it, sire--we were robbers. He followed us in our
expeditions, and distinguished himself on every occasion by deeds of
valour and humanity. We lost him in a conflict with your troops."

No other circumstance was necessary to inform the King that he who was
about to die by his command was his only son! He rushed from his
throne, flew to Aladin, with his own poniard struck the cords off him,
and clasped him in his arms, with marks of the most tender affection.

"Ah! my son," exclaimed he, "I have been on the point of plunging in
my heart the dagger of endless repentance. My heart must have been
torn at the sight of a cruel punishment, and it has been mercifully
converted into a spectacle of triumph and joy, whose ravishing
splendour my soul can with difficulty support!"

He again embraced Aladin, set him upon his elephant, and returned to
the palace, amid the din of trumpets and the acclamations of the
people.

Baherjoa had been already informed of his unexpected happiness in
finding a son for whose fate she had been so often alarmed. In a short
time the King himself presented to her this dear child, dressed in
such splendid garments that it was not easy to discover the alteration
which a tedious confinement had produced upon him. The joy of this
event soon spread through all ranks in the kingdom. Courtiers,
merchants, and artists partook of it; the mosques were opened, and the
people crowded thither to render thanks to Allah and His Prophet;
public rejoicings testified the general happiness; the city of Ispahan
was on this day transformed into a scene of pleasure; and everything,
even the birds of heaven, sang the glory of the monarch and the
deliverance of Aladin.

The ten Viziers alone, far from participating in the public happiness,
were thrown into a dark dungeon, where the remorse of their
consciences anticipated the punishment which, at the end of the thirty
days that had been appointed for feasting, they were doomed to suffer.
At length, by the orders of the Sovereign, they were brought to the
foot of the throne, which was now become so formidable to them. Aladin
was seated at his father's right hand. They turned away their guilty
eyes, and after a silence that imposed respect and terror, Bohetzad
thus addressed them:

"Pretended supports of my throne!" said he to them, "ministers so
jealous of my glory! behold this criminal whom, with so much cruel
obstinacy and such distinguished eagerness, you pursued. I