Aladdin and Other Tales from the Arabian Nights Read online

  Aladdin, as you know, was the son of a poor tailor; yet anyone who saw him now would have taken him for some illustrious prince. As soon as he was dressed, the jinnee appeared again and carried him home.

  ‘Master,’ said the jinnee, ‘is there anything else that you require?’

  ‘Yes,’ Aladdin replied. ‘I want you to bring me a retinue of four dozen slaves, two dozen to ride before me and two dozen to ride behind me, complete with livery, horses, and weapons. Both slaves and horses must be arrayed in the finest and the best. After that, bring me a thoroughbred steed worthy of an emperor’s stable, with trappings all of gold studded with rich jewels. You must also bring me forty-eight thousand gold pieces, a thousand with each slave. Do not delay; all these must be ready before I go to the Sultan. Lastly, be careful to select twelve girls of incomparable beauty, dressed in the most exquisite clothes, to accompany my mother to the royal palace; and let each girl bring with her a robe that would do credit to a queen.’

  ‘I hear and obey,’ the jinnee replied.

  He vanished, and in the twinkling of an eye returned with everything Aladdin had asked for. In his hand he held the bridle of a horse unrivaled among all the Arabian steeds for beauty, with trappings of the finest cloth of gold. Aladdin at once called his mother and gave her charge of the twelve girls; he also gave her a robe to put on when she went with her attendants to the royal palace. Then he sent one of the slaves to see whether the Sultan was ready to receive him. The slave departed, and in a flash returned.

  ‘Master,’ he said, ‘the Sultan is waiting for you.’

  Aladdin mounted his horse, while his attendants mounted before and behind him. As they rode they scattered handfuls of gold among the crowd. And so handsome and radiant did Aladdin look that he would have put to shame the greatest of princes.

  All this was due to the power of the lamp; for whoever possessed it acquired beauty, wealth, and all knowledge. The people marveled at Aladdin’s generosity; they were amazed at his good looks, his politeness, and his noble bearing. No one envied him; they all said he deserved his good luck.

  Meanwhile the Sultan had assembled the great ones of his kingdom to inform them of the intended marriage. He told them to wait for Aladdin’s arrival and to go out in a body to receive him. He also summoned the viziers and the chamberlains, the nabobs and the commanders of the army; and they all stood waiting for Aladdin at the gates of the palace. Presently Aladdin arrived and would have dismounted at the entrance; but one of the commanders, whom the Sultan had stationed there for the purpose, hastened to prevent him.

  ‘Sir,’ he said, ‘it is His Majesty’s wish that you should enter riding and dismount at the door of the audience hall.’

  The courtiers walked before him, and when he had reached the audience hall some came forward to hold his horse’s stirrup, others to support him on either side, while yet others took him by the hand and helped him to dismount. The commanders and dignitaries ushered him into the hall, and as soon as he approached the throne and was about to kneel on the carpet the Sultan stepped forward, took him in his arms, and made him sit down on his right. Aladdin exchanged greetings with him and wished him long life and everlasting glory.

  ‘Your Majesty,’ he said, ‘you have been graciously pleased to give me your daughter in marriage, although, being the humblest of your subjects, I am unworthy of so great an honor. Great Sultan, I lack the words to thank you for this signal favor. I beg Your Majesty to grant me a plot of land where I can build a palace worthy of Princess Badr-al-Budur.’

  The Sultan was greatly astonished when he saw Aladdin dressed in such splendor. He looked intently at him, and then at the tall and handsome slaves who stood around him. He was even more amazed when Aladdin’s mother made her entrance, radiant as a queen in her costly robes and surrounded by the twelve graceful girls, who were attending her with the utmost dignity and respect. He marveled, too, at Aladdin’s eloquence and cultured speech; and so did all the others present in the audience hall except the vizier, who almost perished with envy. Having listened to Aladdin’s words and observed his magnificence and modest bearing, the Sultan again took him in his arms.

  ‘It is a great pity, my son,’ he said, ‘that we have not been brought together before this.’

