The habit of the dervises is so
called.] who watches by night, and fasts by day. Hence hath he
either wisdom enough to bear himself discreetly in the presence
of princes; or else, having no reason bestowed on him, he is not
responsible for his own actions."
"Methinks our monks have adopted chiefly the latter character,"
said Richard. "But to the matter. In what can I pleasure you,
my learned physician?"
"Great King," said El Hakim, making his profound Oriental
obeisance, "let thy servant speak one word, and yet live. I
would remind thee that thou owest--not to me, their humble
instrument--but to the Intelligences, whose benefits I dispense
to mortals, a life--"
"And I warrant me thou wouldst have another in requital, ha?"
interrupted the King.
"Such is my humble prayer," said the Hakim, "to the great Melech
Ric--even the life of this good knight, who is doomed to die, and
but for such fault as was committed by the Sultan Adam, surnamed
Aboulbeschar, or the father of all men."
"And thy wisdom might remind thee, Hakim, that Adam died for it,"
said the King, somewhat sternly, and then began to pace the
narrow space of his tent with some emotion, and to talk to
himself.
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