Arabs -- Folklore; Fairy tales; Fairy tales -- Arab countries; Folklore -- Arab countries; Tales -- Arab countries
In the meantime, the jewellers and goldsmiths repaired to the palace,
and were introduced into the sultan's presence; where the chief
jeweller, presenting the precious stones which he had brought back,
said, in the name of all the rest: "Your majesty knows how long we have
been upon the work you were pleased to set us about, in which we used
all imaginable industry. It was far advanced, when Prince Aladdin
commanded us not only to leave off, but to undo what we had already
begun, and bring your majesty your jewels back." The sultan asked them
if Aladdin had given them any reason for so doing, and they answering
that he had given them none, 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. When he came there, he alighted at the staircase, which led to
the hall with the twenty-four windows, and went directly up to it,
without giving previous notice to Aladdin; but it happened that at that
very juncture Aladdin was opportunely there, and had just time to
receive him at the door.
The sultan, without giving Aladdin time to complain obligingly of his
not having given notice, that he might have acquitted himself with the
more becoming respect, said to him: "Son, I come myself to know the
reason why you commanded the jewellers to desist from work, and take to
pieces what they had done."
Aladdin disguised the true reason, which was, that the sultan was not
rich enough in jewels to be at so great an expense, but said: "I beg of
you now to see if anything is wanting."
The sultan went directly to the window which was left imperfect, and
when he found it like the rest, fancied that he was mistaken, 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 Aladdin, and
kissed him between his eyes. "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, the more I admire you."
Aladdin received these praises from the sultan with modesty, and replied
in these words: "Sir, it is a great honour to me to deserve your
majesty's goodwill and approbation, and I assure you, I shall study to
deserve them more."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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