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seen the slave of the ring which he had rubbed in the treasure; so, when he heard the genie’s speech to his mother, he hastened to take the lamp from her hand and said to him, “O slave of the lamp, I am hungry; my will is that thou bring me somewhat I may eat, and be it somewhat good past conceit.”[1] The genie was absent the twinkling of an eye and [returning,] brought him a great costly tray of sheer silver, whereon were twelve platters of various kinds and colours[2] of rich meats and two silver cups and two flagons[3] of clarified old wine and bread whiter than snow; all which he set before him and disappeared. So Alaeddin arose and sprinkled rosewater on his mother’s face and made her smell to strong[4] perfumes; whereupon she revived and he said to her, “Rise, O my mother, so we may eat of this food that God the Most High hath vouchsafed us.”[5] When she saw the great silver tray, she marvelled and said to Alaeddin, “O
- ↑ Or “beyond desire” (fauca ’l khatir), i.e. inconceivably good. Burton, “beyond our means.”
- ↑ It is a favourite device with Oriental cooks to colour dishes (especially those which contain rice) in various ways, so as to please the eye as well as the palate.
- ↑ Lit. “black bottles” (musewwedetein). Burton, “black jacks.”
- ↑ Zekiyyeh (pure) for dhekiyyeh (strong, sharp, pungent), a common vulgar corruption.
- ↑ Burton, “wherewith Allah Almighty hath eased our poverty.”
