we found outside thy capital tents and pavilions with standards and banners planted overagainst them and all this after the fashion of the Kings.”  The Sovran replied, “There is no help but that to these creations of Allah some requirement is here:  however, we will learn their tidings.”  So he took horse with his Grandees and made for the ensigns and colours, and drawing near he noted gravity and majesty in the array and eunuchs and followers and serving-men standing ready to do duty.  Then he dismounted and walked till he approached the bystanders whom he greeted with the salam.  They salam’d in return and received him with most honourable reception and highmost respect till they had introduced him into the royal Shahmiyanah; when the two Kings rose to him and welcomed him and he wished them long life in such language as is spoken by Royalties; and all sat down to converse one with other.  Now the Lord of the city had warned his people before he fared forth that dinner must be prepared; so when it was mid-forenoon the Farrash-folk[FN#198] spread the tables with trays of food and the guests came forward, one and all, and enjoyed their meal and were gladdened.  Then the dishes were carried away for the servants and talk went round till sun-set, at which time the King again ordered food to be brought and all supped till they had their sufficiency.  But the Sultan kept wondering in his mind and saying, “Would Heaven I wot the cause of these two Kings coming to us!” and when night fell the strangers prayed him to return home and to revisit them next morning.  So he farewelled them and fared forth.  This lasted three days, during which time he honoured them with all honour, and on the fourth he got ready for them a banquet and invited them to his Palace.  They mounted and repaired thither when he set before them food; and as soon as they had fed, the trays were removed and coffee and confections and sherbets were served up and they sat talking and enjoying themselves till supper-tide when they sought permission to hie campwards.  But the Sultan of the city sware them to pass the night with him; so they returned to their session till the father of the damsels said, “Let each of us tell a tale that our waking hours may be the more pleasant.”  “Yes,” they replied and all agreed in wishing that the Sultan of the city would begin.  Now by the decree of the Decreer the lattice-window of the Queen opened upon the place of session and she could see them and hear every word they said.  He began, “By Allah I have to relate an adventure which befel me and ’tis one of the wonders of our time.”  Quoth they, “And what may it be?”—­And Shahrazad was surprised by the dawn of day and fell silent and ceased saying her permitted say.  Then quoth her sister Dunyazad, “How sweet and tasteful is thy tale, O sister mine, and enjoyable and delectable!” Quoth she, “And where is this compared with that I would relate to you on the coming night an the Sovran suffer me to survive?” Now when it was the next night and that was