The king read her
wishes, and at his command Ahmed was conducted into the chamber. The
lovers were discreet: they but exchanged glances, yet those glances
spoke volumes. Never was triumph of music more complete. The rose
had returned to the soft cheek of the princess, the freshness to her
lip, and the dewy light to her languishing eyes.
All the physicians present stared at each other with astonishment.
The king regarded the Arab minstrel with admiration mixed with awe.
"Wonderful youth!" exclaimed he, "thou shalt henceforth be the first
physician of my court, and no other prescription will I take but thy
melody. For the present receive thy reward, the most precious jewel in
my treasury."
"O king," replied Ahmed, "I care not for silver or gold or
precious stones. One relic hast thou in thy treasury, handed down from
the Moslems who once owned Toledo- a box of sandal-wood containing a
silken carpet: give me that box, and I am content."
All present were surprised at the moderation of the Arab; and
still more when the box of sandal-wood was brought and the carpet
drawn forth. It was of fine green silk, covered with Hebrew and
Chaldaic characters. The court physicians looked at each other,
shrugged their shoulders, and smiled at the simplicity of this new
practitioner, who could be content with so paltry a fee.
"This carpet," said the prince, "once covered the throne of
Solomon the wise; it is worthy of being placed beneath the feet of
beauty.
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