fear of the sultan’s anger, she told him faithfully the errand on which her son had sent her, and the event which led to his making so bold a request in spite of all her remonstrances.
The sultan hearkened to this discourse without showing the least anger; but before he gave her any answer, asked her what she had brought tied up in the napkin. She took the china dish which she had set down at the foot of the throne, untied it, and presented it to the sultan.
The sultan’s amazement was inexpressible, when he saw so many large, beautiful, and valuable jewels collected in the dish. He remained for some time lost in admiration. At last, when he had recovered himself he received the present saying, “How rich, how beautiful!” After he had admired and handled all the jewels one after another, he turned to his grand vizier, and said, “Behold, admire, wonder! and confess that your eyes never beheld jewels so rich and beautiful before.” The vizier was charmed. “Well,” continued the sultan, “what sayest thou to such a present? Is it not worthy of the princess my daughter? And ought I not to bestow her on one who values her at so great a price?” “I cannot but own,” replied the grand vizier, “that the present is worthy of the princess; but I beg of your majesty to grant me three months before you come to a final resolution. I hope, before that time, my son, whom you have regarded with favor, will be able to make a nobler present than this Aladdin, who is an entire stranger to your majesty.”
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