14 ALADDIN OR THE
things you and I both took for coloured glasses; but now I am undeceived, and can tell you that they are jewels of an inestimable value, and fit for the greatest monarchs. In short, neither you nor I know the value of them; but be it as it will, by the little experience I have, I am persuaded that they will be received very favourably by the sultan: you have a large porcelain dish fit to hold them; fetch it, and let us see how they will look, when we have ranged them according to their different colours.
Aladdin’s mother fetched the china dish, and he took the jewels out of the two purses, and placed them in the dish. But the brightness and lustre they had in the day-time, so dazzled the eyes both of mother and son, that they were astonished beyond measure.
As it was now late, and the time of day for going to the sultan’s palace was passed, it was put off till the next. Aladdin took a great deal of pains to encourage his mother in the task she had undertaken to go to the sultan; while she could not persuade herself she could ever succeed. Child, said she to Aladdin, if the sultan should think of asking me where lie your riches and your estate, if, I say, he should ask me the question, what answer would you have me return him?
Let us not be uneasy, mother, replied Aladdin, I have thought of an answer, and am confident that the lamp, which hath subsisted us so long, will not fail me in time of need. Aladdin’s mother could not say any thing against what her son then proposed; but reflected that the lamp might be capable of doing greater wonders than just providing victuals for them. But above all things, mother, said Aladdin, be sure to keep the secret, for thereon depends the success we have to expect; and after this caution, they both parted to go to bed. But violent love, had so much possessed the son’s thoughts, that he could not rest. He rose at day-break, and went presently and awakened his mother, pressing her to get herself dressed to go to the sultan’s palace.
Aladdin’s mother did all her son desired. She took the china dish, and set forwards for the sultan’s palace, to the great satisfaction of Aladdin. When she came to the gates, the grand vizier, and most distinguished lords of the court, were just gone in; and notwithstanding the crowd of people who had business at the divan was extraordinarily great, she got into the divan. Several causes were called, according to their order, and pleaded and adjudged, until the time the divan generally broke up, when the sultan rising, dismissed the council, and returned to his apartment, attended by the grand vizier; the other viziers and ministers of state returned, as also did all those whose business called them thither; some pleased with gaining their causes, others dissatisfied at the sentence pronounced against them, and some in expectation of theirs being heard the next sitting.
Aladdin’s mother, seeing the sultan rise and retire, and all the people go away, judged rightly that he would not come again that day, and resolved to go home. When Aladdin saw her return with the present designed for the sultan, he knew not at first what to think of her success, nor had he courage enough to ask her any questions, till his mother freed him from his embarrassment, and told him all that had befallen her at the
