CXIX NUIT
by Unknown · from Les mille et une nuits - Tome premier
Adapted Version
A young shopkeeper worked in a market. He sold cloth in his small shop.
One day, a beautiful woman came in. Her helper walked with her. She sat down in the shop.
The shop was quiet and empty. She took off her veil. The young shopkeeper saw her face. She was so beautiful. He looked at her. He could not stop looking. She did not mind. She let him look.
He liked her very much. His heart felt warm and strange.
"I want beautiful cloth," she said. "Do you have some?"
"I am new here," he said. "I do not have it yet. But I can get it for you."
"Other sellers are not here," he said. This was not true. He wanted her to stay.
They talked and talked. He liked her words. He liked her soft voice. She was kind and smart.
Then he went to get the cloth. He went to many shops. He found beautiful cloth for her. He came back to his shop.
She looked at all the cloth. She picked the ones she liked. "How much?" she asked. The price was five thousand silver coins. It was a lot of money.
He put the cloth in a big bag. Her helper took the bag. He put it under his arm.
The beautiful woman stood up. "Thank you," she said. She walked to the door. The young shopkeeper watched her go. She got on her donkey. She rode away. He watched and watched. Then she was gone.
Then he felt cold inside. She did not pay! He did not ask for the money. He did not ask her name. He did not know where she lived.
Now he had a very big problem. He got the cloth from other sellers. He owed them a lot of money. He had no money to pay them.
He loved the beautiful woman. But now he had no money. It was a big problem for him.
Original Story
CXIX NUIT.
La sultane ayant été réveillée par sa soeur Dinarzade, adressa la parole au sultan: Sire, dit-elle, le marchand continua de cette sorte le récit qu'il avait commencé: «La dame s'assit dans ma boutique, et, remarquant qu'il n'y avait personne que l'eunuque et moi dans le bezestan, elle se découvrit le visage pour prendre l'air. Je n'ai jamais rien vu de si beau: la voir et l'aimer passionnément ce fut la même chose pour moi. J'eus toujours les yeux attachés sur elle. Il me parut que mon attention ne lui était pas désagréable, car elle me donna tout le temps de la regarder à mon aise, et elle ne se couvrit le visage que lorsque la crainte d'être aperçue l'y obligea.
«Après qu'elle se fut remise au même état qu'auparavant, elle me dit qu'elle cherchait plusieurs sortes d'étoffes des plus belles et des plus riches, qu'elle me nomma, et elle me demanda si j'en avais. «Hélas! madame, lui répondis-je, je suis un jeune marchand qui ne fais que commencer à m'établir. Je ne suis pas encore assez riche pour faire un si grand négoce, et c'est une mortification pour moi de n'avoir rien à vous présenter de ce qui vous a fait venir au bezestan; mais, pour vous épargner la peine d'aller de boutique en boutique, d'abord que les marchands seront venus, j'irai, si vous le trouvez bon, prendre chez eux tout ce que vous souhaitez: ils m'en diront le prix au juste, et, sans aller plus loin, vous ferez ici vos emplettes. Elle y consentit, et j'eus avec elle un entretien qui dura d'autant plus longtemps, que je lui faisais accroire que les marchands qu'elle demandait n'étaient pas encore arrivés.
«Je ne fus pas moins charmé de son esprit que je l'avais été de la beauté de son visage; mais il fallut enfin me priver du plaisir de sa conversation: je courus chercher les étoffes qu'elle désirait, et quand elle eut choisi celles qui lui plurent, nous en arrêtâmes le prix à cinq mille drachmes d'argent monnayé. J'en fis un paquet que je donnai à l'eunuque, qui le mit sous son bras. Elle se leva ensuite et partit après avoir pris congé de moi. Je la conduisis des yeux jusqu'à la porte du bezestan, et je ne cessai de la regarder qu'elle ne fût remontée sur sa mule.
