They did as she bade themand when came the first day of the next monthZumurrud went down into the tilting-ground and the crier proclaimed aloudsaying'Hoall ye peoplegreat and smallwhoso openeth shop or house or magazine shall straightway be hanged over his own door；for it behoves you all to come and eat of the king's banquet.'Then they laid the tables and the people came in troops；so she bade them sit down at the tables and eat their fill of all the dishes. So they sat down and she sat on her chair of estatewatching themwhilst each thought she was looking at none but him. Then they fell to eating and the Amirs said to them'Eat and be not ashamed；for this is pleasing to the King.'So they ate their fill and went awayblessing the King and sayingone to the other'Never saw we a Sultan that loved the poor as doth this Sultan.'And they wished her length of lifewhilst Zumurrud returned to the palacerejoicing in her device and saying in herself'If it please God the Most HighI shall surely by this means happen on news of my lord Ali Shar.'
When the first day of the second month came roundshe made the banquet as before and the folk came and sat down at the tables，company by company and one by one. As she sat on her throneat the head of the tableswatching the people eather eye fell on Bersoumthe Nazarene who had bought the curtain of Ali Shar；and she knew him and said in herself'This is the first of my solace and of the accomplishment of my desire.'Bersoum came up to the table and sitting down with the rest to eatespied a dish of sweet ricesprinkled with sugar；but it was far from him. So he pushed up to it and putting out his hand to ittook it and set it before himself. His next neighbour said to him'Why dost thou not eat of what is before thee？ Art thou not ashamed to reach over for a dish that is distant from thee？'Quoth Bersoum'I will eat of none but this dish.'Eat then，'rejoined the other，'and small good may it do thee！'But another mana hashish-eatersaid'Let him eat of itthat I may eat with him.'O unluckiest of hashish-eaters，'replied the first speaker'this is no meat for thee；it is eating for Amirs. Let it bethat it may return to those for whom it is meant and they eat it.'