The Arabian Nights

by Padraic Colum

  In the meantime ‘Ala-ed-Din’s mother reached home and showed by her demeanor and countenance the good news she brought her son. My son, said she, you may rejoice you are arrived at the height of your desires. The Sultan has declared that you shall marry the Princess Bedr-el-Budur. He waits for you with impatience.

  ‘Ala-ed-Din, enraptured with this news, made his mother very little reply, but retired to his chamber. There he rubbed his lamp, and the obedient Jinni appeared. Jinni, said ‘Ala-ed-Din, convey me at once to a bath, and supply me with the richest and most magnificent robe ever worn by a monarch.

  No sooner were the words out of his mouth than the Jinni rendered ‘Ala-ed-Din, as well as himself, invisible, and transported him into a bath of the finest marble, where he was washed with various scented waters, and when he returned into the hall he found, instead of his own poor raiment, a robe, the magnificence of which astonished him. The Jinni helped him to dress, and when he had done, transported him back to his own chamber, where he asked him if he had any other commands.

  Yes, answered ‘Ala-ed-Din, bring me a charger that surpasses in beauty and goodness the best in the Sultan’s stables, with a saddle, bridle, and other caparisons to correspond with his value. Furnish also twenty servants, as richly clothed as those who carried the present to the Sultan, to walk by my side and follow me, and twenty more to go before me in two ranks. Besides these, bring my mother six female attendants to attend her, as richly dressed at least as any of the Princess Bedr-el-Budur’s, each carrying a complete dress fit for any princess. I want also ten thousand pieces of gold in each of ten purses. Go and make haste.

  As soon as ‘Ala-ed-Din had given these orders, the Jinni disappeared, but presently returned with the horse, the forty servants, ten of whom carried each a purse containing ten thousand pieces of gold, and six women servants, each bearing on her head a different dress for ‘Ala-ed-Din’s mother, wrapped up in a piece of silver tissue, and gave them all to ‘Ala-ed-Din.

  He presented the six female servants to his mother, telling her they were hers, and that the dresses they had brought were for her use. Of the ten purses ‘Ala-ed-Din took four, which he gave to his mother, telling her those were to supply her with necessaries; the other six he left in the hands of the servants who brought them, with an order to throw the gold by handfuls among the people as they went to the Sultan’s palace. The six servants who carried the purses he ordered to march before him, three on the right hand and three on the left.

  When ‘Ala-ed-Din had thus prepared himself for his first interview with the Sultan, he dismissed the Jinni, and immediately mounting his charger began his march, and though he never was on horseback before, appeared with a grace the most experienced horseman might envy. The innumerable concourse of people through whom he passed made the air echo with their acclamations, especially every time the six servants who carried the purses threw handfuls of gold among the populace.

  On ‘Ala-ed-Din’s arrival at the palace, the Sultan was surprised to find him more richly and magnificently robed than he had ever been himself, and was impressed with his good looks and dignity of manner, which were so different from what he expected in the son of one so humble as ‘Ala-ed-Din’s mother. He embraced him with demonstrations of joy, and when ‘Ala-ed-Din would have fallen at his feet, held him by the hand and made him sit near his throne. He shortly after led him, amidst the sounds of trumpets and all kinds of music, to a magnificent entertainment, at which the Sultan and ‘Ala-ed-Din ate by themselves, and the great lords of the court, according to their rank and dignity, sat at different tables. After the feast the Sultan sent for the chief Kadi, and commanded him to draw up a contract of marriage between the Princess Bedr-el-Budur and ‘Ala-ed-Din. When the contract had been drawn, the Sultan asked ‘Ala-ed-Din if he would stay in the palace and complete the ceremonies of the marriage that day.

  Sire, said ‘Ala-ed-Din, though great is my impatience to enter on the honor granted me by your majesty, yet I beg you to permit me first to build a palace worthy to receive the princess your daughter. I pray you to grant me sufficient ground near your palace, and I will have it completed with the utmost expedition.

  The Sultan granted this request, and again embraced him, after which ‘Ala-ed-Din took his leave with as much politeness as if he had always lived at court.

