Aladdin quitted his hiding-place, and went home. His mother perceived him to be thoughtful and melancholy and asked what had happened to make him so, or if he was ill. He then told his mother his adventure, and concluded by declaring, “I love the princess more than I can express, and am resolved that I will ask her in marriage of the sultan.”
Aladdin’s mother laughed aloud. “Alas! child,” said she, “what are you thinking of? You must be mad to talk thus.”
“I assure you, mother,” replied Aladdin, “that I am not mad, but in my right senses. I foresaw that you would reproach me with folly and extravagance; but I must tell you once more, that I am resolved to demand the princess of the sultan in marriage; nor do I despair of success. I have the slaves of the lamp and of the ring to help me, and you know how powerful their aid is. And I have another secret to tell you: those pieces of glass, which I got from the trees in the garden of the subterranean palace are jewels of inestimable value, fit for the greatest monarchs. All the precious stones the jewelers have in Bagdad are not to be compared to mine for size or beauty; and I am sure that the offer of them will secure the favor of 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 arranged them according to their different colors.”
Aladdin’s mother having brought the china dish, he took the jewels out of the two purses in which he had kept them,
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