  He ordered the musicians to start playing; then he took Aladdin by the hand and led him into the palace hall, where a wedding feast had been prepared. The Sultan sat down and made Aladdin sit on his right. The viziers, dignitaries, and noblemen also took their seats, each according to his rank. Music filled the air, and all the palace echoed with the sound of great rejoicing. The Sultan spoke to Aladdin and jested with him, while Aladdin replied with gallantry and wit, as though he had grown up in a royal palace and all his life kept company with kings. And the longer the Sultan talked to him, the more impressed he became with his accomplishments.

  When they had finished eating, and the tables were removed, the Sultan ordered judges and witnesses to be brought in. They came, and duly wrote the marriage contract for Aladdin and the Princess. Then Aladdin got up and begged leave to go; but the Sultan prevented him.

  ‘Where are you going, my son?’ he cried. ‘All the wedding guests are here and the feast is not yet finished.’

  ‘Your Majesty,’ Aladdin replied, ‘I wish to build the Princess a palace befitting her high station. I cannot take her as my wife until I have done that. I hope that the palace will be ready in the shortest possible time. Eager as I am to be with the Princess, my duty prompts me to do this first, in proof of the great love I bear her.’

  ‘Take whatever land you like, my son,’ the Sultan said. ‘It is for you to choose. But to my mind it would be best to build it here, on the great square in front of my palace.’

  ‘I could wish for nothing better,’ Aladdin replied ‘than to be so near Your Majesty.’

  With that he took leave of the Sultan and, mounting his horse, returned home amid the joyful shouts of the people.

  There he went into his room and rubbed the lamp.

  ‘Master, ask what you will,’ said the jinnee, as he appeared before him.

  ‘I have an important task to set you,’ Aladdin replied. ‘I wish you to build me, with the least possible delay, a palace in front of the Sultan’s; a marvel of a building, the like of which no king has ever seen. Let it be furnished royally and fitted with every comfort.’

  ‘I hear and obey,’ the jinnee answered.

  He disappeared and, just before daybreak, returned to Aladdin, saying, ‘Master, the task is accomplished. Rise and look upon your palace.’

  Aladdin got up, and in the twinkling of an eye the slave of the lamp carried him away to the palace. When Aladdin saw it he was dumbfounded with wonder; it was all built of jasper and marble mosaics. The jinnee conducted him into a treasury heaped with all manner of gold and silver and precious stones beyond count or value. He then led him into the dining hall, where he saw plates and ewers, cups and spoons and basins, all of gold and silver. He next took him to the kitchen, and there he saw the cooks with their pots and utensils, also of gold and silver. From there he led him into another room, which he found stacked with coffers containing rich and wondrous garments, Chinese and Indian silks embroidered with gold, and thick brocades. After that he ushered him into several other rooms, full of treasures beyond description, and finally took him into the stables, where he saw thoroughbred horses whose like no king ever possessed. In an adjoining storeroom lay costly saddles and bridles wrought with pearls and rich jewels. All this had been accomplished in one night.

  Aladdin was bewildered and amazed at these marvels, which were beyond the dream of kings. The palace was thronged with slaves and serving girls of exquisite beauty. But the most wondrous thing of all was the dome of the building, which was pierced with four and twenty windows encrusted with emeralds, rubies, and other precious stones. At Aladdin’s request, one of the windows had not been properly finished, for he wished to challenge the Sultan to complete it. Aladdin wa
s overjoyed at the splendor of all he saw.

  ‘There is only one thing lacking, which I forgot to mention,’ he said, turning to the slave of the lamp.

  ‘Ask,’ the jinnee replied, ‘and it shall be done.’

  ‘I require a carpet of rich brocade, woven with thread of gold,’ said Aladdin. ‘It must be stretched from this palace to the Sultan’s so that the Princess may walk upon it without her feet touching the ground.’

  The jinnee vanished, and almost at once returned.

  ‘Master, your request is granted,’ he said.

  He took Aladdin and showed it to him: a wonder of a carpet, stretching from his palace to the Sultan’s. Then the jinnee carried him home.

  When the Sultan woke that morning, he opened the window of his bedroom and looked out. In front of his palace he saw a building. He rubbed his eyes, opened them wide, and looked again. The building was still there, a towering edifice of astonishing beauty, with a carpet stretched from its threshold to the doorstep of his own palace. The doorkeepers and everyone else who saw it were no less astounded. At that moment the vizier entered the Sultan’s apartment, and he too was utterly amazed to see the new palace and the carpet.

