ound everywhere servants of all
grades appointed to attend upon travellers and necessitous persons. I
have likewise spent three days at every halting place, and the fourth
day, when I wished to take my leave, no one said with good will, "You
may depart;" and whatever articles and furniture had been [applied to
my use] at those places, such as chequered carpets, [219] &c., &c.,
I was told that they were all mine, and that I might either take
them away or lock them up in a room, and put my seal on it; that,
should it be my pleasure, whenever I came back I might take them
away. I have done so; but the wonder is, that if a lonely pilgrim
like me has met with such a [princely] reception, then there must
be thousands of such pilgrims who will resort to your dominions; and
if every one is hospitably received in the same manner [as myself],
sums incalculable must be spent. Now, whence comes the great wealth
of which there is such an expenditure, and of what nature is it? The
treasures of _Karun_ would not be equal to it; and if we look at the
princess's territories, it would appear that their revenues would
hardly suffice to defray the kitchen charges, setting the other
expenses aside. If the princess would condescend to explain this
[seeming wonder] with her own lips, then, my mind being set at ease,
I shall set out for the country of _Nimroz_; and reaching it by some
means or other, after having learned all the particulars [of the
strange circumstance], I will return, if God should spare my life,
to the presence of the princess, and attain the desires of my heart."

On hearing these words, the princess herself said, "O youth, if you
have a strong desire to know the exact nature of these circumstances,
then stay here to-day also. I will send for you in the evening,
and the account of my vast riches shall be unfolded to you without
any reservation." After this assurance, I retired to my place of
residence, and waited anxiously, (saying,) "when will the evening
arrive, that my curiosity may be gratified?" In the meantime a eunuch
brought some covered trays on the heads of porters, and laid them
before me, and said, "The princess has sent you a dinner [220] from
her own table; partake of it." When he uncovered the trays before
me, the rich fragrance [of the meats] intoxicated my brains, and my
soul became satiated. I ate as much as I could, and sent away the
rest, and returned my grateful thanks [to the princess.] At last,
when