Part 9 (1/2)

Well, one day--for so runs the tradition-- While idling and lingering about The low city streets, a Magician From Africa, swarthy and stout, With his wise, prying eyes spied him out,

And went up to him very politely, And asked what his name was and cried: ”My lad, if I judge of you rightly, You're the son of my brother who died-- My poor Mustafa!”--and he sighed.

”Ah, yes, Mustafa was my father,”

Aladdin cried back, ”and he's dead!”

”Well, then, both yourself and your mother I will care for forever,” he said, ”And you never shall lack wine nor bread.”

And thus did the wily old wizard Deceive with his kindness the two For a deed of dark peril and hazard He had for Aladdin to do, At the risk of his life, too, he knew.

Far down in the earth's very centre There burned a strange lamp at a shrine; Great stones marked the one place to enter; Down under t'was dark as a mine; What further--no one could divine!

And that was the treasure Aladdin Was sent to secure. First he tore The huge stones away, for he had in An instant the strength of a score; Then he stepped through the cavern-like door.

Down, down, through the darkness so chilly!

On, on, through the long galleries!

Coming now upon gardens of lilies, And now upon fruit-burdened trees, Filled full of the humming of bees.

But, ah, should one tip of his finger Touch aught as he pa.s.sed, it was death!

Not a fruit on the boughs made him linger, Nor the great heaps of gold underneath.

But on he fled, holding his breath,

Until he espied, brightly burning, The mystical lamp in its place!

He plucked the hot wick out, and, turning, With triumph and joy in his face, Set out his long way to retrace.

At last he saw where daylight shed a Soft ray through a c.h.i.n.k overhead, Where the crafty Magician was ready To catch the first sound of his tread.

”Reach the lamp up to me, first!” he said.

Aladdin with luck had grown bolder, And he cried, ”Wait a bit, and we'll see!”

Then with huge, ugly push of his shoulder, And with strong, heavy thrust of his knee, The wizard--so angry was he--

Pried up the great rock, rolled it over The door with an oath and a stamp; ”Stay there under that little cover, And die of the mildew and damp,”

He shouted, ”or give me the lamp!”

Aladdin saw darkness fall o'er him; He clutched at the lamp in his hand, And, happening to rub it, before him A Genius stood, stately and grand.

Whence he came he could not understand.

”I obey you,” it said, ”and whatever You ask for, or wish, you shall have!

Rub the lamp but the least bit soever, It calls me, for I am its slave!”

Aladdin said, ”Open this cave!”

He was freed from the place in a minute; And he rubbed once again: ”Take me home!”

Home he was. And as blithe as a linnet Rubbed again for the Genius with: ”Come, I am dying for food; get me some!”

Thus at first he but valued his treasure Because simple wants it supplied.

Grown older it furnished him pleasure; And then it brought riches beside; And, at last, it secured him his bride.

Now the Princess most lovely of any Was Badroulboudour, (what a name!) Who, though sought for and sued for by many, No matter how grandly they came, Yet merrily laughed them to shame,