Page:Alaeddin and the Enchanted Lamp.djvu/145

101 seen the slave of the ring which he had rubbed in the treasure; so, when he heard the genie’s speech to his mother, he hastened to take the lamp from her hand and said to him, “O slave of the lamp, I am hungry; my will is that thou bring me somewhat I may eat, and be it somewhat good past conceit.” The genie was absent the twinkling of an eye and [returning,] brought him a great costly tray of sheer silver, whereon were twelve platters of various kinds and colours of rich meats and two silver cups and two flagons of clarified old wine and bread whiter than snow; all which he set before him and disappeared. So Alaeddin arose and sprinkled rosewater on his mother’s face and made her smell to strong perfumes; whereupon she revived and he said to her, “Rise, O my mother, so we may eat of this food that God the Most High hath vouchsafed us.” When she saw the great silver tray, she marvelled and said to Alaeddin, “O