Charming princess," said
he, holding in his hand the cup which had been presented to him, "my
wine becomes more exquisite by your approbation." "Then drink my
health," replied the princess: "you will find I understand wines." He
drank the princess's health, and returning the cup said; "I think myself
fortunate, princess, that I reserved this wine for so happy an occasion;
and own I never before drank any in every respect so excellent." When
they had each drunk two or three cups more, the princess, who had
completely charmed the African magician by her obliging behaviour, gave
the signal to the slave who served them with wine, bidding her bring the
cup which had been filled for herself, and at the same time bring the
magician a full goblet. When they both had their cups in their hands,
she said to him: "I know not how you express your loves in these parts
when drinking together. With us in China lovers reciprocally exchange
cups, and drink each other's health:" at the same time she presented to
him the cup which was in her hand, and held out her hand to receive his.
He hastened to make the exchange with the more pleasure, because he
looked upon this favour as a token of conquest over the princess, which
raised his rapture to the highest pitch. Before he drank, he said to
her, with the cup in his hand: "Indeed, princess, we Africans are not so
refined in the art of love as you Chinese: and your instructing me in a
lesson I was ignorant of, informs me how sensible I ought to be of the
favour done me. I shall never, lovely princess, forget my recovering, by
drinking out of your cup, that life, which your cruelty, had it
continued, must have made me despair of."

The princess, who began to be tired with his declarations, interrupted
him and said: "Let us drink first, and then say what you will
afterward:" at the same time she set the cup to her lips, while the
African magician, who was eager to get his wine off first, drank up the
very last drop. In finishing it, he leaned his head back to show his
eagerness, and remained some time in that state. The princess kept the
cup at her lips till she saw his eyes turn in his head, when he fell
backward lifeless on the sofa. The princess had no occasion to order the
private door to be opened to Aladdin; for her women were so disposed
from the great hall to the foot of the staircase, that the word was no
sooner given that the magician was fallen, than the door was immediately
opened.