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; [FN#171] 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, “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[FN#172] 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 Shahrazed was surprised by the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say.

      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[FN#173] 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 be-wilder 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[FN#174] 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