The Arabian Nights

by Padraic Colum

  After the princess had passed by, and entered the bath, ‘Ala-ed-Din quitted his hiding-place and went home. His mother perceived him to be more thoughtful and melancholy than usual, and asked what had happened to make him so, or if he was ill. He then told his mother all his adventure, and concluded by declaring, I love the princess more than I can express, and am resolved that I will ask her in marriage of the Sultan.

  ‘Ala-ed-Din’s mother listened with surprise to what her son told her; but when he talked of asking the princess in marriage, she laughed aloud. Alas! child, said she, what are you thinking of? You must be mad to talk thus.

  I assure you, mother, replied ‘Ala-ed-Din, that I am not mad, but in my right senses. I foresaw that you would reproach me with folly and extravagance; but I must tell you once more, that I am resolved to demand the princess of the Sultan in marriage; nor do I despair of success. I have the servants of the lamp and of the ring to help me, and you know how powerful their aid is. And I have another secret to tell you: those pieces of glass, which I got from the trees in the garden of the underground palace, are jewels of inestimable value, and fit for the greatest monarchs. All the precious stones the jewelers have in Baghdad are not to be compared to mine for size or beauty; and I am sure that the offer of them will secure the favor of the Sultan. You have a large porcelain dish fit to hold them. Fetch it, and let us see how they will look, when we have arranged them according to their different colors.

  ‘Ala-ed-Din’s mother brought the china dish, and he took the jewels and placed them in order, according to his fancy. But the brightness and luster they emitted, and the variety of the colors, so dazzled the eyes both of mother and son that they were astonished beyond measure. ‘Ala-ed-Din’s mother, emboldened by the sight of these rich jewels, promised to carry them the next morning to the Sultan. ‘Ala-ed-Din rose before daybreak and awakened his mother, urging her to get admittance to the Sultan’s palace, if possible, before the Grand Wezir and the great officers of state went in to take their seats in the assembly, where the Sultan always attended in person.

  ‘Ala-ed-Din’s mother took the china dish in which they had put the jewels the day before, wrapped it in two fine napkins, and set forward for the Sultan’s palace. When she came to the gates, the Grand Wezir and most distinguished lords of the court were just gone in; but not withstanding the crowd of people was great, she got into a spacious hall, the entrance to which was very magnificent. She placed herself just before the Sultan, who sat in council with the Grand Wezir, and the great lords, on his right and left hand. Several cases were called, according to their order, pleaded and adjudged, until the time the assembly generally broke up, when the Sultan, rising, returned to his apartment, attended by the Grand Wezir. The other Wezirs and ministers of state then retired, as also did all those whose business had called them thither.

  ‘Ala-ed-Din’s mother, seeing all the people depart, concluded that the Sultan would not appear again that day, and resolved to go home; and on her arrival said, with much simplicity: Son, I have seen the Sultan, and am very well persuaded he has seen me too, for I placed myself just before him; but he was so much taken up with those who attended on all sides of him that I pitied him, and wondered at his patience. At last I believe he was heartily tired, for he rose suddenly, and would not hear a great many who were ready prepared to speak to him, but went away, at which I was well pleased, for indeed I began to lose all patience, and was extremely fatigued with staying so long. But there is no harm done. I will go again to-morrow. Perhaps the Sultan may not be so busy.

  The next morning she repaired to the Sultan’s palace with the present, as early as the day before; and she went six times afterward on the days appointed, placing herself always directly before the Sultan, but with as little success as the first morning.

  On the sixth day, however, when the Sultan returned to his own apartment, he said to his Grand Wezir: I have for some time observed a certain woman, who attends constantly every day that I give audience, with something wrapped up in a napkin. She always stands from the beginning to the breaking up of the audience, and places herself just before me. If this woman comes to our next assembly, do not fail to call her, that I may hear what she has to say.

  On the next audience day, when ‘Ala-ed-Din’s mother went to the assembly, and placed herself in front of the Sultan as usual, the Grand Wezir immediately called an officer, and pointing to her, bade him bring her before the Sultan. The old woman at once followed the officer, and when she reached the Sultan, bowed her head down to the carpet which covered the platform of the throne, and remained in that posture till he bade her rise, which she had no sooner done than he said to her: Good woman, I have observed you standing many days, from the beginning to the end of the assembly. What business brings you here?

