Ere she replied one stepped forth, even Feshnavat, my father, and called
me by name, and knew me by a spot on the left arm, and made himself known
to me, and told me the story of my dead mother, how she had missed her
way from the caravan in the desert, and he searching her was set upon by
robbers, and borne on their expeditions. Nothing said he of the
sorceries of Goorelka, and I, not wishing to provoke the Princess,
suffered his dread to exist. So I kissed him, and bowed my head to him,
and she fled from the sight of innocent happiness. Then took I the ring,
and summoned Karaz, and ordered him to reinstate all those princes and
chiefs and officers in their possessions and powers, on what part of
earth soever that might be. Never till I stood as the Lily and thy voice
sweetened the name of love in my ears, heard I aught of delicate
delightfulness, like the sound of their gratitude. Many wooed me to let
them stay by me and guard me, and do service all their lives to me; but
this I would not allow, and though they were fair as moons, some of them,
I responded not to their soft glances, speaking calmly the word of
farewell, for I was burdened with other thoughts.

Now, when the Genie had done my bidding, he returned to me joyfully. My
soul sickened to think myself his by a promise; but I revolved the words
of my promise, and saw in them a loophole of escape. So, when he claimed
me, I said, 'Ay! ay! lay thy head in my lap,' as if my mind treasured it.
Then he lay there, and revealed to me his plans for the destruction of
men. 'Or,' said he, 'they shall be our slaves and burden-beasts, for
there 's now no restraint on me, now thou art mistress of the ring, and
mine.' Thereupon his imagination swelled, and he saw his evil will
enthroned, and the hopes of men beneath his heel, crying, 'And the more I
crush them the thicker they crowd, for the Identical compelleth their
very souls to adore in spite of distaste.'