Page:Alaeddin and the Enchanted Lamp.djvu/271

225 yesterday, for that I have bethought me to take thee to beloved and companion in Alaeddin’s stead, seeing there is left me no man other than thou. Wherefore it is my hope that thou wilt come to-night, so we may sup together and drink somewhat of wine with each other, and I will have thee let me taste of the wine of thy country Africa, for that belike it is better [than ours]. Wine, indeed, I have by me; but it is that of our country, and I desire exceedingly to taste the wine of your country.”

When the Maugrabin saw the love which the Lady Bedrulbudour professed to him and that she was changed from her whilom plight of grief, he thought that she had given up her hope of Alaeddin; so he rejoiced greatly and said to her, “O my soul, hearkening and obedience unto all that which thou willest and biddest me withal. I have with me in my house a jar of the wine of our country, the which I have kept stored these eight years under the earth; so I go now to fill from it our sufficiency and will return to thee forthright.” Therewithal the Lady Bedrulbudour, that she might beguile him more and more, said to him, “O my beloved, do not thou go thyself and leave me. Send one of thy servants to fill

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