  After these words, ‘Ala-ed-Din’s mother prostrated herself a second time; and when she arose, said, Monarch of monarchs, I beg you to pardon the boldness of my petition, and to assure me of your pardon and forgiveness.

  Well, replied the Sultan: I will forgive you, be it what it may, and no hurt shall come to you. Speak boldly.

  When ‘Ala-ed-Din’s mother had taken all these precautions, for fear of the Sultan’s anger, she told him faithfully the errand on which her son had sent her.

  The Sultan hearkened to this discourse without showing the least anger; but before he gave her any answer, asked her what she had brought tied up in the napkin. She took the china dish which she had set down at the foot of the throne, untied it, and presented it to the Sultan.

  The Sultan’s amazement and surprise were inexpressible when he saw so many large, beautiful, and valuable jewels collected in the dish. He remained for some time lost in admiration. At last, when he had recovered himself, he received the present from the hand of ‘Ala-ed-Din’s mother, saying, How rich, how beautiful!

  After he had admired and handled all the jewels one after another, he turned to his Grand Wezir, and showing him the dish, said, Behold, admire, wonder! and confess that your eyes never saw jewels so rich and beautiful before.

  The Wezir was charmed. Well, continued the Sultan, what sayest thou to such a present? Is it not worthy of the princess my daughter? And ought I not to bestow her on one who values her at so great a price?

  I cannot but own, replied the Grand Wezir, that the present is worthy of the princess; but I beg of your majesty to grant me three months before you come to a final resolution. I hope before that time, my son, whom you have regarded with your favor, will be able to make a nobler present than this ‘Ala-ed-Din, who is an entire stranger to your majesty.

  The Sultan granted his request, and he said to the old woman, Good woman, go home, and tell your son that I agree to the proposal you have made me; but I cannot let him marry the princess my daughter for three months. At the expiration of that time come again.

  ‘Ala-ed-Din’s mother returned home much more gratified than she had expected, and told her son the answer she had received from the Sultan’s own mouth; and that she was to come to the assembly again in three months.

  ‘Ala-ed-Din thought himself the most happy of all men at hearing this news, and thanked his mother for the pains she had taken in the affair, the success of which was of so great importance to his peace, that he counted every day, week, and even hour as it passed. When two of the three months were gone, his mother one evening having no oil in the house, went out to buy some, and found there was a general rejoicing. The houses were decorated with flowers, silks, and carpeting, and the people were all striving to show their joy. The streets were crowded with officers in costumes of ceremony, mounted on horses richly caparisoned, each attended by a great many footmen. ‘Ala-ed-Din’s mother asked the oil merchant what was the meaning of all this public festivity. Whence came you, good woman, said he, that you don’t know the Grand Wezir’s son is to marry the Princess Bedr-el-Budur, the Sultan’s daughter, to-night? She will presently return from the bath; and these officers are to assist at the cavalcade to
the palace, where the ceremony is to be solemnized.

  ‘Ala-ed-Din’s mother, on hearing this news, ran home very quickly. My son, cried she, you are undone! the Sultan’s fine promises will come to naught. This night the Grand Wezir’s son is to marry the Princess Bedr-el-Budur.

  At this account, ‘Ala-ed-Din was thunderstruck, and he bethought himself of the lamp, and of the Jinni who had promised to obey him; and without indulging in idle words against the Sultan, the Wezir, or his son, he determined, if possible, to prevent the marriage.

  When ‘Ala-ed-Din had got into his chamber, he took the lamp, and rubbed it. Immediately the Jinni appeared, and said to him: What wouldst thou have? I am ready to obey thee as thy servant, I and the other servants of the lamp.

  Hear me, said ‘Ala-ed-Din; thou hast hitherto done everything I ordered, but now I am about to impose on thee a harder task. The Sultan’s daughter, who was promised me as my bride, is this night to marry the son of the Grand Wezir. Bring them both hither to me as soon after the ceremony as they are alone.

