azad to King Shah Zaman, and each of
them solaced himself with the company of his beloved consort, and the
hearts of the folk were comforted. When morning morrowed, the Wazir came
in to the two Kings and kissed ground before them; wherefore they
thanked him and were large of bounty to him. Presently they went forth
and sat down upon couches of kingship, whilst all the Wazirs and Emirs
and Grandees and Lords of the land presented themselves and kissed
ground. King Shahryar ordered them dresses of honor and largesse, and
they prayed for the permanence and prosperity of the King and his
brother. Then the two Sovrans appointed their sire-in-law the Wazir to
be Viceroy in Samarcand, and assigned him five of the Chief Emirs to
accompany him, charging them attend him and do him service. The Minister
kissed ground and prayed that they might be vouchsafed length of life:
then he went in to his daughters, whilst the Eunuchs and Ushers walked
before him, and saluted them and farewelled them. They kissed his hands
and gave him joy of the kingship and bestowed on him immense treasures;
after which he took leave of them, and setting out, fared days and
nights, till he came near Samarcand, where the townspeople met him at a
distance of three marches and rejoiced in him with exceeding joy. So he
entered the city, and they decorated the houses and it was a notable
day. He sat down on the throne of his kingship, and the Wazirs did him
homage and the Grandees and Emirs of Samarcand, and all prayed that he
might be vouchsafed justice and victory and length of continuance. So he
bestowed on them robes of honor and entreated them with distinction, and
they made him Sultan over them. As soon as his father-in-law had
departed for Samarcand, King Shahryar summoned the Grandees of his realm
and made them a stupendous banquet of all manner of delicious meats and
exquisite sweetmeats. He also bestowed on them robes of honor and
guerdoned them, and divided the kingdoms between himself and his brother
in their presence, whereat the folk rejoiced. Then the two Kings abode,
each ruling a day in turn, and they were ever in harmony each with
other, while on similar wise their wives continued in the love of Allah
Almighty and in thanksgiving to Him; and the peoples and the provinces
were at peace, and the preachers prayed for them from the pulpits, and
their report was bruited abroad and the travelers bore tidings of them
to all lands. In due time King Sha