burton--1001-nights--sample

had failed to heal him. Upon this he sat up through the night in deep
thought and, when broke the dawn and appeared the morn and light
was again born, and the Sun greeted the Good whose beauties the
world adorn, he donned his handsomest dress and going in to King
Yunan, he kissed the ground before him: then he prayed for the
endurance of his honour and prosperity in fairest language and made
himself known saying, “O King, tidings have reached me of what befel
thee through that which is in thy person; and how the host of physicians
have proved themselves unavailing to abate it; and lo! I can cure
thee, O King; and yet will I not make thee drink of draught or anoint
thee with ointment.”
Now when King Yunan heard his words he said in huge surprise,
“How wilt thou do this? By Allah, if thou make me whole I will enrich
thee even to thy son’s son and I will give thee sumptuous gifts; and
whatso thou wishest shall be thine and thou shalt be to me a cupcompanion
29 and a friend.” The King then robed him with a dress of
honour and entreated him graciously and asked him, “Canst thou
indeed cure me of this complaint without drug and unguent?” and he
answered, “Yes! I will heal thee without the pains and penalties of
medicine.” The King marvelled with exceeding marvel and said, “O
physician, when shall be this whereof thou speakest, and in how many
days shall it take place? Haste thee, O my son!” He replied, “I hear and
I obey; the cure shall begin to-morrow.”
So saying he went forth from the presence, and hired himself a
house in the city for the better storage of his books and scrolls, his
medicines and his aromatic roots. Then he set to work at choosing the
fittest drugs and simples and he fashioned a bat hollow within, and
29
Arab. “Nadím,” a term often occurring. It denotes one who was intimate enough
to drink with the Caliph, a very high honour and a dangerous.
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