still marvelled in himself at Alaeddin's mother, how she had come
to him in poor clothes, whilst her son had command of this
exceeding wealth; and as for the folk, who came to the Sultan's
palace, to gaze upon the wedding-festivities, when they saw
Alaeddin's palace and the goodliness of its building, there took
them great wonderment how so magnificent a building had been
upreared in one night and they fell all to praying for Alaeddin
and saying, "God prosper him! By Allah, he is deserving. God's
blessing on his days!"

Meanwhile [FN#486] Alaeddin, having made an end of the
morning-meal, arose and taking leave of the Sultan, mounted with
his mamelukes and rode to his palace, so he might prepare for the
reception of his bride, the Lady Bedrulbudour. As he passed, all
the folk cried out to him with one voice, saying, " God gladden
thee! God increase thee in glory! God continue thee!" And so they
brought him home in great procession, what while he showered gold
on them. When he came to his palace, he alighted and entering,
sat down in the Divan, whilst the mamelukes stood before him with
clasped hands. After a little they brought him sherbets and he
gave commandment to his mamelukes and slave-girls and eunuchs and
all who were in his palace that they should make ready to receive
the Lady Bedrulbudour, his bride. Then, when it was the time of
the midafternoon prayer [FN#487] and the air grew cool and the
heat of the sun abated, [FN#488] the Sultan bade the troops and
the Amirs and the Viziers go down to the horse-course. So they
all repaired thither and with them the Sultan himself; whereupon
Alaeddin also arose and mounting with his mamelukes, went down
into the plain and showed his horsemanship; then he fell to
playing [FN#489] in the tilting-ground and there was none could