"This," he said, "is one of those productions which Allah hath
sent on earth for a blessing, though man's weakness and
wickedness have sometimes converted it into a curse. It is
powerful as the wine-cup of the Nazarene to drop the curtain on
the sleepless eye, and to relieve the burden of the overloaded
bosom; but when applied to the purposes of indulgence and
debauchery, it rends the nerves, destroys the strength, weakens
the intellect, and undermines life. But fear not thou to use its
virtues in the time of need, for the wise man warms him by the
same firebrand with which the madman burneth the tent." [Some
preparation of opium seems to be intimated.]
"I have seen too much of thy skill, sage Hakim," said Sir
Kenneth, "to debate thine hest;" and swallowed the narcotic,
mingled as it was with some water from the spring, then wrapped
him in the haik, or Arab cloak, which had been fastened to his
saddle-pommel, and, according to the directions of the physician,
stretched himself at ease in the shade to await the promised
repose.
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