  ‘Ala-ed-Din returned home in the manner he had come, amidst the rejoicings of the people, who wished him all happiness and prosperity. As soon as he dismounted, he retired to his own chamber, took the lamp, and summoned the Jinni as usual. Jinni, said ‘Ala-ed-Din, build me a palace fit to receive the Princess Bedr-el-Budur. Let its materials be made of nothing less than porphyry, jasper, agate, and the finest marble. Let its walls be massive gold and silver bricks laid alternately. Let each front contain six windows, and let the lattices of these (except one, which I want left unfinished) be enriched with diamonds, rubies, and emeralds, so that they shall exceed anything of the kind ever seen in the world. Let there be an inner and outer court in front of the palace and a spacious garden; but above all things, provide a safe treasure-house, and fill it with gold and silver. Let there be also kitchens and storehouses, stables full of the finest horses and hunting equipage, officers, attendants, and servants to form a retinue for the princess and myself. Go and execute my wishes.

  When ‘Ala-ed-Din gave these commands to the Jinni, the sun was set. The next morning at daybreak the Jinni presented himself, and having obtained ‘Ala-ed-Din’s consent, transported him in a moment to the palace he had made. The Jinni led him through all the apartments, where he found officers and servants, habited according to their rank and the services to which they were appointed. The Jinni then showed him the treasury, which was opened by a treasurer, where ‘Ala-ed-Din saw large vases of different sizes, piled up to the top with money, ranged all round the chamber. The Jinni thence led him to the stables, where were some of the finest horses in the world, and grooms busy in caring for them. Thence they went to the storehouses, which were filled with all things necessary both for food and ornament.

  When ‘Ala-ed-Din had examined every portion of the palace, and particularly the hall with the four-and-twenty windows, and found it to far exceed his fondest expectations, he said, Jinni, there is one thing wanting, a fine carpet for the princess to walk on from the Sultan’s palace to mine. Lay one down immediately.

  The Jinni disappeared, and ‘Ala-ed-Din saw what he desired executed in an instant. The Jinni then returned and carried him to his own home.

  When the Sultan’s porters came to open the gates, they were amazed to find what had been an unoccupied garden filled up with a magnificent palace, and a splendid carpet extending to it all the way from the Sultan’s palace. They told the strange tidings to the Grand Wezir, and he informed the Sultan, who exclaimed: It must be ‘Ala-ed-Din’s palace, which I gave him leave to build for my daughter. He has wished to surprise us, and let us see what wonders can be done in only one night.

  ‘Ala-ed-Din, on being conveyed by the Jinni to his own home, requested his mother to go to the Princess Bedr-el-Budur and tell her that the palace would be ready for her reception in the evening. She went, attended by her servants, in the same order as on the preceding day. Shortly after her arrival at the princess’s apartment, the Sultan himself came in and was surprised to find her, whom he knew as a suppliant at his assembly in such humble guise, to be now more richly and sumptuously attired than his own daughter. This gave him a higher opinion of ‘Ala-ed-Din, who took such care of his mother and made her share his wealth and honors. A little while after her departure, ‘Ala-ed-Din, mounting his horse and accompanied by his retinue of attendants, left his old home forever, and went to the palace in the same pomp as on the day before. Nor did he forget to take with him the wonderful lamp, to which he owed all his good fortune, nor to wear the ring which was given him as a talisman.

  The Sultan entertained ‘Ala-ed-Din with the utmost magnificence. At night, on the conclusion of the marriage ceremo
nies, the princess took leave of the Sultan her father. Bands of music led the procession. Four hundred of the Sultan’s young pages carried torches on each side, which together with the illuminations of the Sultan’s and ‘Ala-ed-Din’s palaces, made all the vicinity as light as day. The princess, conveyed in a superb litter and attended by her female servants, proceeded on the carpet which was spread from the Sultan’s palace to that of ‘Ala-ed-Din’s. On her arrival ‘Ala-ed-Din was ready to receive her at the entrance and led her into a large hall, illuminated with an infinite number of wax candles, where a noble feast was served. The dishes were of massy gold and contained the most delicate viands. The vases, basins, and goblets were gold, also, and of exquisite workmanship, and all the other ornaments of the hall were equal to this display. The princess, dazzled to see so much riches collected in one place, said to ‘Ala-ed-Din, I thought, prince, that nothing in the world was so beautiful as the Sultan my father’s palace, but the sight of this hall alone is sufficient to show I was deceived.

