small inheritance equally between them. Cassim married a very rich wife, and became a wealthy merchant. Ali Baba ma

observed it with attention, and distinguished soon after a body of horsemen, who he suspected might be robbers. He determined to leave his asses to save himself. He

brought behind them. Then each of them took off his saddle-bag, which seemed to Ali Baba to be full of gold and silver from its weight. One, whom he took to be their captain, came under the tree in which Ali Baba was concealed; and making his way th

e rock, during which Ali Baba, fearful

aba heard him make the door close by pronouncing these words, "Shut, Sesame!" Every man at once went and bridled his horse, fastened hi

captain of the robbers used to cause the door to open and shut, he had the curiosity to try if his pronouncing them would have the same effect. Accordin

rock, and in which were all sorts of provisions, rich bales of silk, stuff, brocade, and valuable carpeting, piled upon one another; gold and silver ingots in grea

had loaded them with the bags, he laid wood over them in such a manner that they could not be seen. When he had passed in and out as often as he

carried the bags into his house, and ranged them in order before his wife. He then emptied the bags, which raised such a great heap of gold

ake, when you pretend to count the money; you will never have done. I will dig a hole, and bury it. There is no time to be lost." "You are in the right,

ed her to lend her a measure for a little while. Her sister-in-law asked her whether she would have a great

s wife wanted to measure, and artfully putting some suet at the bottom of the measure, brought it to her, w

they did, and went to tell her husband, who had almost finished digging the hole. While Ali Baba was burying the gold, his wife, to show her exactness and diligence to her sister-in-law, carried the measure back again,

pressible surprise to find a piece of gold sticking to it. Envy immediately possessed her breast.

tely richer than you. He does not count his money, but measures it." Cassim desired her to explain the riddle, which she did, by telling him the stratag

d a base envy at his brother's prosperity. He could not sleep all that night, and went to him in the morning before sunrise. "Ali Baba," said he, "I am

ey had so much reason to conceal; but what was done, could not be undone. Therefore, without showing the l

how I may visit it myself when I choose; otherwise, I will go and inform against you, and then you

even to the very words he was to u

When he reached the entrance of the cavern, he pronounced the words, "Open, Sesame!" The door immediately opened, and, when he was in, closed upon him. In examining the cave, he was in great admiration to find much more riches than he had expected from Ali Baba's relation. He quickly laid as many bags of gold as he could carry at

Sesame," the more his memory was confounded, and he had as much forgotten it as if he had never heard it mentioned. He threw down the bags

med at this, they galloped full speed to the cave. They drove away the mules, which strayed through the forest so far, that they were soon out of sig

make one effort for his life. He rushed to the door, and no sooner saw the door open, than he ran out and thr

sed that Cassim, when he was in, could no get out again, but could not imagine how he had learned the secret words by which alone he could enter. They could not deny the fact of his being there; and to terrify any person or accomplice who should attempt the same thing, they agreed to cut Cassim's body into four quarters-to hang

law, that you know Cassim is gone to the forest, and upon what account; it is now night, and he has not returned; I am afraid some misfortune has happened to him." Ali

ntly till midnight. Then her fear redoubled, and her grief was the more sensible because she was forced to keep it to herself. She repented of her foolish curiosity, and cursed her desire

pronounced the word, and the door had opened, he was struck with horror at the dismal sight of his brother's body. He was not long in determining how he should pay the last dues to his brother; but without adverting to the little fraternal affection he had shown for him, went into the cave, to find something to enshroud his remains; and having loaded one of his asses with them, covered them over with wood. The other

When he came into the court, he unloaded the ass, and taking Morgiana aside, said to her, "You must observe an inviolable secrecy. Your master's body is contain

house, again recommended to Morgiana to act

sigh, "Her good master Cassim himself: and that he could neither eat nor speak." In the evening Morgiana went to the same druggist's again, and with tears in her eyes, asked for an essence which they used to giv

d cries of Cassim's wife and Morgiana, who gave out everywhere that her master was dead. The next morning at daybreak Morgiana went to an old cobbler whom she knew to be always early at his stall, and bidding h

against my conscience, or against my honour?" "God forbid," said Morgiana, putting another piece of gold into

er deceased master's house, and never unloosed his eyes till he had entered the room where she had put the corpse together. "Baba Mustaph

