human
But when he heard the name
gpt
Aladdin, and the fame attached to it, he muttered to himself,
human
Can this be he? And hath he risen to a high position through the Lamp and the Slave of the Lamp? Then he rose and drew a table of magic signs in the sand in order to find if the Aladdin of Destiny were indeed alive upon the earth. And the figures gave him what he feared. Aladdin was alive and the Lamp was not in the cavern where by his magic he had first discovered it. At this a great fear struck him to the heart, and he wondered that he had lived to experience it, for he knew that at any moment Aladdin, by means of the Slave of the Lamp, might slay him for revenge. Wondering that this had not occurred to Aladdin's mind he hastened to draw another table; by which he saw that Aladdin had acquired great possessions and had married the Sultan's daughter. At this his rage mastered his fear and he cursed Aladdin with fury and envy. But, though his magic was great, it could not cope with that which slumbered in the Lamp, and his curses missed their mark, only to abide the time when they might circle back upon him. Meanwhile, in great haste, he arose and journeyed to the far land of Cathay, fearing every moment that Aladdin would bethink him of revenge by means of the Slave of the Lamp. Yet he arrived safely at the City of the Sultan and rested at an inn where he heard naught but praises of Aladdin's generosity, his bravery in battle, his beautiful bride Bedr-el-Budur and his magnificent palace. This gave a biting edge to his envious wrath, and, when he went forth into the ways of the City and still heard groups of people talking of Aladdin and the splendour of his state, he approached a young man, and, saluting him with feigned graciousness, said,
gpt
O my master, pray tell me, who is this great one that all extol? And the young man replied,
human
Verily thou art a stranger in the City and from exceeding distant parts if thou hast not heard of Aladdin--whose glory be increased! His wonderful palace is the talk of the world.
gpt
Yea, answered the Dervish,
human
I am a stranger from very distant lands and there is nothing more to my desire than to see the palace, if thou wilt direct me.
gpt
On the head and eye, replied the youth; and, leading him through the City, he brought him to Aladdin's Palace. Then, when the Dervish scrutinised the wonderful building, he knew it to be the work of the Slave of the Lamp.
human
By Allah! he cried when the youth had left him,
gpt
I will be even with this accursed tailor's son who got all this through me.
human
New lamps for old! Who will exchange old lamps for new? And the people hearing this, laughed among themselves, saying he was mad; and none brought an old lamp to him in exchange for a new one, for they all thought there was nothing to be gained out of a madman. But when the Dervish reached Aladdin's palace he began to cry more lustily,
gpt
New lamps for old! Who will exchange old lamps for new?