  Master, replied the Jinni, I obey you.

  ‘Ala-ed-Din supped with his mother as was their habit, and then went to his own apartment, to await the return of the Jinni.

  In the meantime the festivities in honor of the princess’s marriage were conducted in the Sultan’s palace with great magnificence. The ceremonies were at last brought to a conclusion, and the princess and the son of the Wezir retired to the apartment prepared for them. No sooner had they entered it, and dismissed their attendants, than the Jinni, the faithful servant of the lamp, to the great amazement and alarm of the bride and bridegroom, took them up and by an agency invisible to them transported them in an instant into ‘Ala-ed-Din’s room, where he set them down. Remove the bridegroom, said ‘Ala-ed-Din to the Jinni, and keep him a prisoner till to-morrow at dawn, and then return with him here.

  On ‘Ala-ed-Din being left alone with the princess he endeavored to calm her fears, and explained to her the treachery practiced on him by the Sultan her father. He then went outside the door and laid himself down and there stayed till morning. At break of day, the Jinni appeared bringing back the bridegroom, and by ‘Ala-ed-Din’s command transported the bride and bridegroom into the palace of the Sultan.

  At the instant that the Jinni had set them down in their own apartment, the Sultan came to offer his good wishes to his daughter.

  Having been admitted, he kissed the princess on the forehead, but was extremely surprised to see her look so melancholy. She only cast at him a sorrowful look, expressive of great affliction. He suspected there was something extraordinary in this silence, and thereupon went immediately to his wife’s apartment, told her in what a state he found the princess, and how she had received him.

  I will go see her, said the princess’s mother.

  The princess greeted her with sighs and tears, and signs of deep dejection. Her mother urged her to tell her thoughts, and at last she gave a precise description of all that happened to her during the night; on which her mother enjoined the necessity of silence and discretion, as no one would give credence to so strange a tale. The Grand Wezir’s son, elated with the honor of being the Sultan’s son-in-law, kept silence on his part, and the events of the night were not allowed to cast the least gloom on the festivities of the following day, in continued celebration of the royal marriage.

  When night came, the bride and bridegroom were again attended to their apartment with the same ceremonies as on the preceding evening. ‘Ala-ed-Din, knowing that this would be so, had already given his commands to the Jinni of the lamp; and no sooner were they alone than they were removed in the same mysterious manner as on the preceding evening; and having passed the night in the same unpleasant way, they were in the morning conveyed to the palace of the Sultan. Scarcely had they been replaced in their apartment when the Sultan came to make his compliments to his daughter. The princess could no longer conceal from him the unhappy treatment she had suffered, and told him all that had happened, as she had already related it to her mother. The Sultan, on hearing these strange tidings, consulted with the Grand Wezir; and finding from him that his son had been subjected to even worse treatment by an invisible agency, he determined to declare the marriage canceled, and to order all the festivities, which were yet to last for several days, ended.

  This sudden change in the mind of the Sultan gave rise to various reports. Nobody but ‘Ala-ed-Din knew the secret, and he kept it with the most perfect silence; and neither the Sultan nor the Grand Wezir, who had forgotten ‘Ala-ed-Din and his request, had the least thought that he had any hand in the strange adventures that befell the bride and bridegroom.

  On the very day that the three months contained in the Sultan’s promise expired, the mother of ‘Ala-ed-Din again went to the palace and stood in the same place in the assembly. The Sultan knew her and directed his Wezir to have her brought before him.

  After having prostrated herself, she made answer, in reply to the Sultan, Sire, I come at the end of three months to ask of you the fulfillment of the promise you made to my son.

