Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1860 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER III. THE "WOND'ROUS WEED.; "Canst thou not minister to a mind diseased; Pluck from the memory a rooted sorrow; Raze out the written troubles of the brain; And, with some sweet oblivious antidote, Cleanse the stuff'd bosom of that perilous stuff, Which weighs upon the heart ?"--Macbeth. Amongst Mahometans, the following legend is said to be accepted as an account of the miraculous introduction of the " wond'rous weed " to the world. "Mahomet, passing the desert in winter, found a poor viper frozen on the ground; touched with compassion, he placed it in his sleeve, where the warmth and glow of the blessed body restored it to life. No sooner did the ungrateful reptile find its health restored, than it poked forth its head, and said-- "' Oh, Prophet, I am going to bite you.' "' Give me a sound reason, 0 snake, and I will be content.' "' Your people kill my people constantly, there is war between your race and mine.' "'Your people bite my people, the balance between our kindred is even, between you and me; nay, it .is in my favour, for I have done you good.' "' And that you may not do me harm, I will bite you.' "' Do not be so ungrateful.' "' I will! I have sworn by the Most High that I will.' "At the Name the Prophet no longer opposed the viper, but bade him bite on, in the name of God. The snake pierced his fangs in the blessed wrist, which the Prophet not liking, shook him off, but did him no further harm, nor would he suffer those near him to destroy it, but putting his lips to the wound, and sucking out the poison, spat it upon the earth. From these drops sprang that wond'rous weed, which has the bitterness of the serpent's tooth, quelled by the sweet saliva of the Prophet." * Happy Moslem! you have solved the mystery, and your...
