some of thy pleasant tales,” whereupon Shahrazad replied, “With love and
good will.”——It hath reached, me, O King of the Age, that when the
Sultan beheld Alaeddin after such fashion, he rejoiced in him with
mighty great joy and straightway bade the music[170] and the bands
strike up; then he arose and, taking the youth led him into the palace
where supper had been prepared and the Eunuchs at once laid the tables.
So the Sovran sat down and seated his son-in-law on his right side and
the Wazirs and high officials and Lords of the land took places each
according to his degree, whereupon the bands played and a mighty fine
marriage-feast was dispread in the palace. The King now applied himself
to making friendship with Alaeddin and conversed with the youth, who
answered him with all courtesy and eloquence, as though he had been bred
in the palaces of the kings or he had lived with them his daily life.
And the more the talk was prolonged between them, the more did the
Sultan’s pleasure and delight increase, hearing his son-in-law’s
readiness of reply and his sweet flow of language. But after they had
eaten and drunken and the trays were removed, the King bade summon the
Kazis and witnesses who presently attended and knitted the knot and
wrote out the contract-writ between Alaeddin and the Lady Badr al-Budur.
And presently the bridegroom arose and would have fared forth, when his
father-in-law withheld him and asked, “Whither away, O my child? The
bride-fêtes have begun and the marriage is made and the tie is tied and
the writ is written.” He replied, “O my lord the King, ’tis my desire to
edify, for the Lady Badr al-Budur, a pavilion befitting her station and
high degree, nor can I visit her before so doing. But, Inshallah! the
building shall be finished within the shortest time, by the utmost
endeavour of thy slave and by the kindly regard of thy Highness; and,
although I do (yet indeed!) long to enjoy the society of the Lady Badr
al-Budur, yet ’tis incumbent on me first to serve her and it becometh me
to set about the work forthright.” “Look around thee, O my son,” replied
the Sultan, “for what ground thou deemest suitable to thy design and do
thou take all things into thy hands; but I deem the best for thee will
be yonder broad plain facing my palace; and, if it please thee, build
thy pavilion thereupon.” “And this,” answered Alaeddin, “is the sum of
my wishes that I may be nearhand to thy Highness.” So saying he
farewelled the King and took horse, with his Mamelukes riding before him
and behind him, and all the world blessed him and cried, “By Allah he is
deserving,” until such time as he reached his home. Then he alighted
from his stallion and repairing to his chamber, rubbed the Lamp and
behold, the Slave stood before him and said, “Ask, O my lord, whatso
thou wantest;” and Alaeddin rejoined, “I require thee of a service grave
and important which thou must do for me, and ’tis that thou build me
with all urgency a pavilion fronting the palace of the Sultan; and it
must be a marvel for it shall be provided with every requisite, such as
royal furniture and so forth.” The Slave replied, “To hear is to
obey.”——And Shahrazad was surprised by the dawn of day and ceased to say
her permitted say.
Now when it was the Five Hundred and Sixty-fourth Night,
Quoth, Dunyazad, “O sister mine, an thou be other than sleepy, do tell
us some of thy pleasant tales,” whereupon Shahrazad replied, “With love
and good will.”——It hath reached me, O King of the Age, that the Slave
evanished and, before the next dawn brake, returned to Alaeddin and
said, “O my lord, the pavilion is finished to the fullest of thy fancy;
and, if thou wouldst inspect it, arise forthright and fare with me.”
Accordingly, he rose up and the Slave carried him in the space of an
eye-glance to the pavilion which, when Alaeddin looked upon it, struck
him with surprise at such building, all its stones being of jasper and
alabaster, Sumákí[171]-marble and mosaic-work. Then the Slave led him
into the treasury which was full of all manner of gold and silver and
costly gems, not to be counted or computed, priced or estimated. Thence
to another place, where Alaeddin saw all requisites for the table,
plates and dishes, spoons and ladles, basins and covers, cups and
tasses, the whole of precious metal: thence to the kitchen, where they
found the kitcheners provided with their needs and cooking batteries,
likewise golden and silvern; thence to a warehouse piled up with chests
full-packed of royal raiment, stuffs that captured the reason, such as
gold-wrought brocades from India and China and kimcobs[172] or orfrayed
cloths; thence to many apartments replete with appointments which beggar
description; thence to the stables containing coursers whose like was
not to be met with amongst the kings of the universe; and, lastly, they
went to the harness-rooms all hung with housings, costly saddles and
other furniture, everywhere studded with pearls and precious stones. And
all this was the work of one night. Alaeddin was wonder-struck and
astounded by that magnificent display of wealth which not even the
mightiest monarch on earth could produce; and more so to see his
pavilion fully provided with eunuchs and handmaids whose beauty would
seduce a saint. Yet the prime marvel of the pavilion was an upper
kiosque or belvedere of four-and-twenty windows all made of emeralds and
rubies and other gems;[173] and one window remained unfinished at the
requirement of Alaeddin that the Sultan might prove him impotent to
complete it. When the youth had inspected the whole edifice, he was
pleased and gladdened exceedingly: then, turning to the Slave he said,
“I require of thee still one thing which is yet wanting and whereof I
had forgotten to tell thee.” “Ask, O my lord, thy want,” quoth the
Servitor; and quoth the other, “I demand of thee a carpet of the primest
brocade all gold-inwrought which, when unrolled and outstretched, shall
extend hence to the Sultan’s palace in order that the Lady Badr al-Budur
may, when coming hither, pace upon it[174] and not tread common earth.”
