Men then only studied the arts, but now is science added to their studies.” “Royal master,” said the barber, “in those days the magic mirror was unknown and not so much required. “Ah, Granada, Granada!” exclaimed the king “hast thou no daughter to offer thy king? In this Alhambra did my predecessors enjoy the company of their wives and am I to be denied this natural comfort?” The fathers of families were much annoyed at the apparent want of female ambition in their daughters, while the mothers were strangely silent on the matter.Įvery morning the king would ask the barber if any young lady had ventured on looking into the mirror but the answer was always the same-that many watched his shop to see if others went there, but none had ventured in. The latter seem to have been cleverer in their excuses, for it was soon observable that no man in Granada would marry, assigning as a reason for this that until the king was suited they would not think of marrying though the real cause may have been due to the objection of the ladies to look into the mirror. Some were already engaged to be married, others professed themselves too proud to enter the barber’s shop, while others assured their friends that they had resolved on remaining single. Many excuses and explanations were given. The king, be it known, was a very handsome man, and was beloved by all his subjects for his many virtues therefore it was surprising that none of the lovely ladies who attended court should try to become his wife. Some generous ladies would try and prevail on their lady friends to make the trial, but none seemed ambitious of the honour. The sole condition imposed on those who desired to become Queen of Granada was made known, and was much ridiculed, as may naturally be supposed but, strange to say, no woman applied to the barber to have a look into the mirror.ĭays and weeks went by, but the king was no nearer getting a wife. No she will have to gaze into the mirror with me by her side,” continued the barber. “But, first of all, they will have to justify their claim, for I will not take any woman at her word. “Then you will have every woman in Granada claiming the right to be queen!” all exclaimed. “Any woman from eighteen years upwards is eligible,” said the possessor of the mirror. “But is there no limit as to age?” they again inquired. “This is the sole condition,” replied the barber, placing his thumbs in the armholes of his waistcoat and looking very wise. “Is this one of the conditions?” asked all. I am the possessor of the magic mirror also, into which if any woman not being thoroughly good shall look, the blemishes on her character will appear as so many spots on its surface.” “I am under royal licence, remember,” said he of the razor “for I am the only man in the kingdom permitted to rub the royal features. “What have you got to do with providing the king with a wife?” “He would,” replied the barber, “with greater ease find the reverse but to find a woman worthy to be his wife I shall have great trouble.” “Is not the king to find a woman for wife in our land of Spain?” “But what mean you, good friend?” demanded his customers. “Some more resemble the unbaptized, of whom I say, abernuncio.” “Not all women are worthy the name,” answered the barber. The night watchmen in crying the hour proclaimed the news in a loud voice, so that all the maidens were kept awake by thinking of the news, and by day they were being constantly reminded by all the old dueñas that the king had resolved to marry.Īfter the news had become somewhat stale, the question was asked, “Who is the king going to marry?” To which the barber made reply, that probably “he would marry a woman.” The barber told all his customers, who again told all their friends. The news was first told to the court barber, then to the night watchmen, and, in the third place, to the oldest woman in the city of Granada. It was proclaimed throughout the kingdom of Granada that the king had decided on marrying.
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