36 THE ARABIAN NIGHTS.

“If you wish to be informed of it, open this vase,” answered
che Genius: “do you think that J am in the humour, while
confined in this narrow prison, to relate'stories? I will tell you
as many as you please when you shall have let me out.” “No,
no,” said the fisherman, “I will not release you ; it is better for
me to cast you into the bottom of the sea.” “ One word more,
fisherman,” cried the Genius: “I will teach you how to become
as rich as possible.”

The hope of being no longer in want, at once disarmed the
fisherman. “I would listen to you,” he cried, ‘if I had the
least ground to believe you ; swear to me by the great Prophet
that you will faithfully observe what you say, and I will open
the vase. I do not believe that you will be sufficiently bold to
violate such an oath.” The Genius did so; and the fisherman
immediately took off the covering. The smoke instantly issued
from it, and the first thing the Genius did, after he had re-
assumed his usual form, was to kick the vase into the sea, an
action which rather alarmed the fisherman. “ What do you
mean, O Genius, by this; do you not intend to keep the oath
you have taken? Or must I address the same words to you
which the physician Douban did to the Greek king—‘ Suffer
me to live, and Heaven will prolong your days?’”

The fear expressed by him made the Genius laugh ; “ Be of
good heart, fisherman,” answered he, “I have thrown the vase
into the sea only for. diversion, and to see whether you would be
alarmed: but to shew you that I intend to keep my word, take
your nets and follow me.” They passed by the city and went
over the top of a mountain, from whence they descended into a
vast plain, which led them to a pond, situated between four
small hills.

When they were arrived on the borders of the pond, the
Genius said to the fisherman, “Throw your nets, and catch
fish.” The fisherman did not doubt that he should take some,
for he saw a great quantity in the pond; but how great was his
surprise at finding them of four different colours—white, red,
blue, and yellow. He threw his nets and caught four, one of
each colour. As he had never seen any similar to them, he
could hardly cease admiring them ; and judging that he could
dispose of them for a considerable sum, he expressed great joy.
“ Carry these fish to the palace,” said the Genius, “and present