Page:Alaeddin and the Enchanted Lamp.djvu/159

115 Arabs, whom the Sultan hath sent to bring hither, and report saith of him that he is exceeding skilful; so [tell me] if thou art sick, that I may go and call him to thee.”

When Alaeddin heard his mother offer to fetch him the physician, he said to her, “O my mother, I am well and not sick, but I had thought that women were all like unto thee. However, yesterday, I saw the Lady Bedrulbudour, the Sultan’s daughter, as she went to the bath;” and he told her all that had happened to him, adding, “And most like thou heardest the crier proclaiming that none should open his shop nor stand in the road, so the Lady Bedrulbudour might pass to the bath; but I saw her even as she is, for that, when she came to the door of the bath, she lifted her veil, and when I noted her favour and viewed that noble form of hers, there befell me, O my mother, a passion of yearning for love of her and desire of her usurped mine every part; nor can I ever more have ease, except I get her, and I purpose, therefore, to demand her of the Sultan her father in the way of law and righteousness.”

When Alaeddin’s mother heard her son’s speech, she thought little of his wit and said to him, “O my son,