Page:Arabian Nights (Sterrett).djvu/224

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hundred state ushers, and the like number of black mutes, in two files, with their officers at their head. Four hundred of the sultan’s young pages carried flambeaux on each side, which, together with the illuminations of the sultan’s and Aladdin’s palaces, made it as light as day. In this order the princess, in her litter and accompanied by Aladdin’s mother, also in a superb litter and attended by her women slaves, proceeded on the carpet which was spread from the sultan’s palace to that of Aladdin.

Aladdin received her at the entrance, and led her into a large hall, illuminated with an infinite number of wax candles, where a noble feast was served. The dishes were of massy gold, and contained the most delicate viands. The princess, dazzled to see so much riches collected in one place, said to Aladdin, “I thought, prince, that nothing in the world was so beautiful as my father’s palace, but the sight of this hall alone is sufficient to show I was mistaken.”

When the supper was ended, there entered a company of Nautch girls who performed, according to the custom of the country, singing at the same time verses in praise of the bride and bridegroom. About midnight Aladdin’s mother conducted the bride to the nuptial apartment, where he soon followed her.

The next morning the attendants of Aladdin presented

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