I abide [on life], shall I cease to blame myself [for that which
I did in the slaughter of the daughters of the folk]. As for this
Shehrzad, her like is not found in the lands; so extolled be the
perfection of Him who appointed her a means for the deliverance
of His creatures from slaughter and oppression!" Then he arose
from his session and kissed her head, whereat she rejoiced with
an exceeding joy, she and her sister Dinarzad.

When the morning morrowed, the king went forth and sitting down
on the throne of the kingship, summoned the grandees of his
empire; whereupon the chamberlains and deputies and captains of
the host went in to him and kissed the earth before him. He
distinguished the vizier with his especial favour and bestowed on
him a dress of honour and entreated him with the utmost kindness,
after which he set forth briefly to his chief officers that which
had betided him with Shehrzad and how he had turned from that his
former usance and repented him of what he had done aforetime and
purposed to take the vizier's daughter Shehrzad to wife and let
draw up the contract of marriage with her.

When those who were present heard this, they kissed the earth
before him and offered up prayers for him and for the damsel
Shehrzad, and the vizier thanked her. Then Shehriyar made an end
of the session in all weal, whereupon the folk dispersed to their
dwelling-places and the news was bruited abroad that the king
purposed to marry the vizier's daughter Shehrzad. Then he
proceeded to make ready the wedding gear, and [when he had made
an end of his preparations], he sent after his brother King
Shahzeman, who came, and King Shehriyar went forth to meet him
with the troops. Moreover, they decorated the city after the