Opening, part 32 · page 21 2101He is now in your palace disguised as the holy woman--whom he murdered.102He it was who put that wish into your wife's head.103Take care of yourself, for he means to kill you."104So saying the genie disappeared.105Aladdin went back to the princess, saying his head ached, and requesting that the holy Fatima should be fetched to lay her hands on it.106But when the magician came near, Aladdin, seizing his dagger, pierced him to the heart.107"What have you done?" cried the princess. "108You have killed the holy woman!"109"Not so," replied Aladdin, "but a wicked magician," and told her of how she had been deceived.110After this Aladdin and his wife lived in peace.111He succeeded the Sultan when he died, and reigned for many years, leaving behind him a long line of kings.112The Adventures of Haroun-al-Raschid, Caliph of Bagdad113The Caliph Haroun-al-Raschid sat in his palace, wondering if there was anything left in the world that could possibly give him a few hours' amusement, when Giafar the grand-vizir, his old and tried friend, suddenly appeared before him.114Bowing low, he waited, as was his duty, till his master spoke, but Haroun-al-Raschid merely turned his head and looked at him, and sank back into his former weary posture.115Now Giafar had something of importance to say to the Caliph, and had no intention of being put off by mere silence, so with another low bow in front of the throne, he began to speak.116"Commander of the Faithful," said he, "I have taken on myself to remind your Highness that you have undertaken secretly to observe for yourself the manner in which justice is done and order is kept throughout the city.117This is the day you have set apart to devote to this object, and perhaps in fulfilling this duty you may find some distraction from the melancholy to which, as I see to my sorrow, you are a prey."118"You are right," returned the Caliph, "I had forgotten all about it.119Go and change your coat, and I will change mine."120A few moments later they both re-entered the hall, disguised as foreign merchants, and passed through a secret door, out into the open country.121Here they turned towards the Euphrates, and crossing the river in a small boat, walked through that part of the town which lay along the further bank, without seeing anything to call for their interference.122Much pleased with the peace and good order of the city, the Caliph and his vizir made their way to a bridge, which led straight back to the palace, and had already crossed it, when they were stopped by an old and blind man, who begged for alms.1 2← previousOpening, part 31next →Opening, part 33↑ back to The Arabian Nights EntertainmentsThis page in Markdown → https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg128/32/page/2/