The Slave departed for a short while and said on his return, “O my lord,
verily that which thou demandest is here.” Then he took him and showed
him a carpet which wildered the wits, and it extended from palace to
pavilion; and after this the Servitor bore off Alaeddin and set him down
in his own home.——And Shahrazad was surprised by the dawn of day and
ceased to say her permitted say.
Now when it was the Five Hundred and Sixty-fifth Night,
Quoth Dunyazad, “O sister mine; an thou be other than sleepy, do tell us
some of thy pleasant tales,” whereupon Shahrazad replied, “With love and
good will.”——It hath reached me, O King of the Age, that the Slave,
after displaying the Carpet to Alaeddin, bore him home. Now day was
brightening so the Sultan rose from his sleep and throwing open the
casement looked out[175] and espied, opposite his palace, a palatial
pavilion ready edified. Thereupon he fell to rubbing his eyes and
opening them their widest and considering the scene, and he soon was
certified that the new edifice was mighty fine and grand enough to
bewilder the wits. Moreover, with amazement as great he saw the carpet
dispread between palace and pavilion: like their lord also the royal
door-keepers and the household, one and all, were dazed and amazed at
the spectacle. Meanwhile[176] the Wazir came in and, as he entered,
espied the newly-builded pavilion and the carpet, whereat he also
wondered; and, when he went in to the Sultan the twain fell to talking
on this marvellous matter with great surprise at a sight which
distracted the gazer and attracted the heart. They said finally, “In
very truth, of this pavilion we deem that none of the royalties could
build its fellow;” and the King, turning to the Minister, asked him,
“Hast thou seen now that Alaeddin is worthy to be the husband of the
Princess my daughter? Hast thou looked upon and considered this right
royal building, this magnificence of opulence, which thought of man can
not contain?” But the Wazir in his envy of Alaeddin replied, “O King of
the Age, indeed this foundation and this building and this opulence may
not be save by means of magic nor can any man in the world, be he the
richest in good or the greatest in governance, avail to found and finish
in a single night such edifice as this.” The Sultan rejoined, “I am
surprised to see in thee how thou dost continually harp on evil opinion
of Alaeddin; but I hold that ’tis caused by thine envy and jealousy.
Thou wast present when I gave him the ground at his own prayer for a
place whereon he might build a pavilion wherein to lodge my daughter,
and I myself favoured him with a site for the same and that too before
thy very face. But however that be, shall one who could send me as dower
for the Princess such store of such stones whereof the kings never
obtained even a few, shall he, I say, be unable to edify an edifice like
this?”——And Shahrazad was surprised by the dawn of day and ceased to say
her permitted say.
Now when it was the Five Hundred and Sixty-sixth Night,
Quoth Dunyazad, “O sister mine, an thou be other than sleepy, do tell us
some of thy pleasant tales,” whereupon Shahrazad replied, “With love and
good will.”——It hath reached me, O King of the Age, that when the Wazir
heard the Sultan’s words, he knew that his lord loved Alaeddin
exceedingly; so his envy and malice increased; only, as he could do
nothing against the youth, he sat silent and impotent to return a reply.
