." Advise me, O nobles," she said "in this matter. I do not decide any thing until you concur." 32 They replied: 'We are possessors of force and great might. It is for you to command, so consider what you will' 33 She said: Surely the kings, when they enter a town, ruin it and make the noblest of its people to be low, and thus they (always) do; 34 But I shall send them a gift and see what the messengers bring back' 35 Then when he came unto Sulaiman, he said: are ye going to add riches to me? Then that which Allah hath vouchsafed unto me is better than that which He hath vouchsafed unto you. Aye! it is ye who exult in your present. 36 Go back to them. We shall soon come with our armies which they will not be able to face. We shall drive them out of (the land) with ignominy, and they will be humbled." 37 Solomon said: "My nobles, which of you can bring me her throne before they come to me in submission?" 38 A stalwart of the jinn said: "I will bring it to you before you rise from your council. Surely I have the power to do so and I am trustworthy." 39 Answered he who was illumined by revelation: "[Nay,] as for me - I shall bring it to thee ere the twinkling of thy eye ceases!" And when he saw it truly before him, he exclaimed: "This is [an outcome] of my Sustainer's bounty, to test me as to whether I am grateful or ungrateful! However, he who is grateful [to God] is but grateful for his own good; and he who is ungrateful [should know that,] verily, my Sustainer is self-sufficient, most generous in giving!" 40 He said: "Transform her throne out of all recognition by her: let us see whether she is guided (to the truth) or is one of those who receive no guidance." 41 When the Queen arrived, she was asked: "Is your throne like this one?" She said: "It seems as if it is the same. We had already come to know this and we had submitted ourselves." 42 And what she worshipped besides Allah prevented her, surely she was of an unbelieving people. 43 She was asked to enter the lofty Palace: but when she saw it, she thought it was a lake of water, and she (tucked up her skirts), uncovering her legs. He said: "This is but a palace paved smooth with slabs of glass." She said: "O my Lord! I have indeed wronged my soul: I do (now) submit (in Islam), with Solomon, to the Lord of the Worlds." 44