introduced into the princess Buddir al Buddoor's apartment by the
chief of the eunuchs. As soon as the princess saw her, she rose,
saluted, and desired her to sit down on a sofa; and while her
women finished dressing and adorning her with the jewels which
Alla ad Deen had presented to her, a collation was served up. At
the same time the sultan, who wished to be as much with his
daughter as possible before he parted with her, came in and paid
the old lady great respect. Alla ad Deen's mother had talked to
the sultan in public, but he had never seen her with her veil
off, as she was then; and though she was somewhat advanced in
years, she had the remains of a good face, which showed what she
had been in her youth. The sultan, who had always seen her
dressed very meanly, not to say poorly, was surprised to find her
as richly and magnificently attired as the princess his daughter.
This made him think Alla ad Deen equally prudent and wise in
whatever he undertook.
When it was night, the princess took her leave of the sultan her
father: their adieus were tender, and accompanied with tears.
They embraced each other several times, and at last the princess
left her own apartment for Alla ad Deen's palace, with his mother
on her left hand carried in a superb litter, followed by a
hundred women slaves, dressed with surprising magnificence. All
the bands of music, which had played from the time Alla ad Deen's
mother arrived, being joined together, led the procession,
followed by a hundred state ushers, and the like number of black
eunuchs, 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
Alla ad Deen's palaces, made it as light as day.
In this order the princess proceeded in her litter on the carpet,
which was spread from the sultan's palace, preceded by bands of
musicians, who, as they advanced, joining with those on the
terraces of Alla ad Deen's palace, formed a concert, which
increased the joyful sensations not only of the crowd assembled
in the great square, but of the metropolis and its environs.
At length the princess arrived at the new palace. Alla ad Deen
ran with all imaginable joy to receive her at the grand entrance.
His mother had taken care to point him out to the princess, in
the midst of the officers who surrounded him, and she was charmed
with his person. "Adorable princess," said Alla ad Deen,
accosting her, and saluting her respectfully, as soon as she had
entered her apartment, "if I have the misfortune to have
displeased you by my boldness in aspiring to the possession of so
lovely a princess, and my sultan's daughter, I must tell you,
that you ought to blame your bright eyes and charms, not me."
"Prince (as I may now call you)," answered the princess, "I am
obedient to the will of my father; and it is enough for me to
have seen you to tell you that I obey without reluctance."
Alla ad Deen, charmed with so agreeable and satisfactory an
answer, would not keep the princess standing; but took her by the
hand, which he kissed with the greatest demonstration of joy, and
led her into a large hall, illuminated with an infinite number of
wax candles, where, by the care of the genie, a noble feast was
served up. The dishes were of massive 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 Alla ad Deen, "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
deceived."
Alla ad Deen led the princess to the place appointed for her, and
as soon as she and his mother were seated, a band of the most
harmonious instruments, accompanied with the voices of beautiful
ladies, began a concert, which lasted without intermission to the
end of the repast. The princess was so charmed, that she declared
she had never heard anything like it in the sultan her father's
court; but she knew not that these musicians were fairies chosen
by the genie, the slave of the lamp.
When the supper was ended, there entered a company of female
dancers, who performed, according to the custom of the country,
several figure dances, singing at the same time verses in praise
of the bride and bridegroom. About midnight Alla ad Deen's mother
conducted the bride to the nuptial apartment, and he soon after
retired.
The next morning when Alla ad Deen left the bridal chamber, his
attendants 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 appointed for his use
to be got ready, mounted him, and went in the midst of a large
troop of slaves to the sultan's palace. The sultan received him
with the same honours as before, embraced him, placed him on the
throne near him, and ordered a collation. Alla ad Deen said, "I
beg your majesty will dispense with my eating with you to-day; I
came to entreat you to take a repast in the princess's palace,
attended by your grand vizier, and all the lords of your 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 Alla ad Deen.
