University of Virginia Library

Aladdin's Palace.
The Great Hall. Aladdin and his Bride, Soliman, Zulima, Morgiana, the Vizir, and numerous Guests seated at table.
Soliman.
Magnificence like this I ne'er beheld!
But say, my son, when everything beside
Is perfect, wherefore is the window there,
In yonder farther corner, incomplete?

Aladdin.
My lord and father, all my happiness
Is to your goodness due; and therefore I,
As a poor token of my gratitude,
Have left this single window incomplete,
That you might put the final hand yourself
To this fair structure: you alone might have
The praise and glory of the perfect work.

Soliman.
Charming! Aladdin, you enchant me! All
My artists shall be sent for with the dawn.

Aladdin.
Now, by your leave, let dance and song proceed,
To give a daintier relish to our feast!

Aladdin makes a signal, whereupon enter a band of fairies, some dressed for dancing, some with instruments; when the dance begins, sings the
Chorus.
Spring is come; swathed softly in its leafy sheath,
Slumbers the young bud; how red it swells beneath!
Tinkle, then, ye strings, like brook in forest glades,
Loud as birds in spring, sing, ye beauteous maids!
Every bosom now is glowing with love's fires,
Age itself anew is thrilled with fond desires!
All the earth doth wear a garniture divine;
Freely sprinkle, then, the golden-juicèd wine!
With its gladsome nectar, brimm'd in goblets full,
Love's consuming ardour moderate and cool!
Mahomet, he chides not; see, his smile divine,
Myrtle-wreathed, bids welcome maidens, love, and wine!

Second Chorus.
Let her praises loudly echo through the hall,
Who of fairest roses fairest is of all!

Third Chorus.
Sing Gulnara's charms, serene, and soft and bright:
We shall sing Aladdin's prowess in the fight!

First Chorus.
In her scarf hast thou been toying, zephyr, say?
Love's delicious perfume bring'st thou thence away?
Say, hast thou been sporting 'mongst her dusky hair,
That sweeps in crispèd waves adown her shoulders fair?
Hast thou in her bosom's mirror peep'd, and seen
There thyself reflected in its ivory sheen?
Hast thou drunk enchantment from the musky air,
Linger'd for a while among the hollows there?
Answer, zephyr, answer; haste not to be gone;
Tell me every beauty thou hast look'd upon!

Third Chorus.
Zephyr, hence!—go whispering on through woodland ways;
Here resounds the hero's trumpet-song of praise!
Though he ne'er hath pitch'd his tent on listed field,
Hear, oh world, the glory soon to be reveal'd!
Stars shall quail before the gleaming of his spear;
Even the sun shall fail before his falchion clear;
Hordes of slain his steed in war shall trample o'er,
Wading to the hoofs incarnadined with gore!
Every young maid's locks shall murmur, “Oh, to be
Manacles of gold to clasp and fetter thee!”
In his good sword, flashing from its sheath, shall gleam
Elements that war, but each of worth supreme;
Water when at peace within his arm it rests,
Fire, when it is whirling o'er his foemen's crests.
Loud its iron tongue shall in the battle hour
Peal the war-note shrill of its death-dealing power.
Joy! Thy glory puts the poet's skill to shame!
Thou shalt sweep the desert like a blasting flame;
Strong in righteous wrath, and ruddily array'd,
Death, unfailing death, cleaves to thy falchion's blade!

All.
See, where now with panting breast and kindling eye,
To the nuptial room, hand linked in hand, they hie!
Oh the blossoms love's sweet flame shall ripen there,
When to stem so stalwart nestles rose so fair!
On with song and dance, ye maidens, and unbind
The wreath of lilies woven, that in her hair is twined;
Crown her in their stead with hyacinths, to be
Emblems meet of Beauty, Strength, Fertility!