Английские сказки для мальчиков / English Fairy Tales for Boys

[55 - with open arms – с раскрытыми объятиями]”

She came back home joyfully. But Aladdin first called the Jinn.

“I want a beautiful dress,” he said, “a white horse, and twenty slaves. And ten thousand pieces of gold in ten purses.” The Jinn answered, “No problem, my Master.”

Aladdin mounted his horse and passed through the streets. The slaves were strewing gold.

When the Sultan saw Aladdin, he came down from his throne and led him into a hall. He wanted to marry him to the princess that very day.[56 - that very day – в тот же день]

But Aladdin refused, and said, “I must build a palace for her.

At home he said to the Jinn, “Build me a palace of the finest marble, with jasper, agate, and other precious stones.”

The Jinn finished the palace by next day.

The Sultan sent musicians with trumpets and cymbals to meet them. The air resounded with music and cheers.

At night the princess said good-bye to her father. She was charmed at the sight of Aladdin.

The next day Aladdin invited the Sultan to see the palace.

Aladdin became the captain of the Sultan’s armies. He won several battles for him but remained modest and courteous. They lived in peace and content for several years.

But far away in Africa the magician remembered Aladdin. He discovered that Aladdin escaped from the cave, married a princess and was living in great honour and wealth!

He decided to steal the Lamp. He travelled night and day till he reached the capital. When he was passing through the town, the people everywhere were talking about a marvellous palace.

“Forgive my ignorance,” he asked, “what is this palace you speak of?[57 - what is this palace you speak of? – что это за дворец, о котором вы говорите?]”

“Did you not hear about Prince Aladdin’s palace,” was the reply, “the greatest wonder of the world?”

The magician saw the palace and became half mad with rage.

He bought a dozen copper lamps and put them into a basket. Then he went to the palace, crying, “New lamps for old![58 - New lamps for old! – Меняю новые лампы на старые!]”

Aladdin was not at the palace at the moment.

“Your Majesty,” replied the slave, “an old fool offers to exchange fine new lamps for old ones.”

Another slave said, “We have a very old lamp, let’s change it.”

But this was the magic Lamp, which Aladdin left there.