Page:The Harvard Classics Vol. 16.djvu/400

 accomplished." And his mother said: "Good news for thee, O my child! Cheer thy heart, and refresh thine eye for the fulfilment of thy wish. The Sultan hath accepted thy present, the riches and portion and dowry of the Lady Bedr-el-Budur; and she is thy bride, and this night, O my son, is the wedding and thy union with the Princess. To assure me of his promise the Sultan hath proclaimed thee before the world as his son-in-law, and saith that to-night is the consummation. Moreover, he said to me: 'Let thy son come to me, that I may become acquainted with him and welcome him with ail honour and regard.' And here am I, my son; my task is over; happen what may, it is now thy own affair."

Then 'Ala-ed-Din arose and kissed his mother's hand and thanked her, and magnified her goodness to him, and went and entered his chamber and took the Lamp and rubbed it, and behold, the Slave appeared, saying, "At thy service! Ask what thou desirest." So 'Ala-ed-Din answered: "I desire thee to take me to a bath the equal of which existeth not in the universe; and bring me there a dress so royal and exceeding costly that Kings possess not its match." And the Marid replied, "I hear and obey." And he lifted him and took him into a bath such as Kings and Emperors never saw, all of marble and carnelian, with wonderful pictures which captivated the eye; and not a soul was there. In it was a hall studded over with splendid jewels, which when 'Ala-ed Din entered, there came to him one of the Jann in human shape, who washed and kneaded him to the top of his bent. After which 'Ala-ed-Din went from the bath into the spacious hall, and found his old clothes gone and in their place a suit of royal robes. Then there was brought to him sherbet and coffee flavoured with ambergris. And he drank and arose, and a number of slaves appeared before him, and clad him in resplendent clothes, and he was dressed and perfumed and scented. Though 'Ala-ed-Din was, in fact, a poor tailor's son, none would have sup- posed it, but rather would say: "This is the greatest of the sons of the Kings. Extolled be he who changeth others but himself changeth not!" Then the Jinni came and lifted him and returned him to his house, and said: "O my master, hast thou further need?" And 'Ala- ed-Din replied: "Yes, I want thee to bring me forty-eight memluks, twenty-four to go before me and twenty-four to follow me, with their