have another in requital, ha?"
interrupted the King.

"Such is my humble prayer," said the Hakim, "to the great Melech
Ric--even the life of this good knight, who is doomed to die, and
but for such fault as was committed by the Sultan Adam, surnamed
Aboulbeschar, or the father of all men."

"And thy wisdom might remind thee, Hakim, that Adam died for it," said
the King, somewhat sternly, and then began to pace the narrow space of
his tent with some emotion, and to talk to himself. "Why, God-a-mercy,
I knew what he desired as soon as ever he entered the pavilion! Here
is one poor life justly condemned to extinction, and I, a king and a
soldier, who have slain thousands by my command, and scores with my own
hand, am to have no power over it, although the honour of my arms, of
my house, of my very Queen, hath been attainted by the culprit. By Saint
George, it makes me laugh! By Saint Louis, it reminds me of Blondel's
tale of an enchanted castle, where the destined knight was withstood
successively in his purpose of entrance by forms and figures the most
dissimilar, but all hostile to his undertaking! No sooner one sunk than
another appeared! Wife--kinswoman--hermit--Hakim-each appears in the
lists as soon as the other is defeated! Why, this is a single knight
fighting against the whole MELEE of the tournament--ha! ha! ha!" And
Richard laughed aloud; for he had, in fact, begun to change his mood,
his resentment being usually too violent to be of long endurance.

The physician meanwhile looked on him with a countenance of surprise,
not unmingled with contempt; for the Eastern people make no allowance
for these mercurial changes in the temper, and consider open laughter,
upon almost any account, as derogatory to the dignity of man, and
becoming only to women and children. At length the sage addressed the
King when he saw him more composed:--

"A doom of death should not issue from laughing lips. Let thy servant
hope that thou hast granted him this man's life."

"Take the freedom of a thousand captives instead," said Richard;
"restore so many of thy countrymen to their tents and families, and I
will give the warrant instantly. This man's life can avail thee nothing,
and it is forfeited."

"All our lives are forfeited," said the Hakim, putting his hand to his
cap. "But the great Creditor is merciful, and exacts not the pledge
rigorously nor untimely."

"Thou canst show me," said Richard, "no special interest thou hast