Arabian Nights Entertainments (1706)/Volume 5/The Eldest Brother

The Story of the Barber’s eldest Brother.

SIR, said I, my eldest Brother, whose Name was Bacbouc the Hump-back, was a Taylor by Trade: When he came out of his Apprentiship, he hired a Shop over against a Mill, and having little Business, he could scarcely maintain himself. The Miller, on the contrary, was very wealthy, and had a very handsome Wife. One Day as my Brother was at work in his Shop, he lift up his Head and saw the Miller’s Wife looking out of the Window, and was charm’d with her Beauty. The Woman took no Notice of him, but shut her Window, and came no more to it all that Day, while the poor Taylor did nothing but lift up his Eyes towards the Mill all Day long. He prick’d his Fingers oftner than once, and his Work that Day was not very regular. At Night, When he was to shut his Shop, he cou’d scarce tell how to do it, because he still hoped the Miller’s Wife would come to the Window once more; but at last he was forced to shut up, and go Home to his little House, where he had but a very sorry Night. He got up betimes in the Morning, and ran to his Shop, in Hopes to see his Mistress again, but he was no happier than the Day before, for the Miller’s Wife did not appear at the Window above one Moment all the Day, but that Moment made the Taylor the most amorous Man that ever liv’d The Third Day, he had some more Ground of Satisfaction; for the Miller’s Wife cast her Eyes upon him by Chance, and surpriz’d him as he was gazing at her, of which she presently knew: the Reason. Here Day began to appear, which made the Sulraness break off her Story, and she resum’d it next Night thus.

The Hundred and Sixty Eight Night.

NO sooner (continu’d the Barber) did the Miller’s Wife perceive my Brother’s Mind, but instead of being vex’d at it, she resolv’d to make it her Diversion. She look’d upon him with a smiling Countenance, and my Brother look’d upon her in the same Manner, bur after such an odd Sort, that the Miller’s Wife presently shut her Window, lest her loud Laughter should have made him sensible that she only ridicul’d him. Poor Bacbouc interpreted her Carriage to his own Advantage, and flattered himself that she look’d upon him with Pleasure.,

The Miller’s Wife resolv’d to make sport with my Brother: She had a piece of very fine Stuff, with which she had a long time design’d to make her a Suit; she wrapt it up in a fine embroider’d Silk Handkerchief, and sent it him by a young Slave that she had; who being taught her Lesson, comes to the Taylor’s Shop, and tells him, my Mistress gives you her Service, and prays you make her a Suit of this Stuff according to this Pattern; she changes her Cloaths often, so that her Custom will be profitable to you: My Brother doubted not but the Miller’s Wife loved him, and thought that she sent him Work so soon after what had pass’d betwixt them, only to signify that she knew his Mind; and to confirm him that he had obtain’d her Favour. My Brother being of this Opinion, charged the Slave to tell her Mistress, that he would lay aside all Work for hers, and that the Suit should be ready next Morning. In Effect, he work’d at it with so much Diligence, that he finish’d it the same Day. Next Morning the young Slave came to see if the Suit was ready; Bacbouc gave it her neatly folded up, telling her, I am too much concern’d to please your Mistress to neglect her Suit; I would engage her by my Diligence, to make Use of no other but my self for the time to come. The young Slave went some Steps, as if she had intended to go away, and then coming back, whisper’d to my Brother, I had forgot Part of my Commission, my Mistress charg’d me to compliment you in her Name, and to ask how you pas’d the Night; for her, poor Woman, she loves you so mightily, that she could not sleep. Tell her, answers my silly Brother, I have so strong a Passion for her, that these four Nights, I have not slept one Wink. After such a Compliment from the Miller’s Wife, my Brother thought she would not let him languish in Expectation of her Favour.

About a quarter of an Hour after, the Slave return’d to my Brother with a Piece of Sattin: My Mistress, says she, is very well pleas’d with her Suit, nothing in the World can fit her better; and since it is very fine, she would not wear it without a new Peticoat, and she prays you to make her one, as soon as you can, of this Piece of Sattin. It’s enough, says Bacbouc, I’ll do it before I leave my Shop; you shall have it in the Evening. The Miller’s Wife show’d her self often at her Window, was very prodigal of her Charms, and to encourage my Brother, she made as if she took Pleasure to see him work. The Peticoat was soon made, and the Slave came for it, but brought the Taylor no Money, neither for the Trimming he had bought for the Suit, nor for his Labour. In the meantime, this unfortunate Lover, whom they only amused, though he could not perceive it, had eat nothing all that Day, and was forced to borrow Money at Night to buy his Supper. Next Morning, as soon as he arriv’d at his Shop, the young Slave came to tell him; that the Miller wanted to speak to him. My Mistress, says she, has told him so much Good of you, when she shew’d him your Work, that he has a Mind you should work also for him; she does it on Purpose, that the Friendship she designs to form betwixt you and him, may make you to succeed in what you both equally desire. My Brother was easily perswaded, and went to the Mill with the Slave. The Miller receiv’d him very kindly, and fhew’d him a Piece of Cloath, and told him he wanted Shirts, bid him make twenty of that Cloath, and give him again what was over and above.

