THE STORY OF THE BARBER’S SECOND BROTHER.

My second brother, who was called Backbarah the Toothless, going one day through the city, met an old woman in an out-street, who came to him presently, and said, I want one word with you, pray stop one moment.  He did so, and asked her what she would have.  If you will come along with me, said she, I will bring you into a stately palace, where you shall see a lady as fair as the day.  She will receive you with abundance of pleasure, and give you a treat with excellent wine.  I need say no more to you.  But is what you say true? replied my brother.  I am no lying hussy, replied the old woman; I say nothing to you but what is true.  But hark, I have something to ask of you.  You must be wise, you must speak but little, and you must be mighty complaisant.  Backbarah agreed to all this.  The old woman went before, and he followed after.  They came to the gate of a great palace, where there was a great number of officers and domestics.  Some of them would have stopped my brother, but no sooner did the old woman speak to them, than they let him pass.  Then turning to my brother, she said to him, You must remember that the young lady I bring you to loves good-nature and modesty, and cannot endure to be contradicted; if you please her in that, you may be sure to obtain of her what you wish.  Backbarah thanked her for this advice, and promised to follow it.

She brought him into a fine apartment, which was a great square building, answerable to the magnificence of the palace.  There was a gallery round it, and a very fine garden in the middle.  The old woman made him sit down upon a sofa very well trimmed, and bid him stay a moment, till she went to tell the young lady of his being come.

My brother, who had never been before in such a stately palace, gazed upon the fine things that he saw; and, judging of his good fortune by the magnificence of the palace, he was scarcely able to contain himself for joy.  By and by he heard a great noise, occasioned by a troop of merry slaves, who came towards him with loud fits of laughter, and in the middle of them he perceived a young lady of extraordinary beauty, who was easily known to be their mistress by the respect they paid her.  Backbarah, who expected private conversation with the lady, was extremely surprised when he saw so much company with her.  In the mean time, the slaves put on a grave countenance when they drew near; and when the young lady came up to the sofa, my brother rose up and made her a low bow.  She took the upper-hand, prayed him to sit down, and with a smiling countenance, said to him, I am mighty glad to see you, and wish you all the happiness you can desire.  Madam, replied Backbarah, I cannot desire a greater happiness than to be in your company.  You seem to be of a good-humour, said she, and to have a mind that we should pass the time pleasantly together.