"Princess," said Aladdin, "I think I have found the means to deliver
you and to regain possession of the lamp, on which all my prosperity
depends. To execute this design, it is necessary for me to go to the
town. I shall return by noon, and will then tell you what must be done
by you to insure success. In the meantime, I shall disguise myself,
and I beg that the private door may be opened at the first knock."
When Aladdin was out of the palace, he looked round him on all sides,
and perceiving a peasant going into the country, hastened after him.
When he had overtaken him, he made a proposal to him to change
clothes, which the man agreed to. When they had made the exchange, the
countryman went about his business, and Aladdin entered the
neighboring city. After traversing several streets, he came to that
part of the town where the merchants and artisans had their particular
streets according to their trades.[47] He went into that of the
druggists; and entering one of the largest and best furnished shops,
asked the druggist if he had a certain powder, which he named.
[Footnote 47: This location of persons of one trade in one part of a
town was once common in England. Hence the "Draper's Lane" and
"Butcher's Row," found in many of our large towns; and the "Old
Jewry," "Lombard Street," and "Cheapside," of London.]
The druggist, judging Aladdin by his habit to be very poor, told him
he had it, but that it was very dear; upon which Aladdin, penetrating
his thoughts, pulled out his purse, and showing him some gold, asked
for half a dram of the powder, which the druggist weighed and gave
him, telling him the price was a piece of gold. Aladdin put the money
into his hand, and hastened to the palace, which he entered at once by
the private door.
When he came into the princess's apartment he said to her, "Princess,
you must take your part in the scheme which I propose for our
deliverance. You must overcome your aversion for the magician, and
assume a most friendly manner toward him, and ask him to oblige you by
partaking of an entertainment in your apartments. Before he leaves,
ask him to exchange cups with you, which he, gratified at the honor
you do him, will gladly do, when you must give him the cup containing
this powder. On drinking it he will instantly fall asleep, and we will
obtain the lamp, whose slaves will do all our bidding, and restore us
and the palace to the capital of China."
The princess obeyed to the utmost her husband's instructions. She
assumed a look of pleasure on the next visit of the magician, and
asked him to an entertainment, which he most willingly accepted. At
the close of the evening, during which the princess had tried all she
could to please him, she asked him to exchange cups with her, and
giving the signal, had the drugged cup brought to her, which she gave
to the magician. Out of compliment to the princess he drank it to the
very last drop, when he fell back lifeless on the sofa.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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