Arabs -- Folklore; Fairy tales; Fairy tales -- Arab countries; Folklore -- Arab countries; Tales -- Arab countries
When Aladdin had finished, "I own," answered the princess, "I shall do
myself violence in consenting to make the magician such advances; but
what cannot one resolve to do against a cruel enemy? I will therefore
follow your advice, since both my repose and yours depend upon it."
After the princess had agreed to the measures proposed by Aladdin, he
took his leave and went and spent the rest of the day in the
neighbourhood of the palace till it was night, and he might safely
return to the private door.
The princess, who had remained inconsolable at being parted from her
husband, had, ever since their cruel separation, lived in great neglect
of her person. She had almost forgotten the neatness so becoming persons
of her sex and quality, particularly after the first time the magician
paid her a visit and she had understood by some of the women, who knew
him again, that it was he who had taken the old lamp in exchange for a
new one. However, the opportunity of taking the revenge he deserved made
her resolve to gratify Aladdin. As soon, therefore, as he was gone, she
sat down to dress, and was attired by her women to the best advantage
in the richest habit of her wardrobe. Her girdle was of the finest and
largest diamonds set in gold, her necklace of pearls, six on a side, so
well proportioned to that in the middle, which was the largest ever
seen, that the greatest sultanesses would have been proud to have been
adorned with only two of the smallest. Her bracelets, which were of
diamonds and rubies intermixed, corresponded admirably to the richness
of the girdle and necklace.
When the Princess Badroulboudour was completely dressed, she consulted
her glass and women upon her adjustment; and when she found she wanted
no charms to flatter the foolish passion of the African magician, she
sat down on a sofa expecting his arrival. The magician came at the usual
hour, and as soon as he entered the great hall where the princess waited
to receive him, she rose with an enchanting grace and smile, and pointed
with her hand to the most honourable place, waiting till he sat down,
that she might sit at the same time, which was a civility she had never
shown him before.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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