It seemed to the spectators as if some effervescence took place during the operation; but if so, it instantly subsided.
"Drink," said the physician to the sick man--"sleep, and awaken free from malady." "And with this simple-seeming draught thou wilt undertake to cure a monarch ?" said the Bishop of Tyre.
"I have cured a beggar, as you may behold," replied the sage.

"Are the Kings of Frangistan made of other clay than the meanest of their subjects ?" "Let us have him presently to the King," said the Baron of Gilsland.

"He hath shown that he possesses the secret which may restore his health.

If he fails to exercise it, I will put himself past the power of medicine." As they were about to leave the hut, the sick man, raising his voice as much as his weakness permitted, exclaimed, "Reverend father, noble knight, and you, kind leech, if you would have me sleep and recover, tell me in charity what is become of my dear master ?" "He is upon a distant expedition, friend," replied the prelate--"on an honourable embassy, which may detain him for some days." "Nay," said the Baron of Gilsland, "why deceive the poor fellow ?--Friend, thy master has returned to the camp, and you will presently see him." The invalid held up, as if in thankfulness, his wasted hands to Heaven, and resisting no longer the soporiferous operation of the elixir, sunk down in a gentle sleep.
"You are a better physician than I, Sir Thomas," said the prelate--"a soothing falsehood is fitter for a sick-room than an unpleasing truth." "How mean you, my reverend lord ?" said De Vaux hastily.

"Think you I would tell a falsehood to save the lives of a dozen such as he ?" "You said," replied the bishop, with manifest symptoms of alarm--"you said the esquire's master was returned--he, I mean, of the Couchant Leopard." "And he IS returned," said De Vaux.