But Alaeddin seeing that it was broad day, and the appointed time had
come for his repairing to the palace (where his wedding was being
celebrated and the Emirs and Wazirs and Grandees were gathered together
about the Sultan to be present at the ceremony), arose and rubbed the
Lamp, and when its Slave appeared and said, “O my lord, ask whatso thou
wantest, for I stand before thee and at thy service,” said he, “I mean
forthright to seek the palace, this day being my wedding-festival and I
want thee to supply me with ten thousand dinars.” The Slave evanished
for an eye-twinkling and returned bringing the moneys, when Alaeddin
took horse with his Mamelukes a-van and arear and passed on his way,
scattering as he went gold pieces upon the lieges until all were fondly
affected towards him and his dignity was enhanced. But when he drew near
the palace, and the Emirs and Aghas and Army-officers who were standing
to await him noted his approach, they hastened straightway to the King
and gave him the tidings thereof; whereupon the Sultan rose and met his
son-in-law and, after embracing and kissing him, led him still holding
his hand into his own apartment where he sat down and seated him by his
right side. The city was all decorated and music rang through the palace
and the singers sang until the King bade bring the noon-meal, when the
eunuchs, and Mamelukes hastened to spread the tables and trays which are
such as are served to the kings. Then the Sultan and Alaeddin and the
Lords of the land and the Grandees of the realm took their seats and ate
and drank until they were satisfied. And it was a mighty fine wedding in
city and palace and the high nobles all rejoiced therein and the commons
of the kingdom were equally gladdened, while the Governors of provinces
and Nabobs of districts flocked from far regions to witness Alaeddin’s
marriage and its processions and festivities. The Sultan also marvelled
in his mind to look at Alaeddin’s mother[177] and recall to mind how she
was wont to visit him in pauper plight, while her son could command all
this opulence and magnificence. And when the spectators, who crowded the
royal palace to enjoy the wedding-feasts, looked upon Alaeddin’s
pavilion and the beauties of the building, they were seized with an
immense surprise that so vast an edifice as this could be reared on high
during a single night; and they blessed the youth and cried, “Allah
gladden him! By Allah, he deserveth all this! Allah bless his
days!”——And Shahrazad was surprised by the dawn of day and ceased to say
her permitted say.
Now when it was the Five Hundred and Sixty-seventh Night,
Quoth Dunyazad, “O sister mine, an thou be other than sleepy, do tell us
some of thy pleasant tales,” whereupon Shahrazad replied, “With love and
good will.”——It hath reached me, O King of the Age, that when dinner was
done, Alaeddin rose and, farewelling the Sultan, took horse with his
Mamelukes and rode to his own pavilion that he might prepare to receive
therein his bride, the Lady Badr al-Budur. And as he passed, all the
folk shouted their good wishes with one voice and their words were,
“Allah gladden thee! Allah increase thy glory! Allah grant thee length
of life!” while immense crowds of people gathered to swell the marriage
procession and they conducted him to his new home, he showering gold
upon them during the whole time. When he reached his pavilion, he
dismounted and walked in and sat hint down on the divan, whilst his
Mamelukes stood before him with arms afolded; also after a short delay
they brought him sherbets and, when these were drunk, he ordered his
white slaves and handmaids and eunuchs and all who were in the pavilion
to make ready for meeting the Lady Badr al-Budur. Moreover, as soon as
mid-afternoon came and the air had cooled and the great heat of the sun
was abated, the Sultan bade his Army-officers and Emirs and Wazirs go
down into the Maydán-plain[178] whither he likewise rode. And Alaeddin
also took horse with his Mamelukes, he mounting a stallion whose like
was not among the steeds of the Arab al-Arbá,[179] and he showed his
horsemanship in the hippodrome and so played with the Jaríd[180] that
none could withstand him, while his bride sat gazing upon him from the
latticed balcony of her bower and, seeing in him such beauty and
cavalarice, she fell headlong in love of him and was like to fly for
joy. And after they had ringed their horses on the Maydan and each had
displayed whatso he could of horsemanship, Alaeddin proving himself the
best man of all, they rode in a body to the Sultan’s palace and the
youth also returned to his own pavilion. But when it was evening, the
Wazirs and Nobles took the bridegroom and, falling in, escorted him to
the royal Hammam (known as the Sultání), when he was bathed and
perfumed. As soon as he came out he donned a dress more magnificent than
the former and took horse with the Emirs and the soldier-officers riding
before him and forming a grand cortège, wherein four of the Wazirs bore
naked swords round about him.[181] All the citizens and the strangers
and the troops marched before him in ordered throng carrying wax-candles
and kettle drums and pipes and other instruments of mirth and merriment,
until they conducted him to his pavilion. Here he alighted and walking
in took his seat and seated the Wazirs and Emirs who had escorted him,
and the Mamelukes brought sherbets and sugared drinks, which they also
passed to the people who had followed in his train. It was a world of
folk whose tale might not be told; withal Alaeddin bade his Mamelukes
stand without the pavilion-doors and shower gold upon the crowd.——And
Shahrazad was surprised by the dawn of day and ceased to say her
permitted say.