The nearer the sultan approached Alla ad Deen's palace, the more
he was struck with its beauty, but was much more amazed when he
entered it; and could not forbear breaking out into exclamations
of approbation. But when he came into the hall, and cast his eyes
on the windows, enriched with diamonds, rubies, emeralds, all
large perfect stones, he was so much surprised, that he remained
some time motionless. After he recovered himself, he said to his
vizier, "Is it possible that there should be such a stately
palace so near my own, and I be an utter stranger to it till
now?" "Sir," replied the grand vizier, "your majesty may remember
that the day before yesterday you gave Alla ad Deen, whom you
accepted for your son-in-law, leave to build a palace opposite
your own, and that very day at sunset there was no palace on this
spot, but yesterday I had the honour first to tell you that the
palace was built and finished." "I remember," replied the sultan,
"but never imagined that the palace was one of the wonders of the
world; for where in all the world besides shall we find walls
built of massive gold and silver, instead of brick, stone, or
marble; and diamonds, rubies, and emeralds composing the
windows!"
The sultan would examine and admire the beauty of all the
windows, and counting them, found that there were but three-and-
twenty so richly adorned, and he was greatly astonished that the
twenty-fourth was left imperfect. "Vizier," said he, for that
minister made a point of never leaving him, "I am surprised that
a hall of this magnificence should be left thus imperfect."
"Sir," replied the grand vizier, "without doubt Alla ad Deen only
wanted time to finish this window like the rest; for it is not to
be supposed but that he has sufficient jewels for the purpose, or
that he will not complete it the first opportunity."
Alla ad Deen, who had left the sultan to go and give some orders,
returned just as the vizier had finished his remark. "Son," said
the sultan to him, "this hall is the most worthy of admiration of
any in the world; there is only one thing that surprises me,
which is to find one of the windows unfinished. Is it from the
forgetfulness or negligence of the workmen, or want of time, that
they have not put the finishing stroke to so beautiful a piece of
architecture?" "Sir," answered Alla ad Deen, "it was for none of
these reasons that your majesty sees it in this state. The
omission was by design, it was by my orders that the workmen left
it thus, since I wished that your majesty should have the glory
of finishing this hall, and of course the palace." "If you did it
with this intention," replied the sultan, "I take it kindly, and
will give orders about it immediately." He accordingly sent for
the most considerable jewellers and goldsmiths in his capital.
Alla ad Deen then conducted the sultan into the saloon where he
had regaled his bride the preceding night. The princess entered
immediately afterwards, and received the sultan her father with
an air that showed how happy she was with her marriage. Two
tables were immediately spread with the most delicious meats, all
served up in gold dishes. The sultan, princess, Alla ad Deen, his
mother, and the grand vizier, sat down at the first, and all the
lords of the court at the second, which was very long. The sultan
was much pleased with the cookery, and owned he had never eaten
anything more excellent. He said the same of the wines, which
were delicious; but what he most of all admired, were four large
sideboards, profusely furnished with large flagons, basins, and
cups, all of massive gold, set with jewels. He was besides
charmed with several bands of music, which were ranged along the
hall, and formed most agreeable concerts.
When the sultan rose from table, he was informed that the
jewellers 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 jewellers 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 jeweller,
undertaking to speak for the rest, said, "Sir, we are all willing
to exert our utmost care and industry to obey your majesty; 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 jewellers took a great quantity,
particularly those Alla ad Deen had made him a present of, which
they soon used, without making any greet 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.
A]]a ad Deen, who knew that all the sultan's endeavours to make
this window like the rest were in vain, sent for the jewellers
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 Alla ad Deen alone in the hall. He took the lamp which he
carried about him, rubbed it, and presently the genie appeared.
"Genie," said Alla ad Deen, "I ordered thee to leave one of the
four-and-twenty windows of this hall imperfect, and thus hast
executed my commands punctually; now I would have thee make it
like the rest." The genie immediately disappeared. Alla ad Deen
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 jewellers and goldsmiths repaired to the
palace, and were introduced into the sultan's presence; where the
chief jeweller, presenting the precious stones which he had
brought back, said, in the name of all the rest, "Your majesty
knows how long we have been upon the work you were pleased to set
us about, in which we used all imaginable industry. It was far
advanced, when prince Alla ad Deen commanded us not only to leave
off, but to undo what we had already begun, and bring your
majesty your jewels back." The sultan asked them if Alla ad Deen
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. When he came there, he alighted at the stair-
case, which led up to the hall with the twenty-four windows, and
went directly up to it, without giving previous notice to Alla ad
Deen; but it happened that at that very juncture Alla ad Deen was
opportunely there, and had just time to receive him at the door.
The sultan, without giving Alla ad Deen time to complain
obligingly of his not having given notice, that he might have
acquitted himself with the more becoming respect, said to him,
"Son, I come myself to know the reason why you commanded the
jewellers to desist from work, and take to pieces what they had
done."