Scheherazade perceiving Day, held her Peace, and the next Night continu’d the History of Bacbouc thus.

The Hundred and Sixty Ninth Night.

MY Brother, said the Barber, had Work enough for five or fix Days, to make twenty Shirts for the Miller, who afterwards gave him another Piece of Cloath to make him as many Pair of Drawers. When they were finish’d, Bacbouc carry’d them to the Miller, who ask’d him what he must have for his Pains. My Brother answered, he would be content with twenty Drachms of Silver. The Miller immediately call’d the young Slave, and bid her bring him his Weights to see if the Money was right. The Slave who had her Lesson, look’d upon my Brother with an angry Countenance, to signify to him, that he would spoil all if he took any Money. He knew her Meaning, and refused to take any, tho’ he wanted it so much that he was forced to borrow Money to buy the Thread that sow’d the Shirts and Drawers. When he left the Miller, he came to me to borrow Money to live on,and told me they did not pay him. I gave him some Copper Money I had in my Pocket, and upon that he subsisted for some Days. It’s true, indeed, he liv’d upon nothing but broth, nor had he his Fill of that.

One Day he went to the Miller, who was busy at his Work, and thinking my Brother came for Money, he offer’d him some; but the young Slave being present, made him another Sign not to take it, which he comply’d with, and told the Miller he did not come for his Money, but only to know how he did. The Miller thank’d him, and gave him an upper Garment to make; Bacbouc carry’d it him next Day; When the Miller drew out his Purse, the young Slave gave my Brother the usual Sign, on which he said to the Miller, Neighbour, there’s no Haste, we will reckon another Time; so that the poor Nynny went to his Shop again, with three terrible Distempers upon him, Love, Hunger, and Want of Money. The Miller’s Wife was not only greedy, but ill-natur’d; for not content to cheat my Brother of his Due, she provok’d her Husband to revenge himself upon him, for making Love to her, which they accomplish’d thus. The Miller invited Bacbouc one Night to Supper, and after having given him a very sorry Treat, says to him, Brother, it’s too late for you to go Home, you had best stay here all Night; and then carry’d him to a Place in the Mill, where there was a Bed; there he left him, and went to Bed with his Wife. About the Middle of the Night, the Miller comes to my Brother, and says, Neighbour are you asleep? My Mule is ill, and I have a great deal of Corn to grind, you will do me a mighty Kindness if you will turn the Mill in her Stead. Bacbouc to show his Good Nature, told him, he was ready to do him that Piece of Service, if he would show him how. Then the Miller ty’d him by the Middle to the Mule’s Place, and whipping him over the Back, bid him go, Neighbour. Ho! says my Brother, why do you beat me? It’s to make you brisk, says the Miller, for without a Whip my Mule won’t go. Bacbouc was amazed at this sort of Treatment, but he durft not complain. When he had gone five or six Rounds, he would fain have rested, but the Miller gave him a dozen of sound Lashes, saying, Courage Neighbour, don’t stop pray: you must go on without taking your Breath, otherwise you will spoil my Meal.

Scheherazade stopp’d here, because she saw Day, and next Morning continu’d the Story thus.

The Hundred and Seventieth Night.

THE Miller obliged my Brother (says the Barber) to turn the Mill thus all Night. About break of Day he left him without untying him, and went to his Wife’s Chamber. Bacbouc continued there for some time, and at last the young Slave came and unty’d him. Ah, on the treacherous Wretch, how my Mistress and I bemoan’d you: We had no Hand in this wicked Trick which her Husband has put upon you. Unhappy Bacbouc answer’d her never a Word, he was so much Fatigu’d with Work and Blows, but crept home to his House, resolving never to think more on the Miller’s Wife.

The telling of this Story, says the Barber, made the Califf laugh. Go home, says he to me, I have order’d something to be given you instead of the good Dinner you expected: Commander of the Faithful, says I; pray your Majesty to stay till I tell-the Story of my other Brothers. The Calif having signify’d by his Silence, that he was wiling to hear me, I went on thus.