The folk marvelled at Alaeddin’s bounty and at the excess of his munificence and were amazed when they saw that which graced him of beauty and goodliness and his courtliness and dignity; yea, they extolled the perfection of the Compassionate One for this His noble creature and all of them great and small [FN#462] called down blessings on him, albeit they knew him for the son of such an one the tailor; yet none envied him, but all said, “He is deserving.”  So [FN#463] he fared on his way, with the mamelukes before him and behind him, scattering gold upon the folk, till he came to the palace.

Now the Sultan had summoned to his presence the chiefs of his state and telling them that he had passed his word for the marriage of his daughter to Alaeddin, bade them await the latter, commanding them that, when he came, they should all go out to meet him; moreover, he assembled the amirs and viziers and chamberlains and guards and captains of the troops and they were all awaiting Alaeddin at the door of the palace.  When he arrived, he would have dismounted at the door, but there came up to him one of the Amirs, whom the Sultan had deputed to that office, and said to him, “O my lord, the commandment is that thou enter, riding on thy charger, so thou mayst alight at the door of the Divan.”  So they all forewent him and he entered till they brought him to the door of the Divan.  There sundry of them came forward and held his stirrup, whilst some supported him on both sides and other some took him by the hand, and so they dismounted him.  Then the Amirs and officers of state forewent him and brought him into the Divan, till he drew near the Sultan’s throne; whereupon the latter came down forthright from his seat and embracing him, hindered him from kissing the carpet and seated him beside himself on his right hand.  Alaeddin did that which behoveth and befitteth unto kings of obeisance and invocation and said to him, “O our lord the Sultan, thy Grace’s munificence hath vouchsafed [FN#464] to accord me the Lady Bedrulbudour thy daughter, albeit I am unworthy of this great favour, for that I am of the lowliest of thy slaves; wherefore I beseech God that He keep and continue thee.  Indeed, O King, my tongue faileth to thank thee [as were behoving] for the greatness of this boon, overpassing its competence, [FN#465] wherewith thou hast favoured me, and I beseech Thy Grace to vouchsafe me ground, such as is meet, so I may build thereon a palace that shall be fit for the Lady Bedrulbudour.”

The Sultan was amazed when he saw Alaeddin in this regal array and beheld his grace and goodliness and the mamelukes standing in attendance upon him in all their comeliness and fair favour; yea, and his wonderment redoubled when Alaeddin’s mother came up attired in rich and costly raiment, as she were a queen, and he saw twelve slave-girls in her service, preceding her, their hands clasped behind their backs, with all worship and observance.  Moreover, he noted