CXXXVII NUIT
by Unknown · from Les mille et une nuits - Tome premier
Adapted Version
Once upon a time, there was a Young Man. He was very, very sad. He loved the Judge's Daughter. But she did not know.
The Old Woman came to the Young Man. She had good news for him. She told him about the Judge's Daughter. The Judge's Daughter would see him. The Young Man felt a little better. He listened closely to the Old Woman. She talked about her visit.
The Old Woman told the Judge's Daughter. "You were not kind before," she said. "The Young Man is very sad. He is getting sicker now. He misses you so much. He might not live long. He needs your help." The Judge's Daughter listened well. She started to think.
The Old Woman said, "He might not live!" The Judge's Daughter looked very sad. Her face changed color quickly. She worried about the Young Man. "Is this true?" she asked. "Is he truly sick for me?"
The Judge's Daughter asked, "Will he feel better?" "Will he get well if I see him?" The Old Woman said, "Yes, maybe he will! We can try this plan."
The Judge's Daughter sighed softly. "I will meet him soon," she said. "But he must want to marry me. My father must say yes. Then we can meet. I will agree." The Old Woman was very happy.
The Old Woman finished her story. The Young Man felt better now. His sickness went away. He gave the Old Woman some money.
Next day, Old Woman came back. He got ready for Judge's Daughter. He wanted to look nice. He got a quick shave. No time for a bath.
A kind helper brought a barber. The barber came in. He started to talk, talk, talk! The Young Man said, 'Please hurry!' He had an important meeting soon.
The Barber talked and talked. The Young Man needed to go! He hoped to meet the Judge's Daughter. He really wanted to see her.
Original Story
CXXXVII NUIT.
Sire, la vieille dame continuant de rapporter au jeune homme malade d'amour l'entretien qu'elle avait eu avec la fille du cadi: «Vous vous souvenez bien, madame, ajoutai-je, avec quelle rigueur vous me traitâtes dernièrement, lorsque je voulus vous parler de sa maladie et vous proposer un moyen de le délivrer du danger où il était. Je retournai chez lui après vous avoir quittée, et il ne connut pas plus tôt en me voyant, que je ne lui apportais pas une réponse favorable, que son mal en redoubla. Depuis ce temps-là, madame, il est prêt à perdre la vie, et je ne sais si vous pourriez la lui sauver quand vous auriez pitié de lui.»
«Voilà ce que je lui dis, ajouta la vieille. La crainte de votre mort l'ébranla et je vis son visage changer de couleur: «Ce que vous me racontez, dit-elle, est-il bien vrai, et n'est-il effectivement malade que pour l'amour de moi? - Ah! madame, repartis-je, cela n'est que trop véritable: plût à Dieu que cela fût faux! - Hé! croyez-vous, reprit-elle, que l'espérance de me voir et de me parler pût contribuer à le tirer du péril où il est? - Peut-être bien, lui dit-je, et si vous me l'ordonnez j'essaierai ce remède. - Hé bien! répliqua-t-elle en soupirant, faites-lui donc espérer qu'il me verra, mais il ne faut pas qu'il s'attende, à d'autres faveurs à moins qu'il n'aspire à m'épouser et que mon père ne consente à ce mariage. - Madame, m'écriai-je, vous avez bien de la bonté! je vais trouver ce jeune seigneur et lui annoncer qu'il aura le plaisir de vous entretenir. - Je ne vois pas un temps plus commode à lui faire cette grâce, dit-elle, que vendredi prochain, pendant que l'on fera la prière de midi. Qu'il observe quand mon père sera sorti pour y aller et qu'il vienne aussitôt se présenter devant la maison, s'il se porte assez bien pour cela. Je le verrai arriver par ma fenêtre et je descendrai pour lui ouvrir. Nous nous entretiendrons durant le temps de la prière, et il se retirera avant le retour de mon père.»
«Nous sommes au mardi, continua la vieille, vous pouvez jusqu'à vendredi reprendre vos forces et vous disposer à cette entrevue.» À mesure que la bonne dame parlait, je sentais diminuer mon mal, ou plutôt je me trouvai guéri à la fin de son discours. «Prenez, lui dis-je, en lui donnant ma bourse qui était toute pleine; c'est à vous seule que je dois ma guérison; je tiens cet argent mieux employé que celui que j'ai donné aux médecins, qui n'ont fait que me tourmenter pendant ma maladie.»
