him. So
they took all the jewels assigned them by the Sultan and wrought with
them, but found that these also sufficed them not, nor might they
complete withal the half of that which lacked of the lattice work of the
oriel; [524] whereupon the Sultan bade take all the jewels which should
be found with the Viziers and chiefs of the state; and accordingly they
took them all and wrought therewith; but this also sufficed not.

When it was morning, Alaeddin went up to view the jewelers' work and saw
that they had not completed half the lacking lattice-work; whereupon
he bade them incontinent undo all that they had wrought and restore the
jewels to their owners. Accordingly, they undid it all and sent to the
Sultan that which was his and to the Viziers [and others] that which
was theirs. Then they went to the Sultan and told him that Alaeddin had
commanded them of this; whereupon he asked them, "What said he to you
and why would he not have the lattice-work finished and why undid he
that which you had done?" And they said to him, "O my lord, we know
nothing, save that he bade us undo all that we had done." Whereupon the
Sultan immediately called for the horses and arising, mounted and rode
to Alaeddin's palace.

Meanwhile Alaeddin, after dismissing the goldsmiths and the jewellers,
entered his closet and rubbed the lamp; whereupon the genie forthwith
appeared and said to him, "Seek what thou wilt; thy slave is before
thee." And Alaeddin said to him, "It is my will that thou complete the
lacking lattice-work of the oriel." [525] "On my head and eyes [be it],"
replied the slave and disappearing, returned after a little and said to
him, "O my lord, that whereof thou commandedst me I have performed." So
Alaeddin went up to the belvedere [526] and found all its lattices [527]
perfect; and whilst he was viewing them, behold the [chief] eunuch [528]
came in to him and said to him, "O my lord, the Sultan cometh to visit
thee and is at the palace-door." So he came down forthright and went to
meet the Sultan, who [529] said to him, when he saw him, "Wherefore, O
my son, hast thou done thus, and why sufferedst thou not the jewellers
complete the lattice-work of the oriel, [530] so there might not remain
a place in thy palace [531] defective?" "O King of the Age," answered
Alaeddin, "I left it not imperfect but of my free will, nor did I lack
of ableness to complete it. However, I could not brook that Thy Grace
should honour me [with th