d at the same time Ali Baba perfumed it with incense, and wrapped it in the burying clothes with the accustomed ceremonies. Not long after the proper officer brought the bier, and when the attendants of the mosque, whose business it was to wash the dead, offered to perform their duty, she told them that it was done already. Shortly after this the imaun and the other ministers of the mosque arrived. Four neighbours carried the corpse to the burying-ground, following the imaun, who recited

st knowledge or suspicion of the cause of it. Three or four days after the funeral, Ali Baba removed his few goods openly to his sister-in-law's house, in which it was agreed that he

dy taken away, with some of their bags of gold. "We are certainly discovered," said the captain. "The removal of the body, and the loss of some of o

mously approved of th

ear any talk of the man whom we have killed, and endeavour to find out who he was, and where he lived. This is a matter of the first importance, and for fear of

the robbers started up, and said, "I submit to this condition

dy would take him for what he was; and taking his leave of the troop that night, went into the town just at daybreak; a

-morrow; and perceiving that he was old, said, "Honest man, you begin to work very early: is it possible that

nary good eyes; and you will not doubt it when I tell you that I sewed the body

zement. "Yes, yes," answered Baba Mustapha, "I see you

Baba Mustapha's hand, said to him, "I do not want to learn your secret, though I can assure you you might safel

as taken to a certain place, whence I was led blindfold to the house, and afterward brought ba

yes at the same place. We will walk together; perhaps you may recognise some part; and as everybody ought to be paid for their tro

n do." At these words Baba Mustapha rose up, to the great joy of the robber, and led him to the place where Morgiana had bound his eyes. "It was here," said Baba Mustapha, "I was blindfolded; and I turned this way." The robber tied his handkerchief over his eyes, and walked by him till he stopped directly

im for the trouble he had taken, and left him to go back to his stall, whil

o observe it. "What can be the meaning of this mark?" said she to herself; "somebody intends my master no good: however, with whatever intention it was done, it is advisable to gu

with the utmost satisfaction; when the captain, after commending his diligence, addressing himself to them all, said, "Comrades, we have no time to lose: let us set off well armed, without its appearing who we are; but that we may not excite any suspi

e he had marked Ali Baba's residence; and when they came to the first of the houses which Morgiana had marked, he pointed it out. But the captain observed that the next door was chalked in the same manner and in the same place; and showing it to his guide, asked him which house it was, that, or the first. The guide was so

ce of meeting, and told his troop that they had lost their labour, and must return t

e conductor was declared by all worthy of death. He condemned himself, acknowledging that he ought to have

mised himself that he should succeed better, presented himself, and his offer being accepted, he went and corrupted Baba

and seeing the red chalk, and arguing with herself as she had done be

ouse from the others; and the captain and all of them thought it must succeed. They conveyed themselves into the town with the same precaution as before; but when the

much more dissatisfied; while the robber who had been the author of th

plan to get information of the residence of their plunderer. He found by their example that their heads were not

d done to the other robbers. He did not set any particular mark on the house, but examined and

g can prevent our full revenge, as I am certain of the house; and in my way hither I have thought how to put it into execution, but if any one can form a better expedient, let him communicate it." He th

urpose, the captain caused them to be widened, and after having put one of his men into each, with the weapons which he thought fit, le

through the streets, till he came to Ali Baba's, at whose door he designed to have knocked; but was prevented by his sitting there after supper to take a little fresh air. He stopped his mules, addressed himself to him, and said, "I have brought som

the same time he called to a slave, and ordered him, when the mules were unloaded, to put them into the stable, and to feed them; and then went to Morgiana, to bid her get a good supper for his guest. After they had finished supper, Ali Baba, charging Morgiana af

ach man: "As soon as I throw some stones out of the chamber window where I lie, do not fail to come out, and I will immediately join you." After this he returned into the house, when Morgiana, taking

preparing it the lamp went out, and there was no more oil in the house, nor any candles. What to do she did not know, for the broth must be m

ot, and went into the yard; when, as she came nigh the

g silence, as Ali Baba, his family, and herself were in great danger; and collecting herself, without showing the least emotion, she ans

made what haste she could to fill her oil-pot, and returned into her kitchen, where, as soon as she had lighted her lamp, she took a great kettle, went again to t

empty kettle; and having put out the great fire she had made to boil the oil, and leaving just enough to make the broth, put out the lamp also, an

