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Then they entered the White City and took up their lodging at the Khan of the Merchants, where they hired three magazines and laid up therein all their goods and gear. They abode in the khan till they were rested, when the Vizier applied himself to devise a plan of conduct for the prince, and said to him, ‘I have bethought me of somewhat, wherein methinks will be advantage for thee, so it please God the Most High.’ ‘O Vizier of good counsel,’ replied Ardeshir, ‘do what cometh to thy mind, and may God direct thy wit aright!’ Quoth the Vizier, ‘I purpose to hire thee a shop in the bazaar of the stuff-sellers and set thee therein; for all that, great and small, have occasion to the bazaar, and methinks, when the folk see thee sitting in the shop, their hearts will incline to thee and thou wilt thus be able to attain that thou seekest, for thou art fair of favour and souls incline to thee and eyes rejoice in thee.’ ‘Do what seemeth good to thee,’ answered Ardeshir.

So the Vizier clad the prince and himself in their richest raiment and putting a purse of a thousand dinars in his pocket, went forth and walked about the city, whilst all who saw them marvelled at the prince’s beauty, saying, ‘Glory be to Him who created this youth of vile water! Blessed be God, the most excellent of Creators!’ Great was the talk of him and some said, ‘This is no mortal, but a noble angel;’ and others, ‘Hath Rizwan, the doorkeeper of Paradise, left the gate unguarded, that this