On hearing these words, the princess herself said, “O youth, if you have a strong desire to know the exact nature of these circumstances, then stay here to-day also.  I will send for you in the evening, and the account of my vast riches shall be unfolded to you without any reservation.”  After this assurance, I retired to my place of residence, and waited anxiously, (saying,) “when will the evening arrive, that my curiosity may be gratified?” In the meantime a eunuch brought some covered trays on the heads of porters, and laid them before me, and said, “The princess has sent you a dinner [220] from her own table; partake of it.”  When he uncovered the trays before me, the rich fragrance [of the meats] intoxicated my brains, and my soul became satiated.  I ate as much as I could, and sent away the rest, and returned my grateful thanks [to the princess.] At last, when the sun, the traveller of the whole day, wearied and fatigued, reached his home, and the moon advanced from her palace, attended by her companions, then the female servant came to me and said, “Come, the princess has sent for you.”

I went along with her; she led me to the private apartment; the effect of the lights was such that the shabi kadr [221] was nothing to it.  A masnad, covered with gold, was placed on rich carpets, with a pillow studded with jewels; over it an awning of brocade was stretched, with a fringe of pearls on [silver] poles studded with precious stones; and in front of the masnad artificial trees formed of various jewels, with flowers and leaves attached, (one would say they were nature’s own production,) were erected in beds of gold; and on the right and left, beautiful slaves and servants were in waiting with folded arms and down-cast eyes, in respectful attitude.  Dancing women and female singers, with ready-tuned instruments, attended to begin their performances.  On seeing such a scene and such splendid preparations, my senses were bewildered.  I asked the female servant [who came with me] “there is here such gay splendour in the scene of the day, and such magnificence in that of the night, that the day may very justly be called ’Id, and the night shabi barat; moreover, a king who possessed the whole world could not exhibit greater splendour and magnificence.  Is it always so at the princess’s court?  The servant replied, “The princess’s court ever displays the same magnificence you see now; there is no abatement [or difference], except that it is sometimes greater:  sit you here; the princess is in another apartment,—­I will go and inform her of your arrival.”