Now when it was the Five Hundred and Sixty-eighth Night,
Quoth Dunyazad, “O sister mine, an thou be other than sleepy, do tell us
some of thy pleasant tales,” whereupon Shahrazad replied, “With love and
good will.”——It hath reached me, O King of the Age, that when the Sultan
returned from the Maydan-plain to his palace he ordered the household,
men as well as women, straightway to form a cavalcade for his daughter,
with all ceremony, and bear her to her bridegroom’s pavilion. So the
nobles and soldier-officers, who had followed and escorted the
bridegroom, at once mounted, and the handmaids and eunuchs went forth
with wax-candles and made a mighty fine procession for the Lady Badr
al-Budur and they paced on preceding her till they entered the pavilion
of Alaeddin whose mother walked beside the bride. In front of the
Princess also fared the wives of the Wazirs and Emirs, Grandees and
Notables, and in attendance on her were the eight and forty slave-girls
presented to her aforetime by her bridegroom, each hending in hand a
huge cierge scented with camphor and ambergris and set in a candlestick
of gem-studded gold. And reaching Alaeddin’s pavilion they led her to
her bower in the upper storey and changed her robes and enthroned her;
then, as soon as the displaying was ended, they accompanied her to
Alaeddin’s apartments and presently he paid her the first visit. Now his
mother was with the bride and, when the bridegroom came up and did off
her veil, the ancient dame fell to considering the beauty of the
Princess and her loveliness; and she looked around at the pavilion which
was all litten up by gold and gems besides the manifold candelabra of
precious metals encrusted with emeralds and jacinths; so she said in her
mind, “Once upon a time I thought the Sultan’s palace mighty fine, but
this pavilion is a thing apart; nor do I deem that any of the greatest
Kings or Chosroes attained in his day to aught like thereof; also am I
certified that all the world could not build anything evening it.” Nor
less did the Lady Badr al-Budur fall to gazing at the pavilion and
marvelling for its magnificence. Then the tables were spread and they
all ate and drank and were gladdened; after which fourscore damsels came
before them each holding in hand an instrument of mirth and merriment;
then they deftly moved their finger-tips and touched the strings smiting
them into song, most musical, most melancholy, till they rent the hearts
of the hearers. Hereat the Princess increased in marvel and quoth she to
herself, “In all my life ne’er heard I songs like these,”[182] till she
forsook food, the better to listen. And at last Alaeddin poured out for
her wine and passed it to her with his own hand; so great joy and
jubilee went round amongst them and it was a notable night, such an one
as Iskandar, Lord of the Two Horns,[183] had never spent in his time.
When they had finished eating and drinking and the tables were removed
from before them, Alaeddin arose and went in to his bride.[184] As soon
as morning morrowed he left his bed and the treasurer brought him a
costly suit and a mighty fine, of the most sumptuous robes worn by the
kings. Then, after drinking coffee flavoured with ambergris, he ordered
the horses be saddled and, mounting with his Mamelukes before and behind
him, rode to the Sultan’s palace and on his entering its court the
eunuchs went in and reported his coming to their lord.——And Shahrazad
was surprised by the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say.
