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ceeded in benefaction of the poor and the indigent[1] and used himself to distribute his alms to them with his own hand. After this fashion he won himself great renown in all the realm and the most of the chiefs of the state and the Amirs used to eat at his table and swore not but by his precious life. Moreover, he fell to going everywhile[2] to the chase and the horse course and to practicing horsemanship and archery[3] before the Sultan, whilst the Lady Bedrulbudour redoubled in love of him, whenassoever she saw him disporting himself a horseback, and thought in herself that God had wrought exceeding graciously by her in that there had befallen her what befell with the Vizier’s son, so He might keep her for her true bridegroom Alaeddin. So[4] he went daily waxing in goodliness of repute and in praise and the love of him redoubled in the hearts of the common folk and he was magnified in men’s eyes.
Now in those days certain of the Sultan’s enemies took horse against him; so he levied troops to repel
