matter in thine understanding. And who seeketh her? The son of a
tailor. [FN#332] Indeed, I know that, an I speak of this, it will
but be for the increase of our ill luck, for that this affair
will bring us in great danger with the Sultan and belike there
will be death therein for thee and for me. As for me, how can I
adventure upon this danger and this effrontery? Moreover, O my
son, on what wise shall I demand thee his daughter of the Sultan
and how shall I avail to go in to him? Nay, if they question me,
what shall I answer them? Most like they will deem me a madwoman.
And suppose I gain admission to the presence, what shall I take
by way of offering to the Sultan's highness? It [FN#333] is true,
O my son, that the Sultan is clement and rejecteth none that
cometh to him for protection or craveth a boon of him, for that
he is bountiful and beneficent unto all, great and small; [FN#334]
but he bestoweth his favours upon those who are deserving thereof
or who have done some feat of arms before him or have wrought for
the service or defence of the realm; and thou, O my son, tell me,
what hast thou done for [FN#335] the Sultan or the realm, that
thou shouldst merit of him this boon? Again, this that thou
cravest is beyond thy condition; [FN#336] so it cannot be that the
king will grant thee that which thou seekest. Moreover, whoso
presenteth himself before the Sultan and craveth favours of him,
it behoveth him take in his hand somewhat that sorteth with the
royal dignity; and as I said to thee, how canst thou presume to
present thyself before the Sultan and seek of him his daughter,
without aught thou mayst proffer him of that which sorteth with
his rank?"

"O my mother," replied Alaeddin, "thou speakest justly and
deemest that which is true, [FN#337] and it behoveth me consider