See thou keep thy scoffs, to pass upon misers [that is, miserable persons, as used in Spenser and other writers of his time, though the sense is now restricted to those who are covetous] in the hospital." Dwining ventured to say no more, but poured some drops from a phial which he took from his pocket into a small cup of wine allayed with water.
"This draught," said the man of art, "is medicated to produce a sleep which must not be interrupted." "For how long will it last ?" asked the knight.
"The period of its operation is uncertain--perhaps till morning." "Perhaps for ever," said the patient.

"Sir mediciner, taste me that liquor presently, else it passes not my lips." The leech obeyed him, with a scornful smile.

"I would drink the whole with readiness; but the juice of this Indian gum will bring sleep on the healthy man as well as upon the patient, and the business of the leech requires me to be a watcher." "I crave your pardon, sir leech," said Ramorny, looking downwards, as if ashamed to have manifested suspicion.
"There is no room for pardon where offence must not be taken," answered the mediciner.

"An insect must thank a giant that he does not tread on him.

Yet, noble knight, insects have their power of harming as well as physicians.