nt him and he entered till they brought him to the door of the
Divan. There sundry of them came forward and held his stirrup, whilst
some supported him on both sides and other some took him by the hand,
and so they dismounted him. Then the Amirs and officers of state
forewent him and brought him into the Divan, till he drew near the
Sultan's throne; whereupon the latter came down forthright from his seat
and embracing him, hindered him from kissing the carpet and seated him
beside himself on his right hand. Alaeddin did that which behoveth and
befitteth unto kings of obeisance and invocation and said to him, "O our
lord the Sultan, thy Grace's munificence hath vouchsafed [464] to accord
me the Lady Bedrulbudour thy daughter, albeit I am unworthy of this
great favour, for that I am of the lowliest of thy slaves; wherefore I
beseech God that He keep and continue thee. Indeed, O King, my tongue
faileth to thank thee [as were behoving] for the greatness of this boon,
overpassing its competence, [465] wherewith thou hast favoured me, and
I beseech Thy Grace to vouchsafe me ground, such as is meet, so I may
build thereon a palace that shall be fit for the Lady Bedrulbudour."

The Sultan was amazed when he saw Alaeddin in this regal array and
beheld his grace and goodliness and the mamelukes standing in attendance
upon him in all their comeliness and fair favour; yea, and his
wonderment redoubled when Alaeddin's mother came up attired in rich and
costly raiment, as she were a queen, and he saw twelve slave-girls in
her service, preceding her, their hands clasped behind their backs, with
all worship and observance. Moreover, he noted Alaeddin's eloquence and
the elegance of his speech and was amazed thereat, he and all who were
present with him in the Divan, whilst fire was kindled in the Vizier's
heart for envy of Alaeddin, so that he was like to die. Then, after the
Sultan had heard Alaeddin's compliment and had seen the greatness of his
quality and his modesty and eloquence, he strained him to his bosom and
kissed him, saying, "It irketh me, O my son, that I have not known thee
[466] before to-day." So, [467] when he saw Alaeddin on this fashion, he
rejoiced in him with an exceeding joy and at once bade the music [468]
and the drums [469] strike up; then, rising, he took him by the hand and
carried him into the palace, where the evening-meal had been made ready
and the servants set the tables. There he sat down and seated Alae