Moreover, do thou seek of him wine, and that red, [597] and make him a
show of all joy and gladness and drink to his health. [598] Then, when
thou hast filled him two or three cups of wine, [599] [watch] till thou
take him off his guard; then put him this powder [600] in the cup and
fill it up with wine, and an he drink it, he will straightway turn
over on his back, like a dead man." When the Lady Bedrulbudour heard
Alaeddin's words, she said! to him, "This is a thing exceeding hard on
me to do; but it is lawful to slay this accursed, so we may be delivered
from his uncleanness who hath made me rue thy separation and that of my
father." Then Alaeddin ate and drank with his wife that which stayed
his hunger and rising at once, went forth the palace; whereupon the Lady
Bedrulbudour summoned her tirewoman, who busked her and adorned her, and
she rose and donned fine clothes and perfumed herself. Whilst she was
thus engaged, the accursed Maugrabin presented himself and was exceeding
rejoiced to see her on this wise, more by token that she received
him with a smiling face, contrary to her wont; so he redoubled in
distraction for her love and longing for her. Then she took him and
seating him by her side, said to him, "O my beloved, an thou wilt, come
hither to me this night and we will sup together. Enough of mourning;
for that, an I sat grieving a thousand years, what were the profit?
Alaeddin cannot return from the tomb and I have considered and believe
[601] that which thou saidst to me yesterday, to wit, that most like
my father the Sultan hath slain him, in the excess of his grief for my
loss. Nay, marvel not at me to-day, that I am changed since yesterday,
for that I have bethought me to take thee to beloved and companion
in Alaeddin's stead, seeing there is left me no man other than thou.
Wherefore it is my hope that thou wilt come to-night, so we may sup
together and drink somewhat of wine with each other, and I will have
thee let me taste of the wine of thy country Africa, for that belike it
is better [than ours]. Wine, indeed, I have by me; but it is that of our
country, and I desire exceedingly to taste the wine of your country."

When [602] the Maugrabin saw the love which the Lady Bedrulbudour
professed to him and that she was changed from her whilom plight of
grief, he thought that she had given up her hope of Alaeddin; so he
rejoiced greatly and said to her, "O my soul, hearkening and obedience
unto all that w