Sir, the fisherman, speaking always to the genie, whom he kept shut up in his vessel, went on thus:  The physician Douban rose up, and, after a profound reverence, says to the king, he judged it meet that his majesty should take horse, and go to the place where he used to play at the mell.  The king did so, and when he arrived there, the physician came to him with the mell, and says to him, Sir, exercise yourself with this mell, and strike the ball with it until you find your hands and your body in a sweat.  When the medicine I have put in the handle of the mell is heated with your hand, it will penetrate your whole body; and as soon as you shall sweat, you may leave off the exercise, for then the medicine will have had its effect.  As soon as you are returned to your palace, go into the bath, and cause yourself to be well washed and rubbed; then go to bed, and, when you rise to-morrow, you will find yourself cured.

The king took the mell, and struck the ball, which was returned by his officers that played with him; he struck it again, and played so long, till his hand and his whole body were in a sweat, and then the medicine shut up in the handle of the mell had its operation, as the physician said.  Upon this the king left off play, returned to his palace, entered the bath, and observed very exactly what his physician had prescribed him.

He was very well after; and next morning, when he arose, he perceived, with as much wonder as joy, that his leprosy was cured, and his body as clean as if he had never been attacked with that distemper.  As soon as he was dressed, he came into the hall of public audience, where he mounted his throne, and showed himself to his courtiers, who, longing to know the success of the new medicine, came thither betimes, and, when they saw the king perfectly cured, did all of them express a mighty joy for it.  The physician Douban, entering the hall, bowed himself before the throne wiih his face to the ground.  The king, perceiving him, called him, made him sit down by his side, showed him to the assembly, and gave him all the commendation he deserved.  His majesty did not stop here; but, as he treated all his court that day, he made him to eat at his table atone with him.  At these words Scheherazade, perceiving day, broke off her story.  Sister, says Dinarzade, I know not what the conclusion of this story will be, but I find the beginning very surprising.  That which is to come is yet better, answered the sultaness, and I am certain you will not deny it, if the sultan gives me leave to make an end of it to-morrow night.  Shahriar consented, and rose very well satisfied with what he had heard.

The Thirteenth Night.

Dinarzade, willing to keep the sultan in ignorance of her design, cried out, as if she had started out of her sleep, 0 dear sister, I have had a troublesome dream, and nothing will sooner make me forget it than the remainder of the story of the Grecian king and the doctor Douban.  I conjure you, by the love you always bore me, not to defer it a moment longer.  I shall not be wanting, good sister, to ease your mind; and, if my sovereign will permit me, I will go on.  Schahriar, being charmed with the agreeable manner of Scheherazade’s telling her story, says to her, You will oblige me no less than Dinarzade, therefore continue.