  ‘Heavens!’ they cried together. ‘No king on earth could ever build the like of that palace!’

  ‘Now are you convinced that Aladdin deserves to be my daughter’s husband?’ said the Sultan, turning to his minister.

  ‘Your Majesty,’ the vizier answered, ‘nothing short of magic could have produced that edifice. Not the richest man alive could build such a palace in one night.’

  ‘I marvel at you,’ the Sultan cried. ‘You seem to think nothing but ill of Aladdin. Clearly you are jealous of him. You were present yourself when I gave him this land to erect a palace for my daughter. The man who could present a gift of such jewels can surely build a palace in one night.’

  Realizing that the Sultan loved Aladdin too well to be aroused against him, the vizier held his peace and said no more.

  As for Aladdin, when he felt that the time was ripe to present himself at the royal palace, he rubbed the lamp and said to the jinnee, ‘I must now go to the Sultan’s court; today is the wedding banquet. I want you to bring me ten thousand pieces of gold.’

  The jinnee vanished and, in a twinkling returned with ten thousand gold pieces. Aladdin mounted his horse, and his slaves rode before and behind him. All along the way he scattered gold among the people, who now made him their idol on account of his generosity. As soon as he reached the palace, the courtiers and officers of the guard hurried to inform the Sultan of his arrival. The Sultan went out to receive him; he took him by the hand, led him into the hall, and seated him on his right. The entire city was decorated, and in the palace performers sang and made music.

  Orders were now given by the Sultan for the banquet to begin. He sat at a table with Aladdin and all the courtiers, and they ate and drank until they were satisfied. Nor was the merriment confined to the royal palace; all the people of the kingdom, great and small alike, rejoiced on this happy occasion. Viceroys and governors had come from the remotest provinces to see the wedding and the nuptial celebrations.

  Deep in his heart, the Sultan marveled at Aladdin’s mother, how she had come to him in tattered clothes, while her son was master of such extraordinary riches. And when the guests saw Aladdin’s palace, they were amazed that such a dwelling could have been built in one night.

  When the banquet drew to an end, Aladdin rose and took leave of the Sultan. He mounted his horse and, escorted by his servants, rode over to his own palace to prepare himself for his meeting with the bride. As he rode he threw handfuls of gold to right and left amid the joyful blessings of the people, and on reaching his house alighted and took his seat in the audience hall. Cool drinks were brought to him, and after he had refreshed himself he ordered the servants and the slave girls, and everyone else in the palace, to make ready to receive his bride that evening.

  In the cool of the afternoon, when the heat of the sun had abated, the Sultan ordered his captains and ministers to go down and take their places in the parade ground opposite his court. They all went down, including the Sultan; and Aladdin presently joined them, riding on a horse unequaled among the Arabian steeds for beauty. He galloped and sported around the square, excelling in his display of horsemanship. The Princess watched him from a window; she was captivated by his good looks and riding skill, and fell in love with him at sight. When all the cavaliers had finished their riding display, the Sultan returned to his palace and Aladdin to his.

  In the evening the ministers and high officials called on Aladdin and took him in great procession to the royal baths. There he bathed and perfumed himself, then changed into even more magnificent clothes and rode home escorted by officers and soldiers. Four ministers walked about him with unsheathed swords, while all the townsfolk, natives and foreigners alike, marched ahead with candles and drums, pipes, and all manner of musical instruments. Reaching the palace, he dismounted and sat down with his attendants. The slaves brought cakes and sweetmeats and served drinks to countless men and women who had joined the procession. Then, at Aladdin’s orders, the slaves went out to the palace gate and scattered gold among the people.

  Meanwhile, on returning from the square, the Sultan had ordered his household to take the Princess to Aladdin’s palace. The soldiers and courtiers immediately mounted; the servants and slave girls went out with lighted candles, and the Princess was brought in splendid procession to her husband’s palace. Aladdin’s mother walked by her side; in front marched the wives of ministers, noblemen, and courtiers, while in her train followed all the slave girls whom Aladdin had given her, each carrying a torch set into a golden candlestick encrusted with gems. They took her up to her room, accompanied by Aladdin’s mother.

