Page:Arabian Nights (Sterrett).djvu/223

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.

splendid carpet extending to it all the way from the sultan’s palace gates. They told the strange tidings to the grand vizier, who informed the sultan, who exclaimed, “It must be Aladdin’s palace, which I gave him leave to build for my daughter. He has wished to surprise us, and let us see what wonders can be done in a single night.”

Aladdin, after returning to his own home, requested his mother to go to the Princess Buddir al Buddoor, and tell her that the palace would be ready for her reception that evening. She went, attended by her women slaves, in the same order as on the preceding day. Shortly after her arrival at the princess’s apartment, the sultan himself came in, and was surprised to find her, whom he knew as a suppliant at his divan in such humble guise, to be now more richly and sumptuously attired than his own daughter.

Shortly after his mother’s departure, Aladdin, mounting his horse, attended by his retinue of magnificent retainers, left his paternal home forever, and went to the palace in the same pomp as on the day before. Nor did he forget to take with him the Wonderful Lamp, to which he owed all his good fortune, nor to wear the Ring which was given him as a talisman. The sultan entertained Aladdin with the utmost magnificence, and at night, on the conclusion of the marriage ceremonies, the princess took leave of the sultan her father. Bands of music led the procession, followed by a

185