The Arabian Nights Entertainments - Complete eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 1,940 pages of information about The Arabian Nights Entertainments.

The Arabian Nights Entertainments - Complete eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 1,940 pages of information about The Arabian Nights Entertainments.

When the sultan of the genii had read the note, he called out to one of his messengers, who immediately attended before him, and commanded him to bring into his presence without delay the genie who had enchanted the daughter of the sultan of Cairo.  “To hear is to obey,” replied the messenger, and instantly disappearing, was absent for about an hour, when he returned with the criminal, and placed him before the sultan of the genii, who exclaimed, “Accursed wretch, hast thou ill-treated this man?”

“Mighty sovereign,” replied the genie, “my crime proceeded from love of the princess, who wore a charm in her bracelet which prevented my approaching her, and therefore I made use of this man.  He procured me the charm, and I now have her in my power; but I love her tenderly, and have not injured her.”  “Return the bracelet instantly,” replied the sultan of the genii, “that the man may recover his wife, or I will command an executioner to strike off thy head.”  The offending genie, who was of an accursed and obstinate race, upon hearing these words was inflamed with passion, and insolently cried out, “I will not return the bracelet, for no one shall possess the princess but myself.”  Having said thus, he attempted to fly away, but in vain.

The sultan of the genii now commanded his attendants to bind the criminal in chains, which they did, and having forced the bracelet from him, struck off his head.  The sultan then presented me the charm, which was no sooner in my hand than all the genii vanished from my sight, and I found myself dressed as before, in the rich habit given me by the pretended young man.  I proceeded to the city, which I entered, and when I came near the palace was recognized by the guards and courtiers, who cried out in raptures of joy, “Our lost prince is at length returned.”  They paid their respects, and I entered the apartment of the princess, whom I found in a deep sleep, in which state she had been ever since my departure.  On my replacing the bracelet on her arm, she awoke.  After this we lived together in all happiness till the death of her father, who appointed me his successor, having no son, so that I am what I am.

When the sultan of Cairo had finished his narrative, the abdicated prince expressed his surprise at his adventures:  upon which the sultan said, “Wonder not, my brother, at the dispensations of the Almighty, for he worketh in secret, and when he pleaseth revealeth his mysteries.  Since thou hast quitted thy kingdom, if thou choosest, thou shalt be my vizier, and we will live together as friends and brothers.”  “To hear is to obey,” replied the prince.  The sultan then constituted him vizier, enrobed him in a rich uniform, and committed to him his seal, the inkstand, and other insignia of office, at the same time conferring upon him a magnificent palace, superbly furnished with gorgeous carpets, musnuds, and cushions:  belonging to it were also extensive gardens.  The vizier entered immediately upon his new office;

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The Arabian Nights Entertainments - Complete from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.