  The Sultan little thought the request of ‘Ala-ed-Din’s mother was made to him in earnest, or that he would hear any more of the matter. He therefore took counsel with his Wezir, who suggested that the Sultan should attach such conditions to the marriage that no one could possibly fulfill them. In accordance with this suggestion of the Wezir, the Sultan replied to the mother of ‘Ala-ed-Din: Good woman, it is true sultans ought to abide by their word, and I am ready to keep mine by making your son happy in marriage with the princess my daughter. But as I cannot let her marry without some further proof of your son’s ability to support her in royal state, tell him I will fulfill my promise as soon as he shall send me forty trays of massy gold, full of the same sort of jewels you have already made me a present of, and carried by the same number of servants, all dressed magnificently. On these conditions I am ready to bestow the princess my daughter upon him. Therefore, good woman, go and tell him so, and I will wait till you bring me his answer.

  ‘Ala-ed-Din’s mother prostrated herself a second time before the Sultan’s throne and retired. On her way home she laughed within herself at her son’s foolish imagination. Where, said she, can he get so many large gold trays and such precious stones to fill them? It is altogether out of his power, and I believe he will not be much pleased with my visit this time.

  When she came home, full of these thoughts, she told ‘Ala-ed-Din all the circumstances of her interview with the Sultan, and the conditions on which he consented to the marriage. The Sultan expects your answer immediately, said she; and then added, laughing, I believe he may wait long enough!

  Not so long, mother, as you think, replied ‘Ala-ed-Din. This demand is a mere trifle, and will prove no bar to my marriage with the princess. I will prepare at once to satisfy his request.

  Ala-ed-Din retired to his own apartment and summoned the Jinni of the lamp, and required him to immediately prepare and present the gift, before the Sultan closed his morning audience, according to the terms in which it had been prescribed. The Jinni professed his obedience to the owner of the lamp and disappeared. Within a very short time a train of servants appeared opposite the house in which ‘Ala-ed-Din lived. Each carried on his head a basin of massy gold, full of pearls, diamonds, rubies, and emeralds. ‘Ala-ed-Din then addressed his mother: Mother, pray lose no time. Before the Sultan and the assembly rise, I would have you return to the palace with this present as the dowry demanded for the princess, that he may judge by my diligence and exactness of the ardent and sincere desire I have to procure myself the honor of this alliance.

  As soon as this magnificent procession, with ‘Ala-ed-Din’s mother at its head, had begun to march from ‘Ala-ed-Din’s house, the whole city was filled with the crowds of people desirous to see so grand a sight. The graceful bearing and elegant form of each servant, their grave walk at an equal distance from each other, the luster of their jeweled girdles, and the brilliancy of the pr
ecious stones in their turbans excited the greatest admiration. As they had to pass through several streets to the palace, the whole length of the way was lined with files of spectators. Nothing, indeed, was ever seen so beautiful and brilliant in the Sultan’s palace, and the richest robes of the officers of his court were not to be compared to the costly dresses of these servants.

  As the Sultan, who had been informed of their approach, had given orders for them to be admitted, they met with no obstacle, but went into the assembly in regular order, one part turning to the right and the other to the left. After they were all entered, and had formed a semicircle before the Sultan’s throne, the servants laid the golden trays on the carpet, prostrated themselves, touching the carpet with their foreheads. When they rose, they uncovered the trays, and then all stood with their arms crossed over their chests.

  In the meantime ‘Ala-ed-Din’s mother advanced to the foot of the throne, and having prostrated herself, said to the Sultan, Sire, my son knows this present is much below the notice of Princess Bedr-el-Budur; but hopes, nevertheless, that your majesty will accept it, and make it agreeable to the princess, and with the greater confidence since he has endeavored to conform to the conditions you were pleased to impose.

  The Sultan, overpowered at the sight of such more than royal splendor, replied without hesitation to the words of ‘Ala-ed-Din’s mother, Go and tell your son that I wait with open arms to embrace him; and the more haste he makes to come and receive the princess my daughter from my hands, the greater pleasure he will do me.

  As soon as ‘Ala-ed-Din’s mother had retired, the Sultan put an end to the audience; and rising from his throne, ordered that the princess’s attendants should come and carry the trays into their mistress’s apartment, whither he went himself to examine them with her at his leisure. The servants were conducted into the palace; and the Sultan, telling the princess of their magnificent apparel, ordered them to be brought before her apartment, that she might see through the lattices he had not exaggerated in his account of them.