own apartment.

The princess granted his request, saying, "You may be as free here,

good mother, as if you were in your own cell: I will order you a

dinner, but remember, I expect you as soon as you have finished your

repast."

After the princess had dined, and the false Fatima had been sent for

by one of the attendants, he again waited upon her. "My good mother,"

said the princess, "I am overjoyed to see so holy a woman as yourself,

who will confer a blessing upon this palace. But now I am speaking of

the palace, pray how do you like it? And before I show it all to you,

tell me first what you think of this hall."

Upon this question, the counterfeit Fatima surveyed the hall from one

end to the other. When he had examined it well, he said to the

princess, "As far as such a solitary being as I am, who am

unacquainted with what the world calls beautiful, can judge, this hall

is truly admirable; there wants but one thing."

"What is that, good mother?" demanded the princess; "tell me, I

conjure you. For my part, I always believed, and have heard say, it

wanted nothing; but if it does, it shall be supplied."

"Princess," said the false Fatima, with great dis-simulation, "forgive

me the liberty I have taken; but my opinion is, if it can be of any

importance, that if a roc's egg were hung up in the middle of the

dome, this hall would have no parallel in the four quarters of the

world, and your palace would be the wonder of the universe."

"My good mother," said the princess, "what is a roc, and where may one

get an egg?"

"Princess," replied the pretended Fatima, "it is a bird of prodigious

size, which inhabits the summit of Mount Caucasus; the architect who

built your palace can get you one."

After the princess had thanked the false Fatima for what she believed

her good advice, she conversed with her upon other matters; but she

could not forget the roc's egg, which she resolved to request of

Aladdin when next he should visit his apartments. He did so in the

course of that evening, and shortly after he entered, the princess

thus addressed him: "I always believed that our palace was the most

superb, magnificent, and complete in the world: but I will tell you

now what it wants, and that is a roc's egg hung up in the midst of the

dome."

"Princess," replied Aladdin, "it is enough that you think it wants

such an ornament; you shall see by the diligence which I use in

obtaining it, that there is nothing which I would not do for your

sake."

Aladdin left the Princess Buddir al Buddoor that moment, and went up

into the hall of four-and-twenty windows, where, pulling out of his

bosom the lamp, which after the danger he had been exposed to he

always carried about him, he rubbed it; upon which the genie

immediately appeared.

"Genie," said Aladdin, "I command thee, in the name of this lamp,

bring a roc's egg to be hung up in the middle of the dome of the hall

of the palace."

Aladdin had no sooner pronounced these words than the hall shook as if

ready to fall; and the genie said, in a loud and terrible voice, "Is

it not enough that I and the other slaves of the lamp have done

everything for you, but you, by an unheard-of ingratitude, must

command me to bring my master, and hang him up in the midst of this

dome? This attempt deserves that you, the princess, and the palace

should be immediately reduced to ashes; but you are spared because

this request does not come from yourself. Its true author is the

brother of the African magician, your enemy whom you have destroyed.

He is now in your palace, disguised in the habit of the holy woman

Fatima, whom he has murdered; at his suggestion your wife makes this

pernicious demand. His design is to kill you; therefore take care of

yourself." After these words the genie disappeared.

Aladdin resolved at once what to do. He returned to the princess's

apartment, and without mentioning a word of what had happened, sat

down, and complained of a great pain which had suddenly seized his

head. On hearing this, the princess told him how she had invited the

holy Fatima to stay with her, and that she was now in the palace; and

at the request of the prince, ordered her to be summoned to her at

once.

When the pretended Fatima came, Aladdin said, "Come hither, good

mother; I am glad to see you here at so fortunate a time. I am

tormented with a violent pain in my head, and request your assistance,

and hope you will not refuse me that cure which you impart to

afflicted persons."

So saying, he arose, but held down his head. The counterfeit Fatima

advanced toward him, with his hand all the time on a dagger concealed

in his girdle under his gown. Observing this, Aladdin snatched the

weapon from his hand, pierced him to the heart with his own dagger,

and then pushed him down on the floor.

"My dear prince, what have you done?" cried the princess, in surprise.

"You have killed the holy woman!"

"No, my princess," answered Aladdin, with emotion, "I have not killed

Fatima, but a villain who would have assassinated me, if I had not

prevented him. This wicked man," added he, uncovering his face, "is

the brother of the magician who attempted our ruin. He has strangled

the true Fatima, and disguised himself in her clothes with intent to

murder me."

Aladdin then informed her how the genie had told him these facts, and

how narrowly she and the palace had escaped destruction though his

treacherous suggestion which had led to her request.

Thus was Aladdin delivered from the persecution of the two brothers,

who were magicians. Within a few years the sultan died in a good old

age, and as he left no male children, the Princess Buddir al Buddoor

succeeded him, and she and Aladdin reigned together many years, and

left a numerous and illustrious posterity.

[Illustration]