Now when it was the Five Hundred and Sixth-ninth Night,
Quoth Dunyazad, “O sister mine, an thou be other than sleepy, do tell us
some of thy pleasant tales,” whereupon Shahrazad replied, “With love and
good will.”——It hath reached me, O King of the Age, that when the Sultan
heard of Alaeddin’s approach, he rose up forthright to receive him and
embraced and kissed him as though he were his own son: then, seating him
on his right, he blessed and prayed for him, as did the Wazirs and
Emirs, the Lords of the land and the Grandees of the realm. Presently,
the King commanded bring the morning-meal which the attendants served up
and all broke their fast together, and when they had eaten and drunken
their sufficiency and the tables were removed by the eunuchs, Alaeddin
turned to the Sultan and said, “O my lord, would thy Highness deign
honour me this day at dinner, in the house of the Lady Badr al-Budur thy
beloved daughter, and come accompanied by all thy Ministers and Grandees
of the reign?” The King replied (and he was delighted with his
son-in-law,) “Thou art surpassing in liberality, O my son!” Then he gave
orders to all invited and rode forth with them (Alaeddin also riding
beside him) till they reached the pavilion and as he entered it and
considered its construction, its architecture and its stonery, all
jasper and carnelian, his sight was dazed and his wits were amazed at
such grandeur and magnificence of opulence. Then turning to the Minister
he thus addressed him, “What sayest thou? Tell me hast thou seen in all
thy time aught like this amongst the mightiest of earth’s monarchs for
the abundance of gold and gems we are now beholding?” The Grand Wazir
replied, “O my lord the King, this be a feat which cannot be
accomplished by might of monarch amongst Adam’s sons;[185] nor could the
collected peoples of the universal world build a palace like unto this;
nay, even builders could not be found to make aught resembling it, save
(as I said to thy Highness) by force of sorcery.” These words certified
the King that his Minister spake not except in envy and jealousy of
Alaeddin, and would stablish in the royal mind that all this splendour
was not made of man but by means of magic and with the aid of the Black
Art. So quoth he to him, “Suffice thee so much, O Wazir: thou hast none
other word to speak and well I know what cause urgeth thee to say this
say.” Then Alaeddin preceded the Sultan till he conducted him to the
upper Kiosque where he saw its skylights, windows and latticed casements
and jalousies wholly made of emeralds and rubies and other costly gems;
whereat his mind was perplexed and his wits were bewildered and his
thoughts were distraught. Presently he took to strolling round the
Kiosque and solacing himself with these sights which captured the
vision, till he chanced to cast a glance at the window which Alaeddin by
design had left unwrought and not finished like the rest; and, when he
noted its lack of completion, he cried, “Woe and well-away for thee, O
window, because of thine imperfection;”[186] and, turning to his
Minister he asked, “Knowest thou the reason of leaving incomplete this
window and its framework?”——And Shahrazad was surprised by the dawn of
day and ceased to say her permitted say.
Now when it was the Five Hundred and Seventieth Night,
Quoth Dunyazad, “O sister mine, an thou be other than sleepy, do tell us
some of thy pleasant tales,” whereupon Shahrazad replied, “With love and
good will.”——It hath reached me, O King of the Age, that the Wazir said
to the Sultan, “O my lord, I conceive that the want of finish in this
window resulteth from thy Highness having pushed on Alaeddin’s marriage
and he lacked the leisure to complete it.” Now at that time, Alaeddin
had gone in to his bride, the Lady Badr al-Budur, to inform her of her
father’s presence; and, when he returned, the King asked him, “O my son
what is the reason why the window of this Kiosque was not made perfect?”
“O King of the Age, seeing the suddenness of my wedding,” answered he,
“I failed to find artists for finishing it.” Quoth the Sultan, “I have a
mind to complete it myself;” and quoth Alaeddin,
“Allah perpetuate thy glory, O thou the King; so shall thy memory endure
in thy daughter’s pavilion.” The Sultan forthright bade summon jewellers
and goldsmiths and ordered them be supplied from the treasury with all
their needs of gold and gems and noble ores; and, when they were
gathered together he commanded them to complete the work still wanting
in the Kiosque-window. Meanwhile the Princess came forth to meet her
sire the Sultan who noticed, as she drew near, her smiling face; so he
embraced her and kissed her, then led her to the pavilion and all
entered in a body. Now this was the time of the noon-day meal and one
table had been spread for the Sovran, his daughter and his son-in-law
and a second for the Wazirs, the Lords of the land, the Grandees of the
realm, the Chief Officers of the host, the Chamberlains and the Nabobs.
The King took seat between the Princess and her husband; and, when he
put forth his hand to the food and tasted it, he was struck with
surprise by the flavour of the dishes and their savoury and sumptuous
cooking. Moreover, there stood before him the fourscore damsels each and
every saying to the full moon, “Rise that I may seat myself in thy
stead!”[187] All held instruments of mirth and merriment and they tuned
the same and deftly moved their finger-tips and smote the strings into
song, most musical, most melodious, which expanded the mourner’s heart.
Hereby the Sultan was gladdened and time was good to him and for high
enjoyment he exclaimed, “In very sooth the thing is beyond the compass
of King and Kaysar.” Then they fell to eating and drinking; and the cup
went round until they had drunken enough, when sweetmeats and fruits of
sorts and other such edibles were served, the dessert being laid out in
a different salon whither they removed and enjoyed of these pleasures
their sufficiency. Presently the Sultan arose that he might see if the
produce of his jewellers and goldsmiths favoured that of the pavilion;
so he went upstairs to them and inspected their work and how they had
wrought; but he noted a mighty great difference and his men were far
from being able to make anything like the rest of Alaeddin’s
pavilion.——And Shahrazad was surprised by the dawn of day and ceased to
say her permitted say.
Now when it was the Five Hundred and Seventy-first Night,