  Presently Aladdin entered the chamber; he lifted the bridal veil, and his mother gazed in wonderment upon the Princess’ loveliness and beauty. She also marveled at the bridal chamber, all wrought in gold and jewels, and at its golden chandelier, studded with emeralds and rubies. Nor was the Princess less astonished than Aladdin’s mother at the magnificence of the palace.

  A table was brought in and they feasted and made merry, while eighty slave girls, each holding a musical instrument, plucked the strings and played enchanting tunes. The Princess was so thrilled with the music that she stopped eating and listened with rapt attention. Aladdin plied her with wine, and the two rejoiced in each other’s love.

  In the morning Aladdin got up and dressed himself in a magnificent suit that his chief footman had prepared for him. Then he ordered the slaves to saddle his horses and rode with numerous escorts to the royal palace. The Sultan at once rose to receive him and, after embracing him as though he were his own son, seated him on his right. The Sultan and all the courtiers congratulated him and wished him joy. Breakfast was then served, and when they had finished eating, Aladdin turned to the Sultan and said, ‘Sir, would Your Majesty honor me with your presence at lunch today with the Princess? Let Your Majesty be accompanied by all your ministers and the nobles of your kingdom.’

  The Sultan gladly accepted. He ordered his courtiers to follow him and rode over with Aladdin to his palace. When he entered he marveled at the edifice, the stones of which were all of jasper and agate; he was dazed at the sight of such luxury, wealth, and splendor.

  ‘What do you say now?’ he exclaimed, turning to the vizier. ‘Have you ever seen anything like this in all your life? Has the greatest emperor in the world such wealth and gold and jewels as can be seen in this palace?’

  ‘Your Majesty,’ the vizier replied, ‘this miracle is beyond the power of mortal kings. Not all the people of the world could build a palace like this; no masons are to be found who can do such work. As I told Your Majesty before, only magic would have brought it into being.’

  But the Sultan replied, ‘Enough, vizier. I know why you are telling me this.’

  The Sultan now came under the lofty dome of the palace, a
nd his amazement knew no bounds when he saw that all the windows and lattices were made of emeralds, rubies, and other precious stones. He walked around and around, bewildered at the extravagant marvels, and presently caught sight of the window that Aladdin had deliberately left unfinished.

  ‘Alas, poor window, you are unfinished!’ observed the Sultan. And, turning to the vizier, he asked, ‘Do you know why that window and its lattices have not been properly completed?’

  ‘Perhaps because Your Majesty hurried Aladdin over the wedding,’ the vizier replied. ‘He may not have had time enough to complete it.’

  Aladdin, who had meanwhile gone to inform his bride of her father’s arrival, now returned, and the Sultan addressed the same question to him.

  ‘Your Majesty,’ he replied, ‘the wedding took place at such short notice that the masons had no time to finish the work.’

  ‘Then I would like to finish it myself,’ said the Sultan.

  ‘Heaven grant Your Majesty everlasting glory!’ Aladdin cried. ‘May it stand as a memorial to you in your daughter’s palace!’

  The Sultan at once sent for jewelers and goldsmiths and ordered his lieutenants to give them all the gold and jewels they required out of his treasury. The jewelers and goldsmiths presented themselves before the Sultan, and he ordered them to finish the ornamentation.

  While this was going forward, the Princess came out to meet her father. He noticed how happy she was, and took her into his arms and kissed her; then he went with her to her room, followed by all his courtiers. It was now lunchtime; one table had been prepared for the Sultan, the Princess, and Aladdin, and another for the vizier, the officers of state, the high dignitaries, the chamberlains, the nabobs, and the captains of the army. The Sultan sat between his daughter and his son-in-law, and as he ate he marveled at the delicacy of the meats and the excellence of the dishes. Before him stood a troupe of eighty radiant girls, who plucked the strings of their instruments and made such sweet music as could not be heard even in the courts of kings and emperors. Wine flowed freely; and when all had eaten and drunk, they repaired to an adjoining chamber, where they were served with fruits and sweetmeats