«La dame n'eut pas plus tôt disparu, que je m'aperçus que l'amour m'avait fait faire une grande faute. Il m'avait tellement troublé l'esprit que je n'avais pas pris garde qu'elle s'en allait sans payer, et ne lui avais pas seulement demandé qui elle était ni où elle demeurait. Je fis réflexion pourtant que j'étais redevable d'une somme considérable à plusieurs marchands qui n'auraient peut-être pas la patience d'attendre. J'allai m'excuser auprès d'eux le mieux qu'il me fut possible, en leur disant que je connaissais la dame. Enfin je revins chez moi, aussi amoureux qu'embarrassé d'une si grosse dette.»
Scheherazade en cet endroit vit paraître le jour, cessa de parler.
La nuit suivante elle continua de cette manière:
Story DNA
Plot Summary
A young merchant falls instantly and passionately in love with a beautiful lady who visits his shop. Captivated, he prolongs their interaction and offers to procure expensive fabrics for her from other merchants. After she selects the goods, she departs with her eunuch, leaving the merchant utterly smitten. Only after she is gone does he realize she left without paying and he has no idea who she is or where she lives, leaving him deeply in love but also in considerable debt and distress.
Themes
Emotional Arc
infatuation to anxiety
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
This is a segment from 'One Thousand and One Nights' (Arabian Nights), a collection of Middle Eastern folk tales compiled during the Islamic Golden Age. The framing device of Scheherazade telling stories to the Sultan is central to its structure.
Plot Beats (11)
- The sultana Scheherazade continues her story, recounting a merchant's tale.
- A beautiful lady, accompanied by an eunuch, enters the merchant's shop.
- She uncovers her face, and the merchant is instantly smitten by her beauty.
- The merchant, captivated, prolongs their conversation by pretending other merchants are not yet present.
- He offers to gather the specific, expensive fabrics she desires from other shops.
- The lady agrees, and they continue to converse, the merchant charmed by her wit as much as her beauty.
- He eventually fetches the fabrics, and she chooses several, agreeing to a price of five thousand silver dirhams.
- The merchant packages the fabrics, which the eunuch takes, and the lady departs.
- The merchant watches her leave, still entranced, until she is out of sight.
- He then realizes with a shock that she left without paying and he has no way to find her.
- He is now deeply in love but also in significant debt to other merchants, whom he must try to appease.
Characters
Scheherazade
Slender and graceful, with an elegant posture befitting a royal consort. Her movements are deliberate and captivating, designed to hold attention.
Attire: Richly embroidered silk robes in deep jewel tones like sapphire or emerald, possibly with gold threadwork. She would wear a delicate veil or head covering, and ornate jewelry such as gold bracelets and necklaces, typical of a Persian sultana.
Wants: To survive by continuously entertaining the Sultan with her stories, thereby delaying her execution.
Flaw: Her life is constantly at risk, dependent on the Sultan's whim.
She begins as a woman facing certain death, but through her wit and resilience, she slowly transforms the Sultan's heart and secures her future.
Intelligent, resourceful, captivating, strategic, resilient.
Dinarzade
Likely shares some familial resemblance with Scheherazade, perhaps slightly younger and less imposing in stature, but still graceful.
Attire: Elegant but less elaborate silk garments than Scheherazade, in complementary colors, perhaps soft greens or rose. She would also wear a modest veil and some jewelry, appropriate for a noblewoman.
Wants: To assist her sister Scheherazade in her survival by prompting her to continue her stories each night.
Flaw: Her role is largely passive; her fate is tied to her sister's success.
Her arc is tied to Scheherazade's; she remains a steadfast supporter.
Loyal, supportive, obedient, gentle.
The Sultan
A powerful and imposing figure, likely with a strong build. His presence commands authority and a hint of severity, reflecting his past actions.
Attire: Luxurious royal attire, such as a flowing silk thobe or kaftan in deep, rich colors like crimson or royal purple, possibly embroidered with gold. He would wear a jeweled turban and a wide, ornate belt.
Wants: Initially driven by a desire for vengeance against perceived female betrayal, he seeks to avoid further heartbreak by executing his wives. Later, he is motivated by curiosity and the pleasure of Scheherazade's stories.