«La dame m'ayant quitté, je me sentis assez de force pour me lever. Mes parents, ravis de me voir en si bon état, me firent des compliments et se retirèrent chez eux.
«Le vendredi matin, la vieille arriva dans le temps que je commençais à m'habiller et que je choisissais l'habit le plus propre de ma garde-robe. «Je ne vous demande pas, me dit-elle, comment vous vous portez; l'occupation où je vous vois me fait assez connaître ce que je dois penser là-dessus: mais ne vous baignerez-vous pas avant que d'aller chez le premier cadi? - Cela consumerait trop de temps, lui répondis-je; je me contenterai de faire venir un barbier et de me faire raser la tête et la barbe.» Aussitôt j'ordonnai à un de mes esclaves d'en chercher un qui fût habile dans sa profession et fort expéditif.
«L'esclave m'amena ce malheureux barbier que vous voyez, qui me dit après m'avoir salué: «Seigneur, il paraît à votre visage que vous ne vous portez pas bien.» Je lui répondis que je sortais d'une maladie. «Je souhaite, reprit-il, que Dieu vous délivre de toutes sortes de maux et que sa grâce vous accompagne toujours. - J'espère, lui répliquai-je, qu'il exaucera ce souhait, dont je vous suis fort obligé. - Puisque vous sortez d'une maladie, dit- il, je prie Dieu qu'il vous conserve la santé; dites-moi présentement de quoi il s'agit: j'ai apporté mes rasoirs et mes lancettes, souhaitez-vous que je vous rase ou que je vous tire du sang? - Je viens de vous dire, repris-je, que je sors de maladie, et vous devez bien juger que je ne vous ai fait venir que pour me raser; dépêchez-vous et ne perdons pas le temps à discourir, car je suis pressé, et l'on m'attend à midi précisément.»
Scheherazade se tut en achevant ces paroles, à cause du jour qui paraissait. Le lendemain, elle reprit son discours de cette sorte:
Story DNA
Plot Summary
A young man is dying of love for the Cadi's daughter. An old woman acts as an intermediary, convincing the initially cold daughter of the young man's grave condition. The daughter, moved by the threat of his death, agrees to a secret meeting on Friday, provided he seeks marriage. The young man is instantly cured by the news and prepares for the rendezvous, but his efforts are comically thwarted by an excessively talkative barber, leaving the outcome of the meeting unresolved.
Themes
Emotional Arc
suffering to triumph
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
This is a fragment from 'One Thousand and One Nights' (Arabian Nights), specifically part of the story of the Hunchback and the Barber, where the barber's endless chatter is a recurring comedic element and plot device.
Plot Beats (10)
- The old woman recounts her conversation with the Cadi's daughter to the love-sick young man.
- She reminds the Cadi's daughter of her previous harshness and the young man's worsening condition.
- The old woman stresses the young man's imminent death, causing the Cadi's daughter to show concern.
- The Cadi's daughter asks if seeing him would help, and the old woman confirms it might.
- The Cadi's daughter agrees to a secret meeting on Friday during noon prayers, but only if he seeks marriage and her father's consent.
- The old woman delivers the good news to the young man, who is instantly cured and gives her a full purse.
- On Friday morning, the old woman returns to find the young man preparing for the meeting.
- The young man decides to get a quick shave instead of a bath to save time.
- An enslaved person brings a barber, who immediately begins to talk excessively.
- The young man tries to rush the barber, explaining his urgency for an important meeting at noon.
Characters
The Young Man (Sick with Love)
Initially described as gravely ill, suggesting a gaunt or weakened physique. His recovery is rapid and complete, implying a naturally strong constitution beneath the illness. He is a 'young seigneur' (young lord), indicating a noble or wealthy background.
Attire: He possesses a 'garde-robe' (wardrobe) from which he selects 'l'habit le plus propre' (the cleanest/finest attire) for his important meeting. This would likely be a finely woven thobe or qamis, possibly of silk or fine linen, in a rich color, perhaps with subtle embroidery, worn with a matching vest or jacket (farajiyya or jubbah) and a sash (hizam).
Wants: To win the affection and hand in marriage of the Cadi's daughter, and to recover from his love-sickness.
Flaw: His intense emotional susceptibility; his love-sickness nearly kills him, and he is easily frustrated by delays.
He transforms from a dying, lovesick invalid to a hopeful, energetic young man, driven by the prospect of meeting his beloved.
Impassioned, lovesick, impatient (especially with the barber), generous (giving his full purse to the old woman), determined.
