Aladdin and the Magic Lamp | Page 7

out the window and ask
what was the matter. The slave said it was the holy woman, curing
people by her touch of their ailments, whereupon the Princess, who had

long desired to see Fatima, sent for her. On coming to the Princess the
magician offered up a prayer for her health and prosperity. When he
had done the Princess made him sit by her, and begged him to stay with
her always. The false Fatima, who wished for nothing better, consented,
but kept his veil down for fear of discovery. The princess showed him
the hall, and asked him what he thought of it. "It is truly beautiful," said
the false Fatima. "In my mind it wants but one thing." And what is
that?" said the Princess. "If only a roc's egg," replied he, "were hung up
from the middle of this dome, it would be the wonder of the world."
After this the Princess could think of nothing but the roc's egg, and
when Aladdin returned from hunting he found her in a very ill humour.
He begged to know what was amiss, and she told him that all her
pleasure in the hall was spoilt for want of a roc's egg hanging from the
dome. "If that is all," replied Aladdin, "you shall soon be happy." He
left her and rubbed the lamp, and when the genie appeared commanded
him to bring a roc's egg. The genie gave such a loud and terrible shriek
that the hall shook.
"Wretch!" he cried, "is it not enough that I have done everything for
you, but you must command me to bring my master and hang him up in
the midst of this dome? You and your wife and your palace deserve to
be burnt to ashes, but that this request does not come from you, but
from the brother of the African magician, whom you destroyed. He is
now in your palace disguised as the holy woman, whom he murdered.
He it was who put that wish into your wife's head. Take care of
yourself, for he means to kill you." So saying, the genie disappeared.
Aladdin went back to the Princess, saying his head ached, and
requesting that the holy Fatima should be fetched to lay her hands on it.
But when the magician came near, Aladdin, seizing his dagger, pierced
him to the heart. "What have you done?" cried the Princess. "You have
killed the holy woman!" "Not so," replied Aladdin, "but a wicked
magician," and told her of how she had been deceived.
After this Aladdin and his wife lived in peace. He succeeded the Sultan
when he died, and reigned for many years, leaving behind him a long
line of kings.

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