human
O Vizier, said the Sultan in dry and chilling tones,
gpt
Peace be on thee, O King of all the Earth. But is not thy promise worth most of all? Thou didst pledge me thy daughter for my son, and with that pledge I went, thinking that the whole earth and all therein were not its value. Wherefore, O King, I pray that thou wilt allow this matter time. If thou wilt pledge this foster mother of a prince that thou wilt comply with her request in three months time, then it seems to me that, by so doing, thou wilt cement the good feeling and loosen the griefs of all parties concerned. And in the meantime--yea, I have good reason for saying it--there will come before thee, O King of the Age, a gift compared to which this thou hast seen is but dross.
human
Tell thy son that he hath my royal assent, and that I will give him my daughter in marriage; but, as every woman knows, these things cannot be hastened, for there are garments and necessaries to be prepared; wherefore thy son (on whom be peace) must abide in patience for, let us say, three months. At the end of that time he may approach me for the fulfilment of my promise.
gpt
Hath the Sultan considered thy request? he cried, as she came in panting.
human
Hath he accepted the jewels? Tell me that only, and I know the rest without a movement of thy tongue.
gpt
Yea, yea, yea! Then she related to him the details of the interview, laying stress upon the fact that, although the Sultan had been moved at the sight of the jewels to make immediate arrangements for the marriage, a private word from the Grand Vizier had led him to delay the ceremony for three months.
human
Take heed, my son! she concluded.
gpt
The Grand Vizier hath a motive for this counsel of delay. He is thine enemy. I saw it in his face. Beware of him!
human
Nay, nay, he said,
gpt
Uncle, she said;
human
gpt
Thou art evidently a stranger, replied the man.
human
Nay, I am of this city, said she.
gpt
Then must thou cleanse thine ears, he retorted.
human
Hast thou not heard that the Grand Vizier's son is to take to himself this evening the beautiful Bedr-el-Budur? Surely, woman, thou hast been sleeping all day on thine ears, for the news went abroad early this morning. The Vizier's son is at the Hamman, and these soldiers and officials you see in the streets are waiting to escort him to the palace. And, look you, you are fortunate to get oil to-day, for all those who purvey oil to the Grand Vizier and his household have closed their shops as a mark of respect.