168
extolled be the perfection of the Giver, the Eternal! Now all this was of the virtue of the wonderful lamp,[1] which gifted whoso possessed it with goodliness and grace and wealth and wisdom.
The folk marvelled at Alaeddin’s bounty and at the excess of his munificence and were amazed when they saw that which graced him of beauty and goodliness and his courtliness and dignity; yea, they extolled the perfection of the Compassionate One for this His noble creature and all of them great and small[2] called down blessings on him, albeit they knew him for the son of such an one the tailor; yet none envied him, but all said, “He is deserving.” So[3] he fared on his way, with the mamelukes before him and behind him, scattering gold upon the folk, till he came to the palace.
Now the Sultan had summoned to his presence the chiefs of his state and telling them that he had passed his word for the marriage of his daughter to Alaeddin, bade them await the latter, commanding them that, when he came, they should all go out to meet him; moreover, he assembled the amirs and viziers and chamberlains and guards and captains of the troops and they were all awaiting Alaeddin at the door of the palace. When he