The Old Woman
Described as 'vieille dame' (old lady), implying a stooped posture or wrinkled skin, but she is active and capable of moving between households. Her role as a messenger suggests she is discreet and trusted.
Attire: As a trusted messenger, her attire would be modest but respectable. She might wear a simple, dark-colored abaya or a long, loose-fitting dress (dishdasha) made of practical fabric like cotton or wool, with a headscarf (tarha or shayla) covering her hair, typical of an older woman in an Arabian setting.
Wants: To facilitate the love match between the young man and the Cadi's daughter, possibly for a reward or out of genuine kindness.
Flaw: None explicitly stated, but her age might imply physical limitations.
She remains consistent in her role as a helpful intermediary, successfully bringing the two lovers closer.
Shrewd, persuasive, compassionate (though initially strict with the Cadi's daughter), effective, observant.
The Cadi's Daughter
Implied to be beautiful enough to inspire such intense love. Her face changes color when confronted with the young man's illness, indicating sensitivity and perhaps a delicate complexion.
Attire: As the daughter of a Cadi (a judge), she would wear modest but luxurious clothing appropriate for a woman of high status in an Arabian household. This might include a richly colored silk or brocade caftan or a finely embroidered dress (thobe) worn with a veil (hijab or niqab) when in public, though she is seen at home by her window. Inside, she would wear elegant, flowing garments.
Wants: To maintain her honor and the honor of her family, while also showing compassion for the young man who loves her. She desires a proper marriage.
Flaw: Her initial strictness, which almost leads to the young man's death. Her sensitivity to the young man's suffering.
She softens from her initial strictness, moved by the young man's suffering, and agrees to meet him, offering hope for a future marriage.
Initially reserved and perhaps a bit stern ('rigueur'), but compassionate, sensitive, and ultimately willing to offer hope. She is also pragmatic, setting conditions for marriage.
The Cadi (Judge)
As a Cadi, he would be a man of authority and respect, likely with a dignified bearing. His age is not specified, but a Cadi is typically an established, older man.
Attire: A Cadi would wear formal, dignified attire, such as a rich, flowing thobe or jubbah, perhaps in a dark color like deep blue or maroon, made of fine wool or silk. He would wear a turban (imamah) as a symbol of his religious and judicial authority, possibly adorned with a jewel or fine embroidery.
Wants: To uphold justice and religious law, and to ensure his daughter makes a respectable marriage.
Flaw: None explicitly stated.
Remains off-stage, his presence and authority influencing his daughter's actions.
Authoritative, religious (attends Friday prayers), concerned with propriety (his daughter mentions his consent for marriage).
The Barber
Described as 'malheureux' (unfortunate/wretched), which could imply a humble appearance, perhaps thin or disheveled, but he is skilled and expeditious in his profession.
Attire: Simple, practical clothing suitable for his profession, likely a tunic (qamis) and trousers (sirwal) made of cotton or linen, perhaps with an apron to protect his clothes. His attire would be clean but not luxurious.
Wants: To perform his service, earn his pay, and perhaps impress his client with his knowledge and piety.
Flaw: His excessive talkativeness, which annoys his client.
A minor character who serves as a comedic foil due to his talkativeness.
Verbose, overly talkative, solicitous, professional (bringing his tools), somewhat presumptuous (offering medical advice), but ultimately skilled.
Locations
The Young Man's Chamber
A private room within a wealthy household, likely adorned with textiles and cushions, where the young man is confined due to his lovesickness. The atmosphere shifts from despair to hope.
Mood: Initially melancholic and despairing, transforming into hopeful and energetic as the news of the meeting is delivered.
The old woman delivers the cadi's daughter's message, curing the young man's lovesickness and prompting him to prepare for the meeting.
The Cadi's Daughter's Residence
The home of the cadi, a high-ranking judge, implying a house of significant size and status. The daughter's window overlooks the street, allowing her to see arrivals.
Mood: Initially hesitant and cautious, then softening to a compassionate and strategic mood as the daughter agrees to the meeting.
The cadi's daughter agrees to meet the young man while her father is at noon prayers, planning to open the door herself.
Street in front of the Cadi's House
The public thoroughfare directly outside the cadi's residence, where the young man is instructed to present himself. It would be relatively quiet during noon prayers.
Mood: Anticipatory and slightly tense, as the young man awaits the cadi's departure and the daughter's appearance.
The young man is to arrive here at noon on Friday, after the cadi has left for prayers, to meet his beloved.