Before he leaves,
ask him to exchange cups with you, which he, gratified at the honor
you do him, will gladly do, when you must give him the cup containing
this powder. On drinking it he will instantly fall asleep, and we will
obtain the lamp, whose slaves will do all our bidding, and restore us
and the palace to the capital of China."
The princess obeyed to the utmost her husband's instructions. She
assumed a look of pleasure on the next visit of the magician, and
asked him to an entertainment, which he most willingly accepted. At
the close of the evening, during which the princess had tried all she
could to please him, she asked him to exchange cups with her, and
giving the signal, had the drugged cup brought to her, which she gave
to the magician. Out of compliment to the princess he drank it to the
very last drop, when he fell back lifeless on the sofa.
The princess, in anticipation of the success of her scheme, had so
placed her women from the great hall to the foot of the staircase
that the word was no sooner given that the African magician was fallen
backward, than the door was opened, and Aladdin admitted to the hall.
The princess rose from her seat, and ran, overjoyed, to embrace him;
but he stopped her, and said, "Princess, retire to your apartment; and
let me be left alone, while I endeavor to transport you back to China
as speedily as you were brought from thence."
When the princess, her women, and slaves were gone out of the hall,
Aladdin shut the door, and going directly to the dead body of the
magician, opened his vest, took out the lamp, which was carefully
wrapped up, and rubbing it, the genie immediately appeared.
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