As soon as Abdalla saw that Ali Baba and Cogia Houssain had done talking, he began to play on the tabor, and to sing an air, to which Morgiana, who was an excellent performer, danced in such a manner as would have created admiration in any company.
After she had danced several dances with much grace, she drew the poniard, and holding it in her hand, began to dance, in which she outdid herself. Sometimes she figured to strike at one of the company, sometimes at another, and oftentimes at herself. At last, she snatched the tabor from Abdalla with her left hand and holding the dagger in her right presented the reverse side of the tabor, after the manner of those who get a livelihood by dancing, and solicit the liberality of the spectators.
Ali Baba put a piece of gold into the tabor, as did also his son; and Cogia Houssain seeing that she was coming to him, pulled his purse out of his bosom to make her a present; but while he was doing this, Morgiana, with a courage and resolution worthy of herself, plunged the poniard into his heart.
Ali Baba and his son, shocked at this action, cried out aloud. “Unhappy woman!” exclaimed Ali Baba, “what have you done to ruin me and my family?” “It was to preserve, not to ruin you,” answered Morgiana; “for see here,” continued she, opening the pretended Cogia Houssain’s gar-
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