Oldal 222 [222]
LABOULAYE’S FAIRY BOOK
he was not the most unhappy of princes, since Heaven had
given him such a friend.
All at once the strangest little doctor that had ever been
seen in a castle entered the king’s apartment unannounced.
He wore a wig with long curls, his snow-white beard fell
on his breast, and his eyes were so bright and youthful
that it seemed as though they must have come into the
world sixty years after the rest of his body.
"Where are those knaves?”’ cried he, with a shrill voice,
rapping on the floor with his cane. " Where are those
ignorant fellows, those pedants, those ill-bred men that
did not wait for me? Ah! so you are the patient,” said
he to the stupefied king. “That is good. Put out your
tongue. Quick! I am in a hurry.”
“Who are you?" asked the king.
“T am Doctor Truth, the greatest doctor in the world, as
you will see, in spite of my modesty. Ask Wieduwillst,
my pupil, who sent for me from the Land of Dreams. I
cure everybody, even those who are not ill. Put out your
tongue; that’s right. Where is the opinion? Very well.
Atony—asinis! Plethora—asini! Nervousness—asinorum!
Drink the Clear Waters—asininum! Do you know what
is your disease? It is vexation, and even worse."
“Do you see that?” said Charming, terrified.
“Yes, my son, it is written on your tongue. But I will
cure you: it shall be done by to-morrow noon.’
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