Page:Aladdin, or, The wonderful lamp.pdf/21

 forty slaves, ten of whom carried each a purse, with one 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 stuff, and presented them all to Aladdin.

Of the ten purses Aladdin took but four, which he gave to his mother, 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. Afterwards 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.

When Aladdin had thus settled matters, he immediately mounted his horse, and rode to the sultan’s palace, where every thing was prepared for his reception; and as soon as the sultan perceived Aladdin, he was no less surprised to see him more richly and magnificently clothed than ever he had been himself, than surprised at his good mien, fine shape, and a certain air of unexpected grandeur. But notwithstanding, his amazement and surprise did not hinder him from rising off his throne, and descending two or three steps quick enough to prevent Aladdin’s throwing himself at his feet. He embraced him with all the demonstrations of friendship. They conversed together some hours, and the sultan was so charmed with his good sense and modesty, that he 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 it had been drawn up in all the requisite forms, the sultan asked Aladdin if he would stay in the palace, and solemnize the ceremonies of the 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 in; I therefore desire you to grant me a convenient spot of ground near your palace. The sultan readily agreed to this proposal, and they separated.

When the sultan arose the next morning, how great was his amazement to behold, opposite to his own, a palace of the purest architecture, and half the inhabitants of the city already gathered in crowds to gaze on this wonder! He was presently informed that Aladdin waited to conduct his majesty to the new palace. The sultan was more and more amazed at every step; for the walls were built of wedges of gold and silver, and the ornaments were of jasper, agate, and porphyry, intermixed with diamonds, rubies, emeralds, amethysts, and every thing that was most rare and beautiful. The treasury was full of gold, and the offices filled with domestics; the stables contained the finest horses and carriages, with grooms and equerries in splendid liveries.

Aladdin and the princess were speedily married, and lived for some time very happily; but the fame of his magnificence having reached the African magician in Africa, whither, after his expedition, he returned: and though he was almost persuaded that Aladdin died miserably in the subterraneous abode where he left him, yet he had the curiosity to inform himself about his end with great certainty; and as he was a geomancer, he took out of a cupboard a square covered box, which he made