Alla ad Deen disguised the true reason, which was, that the
sultan was not rich enough in jewels to be at so great an
expense, but said, "I beg of you now to see if any thing is
wanting."
The sultan went directly to the window which was left imperfect,
and when he found it like the rest, fancied that he was mistaken,
examined the two windows on each side, and afterwards 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 Alla ad Deen, 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."
Alla ad Deen received these praises from the sultan with modesty,
and replied in these words: "Sir, it is a great honour to me to
deserve your majesty's good-will and approbation, and I assure
you, I shall study to deserve them more."
The sultan returned to his palace, but would not let Alla ad Deen
attend him. When he came there, he found his grand vizier
waiting, to whom he related the wonder he had witnessed, with the
utmost admiration, and in such terms as left the minister no room
to doubt but that the facet was as the sultan related it; though
he was the more confirmed in his belief, that Alla ad Deen's
palace was the effect of enchantment, as he had told the sultan
the first moment he saw it. He was going to repeat the
observation, but the sultan interrupted him, and said, "You told
me so once before; I see, vizier, you have not forgotten your
son's espousals to my daughter." The frank vizier plainly saw how
much the sultan was prepossessed, therefore avoided disputes and
let him remain in his own opinion. The sultan as soon as he rose
every morning went into the closet, to look at Alla ad Deen's
palace, and would go many times in a day to contemplate and
admire it.
Alla ad Deen did not confine himself in his palace; but took care
to shew himself once or twice a week in the town, by going
sometimes to one mosque, and sometimes to another, to prayers, or
to visit the grand vizier, who affected to pay his court to him
on certain days, or to do the principal lords of the court the
honour to return their visits after he had regaled them at his
palace. 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, which were
generally on those occasions crowded. Besides, no one came to his
palace gates to ask alms, but returned satisfied with his
liberality. In short, he so divided his time, that not a week
passed but he went either once or twice a hunting, sometimes in
the environs of the city, sometimes farther off; at which time
the villages through which he passed felt the effects of his
generosity, which gained him the love and blessings of the
people: and it was common for them to swear by his head. Thus,
without giving the ]east umbrage to the sultan, to whom he paid
all imaginable respect, Alla ad Deen, by his affable behaviour
and liberality, had won the affections of the people, and was
more beloved than the sultan himself. With all these good
qualities he shewed a courage and a zeal for the public good
which could not be sufficiently applauded. He gave sufficient
proofs of both in a revolt on the borders of the kingdom; for he
no sooner understood that the sultan was levying an army to
disperse the rebels than he begged the command of it, which he
found not difficult to obtain. As soon as he was empowered, he
marched with so much expedition, that the sultan heard of the
defeat of the rebels before he had received an account of his
arrival in the army. And though this action rendered his name
famous throughout the kingdom, it made no alteration in his
disposition; but he was as affable after his victory as before.
Alla ad Deen had conducted himself in this manner several years,
when the African magician, who undesignedly had been the
instrument of raising him to so high a pitch of prosperity,
recalled him to his recollection in Africa, whither, after his
expedition, he had returned. And though he was almost persuaded
that Alla ad Deen must have died miserably in the subterraneous
abode where he had left him, yet he had the curiosity to inform
himself about his end with certainty; and as he was a great
geomancer, he took out of a cupboard a square covered box, which
he used in his geomantic observations: then sat himself down on
the sofa, set it before him, and uncovered it. After he had
prepared and levelled the sand which was in it, with an intention
to discover whether or no Alla ad Deen had died in the
subterraneous abode, he cast the points, drew the figures, and
formed a horoscope, by which, when he came to examine it, he
found that Alla ad Deen, instead of dying in the cave, had made
his escape, lived splendidly, was in possession of the wonderful
lamp, had married a princess, and was much honoured and
respected.
The magician no sooner understood by the rules of his diabolical
art, that Alla ad Deen had arrived to this height of good
fortune, than his face became inflamed with anger, and he cried
out in a rage, "This sorry tailor's son has discovered the secret
and virtue of the lamp! I believed his death to be certain; but
find that he enjoys the fruit of my labour and study! I will,
however, prevent his enjoying it long, or perish in the attempt."
