The Story of Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp - Part IV

The vizier, notwithstanding his envy and grief at seeing a
stranger preferred to his son, durst not disguise his sentiments.
It was too visible that Aladdin's present was more than sufficient
to merit his being received into royal alliance; therefore, con-
sulting his master's feelings, he returned this answer: "I am
so far from having any thoughts that the person who has made
your majesty so noble a present is unworthy of the honour you
would do him, that I should say he deserved much more, if I
were not persuaded that the greatest treasure in the world ought
not to be put in competition with the princess, your majesty's
daughter."

The sultan made no longer hesitation, nor thought of inform-
ing himself whether Aladdin was endowed with all the qualifica-
tions requisite in one who aspired to be his son-in-law. The
sight alone of such immense riches, and Aladdin's quickness in
satisfying his demand, without starting the least difficulty at the
exorbitant conditions he had imposed, easily persuaded him that
he could want nothing to render him accomplished, and such as
he desired. Therefore, to send Aladdin's mother back with all
the satisfaction she could desire, he said to her: "My good lady,
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 the tailor's widow had retired, overjoyed to see
her son raised to such exalted fortune, the sultan put an end to
the audience; and rising from his throne, ordered that the
princess's eunuchs 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, telHng the princess of their
magnificent appearance, ordered them to be brought before her
apartment, that she might see through the lattices that he had
not exaggerated in his account of them.

In the meantime, Aladdin's mother got home, and shewed
in her countenance the good news she brought her son. **My
son," said she to him, "you have now all the reason in the world
to be pleased. The sultan, with the approbation of the whole
court, has declared that you are worthy to possess the Princess
Badroulboudour, and waits to embrace you, and conclude your
marriage; therefore, you must think of making preparations for
your interview, which may answer the high opinion he has
formed of your person."

Aladdin, enraptured with this news, made little reply, but
retired to his chamber. There, after he had rubbed the lamp,
which had never failed him, the obedient genie appeared.
"Genie," said Aladdin, "I want to bathe immediately, and you
must afterward provide me the richest and most magnificent
habit ever worn by a monarch." No sooner were the words out
of his mouth than the genie rendered him invisible, and trans-
ported him into a bath of the finest marble, where he was un-
dressed, without seeing by whom, in a magnificent and spacious
hall. From the hall he was led to the bath, which was of a
moderate heat, and he was there rubbed 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 white and red, his body lightsome and free; and
when he returned into the hall, he found, instead of his own, a
suit 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? "Yes," answered Aladdin, "I expect you to bring
me as soon as possible a charger that surpasses in beauty and
goodness the best in the sultan's stables, with a saddle, bridle,
and other caparisons worth a million of money. I want also
twenty slaves, as richly clothed as those who carried the present
to the sultan, to walk by my side, 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 Badroulboudour'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 disap-
peared, 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 differ-
ent dress for Aladdin's mother, wrapped up in a piece of silver
tissue.

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 w^ent 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. Afterward he presented the
six women slaves to his mother, telling her that they were her
slaves, and that the dresses they had brought were for her use.

When Aladdin had thus settled matters, he told the genie
he would call for him when he wanted him, and thereupon the
genie disappeared. Aladdin's thoughts now were only upon
answering, as soon as possible, the desire the sultan had shewn
to see him. He despatched one of the forty slaves to the palace,
with an order to address himself to the chief of the porters, to
know when he might have the honour to come and throw himself
at the sultan's feet. The slave soon acquitted himself of his
commission, and brought for answer that the sultan waited for
him with impatience.

