When I was just out of the nursery, an old
lady who waited on me was a most expert magician, and taught me
seventy rules of magic. By this science I know all enchanted persons
at first sight: I know who they are, and by whom they have been
enchanted; therefore do not be surprised if I should forthwith restore
this prince, in spite of the enchantments, to his own form."
"Do so, then," interrupted the sultan, "for you cannot give me
greater pleasure, as I wish to have him for my grand vizier, and
bestow you upon him for a wife."
"I am ready, sire," answered the princess, "to obey you in all things
you please to command."
The princess, the Lady of Beauty, went into her apartment, and brought
thence a knife, which had some Hebrew words engraved on the blade: she
made the sultan, the little slave, and myself, descend into a private
court of the palace, and there left us under a gallery that went round
it. She placed herself in the middle of the court, where she made a
great circle, and within it she wrote several words in ancient Arabian
characters.
When she had finished and prepared the circle, she placed herself in
the center of it, where she began incantations, and repeated verses of
the Koran. The air grew insensibly dark, as if it had been night; we
found ourselves struck with consternation, and our fear increased when
we saw the genie appear suddenly in the shape of a lion[21] of
gigantic size.
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