Where is the lamp?""He carries it about with him," said thePrincess."I know, for he pulled it out of his breast to show me.
He wishes me to break my faith with you and marry him, saying thatyou were beheaded by my father's command.He is forever speakingill of you, but I only reply by my tears.If I persist, I doubtnot but he will use violence."Aladdin comforted her, and lefther for a while.He changed clothes with the first person he metin the town, and having bought a certain powder returned to thePrincess, who let him in by a little side door."Put on yourmost beautiful dress," he said to her, "and receive the magicianwith smiles, leading him to believe that you have forgotten me.
Invite him to sup with you, and say you wish to taste the wine ofhis country.He will go for some, and while he is gone I will tellyou what to do."She listened carefully to Aladdin and when heleft her, arrayed herself gaily for the first time since she leftChina.She put on a girdle and head-dress of diamonds and seeingin a glass that she was more beautiful than ever, received themagician, saying, to his great amazement:"I have made up my mindthat Aladdin is dead, and that all my tears will not bring himback to me, so I am resolved to mourn no more, and have thereforeinvited you to sup with me; but I am tired of the wines of China,and would fain taste those of Africa."The magician flew to hiscellar, and the Princess put the powder Aladdin had given her inher cup.When he returned she asked him to drink her health inthe wine of Africa, handing him her cup in exchange for his, as asign she was reconciled to him.Before drinking the magician madeher a speech in praise of her beauty, but the Princess cut himshort, saying:"Let us drink first, and you shall say what youwill afterwards."She set her cup to her lips and kept it there,while the magician drained his to the dregs and fell back lifeless.
The Princess then opened the door to Aladdin, and flung her armsaround his neck; but Aladdin went to the dead magician, took thelamp out of his vest, and bade the genie carry the palace and allin it back to China.This was done, and the Princess in her chamberfelt only two little shocks, and little thought she was home again.
The Sultan, who was sitting in his closet, mourning for his lostdaughter, happened too look up, and rubbed his eyes, for therestood the palace as before!He hastened thither, and Aladdinreceived him in the hall of the four-and-twenty windows, with thePrincess at his side.Aladdin told him what had happened, andshowed him the dead body of the magician, that he might believe.
A ten days' feast was proclaimed, and it seemed as if Aladdin mightnow live the rest of his life in peace; but it was not meant to be.
The African magician had a younger brother, who was, if possible,more wicked and more cunning than himself.He travelled to Chinato avenge his brother's death, and went to visit a pious womancalled Fatima, thinking she might be of use to him.He enteredher cell and clapped a dagger to her breast, telling her to riseand do his bidding on pain of death.He changed clothes with her,coloured his face like hers, put on her veil, and murdered her,that she might tell no tales.Then he went towards the palace ofAladdin, and all the people, thinking he was the holy woman,gathered round him, kissing his hands and begging his blessing.
When he got to the palace there was such a noise going on roundhim that the Princess bade her slave look out the window and askwhat was the matter.The slave said it was the holy woman, curingpeople by her touch of their ailments, whereupon the Princess,who had long desired to see Fatima, sent for her.On coming tothe Princess the magician offered up a prayer for her health andprosperity.When he had done the Princess made him sit by her,and begged him to stay with her always.The false Fatima, whowished for nothing better, consented, but kept his veil down forfear of discovery.The princess showed him the hall, and askedhim what he thought of it."It is truly beautiful," said thefalse Fatima."In my mind it wants but one thing."And what isthat?" said the Princess."If only a roc's egg," replied he,"were hung up from the middle of this dome, it would be thewonder of the world."After this the Princess could think of nothing but the roc's egg,and when Aladdin returned from hunting he found her in a very illhumour.He begged to know what was amiss, and she told him thatall her pleasure in the hall was spoilt for want of a roc's egghanging from the dome."If that is all," replied Aladdin, "youshall soon be happy."He left her and rubbed the lamp, and whenthe genie appeared commanded him to bring a roc's egg.The geniegave such a loud and terrible shriek that the hall shook.
"Wretch!" he cried, "is it not enough that I have done everythingfor you, but you must command me to bring my master and hang himup in the midst of this dome?You and your wife and your palacedeserve to be burnt to ashes, but that this request does not comefrom you, but from the brother of the African magician, whom youdestroyed.He is now in your palace disguised as the holy woman,whom he murdered.He it was who put that wish into your wife's head.
Take care of yourself, for he means to kill you."So saying, thegenie disappeared.
Aladdin went back to the Princess, saying his head ached,and requesting that the holy Fatima should be fetched tolay her hands on it.But when the magician came near,Aladdin, seizing his dagger, pierced him to the heart.
"What have you done?" cried the Princess."You havekilled the holy woman!""Not so," replied Aladdin,"but a wicked magician," and told her of how she hadbeen deceived.
After this Aladdin and his wife lived in peace.
He succeeded the Sultan when he died, and reignedfor many years, leaving behind him a long line of kings.
End
