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Hence the sayer saith, 'Shurayh foxier than the fox.'" When the

Sultan heard Badr al-Din Hasan's explanation he said to his

uncle, Shams al-Din, "Truly this the son of thy brother is

perfect in courtly breeding and I do not think that his like can

be found in Cairo." At this Hasan arose and kissed the ground

before him and sat down again as a Mameluke should sit before his

master. When the Sultan had thus assured himself of his courtly

breeding and bearing and his knowledge of the liberal arts and

belles-lettres, he joyed with exceeding joy and invested him with

a splendid robe of honour and promoted him to an office whereby

he might better his condition. [FN#492] Then Badr al-Din Hasan

arose and, kissing the ground before the King, wished him

continuance of glory and asked leave to retire with his uncle,

the Wazir Shams al-Din. The Sultan gave him leave and he issued

forth and the two returned home, where food was set before them

and they ate what Allah had given them.