University of Virginia Library

The Sultan's Palace.
Soliman. Aladdin.
Soliman.
To Allah and the Prophet I give thanks,
That such a worthy son-in-law have sent me.
Thy wealth I scarcely yet can comprehend;
Surpassing is thy beauty; spirit, health,
And constancy are beaming in thine eyes.
Oh noble youth, thou dost deserve my daughter:
Of that I'm well convinced. Another man
Would ask, perchance, how thou camest by thy wealth,
Who, what thou art and more! So do not I.
Since thou to keep this secret thinkest meet,
Doubtless thou hast good reasons of thine own,
Which though I knew, what better should I be?
I see well what thou hast; but how thou hast it,
I do not know; but better do I know,
How I, or any other child of Adam,
Have what we have? Enough to know the “what:”
'Tis only fools make question of the “how.”

Aladdin.
Great Sultan, these your noble words of wisdom
Refresh my soul, as morning dews that fall
From the high cedar's top refresh the bush,
Which seeks a shelter in its giant shade.

Soliman.
To-morrow, then, and with the dawn, my son,
We celebrate in state thy nuptial feast.

Aladdin.
The bee, great Sultan, yearneth not at morn
More fondly for the rose's honey'd cup,
Than I to rest within her arms divine;
The grass, bent with the stormy rains of night,
Not more impatiently awaits the sun,
To lift its head with added strength anew,
Than I, bow'd down by love's long feverish watch,
Await the gracious smiling of her eyes.
Yet I entreat, the marriage, oh my Sire,
May be postponed but for some little space,
Till in the square, before the palace here,
I have a mansion built, may worthily
Receive a mistress so unparagoned.

Soliman.
My son, I will concede the boon you ask.
How long will you require to be prepared?

Aladdin.
That I can not with certainty foretell;
But this at least I know, 'twill not be long;
My masons are unmatch'd for industry.

Soliman.
So be it, then. Now, come to the divan,
That I may there acquaint thee with the duties
Of my vicegerent, and the burdens, thou
Must henceforth as my son submit to share.

Aladdin.
Ah, if the needful strength were only mine!
But you shall strengthen me; your wisdom shall
Upraise me, whensoe'er I droop or fall.

[Exeunt.