Aladdin immediately mounted his charger, and though he
never was on horseback before, appeared with such extraordinary
grace, that the most experienced horseman would not have taken
him for a novice. The streets through which he was to pass
were almost instantly filled with an innumerable concourse of
people, who made the air echo with their acclamations, especially
every time the six slaves who carried the purses threw handfuls
of gold among the populace. Neither did these shouts of joy
come from those alone who scrambled for the money, but from
a superior rank of people, who could not forbear applauding
Aladdin's generosity. Not only those w^ho knew him when he
played in the streets like a vagabond did not recollect him, but
those who saw him but a little while before hardly recognised
him, so much were his features altered: such were the effects of
the lamp, as to procure by degrees to those who possessed it
perfections suitable to the rank to which the right use of it ad-
vanced them. Much more attention was paid to Aladdin's
person than to the pomp and magnificence of his attendants, as
a similar show had been seen the day before, when the slaves
walked in procession with the present to the sultan. Neverthe-
less, the horse was much admired by good judges, who knew how
to discern his beauties, without being dazzled by the jewels and
richness of his furniture. When the report was everywhere
spread that the sultan was going to give the princess in marriage
to Aladdin, nobody regarded his birth, nor envied his good
fortune, so worthy he seemed of it in the public opinion.

When he arrived at the palace, everything was prepared for
his reception ; and when he came to the gate of the second court,
he would have alighted from his horse, agreeably to the custom
observed by the grand vizier, the commander-in-chief of the
empire, and governors of provinces of the first rank; but the
chief of the mace-bearers, who waited on him by the sultan's
order, prevented him, and attended him to the grand hall of
audience, where he helped him to dismount. The officers
formed themselves into two ranks at the entrance of the hall.
The chief put Aladdin on his right hand, and through the midst
of them led him to the sultan's throne.

As soon as the sultan perceived Aladdin, he was no less
surprised to see him more richly and magnificently habited than
ever he had been himself, than struck at his good mien, fine
shape, and a certain air of unexpected dignity, very different
from the meanness of his mother's late appearance.

But, notwithstanding, his amazement and surprise did not
hinder him from rising off his throne, and descending two or
three steps, quickly enough to prevent Aladdin's throwing himself
at his feet. He embraced him with all possible demonstrations
of joy at his arrival. After this civility Aladdin would have
thrown himself at his feet again ; but he held him fast by the hand,
and obliged him to sit close to the throne.

Aladdin then addressed the sultan, saying: "I receive the
honour which your majesty out of your great condescension is
pleased to confer; but permit me to assure you that I know the
greatness of your power, and that I am not insensible how much
my birth is below the lustre of the high rank to which I am raised,

I ask your majesty's pardon for my rashness, but I cannot dis-
semble that I should die with grief were I to lose my hopes of
seeing myself united to the divine princess who is the object of
my wishes."

*'My son," answered the sultan, embracing him a second
time, "you would wrong me to doubt for a moment of my sin-
cerity: your life from this moment is too dear to me not to pre-
serve it, by presenting you with the remedy which is at my
disposal."

After these words, the sultan gave a signal, and immediately
the air echoed with the sound of trumpets, hautboys, and other
musical instruments: and at the same time he led Aladdin
into a magnificent hall, where was laid out a most splendid colla-
tion. The sultan and Aladdin ate by themselves, while the grand
vizier and the great lords of the court, according to their dignity
and rank, sat at different tables. The conversation turned on
different subjects; but all the while the sultan took so much
pleasure in looking at his intended son-in-law, that he hardly ever
took his eyes off him ; and throughout the whole of their conversa-
tion Aladdin shewed so much good sense, as confirmed the
sultan in the high opinion he had formed of him.

After the feast, the sultan sent for the chief judge of his
capital, and ordered him to draw up immediately a contract of
marriage between the Princess Badroulboudour, his daughter,
and Aladdin.