  When the supper was ended, there entered a company of female dancers, who performed according to the custom of the country, singing at the same time verses in praise of the bride and bridegroom. About midnight ‘Ala-ed-Din and his bride retired.

  The next morning the attendants of ‘Ala-ed-Din presented themselves to dress him, and brought him another costume, as rich and magnificent as that worn the day before. He then ordered one of the horses to be got ready, mounted him, and went in the midst of a large troop of servants to the Sultan’s palace to entreat him to take a repast in the princess’s palace. The Sultan consented with pleasure and, preceded by the principal officers of his palace and followed by all the great lords of his court, accompanied ‘Ala-ed-Din.

  The nearer the Sultan approached ‘Ala-ed-Din’s palace the more he was struck with its beauty; but when he entered it, came into the hall, and saw the windows enriched with diamonds, rubies, and emeralds, he was completely surprised and said to his son-in-law: This palace is one of the wonders of the world; for where in all the world besides shall we find walls built of gold and silver, and diamonds, rubies, and emeralds composing the windows? Yet what most surprises me is, that a hall of this magnificence should be left with one of its windows incomplete.

  Sire, answered ‘Ala-ed-Din, the omission was by design, since I wished that you should have the glory of finishing this hall.

  I take your intention kindly, said the Sultan, and will give orders about it immediately.

  At the close of the magnificent entertainment provided by ‘Ala-ed-Din, the Sultan was informed that the jewelers and goldsmiths attended, upon which he returned to the hall and showed them the window which was unfinished. I sent for you, said he, to fit up this window in as great perfection as the rest. Examine them well, and make all the dispatch you can.

  The jewelers and goldsmiths examined the three-and-twenty windows with great attention, and after they had consulted together to know what each could furnish, they returned and presented themselves before the Sultan. The principal jeweler, undertaking to speak for the rest, said, Sire, we are willing to exert our utmost care and industry to obey you; but among us all we cannot furnish jewels enough for so great a work.

  I have more than are necessary, said the Sultan; come to my palace, and you shall choose what may answer your purpose.

  When the Sultan returned to his palace, he ordered his jewels to be brought out, and the jewelers took a great quantity, particularly those ‘Ala-ed-Din had presented to him, which they soon used, without making any great advance in their work. They came again several times for more, and in a month’s time had not finished half their work. In short, they used all the jewels the Sultan had, and borrowed of the Wezir, but yet the window was not half done.

  ‘Ala-ed-Din, who knew that all the Sultan’s endeavors to make this window like the rest were in vain, sent for the jewelers and goldsmiths, and not only commanded them to desist from their work, but ordered them to undo what they had begun, and to carry all the jewels back to the Sultan and to the Wezir. They undid in a few hours what they had been six weeks about and retired, leaving ‘Ala-ed-Din alone in the hall. He took the lamp, rubbed it, and presently the Jinni appeared. Jinni, said ‘Ala-ed-Din, I ordered thee to leave one of the four-and-twenty windows of this hall imperfect, and thou hast executed my commands. Now I would have thee make it like the rest.

  The Jinni immediately disappeared. ‘Ala-ed-Din went out of the hall, and returning soon after found the window, as he wished it to be, like the others.

  In the meantime the jewelers and goldsmiths repaired to the palace, and were introduced into the Sultan’s presence, where the chief jeweler presented the precious stones, which he had brought back. The Sultan asked them if ‘Ala-ed-Din had given them any reason for so doing, and they answering that he had not, he ordered a horse to be brought, which he mounted, and rode to his son-in-law’s palace, with some few attendants on foot, to inquire why he had ordered the completion of the window to be stopped. ‘Ala-ed-Din met him at the gate, and without giving any reply to his inquiries conducted him to the grand reception hall, where the Sultan, to his great surprise, found that the window which was left imperfect was now exactly like the others. He fancied at first that he was mistaken, and examined the two windows on each side, and afterward all the four-and-twenty; but when he was convinced that the window which several workmen had been so long about was finished in so short a time, he embraced ‘Ala-ed-Din and kissed him. My son, said he, what a man you are to do such surprising things always in the twinkling of an eye! There is not your fellow in the world. The more I know you, the more I admire you.

