The History of Aladdin or The Wonderful Lamp - Anonymous

Aladdin poor the wizard found,

Who moved from cavern’s mouth a stone;

Then bade him go beneath the ground,

And pace through unknown realms alone,

Till from a niche he bore away

A lamp—extinguishing its ray.

[2]

The youth obedient instant hied,

When fruits luxuriant met his sight;

The white were pearls in snowy pride,

Diamonds the clear—of brilliant light;

For red the rubies dazzling blazed,

Whereof Aladdin gathered store;

Then on the lamp in rapture gazed,

And from its niche the treasure bore.

[3]

Regained his home, he seized anon

The lamp, and cried “straight bring me food;”

The Genii instantly was gone,

But soon again before him stood.

The youth his fear-struck mother bore,

As plates of silver met his view;

Of viands choice, containing store,

And cups, with wine of rosy hue.

[4]

Aladdin next by chance descried,

The Sultan’s daughter, witching fair;

Love’s high control was not denied—

He sought to gain the beauty rare.

Before the Sultan lowly bent

His mother, and the jewels spread;

The Prince, astonished, gave consent,

And all Aladdin’s terrors fled.

[5]

In gorgeous robes the youth arrayed,

Vaulted anon his prancing steed;

And of the glittering, gay parade,

Right joyous smiling took the lead.

With loud huzzas then rang the air,

Which louder pealed, as gold amain

By slaves was cast, for mob to share,

That glittered on the vasty plain

[6]

Ne’er dreaming lamp so worn and old

More worth commanded than Peru,

Our Princess bartered wealth untold,

For the Magician’s lamp quite new:

So when this change the eunuch made

In scorn the rabble ’gan to shout;

Beholding such a silly trade,

They deemed the wizard fool and lout.

[7]

O’erwhelmed with grief, Aladdin prayed

Once more the Genii life would spare;

Beseeching he might be conveyed

Where late had stood his palace fair.

Then swift as thought, the spirit bore

The youth through airy realms above;

Who lighted safe on Afric’s shore,

And gained the chamber of his love

[8]

His foe the poison quaffed and fell

— A writhing form the wizard lay;

Aladdin knew how worked the spell,

And tore from vest the lamps, his prey.

The Princess with a panting heart,

Flew to receive affection’s kiss:

Thus met they, never more to part;

From that hour sealed their lasting bliss.