Opening, part 31 · page 21 2101She lost no time in telling Aladdin, bidding him make haste.102But Aladdin first called the genie.103"I want a scented bath," he said, "a richly embroidered habit, a horse surpassing the Sultan's, and twenty slaves to attend me.104Besides this, six slaves, beautifully dressed, to wait on my mother; and lastly, ten thousand pieces of gold in ten purses."105No sooner said than done.106Aladdin mounted his horse and passed through the streets, the slaves strewing gold as they went.107Those who had played with him in his childhood knew him not, he had grown so handsome.108When the Sultan saw him he came down from his throne, embraced him, and led him into a hall where a feast was spread, intending to marry him to the princess that very day.109But Aladdin refused, saying, "I must build a palace fit for her," and took his leave.110Once home he said to the genie: "Build me a palace of the finest marble, set with jasper, agate, and other precious stones.111In the middle you shall build me a large hall with a dome, its four walls of massy gold and silver, each side having six windows, whose lattices, all except one, which is to be left unfinished, must be set with diamonds and rubies.112There must be stables and horses and grooms and slaves; go and see about it!"113The palace was finished by next day, and the genie carried him there and showed him all his orders faithfully carried out, even to the laying of a velvet carpet from Aladdin's palace to the Sultan's.114Aladdin's mother then dressed herself carefully, and walked to the palace with her slaves, while he followed her on horseback.115The Sultan sent musicians with trumpets and cymbals to meet them, so that the air resounded with music and cheers.116She was taken to the princess, who saluted her and treated her with great honour.117At night the princess said good-bye to her father, and set out on the carpet for Aladdin's palace, with his mother at her side, and followed by the hundred slaves.118She was charmed at the sight of Aladdin, who ran to receive her.119"Princess," he said, "blame your beauty for my boldness if I have displeased you."120She told him that, having seen him, she willingly obeyed her father in this matter.121After the wedding had taken place Aladdin led her into the hall, where a feast was spread, and she supped with him, after which they danced till midnight.122Next day Aladdin invited the Sultan to see the palace.123On entering the hall with the four-and-twenty windows, with their rubies, diamonds, and emeralds, he cried:124"It is a world's wonder!125There is only one thing that surprises me.126Was it by accident that one window was left unfinished?"127"No, sir, by design," returned Aladdin. "128I wished your Majesty to have the glory of finishing this palace."129The Sultan was pleased, and sent for the best jewelers in the city.130He showed them the unfinished window, and bade them fit it up like the others.131"Sir," replied their spokesman, "we cannot find jewels enough."132The Sultan had his own fetched, which they soon used, but to no purpose, for in a month's time the work was not half done.133Aladdin, knowing that their task was vain, bade them undo their work and carry the jewels back, and the genie finished the window at his command.134The Sultan was surprised to receive his jewels again and visited Aladdin, who showed him the window finished.135The Sultan embraced him, the envious vizir meanwhile hinting that it was the work of enchantment.136Aladdin had won the hearts of the people by his gentle bearing.137He was made captain of the Sultan's armies, and won several battles for him, but remained modest and courteous as before, and lived thus in peace and content for several years.1 2← previousOpening, part 30next →Opening, part 32↑ back to The Arabian Nights EntertainmentsThis page in Markdown → https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg128/31/page/2/