  ‘Ala-ed-Din did not confine himself in his palace, but went with much state, sometimes to one mosque, and sometimes to another, to prayers, or to visit the Grand Wezir, or the principal lords of the court. Every time he went out, he caused two servants, who walked by the side of his horse, to throw handfuls of money among the people as he passed through the streets and squares. This generosity gained him the love and blessings of the people. Thus ‘Ala-ed-Din, while he paid all respect to the Sultan, won by his affable behavior and liberality the affections of the people.

  ‘Ala-ed-Din had conducted himself in this manner several years, when the African magician, who had never doubted but that he had destroyed him, determined to inform himself with certainty whether he perished, as he supposed, in the underground cave or not. After he had resorted to a long course of magic ceremonies to ascertain ‘Ala-ed-Din’s fate, what was his surprise to find that ‘Ala-ed-Din, instead of dying in the cave, had made his escape, and was living in royal splendor by the aid of the wonderful lamp!

  On the very next day the magician set out and traveled with the utmost haste to the capital of China, where, on his arrival, he took up his lodging in a khan.

  He then quickly learnt about the wealth, charities, happiness, and splendid palace of Prince ‘Ala-ed-Din. As soon as he saw the gold and silver walls and bejeweled windows of the palace, he knew that none but the Jinnis, the servants of the lamp, could have performed such wonders; and envious at ‘Ala-ed-Din’s high estate, he returned to the khan, with the purpose to find out where the lamp was—whether ‘Ala-ed-Din carried it about with him, or where he left it. His magic art soon informed him, to his great joy, that the lamp was in the palace. Well, said he, rubbing his hands in glee, I shall have the lamp, and I shall make ‘Ala-ed-Din return to his original poverty.

  The next day the magician was told by the chief superintendent of the khan where he lodged that ‘Ala-ed-Din had gone on a hunting trip that was to last for eight days, of which only three had expired. The magician wanted to know no more. He resolved at once on his plans. He went to a coppersmith and asked for a dozen copper lamps. The master of the shop told him he had not so many then, but if he would have patience till the next day, he would have them ready. The magician agreed to wait, and desired him to take care that they should be handsome and well polished.

  The next day th
e magician called for the twelve lamps, paid the man his full price, put them into a basket hanging on his arm, and went directly to ‘Ala-ed-Din’s palace. As he approached, he began crying, Who will change old lamps for new ones?

  As he went along a crowd of children collected, who hooted at him and thought he was a madman or a fool, as did all who chanced to be passing by, to offer to change new lamps for old ones.

  The African magician regarded not their scoffs, hootings, or all they could say to him, but still continued crying, Who will change old lamps for new ones?

  He repeated this so often, walking backward and forward in front of the palace, that the princess, who was then in the hall of the four-and-twenty windows, hearing a man shout something, and seeing a great mob crowding about him, sent one of her female servants to learn what he had to sell.

  The woman returned laughing so heartily that the princess rebuked her. Princess, answered the woman, who can forbear laughing to see an old man with a basket on his arm, full of fine new lamps, asking to change them for old ones? The children and mob crowd about him so that he can hardly stir, and they make all the noise they can in derision of him.

  Another servant, hearing this, said: Now you speak of lamps, I know not whether the princess may have observed it, but there is an old one on a shelf of the Prince ‘Ala-ed-Din’s robing-room, and whoever owns it will not be sorry to find a new one in its stead. If the princess chooses, she may have the pleasure of trying if this old man is so silly as to give a new lamp for an old one, without taking anything for the exchange.

  The princess, who knew not the value of this lamp and the interest that ‘Ala-ed-Din had to keep it safe, entered into the pleasantry and commanded a servant to take it and make the exchange. The servant obeyed, went out of the hall, and no sooner got to the palace gates than he saw the African magician, called to him, and showing him the old lamp, said, Give me a new lamp for this.