and their magnificence, and it booteth not to think of a thing that will not happen.  Do thou but rise and seek me his daughter of him and proffer him these jewels and sit not magnifying the affair in thy thought beforehand.  Moreover, O my mother, thou knowest of the lamp which is with me and which presently provideth for our livelihood; [FN#344] nay, all that I seek of it it will bring me, and I trust by its means I shall know how to answer the Sultan, an he ask me of this.”

They abode in talk of the matter all that night and when the morning morrowed, Alaeddin’s mother arose and fortified her heart, more by token that her son expounded to her somewhat of the properties of the lamp and its uses, in that it would bring them all they sought.  But, when he saw that she heartened herself for that which he set forth to her of its virtues, he feared lest she should talk of this to the folk, so he said to her, " O my mother, beware lest thou bespeak any of the lamp and its uses, for that this is our fortune; be careful [FN#345] and exceed not in speech thereof to any one, lest we lose it and lose this our present prosperity, for that it is from it.” [FN#346] “Have no fear for that, O my son,” answered she and rising, took the dish wherein were the jewels and wrapping it in a fine handkerchief, went forth betimes, so she might reach the Divan and enter, ere it became crowded.  When she came to the palace, the Divan was not yet assembled [FN#347] and she saw the Vizier and certain of the chiefs of the state entering the presence-chamber.  After a while, the Divan being complete with the Viziers and the chiefs of the state and officers and Amirs and grandees, the Sultan appeared and the Viziers and other the officials and notables ranged themselves before him, whilst he sat down on the throne of his kingship and all who were present in the Divan stood before him, with hands clasped behind them, [FN#348] awaiting his commandment to sit.  So he bade them be seated and they all sat down, each in his several room; then the petitioners [FN#349] presented themselves before the Sultan and each affair was decided in its course, [FN#350] till the Divan came to an end, when the King rose and entered the palace and each went his way.

As [FN#351] for Alaeddin’s mother, having come before all, she found room to enter, but withal none bespoke her, so he should bring her in before the Sultan; wherefore she ceased not standing till the Divan broke up and the Sultan rose and entered the palace and all went their ways.  When she saw the Sultan rise from his throne and enter the harem, she took her way homeward and returning on her steps, entered her house.  Alaeddin, seeing her with the dish in her hand, knew that most like some mischance had betided her, but cared not to question her till she entered and setting down the dish, told him what had passed and finally said to him, “God be praised, O my son, I mustered courage to find myself a place in the Divan, albeit I could not win to speak