When the judge had drawn up the contract in all the requisite
forms, the sultan asked Aladdin if he would stay in the palace,
and solemnise the ceremonies of marriage that day; to which
he answered: "Sir, though great is my impatience to enjoy your
majesty's goodness, yet I beg of you to give me leave to defer it
till I have built a palace fit to receive the princess; therefore I
petition you to grant me a convenient spot of ground near your
abode, that I may the more frequently pay my respects, and I
will take care to have it finished with all diligence." "Son,"
said the sultan, "take what ground you think proper, there is
space enough on every quarter round my palace; but consider,
I cannot see you too soon united with my daughter, which alone
is wanting to complete my happiness." After these words he em-
braced Aladdin again, who 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 called the genie as before, who in
the usual manner made him a tender of his service. "Genie,"
said Aladdin, "I have every reason to commend your exactness
in executing hitherto punctually whatever I have demanded;
but now, if you have any regard for the lamp, your protector,
you must shew, if possible, more zeal and diligence than ever.
I would have you build me, as soon as you can, a palace opposite,
but at a proper distance from, the sultan's, fit to receive my
spouse, the Princess Badroulboudour. I leave the choice of the
materials to you, that is to say, porphyry, jasper, agate, lapis
lazuli, or the finest marble of various colours, and also the archi-
tecture of the building. But I expect that on the terraced roof
of this palace you will build me a large hall crowned with a
dome, and having four equal fronts; and that instead of layers
of bricks, the walls be formed of massy gold and silver, laid
alternately : that each front shall contain six windows, the lattices
of all of which (except one, which must be left unfinished) shall
be so enriched in the most tasteful workmanship, with diamonds,
rubies, and emeralds, that they shall exceed anything of the kind
ever seen in the world. I would have an inner and outer court
in front of the palace, and a spacious garden ; but above all things,
take care that there be laid in a place which you shall point out
to me, a treasure of gold and silver coin. Besides, the edifice
must be well provided with kitchens and ofiices, storehouses,
and rooms to keep choice furniture in, for every season of the
year. I must have stables full of the finest horses, with their
equerries and grooms, and hunting equipage. There must be
ofiicers to attend the kitchens and offices, and women slaves to
wait on the princess. You understand what I mean; therefore
go about it, and come and tell me when all is finished."

By the time Aladdin had instructed the genie respecting the
building of his palace, the sun was set. The next morning,
before break of day, our bridegroom, whose love for the princess
would not let him sleep, was up, when the genie presented
himself and said: "Sir, your palace is finished; come and see
how you like it." Aladdin had no sooner signified his consent,
than the genie transported him thither in an instant, and he found
it so much beyond his expectation, that he could not enough
admire it. The genie led him through all the apartments, where
he met with nothing but what was rich and magnificent, with
officers and slaves all habited according to their rank and the
services to which they were appointed. The genie then shewed
him the treasury, which was opened by a treasurer, where Aladdin
saw heaps of purses, of different sizes, piled up to the top of the
ceiling, and disposed in most excellent order. The genie assured
him of the treasurer's fidelity, and thence led him to the stables,
where he shewed him 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 the palace from top to bottom,
and particularly the hall with the four and twenty windows, and
found it much beyond whatever he could have imagined, he said :
*' Genie, no one can be better satisfied than I am; and indeed I
should be much to blame if I found any fault. There is only one
thing wanting which I forgot to mention ; that is, to lay from the
sultan's palace to the door of the apartment designed for the
princess, a carpet of fine velvet for her to walk upon." The
genie immediately disappeared, and Aladdin saw what he de-
sired executed in an instant. The genie then returned, and
carried him home before the gates of the sultan's palace were
opened.

When the porters, who had always been used to an open
prospect, came to open the gates, they were amazed to find it
obstructed, and to see a carpet of velvet spread from the grand
entrance. They did not immediately look how far it extended,
but when they could discern Aladdin's palace distinctly, their
surprise was increased. The news of so extraordinary a wonder
was presently spread through the palace. The grand vizier,
who arrived soon after the gates were open, being no less amazed
than others at this novelty, ran and acquainted the sultan, but
endeavoured to make him believe it to be all enchantment.
*' Vizier," replied the sultan, "why will you have it to be enchant-
ment ? You know as well as I that it must be Aladdin's palace,
which I gave him leave to build, for the reception of my daughter.
After the proof we have had of his riches, can we think it strange
that he should raise a palace in so short a time ? He w^ished to
surprise us, and let us see what wonders are to be done with
money in only one night. Confess sincerely that the enchantment
you talk of proceeds from a little envy on account of your son's
disappointment."

When Aladdin had been conveyed home, and had dismissed
the genie, he found his mother up, and dressing herself in one of
those suits which had been brought her. By the time the sultan
rose from the council, Aladdin had prepared his mother to go
to the palace with her slaves, and desired her, if she saw the
sultan, to tell him she should do herself the honour toward
evening to attend the princess to her palace. Accordingly she
went; but though she and the women slaves who followed her
were all dressed like sultanesses, yet the crowd was not near so
great as the preceding day, because they were all veiled, and each
had on an upper garment agreeable to the richness and magnifi-
cence of their habits. Aladdin, taking care not to forget his
wonderful lamp, mounted his horse, left his paternal home for-
ever, and went to the palace in the same pomp as the day before.