at his companions stirred, he began to grow very uneasy, threw stones again a second and also a third time, and could not comprehend the reason that none of them should answer his signal. Much alarmed, he went softly down into the yard, and going to the first jar, while asking the robber, whom he thought alive, if he was in readiness, smelt the hot boiled oil, which sen

bed, satisfied and pleased to have succeed

slave, went to the baths, entirely ignorant of

les. He asked Morgiana, who opened the door, the reason of it. "My good master," answered she, "God preserve you and all your f

and cried out. "Do not be afraid," said Morgiana "the man you see there can neither do you nor anybody else any harm. He is dead." "Ah, Morgiana," said Ali Baba, "what is it you show me? Explain yourse

giously sunk, and stood for some time motionless, sometimes looking at the jars, and sometimes at Morgiana, without sayin

, and what is become of him; but you had better hear the story in your own cham

rst observing the mark upon the house, to the destru

me from the snares these robbers laid for my destruction. I owe, therefore, my life to you; and, for the first to

ch, long and wide enough to hold the bodies of the robbers; and as the earth was light, they were not long in doing it. When this was done, Ali

lish the death of Ali Baba. For this purpose he returned to the town, and took a lodging in a khan, and disguised himself as a merchant in silks. Under this assumed character, he gradually conveyed a great many sorts of rich stuffs and fine linen to his lodging from the cavern, but w

with Cogia Houssain, who strove to cultivate his friendship more particularly. Two or three days after he was settled, Ali Baba came to see his son, and the captain of the robbers recognised him at once, and soon learned

s so much straitened for want of room in his house, that he could not entertain him.

ch is a day that the shops of such great merchants as Cogia Houssain and yourself are shut, get him to

is father lived, and when they came to the house, stopped and knocked at the door. "This, sir," said he, "is my father's house, who, from the account I have given him

without hazarding his own life or making any noise, yet he excused himself, and offered to take his leave; but

. He thanked him for all the favours he had done his son; adding withal, the obligation was the greater, a

, in so much haste? I beg you would do me the honour to sup with me, though my entertainment may not be worthy your acceptance; such as it is, I heartily offer it." "Sir," replied Cogia Houssain, "I am thoroughly persuaded of your good-will; but the truth is, I can eat no victuals that have any salt in them; therefore judge how I should feel

e meat that was to be dressed that night; and to make quickly two or thre

is this strange man," said she, "who eats no salt with his meat? Your supper will be spoiled, if I keep it ba

e dishes; and looking at Cogia Houssain, knew him at first sight, notwithstanding his disguise, to be the captain of the robbers, and examining him very carefully, perceived that he had a dagger under his ga

li Baba, Morgiana retired, dressed herself neatly, with a suitable head-dress like a dancer, girded her waist with a silver-gilt girdle, to which there hung a poniard with a hilt and guard of the same metal,

a low obeisance by way of asking leave to exhibit her skill, while Abdalla left off playing. "Come in, Morgiana," s

ped, if he now missed his aim, to secure it another time, by keeping up a friendly correspondence with the father and son; therefore, though he could have wished Ali Ba

lay on the tabour, and accompanied it with an air, to which Morgiana, who was an excell

g leaps and wonderful exertions with which she accompanied it. Sometimes she presented the poniard to one breast, sometimes to another, and oftentimes seemed to strike her own. At last, she snatched the tabour f

coming to him, had pulled his purse out of his bosom to make her a present; but while he was putting his h

the pretended Cogia Houssain's garment, and showing the dagger, "what an enemy you had entertained? Look well at him, and you will find him to be both the fictitious oil merchant, and the captain of the gang of forty robbers. Remember, too, tha

you higher proofs of its sincerity, which I now do by making you my daughter-in-law." Then addressing himself to his son, he said, "I believe you, son, to be so dutiful a child, that you will not refuse Morgiana for your wife. You see that Cogia Houssain

many years after, when no one had any concern in the publication of this remarkable history. A few days afterward, Ali Baba celebrated the nuptials of his son and Morgiana with great solemnity, a sumptuous feast, and the usual dancing and spectacles; and had the satisfaction to see that his friends and neighbours, whom

pened. He entered the cavern, and by the condition he found things in, judged that nobody had been there since the captain had fetched the goods for his shop. From this time he believed he was the only person in the world who had the secret of opening the cave, and that all the treasure was at his

me" is a