“He had acquired his profound learning by studying different authors in the Greek, Latin, Persian, Arabic, Turkish, Syriac, and Hebrew languages; and besides having a consummate knowledge of philosophy, he was also well acquainted with the good and bad properties of all kinds of plants and drugs.

“As soon as he was informed of the King’s illness, and heard that the physicians had given their master up, he dressed himself as neatly as possible, and obtained an audience of the King. ‘Sir,’ said he, ‘I know that all the physicians who have attended your Majesty, have been unable to remove your leprosy; but if you will do me the honour to accept of my services, I will engage to cure you without medicines or ointments.’ The King, pleased with this proposal, replied, ‘If thou art really so skilful as thou pretendest, I promise to shower wealth on thee and thy posterity; and in addition to the presents thou shalt have, thou shalt be my first favourite; but dost thou tell me in earnest, that thou wilt remove my leprosy without making me swallow any potion or applying any remedy externally? ’ ‘Yes, sir,’ replied the physician, ‘I flatter myself I shall succeed, with the help of God; and to-morrow I will begin my cure.’

“Douban returned to his house, and made a sort of racket or bat, with a hollow in the handle to admit the drug he meant to use; that being done, he also prepared a sort of round ball, or bowl, in the manner that seemed best; and the following day he presented himself before the King, and prostrating himself at the monarch’s feet, kissed the ground before him.

“Douban then arose, and having made a profound reverence, told the King that he must ride on horseback to the place where he was accustomed to play at bowls. The King did as he was recommended; and when he had reached the bowling-green the physician approached him, and putting into his hand the bat, which had been prepared, said, ‘O King, exercise yourself with striking yonder ball with this bat, till you find yourself in a profuse perspiration. When the remedy I have enclosed in the handle of the bat is warmed by your hand, it will penetrate through your whole body; you may then leave off playing, for the drug will have taken effect; and when you return to your palace get into a warm bath, and be well rubbed and washed; then go to bed, and to-morrow you will be quite cured.’

“The King took the bat, and spurred his horse after the ball till he struck it. It was sent back to him by the officers who were playing with him, and he struck it again; and thus the game continued for a considerable time, till he found his hand as well as his whole body thoroughly heated, and the remedy in the bat began to operate as the physician had prophesied; the King then ceased playing, returned to the palace, bathed, and observed very punctually all the directions that had been given him.

“He soon found the good effects of the prescription; for when he arose the next morning he perceived with equal surprise and joy, that his leprosy was entirely cured, and that his body was as clear, as if he had never been attacked by that malady. As soon as he was dressed he went into the audience-chamber, where he mounted his throne and received the congratulations of all his courtiers, who had assembled on that day, partly to gratify their curiosity, and partly to testify their joy at their master’s recovery.

“Douban entered, and went to prostrate himself at the foot of the throne, with his face towards the ground. The King when he saw him, called to him, and made him sit by his side; and pointing him out to the assembly, gave him in that public way all the praise the physician so well deserved. Nor did the King stop here, for at a grand entertainment at court on that day, he placed the physician at his own table to dine with him alone.

“The Greek King,” continued the fisherman, “was not satisfied with admitting the physician to his own table; towards evening, when the courtiers were about to depart, he caused him to be dressed in a long rich robe resembling that which the courtiers usually wore in the King’s presence; and in addition, made him a present of two thousand sequins. For the next few days he did nothing but caress his new favourite; in short, this Prince, thinking he could never repay the obligations he owed to the skilful physician, was continually conferring on him some fresh proof of his gratitude.

“The King had a grand vizier, who was avaricious, envious, and prone by nature to every species of crime. This man observed with malicious fury the presents which had been bestowed upon the physician, whose great character and merit he was determined to lessen and destroy in the mind of the King. To accomplish this purpose, he went to the monarch, and said in private, that he had some intelligence of the greatest moment to communicate. The King asked him what it was. ‘Sir,’ replied he, ‘it is very dangerous for a monarch to place confidence in a man, of whose fidelity he is not assured. While you overwhelm the physician Douban with your favours, and bestow all this kindness and regard upon him, you are ignorant that he is a traitor, who has introduced himself into the court, in order to assassinate you.’ ‘What is this you dare tell me?’ cried the King,—‘Recollect to whom you speak, and that you advance an assertion, which I shall not easily believe.’—‘O King,’ resumed the vizier, I am accurately informed of what I have the honour to represent to you; do not therefore continue to repose such a dangerous confidence in Douban. If your Majesty is, as it were, in a dream, it is time to awake; for I repeat, that the physician Douban has travelled from the farthest part of Greece, his own country, solely to carry out the horrible design I have mentioned.’

“ ‘No, no, vizier,’ interrupted the King, ‘I am sure this man, whom you consider a hypocrite and a traitor, is one of the most virtuous and best of men; there is no one in the world whom I respect so much. You know by what remedy, or rather by what miracle, he cured me of my leprosy; and if he had sought my life, why did he thus save it? Cease then from endeavouring to instil unjust suspicions into my mind, for instead of listening to them, I now inform you, that from this very day I bestow upon him a pension of one thousand sequins a month, for the rest of his life. And were I to share all my riches, and even my kingdoms with him, I could never sufficiently repay what he has done for me. I see the reason of this. His virtue excites your envy; but do not suppose that I shall suffer myself to be prejudiced against him.’ ”

“The Sultan, touched with compassion at the youth’s condition, requested him to relate the cause of such sorrow: ‘Alas, my lord,’ answered the youth, ‘can I be otherwise than sorrowful, or can these eyes ever cease from shedding tears?’ With these words he lifted up his robe, and the Sultan perceived he was a man only to his waist, and that from thence to his feet he had been changed into black marble.

“The Sultan’s surprise may be readily imagined, when he saw the deplorable state of the young man. ‘What you show me,’ said he to him, ‘fills me with horror, but at the same time excites my interest; I am impatient to learn your history, which must no doubt be very singular; and I am convinced that the lake and the fish have some connection with it. I entreat you, therefore, to relate your story; and indeed you may find consolation in doing so; for the unhappy often experience some relief in imparting the tale of their sorrows.’ ‘I will not refuse you this satisfaction,’ replied the young man, ‘although I cannot relate my history without renewing the most dreadful grief; but I must forewarn you to prepare your ears and your mind, nay even your eyes, for something that passes all belief. ’