Pagina 156 de 1116

This man was a reader of books, Greek, Persian, Roman, Arabian,

and Syrian; and he was skilled in astronomy and in leechcraft,

the theorick as well as the practick; he was experienced in all

that healeth and that hurteth the body; conversant with the

virtues of every plant, grass and herb, and their benefit and

bane; and he understood philosophy and had compassed the whole

range of medical science and other branches of the knowledge

tree. Now this physician passed but few days in the city, ere he

heard of the King's malady and all his bodily sufferings through

the leprosy with which Allah had smitten him; and how all the

doctors and wise men had failed to heal him.