y presence] in a palace [532] wherein there was
somewhat lacking; wherefore, so thou mayst know that it was not for lack
of ableness that I left it uncomplete, [533] let Thy Grace go up and see
the lattice-work of the kiosk, [534] an there be aught lacking thereto."

The Sultan accordingly went up to the pavilion [535] and entering the
kiosk, [536] viewed it right and left and saw no manner defect in its
lattices, but found them all perfect; whereat he was astounded and
embracing Alaeddin, fell a-kissing him and saying, "O my son, what is
this extraordinary thing? In one night thou dost a work wherefrom the
jewellers would fail in months! By Allah, methinketh thou hast not thy
fellow [537] in the world!" Quoth Alaeddin, "God prolong thy life and
perpetuate thy continuance! Thy slave is not worthy of this praise." "By
Allah, O my son," rejoined the Sultan, "thou deservest all praise, in
that thou hast done a thing wherefrom [all the] craftsmen of the
world would fail." Then he went down and entering the pavilion of his
daughter, the Lady Bedrulbudour, found her rejoicing exceedingly over
this great magnificence wherein she was; and after he had rested with
her awhile, he returned to his palace.

Now Alaeddin used every day to mount and ride through the town, with
his mamelukes behind him and before him, strewing gold upon the people,
right and left, and the folk, stranger and neighbour, near and far, were
fulfilled with the love of him for the excess of his munificence and his
bounty. Moreover he exceeded in benefaction of the poor and the indigent
[538] and used himself to distribute his alms to them with his own hand.
After this fashion he won himself great renown in all the realm and the
most of the chiefs of the state and the Amirs used to eat at his table
and swore not but by his precious life. Moreover, he fell to going
everywhile [539] to the chase and the horse course and to practicing
horsemanship and archery [540] before the Sultan, whilst the Lady
Bedrulbudour redoubled in love of him, whenassoever she saw him
disporting himself a horseback, and thought in herself that God had
wrought exceeding graciously by her in that there had befallen her
what befell with the Vizier's son, so He might keep her for her true
bridegroom Alaeddin. So [541] he went daily waxing in goodliness of
repute and in praise and the love of him redoubled in the hearts of the
common folk and he was magnified in men's eyes.

Now in those