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my capital shall have become one hundred thousand[FN#661] dinars,

I will send out marriage brokeresses to require for me in wedlock

the daughters of Kings and Wazirs; and I will demand to wife the

eldest daughter of the Prime Minister; for it hath reached me

that she is perfect in beauty and prime in loveliness and rare in

accomplishments. I will give a marriage settlement of one

thousand dinars; and, if her father consent, well: but if not I

will take her by force from under his very nose. When she is

safely homed in my house, I will buy ten little eunuchs[FN#662]

and for myself a robe of the robes of Kings and Sultans; and get

me a saddle of gold and a bridle set thick with gems of price.

Then I will mount with the Mamelukes preceding me and surrounding

me, and I will make the round of the city whilst the folk salute

me and bless me; after which I will repair to the Wazir (he that

is father of the girl) with armed white slaves before and behind

me and on my right and on my left.