“Who else, in fact, but his child,” she continued amid her sobs, “could have had the courage to give her hand to save her father’s life? ” “What are you saying? ” said the King. “In the world there are many hands like this. ” While they thus reasoned, the priest entered the King’s apartment.

“This great Immortal has long devoted herself to the attainment of perfection,” he said. “Those she has healed are innumerable. Give me the hand and eye. ” He took them and shortly produced an ointment which, he told the King, was to be applied to his left side. No sooner had it touched his skin than the pain on his left side disappeared as if by magic; no sign of ulcers was to be seen on that side, but his right side remained swollen and painful as before.

“Why is it,” asked the King, “that this remedy, which is so efficacious for the left side, should not be applied to the right?” “Because,” replied the priest, “the left hand and eye of the saint cures only the left side. If you wish to be completely cured, you must send your officers to obtain the right eye and right hand also.” The King accordingly dispatched his envoys anew with a letter of thanks, and begging as a further favour that Page 282the cure should be completed by the healing also of his right side.