up the place with earth, made level its
surface. In the meantime the hermit returned. The princess said to him,
"bring good masons and builders, and workmen of every kind, expert
and masters in their craft, so that a grand palace may be erected on
this spot equal to the palace of _Kasra_, [226] and superior to the
palace of _Ni'man_; [227] and that the fortifications of the city,
a fort, a garden, a well, and an unrivalled caravanserai [be built
as soon as possible]; but first of all, draw out the plans on paper
and bring them to me for approval."

"The hermit brought clever, skilful, intelligent workmen, and had
them ready. The erection of the different buildings was soon begun
according to the princess's directions, and clever and trusty servants
for every office were chosen and entertained. The news of the erection
of such princely buildings by degrees reached the king, the shadow of
Omnipotence, who was the princess's father. On hearing it, he became
greatly surprised, and asked every one, 'Who is this person who has
begun to erect such edifices?' No one knew anything of the matter to
be able to give a reply. All put their hands on their ears and said,
'No one of your slaves knows who is the builder of them.' Then the king
sent one of his nobles with this message, 'I wish to come and see those
buildings, and to know also of what country you are the princess, and
of what family; for I wish much to ascertain all these circumstances.'

"When the princess received this agreeable intelligence, she was
greatly pleased in her mind, and wrote the [following letter]: 'To
the protector of the world, prosperity! On hearing the intelligence of
your majesty's visit, to my humble mansion, I am infinitely rejoiced;
and it has been the cause of respect and dignity to me, the meanest
[of your slaves]. How happy is the fate of that place where your
majesty's footsteps are impressed, and on the inhabitants of which
the shadow of the skirt of your prosperity is cast; may they both be
dignified with the look of favour! This slave hopes that to-morrow,
being Thursday, is a propitious day, and to me, it is more welcome than
the day of _Nau Roz_, [228] your majesty's person resembles the sun;
by condescending to come here, be pleased to bestow, with your light,
value and dignity on this worthless atom, and partake of whatever
his humble slave can provide; this will be the essence of benevolence
and courtesy, on the part of your majesty: t