But we very soon had a more urgent
reason for fear, for the genie, having got loose from the princess,
came to the gallery where we stood, and blew flames of fire upon
us. We should all have perished if the princess, running to our
assistance, had not by her cries forced him to retire, and defend
himself against her; yet, notwithstanding all her exertions, she
could not hinder the sultan's beard from being burnt, and his face
spoiled, nor the chief of the chamberlains from being stifled and
burnt on the spot. The sultan and I expected nothing but death,
when we heard a cry of 'Victory, victory!' and on a sudden the
princess appeared in her natural shape, but the genie was reduced
to a heap of ashes.
The princess came near to us that she might not lose time, called
for a cupful of water, which the young slave, who had received no
damage, brought her. She took it, and after pronouncing some words
over it, threw it upon me, saying, 'If thou art become an ape by
enchantment, change thy shape, and take that of a man, which thou
hadst before.' These words were hardly uttered when I became a man
as I was before.
I was preparing to give thanks to the princess, but she prevented
me by addressing herself to her father, thus: 'Sir, I have gained
the victory over the genie, as your majesty may see; but it is a
victory that costs me dear.
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