10 ALADDIN OR THE
his story, she broke out into a thousand reproaches against that vile impostor. She called him a perfidious traitor, barbarian, assassin, deceiver, magician, and an enemy and destroyer of mankind. She said a great deal more against the magician’s treachery; but finding while she talked, her son Aladdin, who had not slept for three days and nights, began to nod, she put him to bed, and soon after went to bed herself.
Aladdin, who had not had one wink of sleep while he was in the subterraneous abode, slept very heartily all that night, and never waked till the next morning; when the first thing that he said to his mother was, he wanted something to eat. Alas! child, said she, I have not a bit of bread to give you, you ate up all the provisions I had in the house yesterday; but have a little patience, and it shall not be long before I will bring you some: I have a little cotton, which I have spun; I will go and sell it, and buy bread. Mother, replied Aladdin, keep your cotton against another time, and give me the lamp I brought home yesterday; I wilt go and sell it, and the money I shall get for it will serve both for breakfast and dinner, and perhaps supper too.
Aladdin’s mother took the lamp, and said to her son, it is very dirty; If it was a little cleaner I believe it would bring something more. She took a little fine sand to clean it; but hail no sooner begun to rub it, but in an instant a hideous genius of gigantic size appeared before her, and said to her in a voice like thunder, What wouldst thou have? I am ready to obey thee as thy slave, and the slave of all those who have that lamp in their hands; I, and the other slaves of the lamp.
Aladdin’s mother fainted away at the sight of this frightful genius; but Aladdin, who had once before seen such another genius in the cavern, instantly, snatched the lamp out of his mother’s hands, and said, boldly, I am hungry; bring me something to eat. The genius disappeared immediately, and in an instant returned with a large silver basin on his head, and twelve covered plates of the same metal, which contained some excellent meats; six large, white loaves on two other plates, and two bottles of wine, and two silver cups in each hand. All these things he placed upon a table, and disappeared; and all this was done before Aladdin’s mother came out of her swoon.
His mother, after she recovered, was very much surprised to see all these rarities. Child, said she to Aladdin, to whom are we obliged for this great plenty and liberality? It is no matter, mother, said Aladdin; let us sit down and eat; and when we have done, I will tell you. Accordingly both mother and son sat down, and ate with the better stomach, as the table was so well furnished.
The mother and son sat at breakfast till it was dinner-time, and then they thought it would be best to put the two meals together; yet after this, they found they should have enough left for supper, and two meals for the next day.
When Aladdin’s mother had taken away, and set by what was left, she went and sat down by her son on the sofa. Aladdin, said she, I expect now that you will tell me exactly what passed between the genius and you while I was in a swoon; which he presently complied with.