He was not a great while deliberating on what he should do, but
the next morning mounted a barb, set forwards, and never stopped
but to refresh himself and horse, till he arrived at the capital
of China. He alighted, took up his lodging in a khan, and stayed
there the remainder of the day and the night, to refresh himself
after so long a journey.
The next day, his first object was to inquire what people said of
Alla ad Deen; and, taking a walk through the town, he went to the
most public and frequented places, where persons of the best
distinction met to drink a certain warm liquor, which he had
drunk often during his former visit.
As soon as he had seated himself, he was presented with a cup of
it, which he took; but listening at the same time to the
discourse of the company on each side of him, he heard them
talking of Alla ad Deen's palace. When he had drunk off his
liquor, he joined them, and taking this opportunity, inquired
particularly of what palace they spoke with so much commendation.
"From whence come you?" said the person to whom he addressed
himself; "you must certainly be a stranger not to have seen or
heard talk of Prince Alla ad Deen's palace" (for he was called so
after his marriage with the princess). "I do not say," continued
the man, "that it is one of the wonders of the world, but that it
is the only wonder of the world; since nothing so grand, rich,
and magnificent was ever beheld. Certainly you must have come
from a great distance, or some obscure corner, not to have heard
of it, for it must have been talked of all over the world. Go and
see it, and then judge whether I have told you more than the
truth." "Forgive my ignorance," replied the African magician; "I
arrived here but yesterday, and came from the farthest part of
Africa, where the fame of this palace had not reached when I came
away. The business which brought me hither was so urgent, that my
sole objets was to arrive as soon as I could, without stopping
anywhere, or making any acquaintance. But I will not fail to go
and see it; my impatience is so great, I will go immediately and
satisfy my curiosity, if you will do me the favour to shew me the
way thither."
The person to whom the African magician addressed himself took a
pleasure in shewing him the way to Alla ad Deen's palace, and he
got up and went thither instantly. When he came to the palace,
and had examined it on all sides, he doubted not but that Alla ad
Deen had made use of the lamp to build it. Without attending to
the inability of a poor tailor's son, he knew that none but the
genii, the slaves of the lamp, the attaining of which he had
missed, could have performed such wonders; and piqued to the
quick at Alla ad Deen's happiness and splendour, he returned to
the khan where he lodged.
The next point was to ascertain where the lamp was; whether Alla
ad Deen carried it about with him, or where he kept it; and this
he was to discover by an operation of geomancy. As soon as he
entered his lodging, he took his square box of sand, which he
always carried with him when he travelled, and after he had
performed some operations, he found that the lamp was in Alla ad
Deen's palace, and so great was his joy at the discovery that he
could hardly contain himself. "Well," said he, "I shall have the
lamp, and defy Alla ad Deen's preventing my carrying it off, and
making him sink to his original meanness, from which he has taken
so high a flight."
It was Alla ad Deen's misfortune at that time to be absent in the
chase for eight days, and only three were expired, which the
magician came to know by this means. After he had performed the
magical operation, which gave him so much joy, he went to the
superintendent of the khan, entered into conversation with him on
indifferent subjects, and among the rest, told him he had been to
see Alla ad Deen's palace; and after exaggerating on all that he
had seen most worthy of observation, added, "But my curiosity
leads me farther, and I shall not be satisfied till I have seen
the person to whom this wonderful edifice belongs." "That will be
no difficult matter," replied the master of the khan, "there is
not a day passes but he gives an opportunity when he is in town,
but at present he is not at the palace, and has been gone these
three days on a hunting-match, which will last eight.
The magician wanted to know no more; he took his leave of the
superintendent of the khan, and returning to his own chamber,
said to himself, "This is an opportunity I ought by no means to
neglect, but must make the best use of it." To that end, 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. After promising to pay
him well, he returned to his inn.
The next day the magician called for the twelve lamps, paid the
man his full price, put them into a basket which he bought on
purpose, and with the basket hanging on his arm, went directly to
Alla ad Deen's palace: as he approached he began crying, "Who
will change old lamps for new ones?" 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 change
new lamps for old ones.
The African magician regarded not their scoffs, hootings, or all
they could say to him, but still continued crying, "Who will
change old lamps for new?" He repeated this so often, walking
backwards and forwards in front of the palace, that the princess,
who was then in the hall with the four-and-twenty windows,
hearing a man cry something, and not being able to distinguish
his words, owing to the hooting of the children and increasing
mob about him, sent one of her women slaves to know what he
cried.