Flaw: His deep-seated mistrust and cynicism, which led to his cruel decree.
Transforms from a tyrannical and vengeful ruler into a more compassionate and just one, due to Scheherazade's influence.
Initially cruel, suspicious, jaded, but gradually becomes intrigued, contemplative, and eventually softened.
The Merchant (from the embedded story)
A young man, likely of average height and build for his profession, perhaps a bit earnest and eager.
Attire: Practical but respectable attire for a merchant: a simple tunic (qamis) over loose trousers (sirwal), possibly a vest (sadriya), made of sturdy linen or cotton in earthy tones like brown, beige, or muted blue. He might wear soft leather slippers.
Wants: To establish his business and make a living. Later, driven by passionate love for the lady and anxiety over his debt.
Flaw: His immediate and overwhelming infatuation blinds him to practical matters, leading to a significant financial mistake.
Begins as an ambitious young merchant, becomes deeply infatuated, makes a costly error due to love, and ends the excerpt in a state of anxious love and debt.
Impressionable, easily smitten, somewhat naive, earnest, anxious.
The Lady (from the embedded story)
Of extraordinary beauty, described as the most beautiful the merchant had ever seen. Likely slender and graceful, with an air of refinement and wealth.
Attire: Exquisitely rich and beautiful garments, likely fine silks and brocades in vibrant colors, perhaps adorned with subtle embroidery. She would wear a full veil (niqab or burqa) when in public, revealing only her eyes, and a flowing outer garment (abaya or similar). Her clothing would suggest high status and wealth.
Wants: To purchase beautiful and rich fabrics. Unintentionally, she also seeks to enjoy the admiration she receives.
Flaw: Her beauty and charm, while powerful, lead her to inadvertently cause financial trouble for the merchant.
She appears, captivates the merchant, makes her purchases, and departs, unaware of the profound effect she has had on him or the debt she leaves him with.
Confident, discerning (in her choice of fabrics), perhaps a little flirtatious or at least aware of her effect on others, accustomed to being indulged.
The Eunuch (from the embedded story)
A sturdy and reliable figure, likely older, serving as a protector and attendant to the Lady. His build would be solid, capable of carrying packages.
Attire: Practical and dignified attire for a servant of a wealthy household: a simple tunic and trousers in dark, durable fabrics, perhaps with a sash. His clothing would be less ornate than his mistress's but well-maintained.
Wants: To protect and serve the Lady, ensuring her safety and carrying her purchases.
Flaw: Bound by his duty, he cannot intervene in the Lady's decisions or the merchant's infatuation.
Remains a constant, dutiful presence throughout the Lady's interaction with the merchant.
Loyal, dutiful, silent, observant.
The Mule (from the embedded story)
A sturdy, well-groomed mule, likely of a light color (grey or dun), used for transport by wealthy individuals. It would be equipped with a comfortable, possibly ornate, saddle and bridle.
Attire: An ornate saddle with rich fabric (perhaps embroidered velvet) and polished stirrups, a decorative bridle with brass fittings, and possibly a colorful blanket beneath the saddle.
Wants: To transport its rider.
Flaw: An animal, subject to its owner's commands.
Serves its purpose of transporting the Lady to and from the bezestan.
Patient, reliable, docile.
Locations
The Merchant's Shop in the Bezestan
A small, newly established merchant's shop within a bustling covered market (bezestan), likely featuring shelves or low tables displaying various goods, though the merchant admits to having limited stock of the finest fabrics. The space is initially quiet, with only the merchant and an eunuch present.
Mood: Intimate, initially quiet, then charged with romantic tension and later, anxiety.
The merchant meets the beautiful lady, falls in love, engages in a prolonged conversation, and sells her expensive fabrics without receiving payment.
The Bezestan (Covered Market)
A large, covered market with numerous shops and stalls, bustling with activity. It has a main entrance through which people and animals (like mules) pass.
Mood: Lively, commercial, public.
The lady departs from the merchant's shop and rides away on her mule, disappearing from the merchant's sight.