Richard himself seemed to be of the same opinion, for, sitting up and rubbing his eyes, he demanded of De Vaux what present sum of money was in the royal coffers.
The baron could not exactly inform him of the amount.
"It matters not," said Richard; "be it greater or smaller, bestow it all on this learned leech, who hath, I trust, given me back again to the service of the Crusade.

If it be less than a thousand byzants, let him have jewels to make it up." "I sell not the wisdom with which Allah has endowed me," answered the Arabian physician; "and be it known to you, great Prince, that the divine medicine of which you have partaken would lose its effects in my unworthy hands did I exchange its virtues either for gold or diamonds." "The Physician refuseth a gratuity!" said De Vaux to himself.

"This is more extraordinary than his being a hundred years old." "Thomas de Vaux," said Richard, "thou knowest no courage but what belongs to the sword, no bounty and virtue but what are used in chivalry.

I tell thee that this Moor, in his independence, might set an example to them who account themselves the flower of knighthood." "It is reward enough for me," said the Moor, folding his arms on his bosom, and maintaining an attitude at once respectful and dignified, "that so great a king as the Melech Ric [Richard was thus called by the Eastern nations.] should thus speak of his servant .-- But now let me pray you again to compose yourself on your couch; for though I think there needs no further repetition of the divine draught, yet injury might ensue from any too early exertion ere your strength be entirely restored." "I must obey thee, Hakim," said the King; "yet believe me, my bosom feels so free from the wasting fire which for so many days hath scorched it, that I care not how soon I expose it to a brave man's lance .-- But hark! what mean these shouts, and that distant music, in the camp?
Go, Thomas de Vaux, and make inquiry." "It is the Archduke Leopold," said De Vaux, returning after a minute's absence, "who makes with his pot-companions some procession through the camp." "The drunken fool!" exclaimed King Richard; "can he not keep his brutal inebriety within the veil of his pavilion, that he must needs show his shame to all Christendom ?--What say you, Sir Marquis ?" he added, addressing himself to Conrade of Montserrat, who at that moment entered the tent.
"Thus much, honoured Prince," answered the Marquis, "that I delight to see your Majesty so well, and so far recovered; and that is a long speech for any one to make who has partaken of the Duke of Austria's hospitality." "What! you have been dining with the Teutonic wine-skin!" said the monarch.

"And what frolic has he found out to cause all this disturbance?
Truly, Sir Conrade, I have still held you so good a reveller that I wonder at your quitting the game." De Vaux, who had got a little behind the King, now exerted himself by look and sign to make the Marquis understand that he should say nothing to Richard of what was passing without.