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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 cup

companion[FN#80] 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 I 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 tomorrow." 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.