The false Fatima, who
wished for nothing better, consented, but kept his veil down for
fear of discovery. The princess showed him the hall, and asked
him what he thought of it. "It is truly beautiful," said the
false Fatima. "In my mind it wants but one thing." And what is
that?" said the Princess. "If only a roc's egg," replied he,
"were hung up from the middle of this dome, it would be the
wonder of the world."
After this the Princess could think of nothing but the roc's egg,
and when Aladdin returned from hunting he found her in a very ill
humour. He begged to know what was amiss, and she told him that
all her pleasure in the hall was spoilt for want of a roc's egg
hanging from the dome. "If that is all," replied Aladdin, "you
shall soon be happy." He left her and rubbed the lamp, and when
the genie appeared commanded him to bring a roc's egg. The genie
gave such a loud and terrible shriek that the hall shook.
"Wretch!" he cried, "is it not enough that I have done everything
for you, but you must command me to bring my master and hang him
up in the midst of this dome? You and your wife and your palace
deserve to be burnt to ashes, but that this request does not come
from you, but from the brother of the African magician, whom you
destroyed.
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