As soon as the porters of the sultan's palace saw Aladdin's
mother, they went and informed the sultan, who immediately
ordered the bands of trumpets, cymbals, drums, fifes, and haut-
boys, placed in different parts of the palace, to play, so that the
air resounded with concerts w^hich inspired the whole city with
joy: the merchants began to adorn their shops and houses with
fine carpets and silks, and to prepare illuminations against night.
The artisans of every description left their work, and the populace
repaired to the great space between the royal palace and that of
Aladdin; which last drew all their attention, not only because
it was new to them, but because there was no comparison between
the two buildings. But their amazement was to comprehend
by what unheard-of miracle so magnificent a palace could have
been so soon erected, it being apparent to all that there were no
prepared materials, or any foundations laid the day before.

Aladdin's mother was received in the palace with honour,
and introduced into the Princess Badroulboudour'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 Aladdin 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. Aladdin'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 Aladdin equally prudent and wise in what-
ever he undertook.

When it was night, the princess left her own apartment for
Aladdin'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 Aladdin'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 illumina-
tions of the sultan's and Aladdin's palaces, made it as light as
day.

At length the princess arrived at the new palace and Aladdin
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 Aladdin, 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 creature,
I must tell you, that you ought to blame your bright eyes and
charms, not me." "Prince," 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."

Aladdin, charmed with so agreeable 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 massy gold, and contained the most delicate
viands, and all the other ornaments and embellishments of the
hall were answerable to this display. The princess, dazzled to
see so much riches, 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 shew I was
deceived."

Then Aladdin 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 beauti-
ful 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 the happy
pair retired to their apartments and the nuptial ceremonies were
at an end.

The next morning, when Aladdin arose, his attendants pre-
sented themselves to dress him, and brought him another habit
as 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. Aladdin 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 prin-
cipal 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 was much more amazed when
he entered it; and could not forbear breaking out into exclama-
tions of approbation. But when he came into the hall, and cast
his eyes on the windows, enriched with diamonds, rubies, emer-
alds, 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 Aladdin, whom
you accepted for a son-in-law, leave to build a palace opposite
your ow^n, 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 massy 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 sur-
prised that a hall of this magnificence should be left thus im-
perfect." "Sir," replied the grand vizier, "without doubt
Aladdin 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 at the first oppor-
tunity."

Aladdin, 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 Aladdin, "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." "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.

Aladdin then conducted the sultan into the saloon where
he had regaled his bride the preceding night. The princess
entered immediately afterward, and received her father with an
air that shewed how much she was satisfied with her marriage.
Two tables were immediately spread with the most delicious
meats, all served up in gold dishes. The sultan was much
pleased w^ith 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 buf-
fets, profusely furnished with large flagons, basins, and cups, all
of massy gold, set with jewels.

When the sultan rose from table, he was informed that the
jewellers and goldsmiths attended; upon which he returned
to the hall, and shewed them the window which was unfinished :
*'I sent for you," said he, "to fit up this window in as great per-
fection as the rest; examine w^ell, and make all the despatch
you can."

The jewellers and goldsmiths examined the three and twenty
windows with great attention, and after they had consulted to-
gether they returned and presented themselves before the sultan,
when the 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 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
bad not finished half then- 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 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 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 punctually ; 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
w^indow 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 Aladdin 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
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. When he came there, he
alighted at the staircase, which led to the hall with the twenty-
four windows, and went directly up to it, without giving previous
notice to Aladdin; but it happened that at that very juncture
Aladdin was opportunely there, and had just time to receive him
at the door.

The sultan, without giving Aladdin time to complain obligingly
of his not having given notice, that he might have acquitted him-
self 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."

Aladdin 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 anything is wanting."

The sultan went directly to the window which was left im-
perfect, and when he found it like the rest, fancied that he was
mistaken, examined the two windows on each side, and after-
ward 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."